With the first semester coming to a close, midterm exams are fast-approaching. There are a number of ways to prepare for the upcoming weeks, all while reducing stress and keeping a positive mindset. Below are some resources, tips, and ideas to help you power through exam week.

Study in advance

Reviewing past material from the beginning of the semester in a timely manner is necessary for a successful performance on the exam. If you wait until exam week to open the books and take your first glance at previous material, you will be crunched on time and stressed out about studying all your information for all your classes, which may result in a poor grade.

Get a good night’s sleep

A good eight to nine hour sleep each night during exam week is necessary so that you will be awake, ready, and energized to take your exams the next morning. Not enough sleep can result in a poor performance. Lawrence Epstein, MD, explains, “Recent studies have shown that adequate sleep is essential to feeling awake and alert, maintaining good health and working at peak performance.” It is strongly recommended that you get to bed early during exam week, rather than staying up all night doing last-minute studying, which is often an ineffective approach to studying.

Eating a healthy breakfast

A hearty breakfast in the morning will give you the energy you need to take your exams and keep you feeling full until your exam is over. It can also increase focus and memory. According to Everyday Health, you should start the day off with some protein and fiber. Some quick, easy, and healthy breakfast ideas include breakfast smoothies, hard-boiled eggs, and oatmeal.

Stay hydrated

Drinking adequate amounts of water is very important, especially during exam week, because it will help keep you awake and energized. An article from Live Science describes a study concluding that drinking water while studying may increase mental performance. The amount of water that one should drink per day truly depends on the person. However, it should be around eight glasses containing eight ounces of water. Aside from improving exam performance, staying hydrated has many other health benefits.

Go to extra help

If you are having trouble with a concept or having trouble remembering something from earlier in the year, do not stress. All of the teachers are available for extra help leading up to exams. Additionally, there are review sessions for many classes during the review week. All of your teachers are here to help you, so it is strongly recommended that you take advantage of this time.

Stay organized

Staying organized is very important for exam preparation. Organized folders and binders will help you locate all of the coursework from this semester quickly and efficiently. Also, another way to stay organized is making a schedule for yourself with the exams and their dates, as well as a study schedule for each day leading up to exams. Staying organized will keep you focused and will help you maximize your performance.

Be sure to follow these tips and guidelines to ensure maximum success going into exam week. With winter break right around the corner, it is important to finish strong.

Sources: Everyday Health, WebMD, AASM, Live Science, Mayo Clinic

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