Helping Newcomers to Canada Navigate The Ontario School System
December 1, 2016
Managing Exam Anxiety on Exam Day
January 19, 2017
Exams can be so stressful! But the key to getting great results is preparation. The sooner you start preparing, the calmer and less stressed you will be on exam day.
If you’re looking for strategies to boost productivity in the lead up to your high school exams, try these 4 exam preparation tips.
- Plan, Don’t Cram
According to a UCLA study, cramming is counterproductive because it often means you’re sacrificing sleep, and when you’re sleep deprived your learning and performance suffers. So plan ahead and create a study schedule – today! Mark your exam dates on a calendar and work backwards to add study sessions for each subject. You’ll be more organized, and feel less pressure because you’re only studying for a couple of hours at a time (instead of 6 hours straight the night before). Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a study schedule, or try a free online study planner like Go Conqr. - Get Plenty of Sleep
As mentioned above, sleep impacts your learning. Your brain and body need adequate rest if you want them to retain information and perform at their best on exam day. Teenagers aged 14-17 should have between 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Try to go to bed at a regular time, and don’t take your phone to bed with you. You’re losing valuable sleep time by scrolling mindlessly through Instagram, and the light from your phone or tablet decreases melatonin production – which is a hormone that helps you sleep.
- Install a Productivity Plugin
If you’re easily distracted by social media or other websites when trying to study or do homework, install a plugin like Stayfocusd (for Chrome). You decide which time-wasting sites you want to block and for how long, and it stops you from accessing them. You’re left with no choice but to focus on your work!
- Eat Well and Exercise
You know it’s good for you! But when you’re tired and stressed, healthy eating and exercise are usually the first to go. Chips, chocolate bars and sugary caffeinated drinks might give you a temporary boost of energy, but the crash is just not worth it and your brain will struggle. Instead, snack on nuts, fruits and vegetables (here are 17 delicious study breaks snacks), and drink at least 2 litres of water per day. Exercise plays a big part in helping your brain learn, think and remember information too. Take regular breaks and exercise, even if it’s a walk, job or bike ride. Add 30 minutes of exercise per day into your study schedule to make sure it’s a priority.
These habits are not just helpful for your high school exams; they’ll also get you far in college, university and throughout your entire career. Stay positive, organized and focused, and you’ll do great!
Wondering what’s next after your high school exams? Marlene Kaiman, who has offered educational consulting and guidance for hundreds of students, has compiled these 8 fantastic study, travel and career options for high school grads to consider.
