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There is a three-thing-routine that is helpful before actually taking an exam. It is not a study routine. In the moments before an exam, cramming does not help. It will raise anxiety to focus on memorizing / learning information. It may be counter-productive. Here are three suggestions to consider:

• Stay away from other people. Some people will be highly anxious. There will be others who are eager to demonstrate just how much they know. Exposure to people like this undermines confidence. Avoid it if possible.
• Do something to relax. Take a walk. Listen to some music. You know what is helpful for you. The research literature on human performance says the best results are achieved when relaxation replaces anxiety. Find the thing that helps you to relax and incorporate that into your routine.
• Eat. This may sound like a simplistic suggestion but it is really important. Like an athlete, develop a pre-exam meal routine. You want to maintain your energy throughout the exam time. That may be three hours of intense concentration. Perhaps you are not hungry just before an exam due to anxiety but you need to prepare yourself for the work of exams. Often, school food has heavy starches and carbohydrates. You may find that these foods induce a feeling of tiredness. This is the last thing that you need before an exam. You want to find the foods that will give you sustained energy and allow you to focus on the exam. Consider the exam as a strenuous physical, emotional and intellectual exercise - and prepare accordingly.

You have studied and you have prepared. Use the time just before the exam starts to maximize your performance. Build a routine and prepare to be successful.

Catherine Forsythe

Tags: anxiety, exams, performance, preparation, success

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