Prepping for your exams plays a significant role in your exam results. Many students spend too much time studying and stress themselves out. Sometimes you need a break from studying so that your brain can slowly retain the information. Studying isn’t one of the only ways to prepare for an exam. Here are some other ways you can prepare for your exams:   

1. Sleeping- Getting a good night’s sleep the night before your exam can help your brain function correctly and help you remember all the things you studied. Not getting enough sleep can impact your memory, creativity, and logical reasoning. When students get less sleep, they have a more challenging time paying attention, and it’s harder for their brains to retain new information in memory. Many researchers even think that sleep can improve your memory.  

1. Eat Nutritious Food- What you eat can impact energy levels and focus, so keep away from junk food. Keep your body and brain well-fueled by choosing nutritious foods that help concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt, and blueberries. Eat a good meal before the exam, based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout. Sugar may give you energy, but your energy levels will crash an hour later.  

1. The 5-Day Plan- Studying should start at least five days before the exam to allow ample time to go over course concepts and materials. This plan also gives you enough time to ask questions to your instructor or peers. Organize specific blocks of time to review each day. On day five, dedicate all your study time to reviewing your summary notes. Mark the study/review days on your calendar or your weekly schedule.  

1. Take regular breaks- While you may think it’s best to study for as long as possible, this can be counterproductive. Studies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks helps. Develop a study routine that works for you because everyone is different.   

1. Drink plenty of water- Being well-hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Ensure you drink plenty of water throughout your revision and exam day. A study shows that drinking water during an exam was linked to a 4.8 percent increase in test scores.   

Here are more things to do to prep for your exams: https://www.rmc.edu/academics/academic-support/resources-for-students/how-to-guides/how-to-prepare-for-exams