Exaam!

Examen starter klokken 16.30.

12 things to do before exams:

Don’t Panic.
Avoid panic. Exam nerves are natural but panicking will only make things worse and
you may not be able to think clearly.
Stay positive.
Believe in yourself. If you prepare for your exams properly you should do fine. Your
teachers have worked hard to make sure you have studied everything you need to for the
exam. They believe you can do it and so should you. If you believe you can do it, then
you can.
Don’t bottle things up.
If the exams are making you feel worried or depressed, talk to your friends, your
parents/guardians or your teachers. Don’t bottle things up. You’re not the only one to
feel worried about exams – we’ve all been there. Remember, everyone reacts in
different ways to exams.
Keep things in perspective.
Exams might seem like the most important thing you have to focus on right now, but
they are only a small part of your life. There are thousands of successful people who
didn’t do as well as they wanted in their exams. It’s great to do well but remember that
you can only do your best and that is what your teachers and your parents/guardians ask
of you.
Plan.
Make sure you leave plenty of time to revise so that you don’t have to cram at the last
minute. If you plan you will become more confident and will be better prepared for
your exams so you should also be more relaxed. Include some flexibility in your plan in
case something happens and you fall behind your timetable/schedule.
Rest and relaxation.
Make sure you allow yourself time for fun and relaxation away from where you are
studying so that you avoid exhaustion. Include regular breaks into your study plan or
timetable and make sure you get enough exercise and sleep to keep yourself relaxed and
refreshed. If you exercise you will be able to sleep better and you will wake up
refreshed in the morning.
If you feel you are starting to lose concentration, take a short break. Your mind is
probably tired and you will waste time trying to study. The break will mean that you
will come back refreshed. Research shows that taking breaks (eg 10 minutes for every
hour of studying) will help your brain to learn and remember things and also lengthen
your concentration. Don’t overload your brain in a study session.
You are not wasting time by taking some time out to relax from your studies but are
helping yourself to work more effectively.
Ask for help.
If you don’t understand something ask your friends, parents/guardians or your teacher
for help. You may find that you can help a classmate in something they don’t
understand – you may be able to help each other. Don’t stress yourself but take action
to find out answers to problems.
Use revision papers.
You can use revision papers to prepare mock exam answers which will help you focus
your revision. They will also help you get used to the way questions are asked and how
they should be answered. The more you practice, the more confident you will become.
You can also make up your own questions.
There are also a number of study guides available that you might find useful and these
can be purchased at most good bookstores.
Eat and drink well.
Fizzy drinks, tea and coffee contain caffeine and this can mean that you’re not able to
think as clearly. You can keep your mind active by eating healthily and regularly. If
you don’t drink enough you could dehydrate and you may suffer from headaches,
tiredness and poor concentration.
On the morning of an exam, make sure you eat breakfast. Go for something like
wholegrain cereals eg bran, egg, toast which are slow energy burners.
Study away from distractions.
Make sure you have a quiet area to study with no distractions. Turn the television off.
Don’t fall into the trap of watching one programme and then starting your study. You’ll
quickly find that it’s time to go to bed when you’re about to turn off the television. This
will only knock your studying back and cause you stress and anxiety.
Take short rests during your study time for relaxation away from where you are
studying. If your mind gets too tired you will have difficulty remembering what you
have been studying.
If you prefer to study in the evening, don’t go straight to bed afterwards because your
mind will still be thinking over what you have learnt. Take some exercise, go for a
walk or do something else that will help relax you from your study time.
Prepare everything you need for the exam.
The night before the exam, make sure you have your calculator (if needed), your pens
and pencils, your admission card and a watch so you can monitor the time during the
exam. Your teacher or your examinations officer can advise you on what you are
allowed to take into each examination.
Exam day rush.
Instead of trying to learn new topics on the day of the exam, look over your notes/key
points.
Don’t leave yourself short of time on the day of an exam. Work out how you are
getting to the exam and make sure you have plenty of time to get there so that you are
not rushed. If you have time, you may want to find a quiet place to relax rather than
waiting outside the examination centre with the accompanying noise and tension from your classmates.