Written by Chloe Debono
There have been way too many times, especially in my first years at university, when I have left things to the last minute or stayed up super late the night before an exam. I thought I was doing myself a favour by studying more, but in reality, that was not the case. I was harming my chances of doing well. When your brain is tired, it’s difficult to absorb information and stay focused, and the next day, I was left feeling mentally exhausted and fatigued.
Here is what you should do the night before an exam:
- Avoid cramming: You are not going to take in all the information you study, and you are going to make your brain fatigued for your exam. Stop studying before dinner or in the late afternoon prior to your exam to give yourself a break.
- Reduce stress: Have a nice and relaxing night, watch a movie, have a bath, listen to music, light a candle, or go for a walk.
- Eat well: Have a nice comfort meal for dinner, which can help you feel calm and contribute to a good rest.
- Preparation: To avoid cramming the night before, prepare in advance so you don’t have to cram.
- Sleep well: Ensure you get a good night’s sleep, as this affects the brain’s ability to stay focused and perform accurately and effectively.
- Support systems: Advise the people you are around (family, friends, roommates) that you have an upcoming exam and you are going to have a quiet night
- Prepare for your exam: Lay out everything you will need to ensure you don’t forget anything. This may include your student ID, water, laptop, charger, pen, and paper. Ensure you have food for breakfast readily available, so you aren’t completing your exam on an empty stomach.
- Reach out for help if needed: If you are experiencing unforeseen circumstances, contact your lecturer about an extension and apply for special consideration (https://www.csu.edu.au/current-students/studying/support/special-consideration).
At the end of the day, an extra hour or night of cramming is rarely more beneficial than being well rested, calm and mentally prepared.
Charlie blog is a SSAF initiative.
