As much as I feel relaxed after realizing that I am done with the dreadful CIE exams, I am reminded of that time when I see my baby sister freaking out about her exams. It is safe to say that academically she is much better than I was or am, but the exam stress takes a toll on even a top grader.
I decided to shed some light on the topic EXAMS after I saw my sister freaking out and getting mad over me for literally no reason. She was clearly upset because she had practiced past papers and didn’t score well. Here is the background, she did two papers. She scored good in the first one and scored average in the second one. She was mad about not scoring well in the second one. That is when i told her some tips to perform better and simultaneously not freak out (aka not shout at people for no reason).
Take regular breaks
Even our phones hand and shutdown when they are running out of battery. Breaks recharge your mind and relaxes it. Your brain cannot work efficiently when it’s tired and continuous revising or practicing can be exhausting. Make sure you maintain your discipline when you take a break. This means that it should be timed, hence not more than 10 minutes. It is a break not your phone/screen time. Keep that curse away. Again, it’s a break not your lunch time, hence keep a snack around which is light and not something which will make you feel dizzy, fruits are always a good idea.
Eat breakfast
Schools give you study break for a reason, here’s the reason: so that you can study in the most comfortable environment. Therefore, make the most out of the time you are given. Maintain a routine and ADD BREAKFAST IN YOUR ROUTINE. We have ignored breakfast like a middle child is ignored their entire life. Don’t do that, take your morning meal on time and everyday.
Get enough sleep
Me: How did you prepare for your exam?
Friend: Bro all-nighter always works. It was me, redbull and my books.
Please don’t fall in this trap. People who brag about their all nighter they pulled off are the ones sleeping and snoring in the exam hall. Nights are made for sleeping hence get your beauty and brain sleep.
Organise your work-space
Here is a something I would like to tell you about me: I clean when I am stressed.
So channel your energy and stress to something productive such as organising your workspace which will ultimately make you feel better when you sit to work.
Ammarah Imran 