5 Tips to Reduce Exam Stress

Exams roll around a few times every year and the stress builds up just as fast as the study notes pile up. With the right tips and techniques, you can use your time efficiently, get everything done and still have time to spare.

Don’t Procrastinate

Leaving your studying to the night before isn’t going to help your stress levels or your grades. Space out your tasks over the course of the week or two before your exam and tackle a little bit every night instead of cramming the night before.

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Manage Your Time

Use your time wisely. Write out every test you have and figure out how many days you have to study. Schedule some time each day to cover all your topics instead of cramming for each one on separate nights before the exams. If you’re going to get together with your friends to study, try quizzing each other or making up practice tests.

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Get Sleep

Pulling all-nighters is not the way to study or prepare yourself for your exam. Your body and mind need rest in order to process and retain all that information. Instead of staying up all night, go to bed at a reasonable hour and wake up early to hit the books.

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Caffeine and Nutrition

Sugar and coffee seem to be the go-to study snacks, but they aren’t doing you much good. Too many stimulants and poor nutrition aren’t helping your brain with all that information you’re feeding it, so have something good to eat. Healthy snacks will get your brain rolling and keep your energy up for long study sessions.

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Take Breaks

Using your time wisely doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sit in the library for eight hours without leaving. Regular breaks are actually great for your body and brain and can help you study longer and more productively. Try taking a 10 minute break every hour—go for a walk or chat with friends instead of checking your social media pages or playing a video game.

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