What not to do the night before an exam?

Asked by: Ms. Camille Dibbert  |  Last update: August 7, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (70 votes)

The night before an exam should be spent getting in the right mindset. However, students often fall into these common mistakes: not having dinner, drinking too much caffeine, re-reading over their notes, cramming and not getting enough sleep. All these mistakes can result in them not performing their best the next day.

What not to do before a exam?

10 Things You Should Never Do A Day Before Exams
  1. 10 Things You Should Never Do A Day Before Exams. Studying a new topic or new book on the last day. Procrastinating things. ...
  2. Getting disturbed by the studying approach of another student. Not eating properly or eating unhealthy food. Being over-caffeinated.

What do you usually do in night before the exam?

Get organised

Have your pens, pencils and everything else you may need (calculator, ruler, notes, etc.) for your exam ready to go the night before. Make sure you set an alarm, allowing yourself plenty of time for a big, healthy breakfast, and to get to your exam destination with ample time.

Is it bad to study the night before an exam?

Don't burn the midnight oil the night before a test. The extra effort put into late-night studying will be offset by reduced mental performance due to lost sleep. It won't help, so don't try it. Call it a night and go to bed; your morning will be better for it.

What should you not do on exam day?

Specifically, here is a list of things that you should NOT do before an exam:
  • Putting off studying until the last minute.
  • Over-cramming the night before the exam.
  • Over-caffeinating the night before the exam.
  • Not taking adequate notes during lectures.
  • Studying by myself.
  • Walking in blind to the exam.

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32 related questions found

Should you shower the morning of an exam?

Make sure you take a shower.

You want to be clean, fresh, and happy when you walk into your exam. Countless studies have shown that people who shower in the morning are more productive, more alert, happier, and less stressed.

How do you warm up your brain before an exam?

How to relax before a test
  1. Positive self-talk. Tell yourself you're going to do great!
  2. Deep breathing. Take a few moments to focus on your breath to relax your mind and body.
  3. Physical activity. Doing some quick exercises is a great way to release endorphins and feel energised before a big exam.
  4. Look through your notes.

Is it better to sleep or study the night before an exam?

Sleeping helps your brain both process and retain information. It will also have you ready to go with energy the next day, so aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep before exam day.

Is it better to study or sleep the night before an exam?

To Cram or to Sleep? Good sleep can pay off even the night before an exam. Some studies have found that getting a full night's sleep before taking an exam is correlated with better grades and higher overall GPA.

Is it better to study the night before or morning of an exam?

In an article by USA Today on why studying at night is a good idea, it is explained that research from the University of Nevada-Reno shows how students tend to retain information better between 11 am to 9:30 pm, a timeframe that is much later than when many college classes would start.

Should you drink coffee before an exam?

Studies show that drinking coffee before an exam helps in one way or another. For instance, a study by Nutrition Journal conducted on 500 students showed signs that coffee has a positive effect in helping students to be focused.

How long should I 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.

How should I sleep early before an exam night?

How Can You Tackle the Exam Fully Rested?
  1. Set aside enough time to sleep.
  2. Go to bed and wake up at the same times each day, even on weekends.
  3. Avoid anything loud or stimulating for an hour before bed.
  4. Don't eat or drink anything in large quantities at least two hours before bed.
  5. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine.

How not to freak out before exam?

To help you stay calm and confident right before and during the test, perform relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, relaxing your muscles one at a time, or closing your eyes and imagining a positive outcome. Don't forget to eat and drink.

What not to eat or drink before an exam?

On exam day it's best to stay away from foods with a high amount of carbohydrates and sugar. That's a pretty broad category to stay away from, but if you avoid them overall you pretty much don't even have to check the nutrition facts.

Why you shouldn't eat before an exam?

But when carbs are eaten alone, like a big bowl of pasta, it will make you feel more relaxed rather than alert. Also, eating carbs in large quantities will make you feel super sleepy, something you definitely don't want during an exam.

What is the first night effect?

The “first night effect” (FNE) is a well-known phenomenon in polysomnographic (PSG) recordings characterized by decreased total sleep time, lower sleep efficiencies, reduction in REM sleep, and longer REM latencies on the first night of testing (Agnew, Webb, & Williams,1966).

Is it OK to study the day of a test?

You want your mind to be ready but you don't want to psych yourself out before the test. Cramming – both the night before and the morning of – can have damaging effects on the information that you already store.

What is the best time to take an exam?

It makes sense. New research says that you'll get the best results if you do an exam in the morning as opposed to later on in the day.

How do you pull an all nighter?

How to survive an all-nighter
  1. Take a nap. ...
  2. Caffeine – yes or no? ...
  3. Order some pizza in. ...
  4. Avoid procrastination. ...
  5. Take regular breaks. ...
  6. Keep yourself stimulated. ...
  7. Set some alarms. ...
  8. Do some exercise.

Why can't I sleep before exam?

Sitting and ruminating over thoughts of the day will keep the brain active, so try keeping a notebook by your bed to write thoughts down before sleep instead. Meditation and breathing exercises can also help. If you can't drop off, don't stay in bed trying to force yourself to sleep.

How can I study for 4 hours straight?

How to Stay Focused for Long Hours
  1. Avoid distractions.
  2. Set a timer to complete a task.
  3. Drink plenty of fluids.
  4. Meditate for at least 15 minutes.
  5. Focus on one task and then move to another.
  6. Write a success mantra on your table or keep a calendar/wall hanging having quotes which motivate you.

What stimulates brain before exam?

Brain foods like almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, dark chocolate, yogurt, chia seeds, etc. will enhance your memory and mental health. In addition, it is recommended to eat a healthy nutritious dinner the night before and some protein-rich light breakfast on the day of the exam.

What helps memory before an exam?

Use repetition to firmly lodge information in your memory. Repetition techniques can involve things like flash cards, using the simple tips in this section, and self-testing. Space out your studying and repetition over several days, and start to increase the time in between each study session.

How can I calm my nerves fast before an exam?

Focus on calm breathing and positive thoughts . Deep breathing can slow down a beating heart or a racing mind, so practice these techniques at home. The very act of concentrating on breathing and thinking can biometrically alter those anxious feelings.