How do I feel less tired before an exam?
Asked by: Emmitt Gaylord | Last update: November 12, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (6 votes)
- Take a short nap before the exam, if possible. ...
- Stay cool in class. ...
- Sit by a window. ...
- Chew gum. ...
- Take brain breaks. ...
- Ask to go to the bathroom.
What to do if you're tired before an exam?
Power nap
If you're feeling tired and lacking focus after lunch, don't be afraid to have a short power nap. A 10-minute nap can boost alertness, energy levels, creativity and even your ability to solve tricky problems. For best results keep it short (no more than 30 minutes).
How to get rid of fatigue during exams?
KEEP BREAKS AT A REASONABLE TIME LIKE 15 MINUTES. YOU WONT BE ABLE TO CONCENTRATE WITHOUT DOWN TIME. TRY FIT IN SOME RELAXATION SUCH AS MINDFULNESS, RELAXATION EXERCISES, SPENDING TIME IN NATURE OR BREATHING EXERCISES. REMEMBER THAT SOME EXAM STRESS IS INEVITABLE, AND EVEN HEALTHY AT TIMES.
Why do I feel tired before exams?
And the more we use our brain to perform mental tasks, the more energy (i.e. glucose) is being used. This results in less glucose in the blood for other parts of the body, leading you to feel extreme exhaustion after long hours of thinking. Exam period often means skipping meals to focus on your studies.
Is it better to sleep 1 hour or none before an exam?
The amount of sleep needed before an exam can vary from person to person, but generally, it's recommended to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep the night before an exam. This allows your brain to consolidate information, improve memory retention, and ensure you're mentally alert and focused during the exam.
Conquering exam stress: lessons from our bodies
What is the best nap length before exam?
Optimal Duration: Aim for a nap of 10-20 minutes. This is long enough to refresh your mind without causing grogginess. Avoid Long Naps: Napping for 30-60 minutes can lead to sleep inertia, making it harder to wake up and return to studying. Best Time: Nap in the early afternoon, typically between 1-3 PM.
How to get energy before a test?
Foods that supply a steady source of energy (known as low glycaemic foods) are ideal fuel sources for a hard-working brain, as are foods rich in essential micronutrients like zinc, iron and vitamin B12. Don't neglect your hydration levels either – water is essential for your brain cells to communicate.
How to stop feeling sleepy?
- Eat often to beat tiredness. ...
- Get moving. ...
- Lose weight to gain energy. ...
- Sleep well. ...
- Reduce stress to boost energy. ...
- Talking therapy beats fatigue. ...
- Cut out caffeine. ...
- Drink less alcohol.
How to calm down before a test?
To help you stay calm and confident right before and during the test, do relaxation techniques. These include deep breathing, tensing then relaxing your muscles one at a time, or closing your eyes and imagining a positive outcome. Practice these methods daily so they feel like a habit when test day comes.
Is it better to study or relax before an exam?
The day before a test isn't the day to do all your studying, but a little light review can be helpful. Otherwise, treat this day mostly as a day to relax. Get together your textbooks, notes, and other study materials and then find a quiet room to study in, such as your bedroom or the local library.
How to study without feeling sleepy?
- Avoid Studying in your Bed.
- Sit in Right Position.
- Keep a Regular Fixed Study Schedule.
- Be Active in Learning.
- Take Breaks.
- Drink Water.
- Study with Friends.
- Practice Deep Breathing.
How to push through finals?
- Evaluate your expectations. All of us want to do well in college. ...
- Change the narrative. ...
- Avoid 'stress bragging' ...
- Take breaks. ...
- Revel in the small victories. ...
- Take a deep breath and relinquish control. ...
- Ask for help.
How do you beat exam fatigue?
Explore some stress relievers
Discovering which strategies help to lower their stress levels during and after the exam period can help them reset and fight exam fatigue. Try doing some mindful activities together, like deep breathing, sleep meditation or keeping a worry or gratitude journal.
What is the minimum amount of sleep before an exam?
Eight hours is the bare minimum, and some students need as many as ten hours. Aim for eight at the very least, but pay attention to your body. If you're not feeling rested, aim for more. Thanks to your natural circadian (24-hour) rhythms, your body and mind function at their best in a predictable daily routine.
How to ace a test?
- Prioritize! You know your classes better than anyone. ...
- Make a study schedule. Don't skip this step! ...
- Re-write your notes. ...
- Test your knowledge. ...
- Teach someone else. ...
- Get rid of the distractions. ...
- Stay healthy. ...
- Just do it!
What is the 10 3 2 1 0 rule for sleep?
Cut out caffeine 10 hours before bed. Don't eat or drink alcohol 3 hours before bed. Stop working 2 hours before bed. Get away from your screens 2 hours before bed.
What to eat to reduce fatigue?
Eat a healthy diet – increase the amount of fruit, vegetables, wholegrain foods, low fat dairy products and lean meats in your diet. Reduce the amount of high fat, high sugar and high salt foods. Don't overeat – large meals can drain your energy.
What is the 3pm crash?
Why do we have a 3pm slump? The main reason why we feel tired and can't focus at around 3pm is down to our sleep pattern. How we sleep is dictated by our body clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, or sleep homeostasis.
What to do 30 minutes before an exam?
It's advisable to avoid cramming as it can lead to anxiety and fatigue. Instead, a quick and focused review of your study material can help refresh your memory. Additionally, simple relaxation techniques, like deep breathing exercises or visualizing success, can help in reducing stress.
How to get energy in 5 minutes?
- Call your peppiest pal.
- Climb a few flights of stairs.
- Do a sun salutation.
- Fix a healthy meal or snack: Hunger can sap your energy (avoid sugar to prevent a dip in energy later).
- Follow a five-minute exercise video.
- Knock out a set of jumping jacks.
- Gently stretch your neck.
What not to eat before an exam?
On exam day it's best to stay away from foods with a high amount of carbohydrates and sugar.
Is 1 hour sleep better than none?
Most of the time, catching even just a few zzz's is better than nothing. When you truly have less than one hour, power napping for 20 minutes might be your best option. However, if you have the time, try to make it through one 90-minute cycle so you can be more alert until you can catch up on rest.
Is pulling one all-nighter bad?
An occasional all-nighter will not harm you. But frequent and regular all-nighters can be harmful to your health. Deliberate sleep deprivation can impact your cognitive ability, which can affect memory, concentration, and alertness. All-nighters can also affect your physical health.
Is sleep debt real?
If you regularly lose sleep or choose to sleep less than needed, the sleep loss adds up. The total sleep lost is called your sleep debt. For example, if you lose 2 hours of sleep each night, you'll have a sleep debt of 14 hours after a week. Some people nap to deal with sleepiness.