The night before an exam is a crucial time. For some students, it’s a night of intense revision trying to cover everything you think might show up in the exam. It’s also a night of anxiety, and many students will agree that they don’t get a lot of sleep that night.
However, this should be a time to maximise the performance of your mind and body in preparation for the upcoming exam. As such, the night comes with many do’s and don’ts aimed at helping you make the most of it and maximise your chances of doing well and being in the best shape for the upcoming exams.
What You Should Avoid the Night Before an Exam?
Your focus on the night before the exams should be on making yourself feel as good as possible on the day of the exam. There are some things you should avoid to ensure you’re at your peak:
Caffeine Intake at Night
Students usually take caffeine (coffee) at night to help them stay up late into the night as they study. However, this isn’t recommended. Taking coffee six hours before sleeping seriously impacts the quality of your sleep. You need as much rest as possible during the need, so you should avoid taking coffee for a minimum of six hours before bed.
Exclusive Fluid Intake
You want to be hydrated on exam day, and you might think that starting early can help you achieve this goal. However, drinking a lot of fluids before going to bed can wake you up during the night and disrupt your beauty rest, which you need before the exam.
Cramming
For many students, the night before an exam is the opportune time to cram as much as possible. Cramming is a commonly used method to help them pass exams. However, existing research has shown that it might not be adequate to cram a lot of information in a short span (mass learning). You have better chances of retaining more information if you space the learning. This means taking your time to absorb the information over a longer period of time.
Pulling an all-nighter Instead of Sleeping
If you’re a firm believer in cramming or last-minute studies, you might be more inclined to pull an all-nighter in an effort to ensure you’re prepared for the exam. However, studies have also shown that sacrificing your sleep to study is not the best idea and might be counterproductive. Students who get enough rest the night before the exam tend to do better the next day.
Not Eating Dinner
With so much to do and worry about in one night, you may consider saving as much time as possible, including skipping dinner to allow more time for revision. However, by skipping dinner, you are also robbing your brain of the nutrition it needs to maintain peak performance, which could be harmful because it could negatively impact your cognitive abilities.
Overeating
Opting not to skip a meal is a good decision. But you should also be cautious not to eat too much as it could leave you feeling tired and not well rested the following morning. You should also avoid eating within three hours of going to bed as this increases the chances of working up, disturbing your rest and sleep quality, as well as the energy levels you will have the next day.
Overthinking
It’s impossible not to overthink, especially when you have an exam that could change your future. However, overthinking is one of the most common reasons for not getting enough sleep. Instead of getting lost in your head in thoughts of what you need to prepare and study before the test, focus on your accomplishments and memories. Take a deep breath, relax and remember that the exam is only a part of the process.
Best Tips for What You Should Do Before an Exam
Now that you know what you shouldn’t do on the night before the exam, here are some great ideas on what you should do:
Solve Exercise Questions
While it’s not recommended to cram and do mass learning the night before, you could still do some light studies and get your momentum going by solving some questions or using some flashcards to help your memory get going.
Stay Hydrated
Your cognitive performance heavily relies on you being hydrated. The slightest decline in your cognitive performance can also affect attention-demanding activities. You should aim to drink plenty of water during the day to ensure you are fully hydrated. However, avoid taking the water a few hours before you sleep.
Stick to Your Routine
If you have an effective routine already nailed down to keep you comfortable and relaxed before the exam, you should stick to it. Avoid trying new things in your spare time and find comfort and peace in what you’re used to. This can come in handy when you go to bed and want to take some rest.
Meditate on Positive Outcomes
It’s normal for many students to have a hard time staying calm when they know they have an exam coming up. Try meditating on positive outcomes that will happen after the exam. Close your eyes, get in a comfortable position, and only think about the good that can happen after completing the exam.
Eat Right and Eat Light
Food has a significant impact on your cognitive function and mood. You should eat something you enjoy. However, don’t get carried away. Keep it light because you don’t want to feel tired right after you eat, which can cause you to feel the same after you wake up the next day.
Prepare Materials for the Next Day
You don’t want to wake up scampering and looking for your materials. You will sleep better knowing that everything you need for the next day is ready. This will also help reduce anxiety in the morning and during the exam.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep and rest cannot be stressed enough. Enough rest will have a huge impact on how you feel the following day and how well your brain operates.
Conclusion
Don’t let the anxiety of exams carry you away. It’s important to prepare the right way. You should also remain calm and maintain positive thoughts to ensure you’re prepared to do your best in the upcoming exam.
