The last week of the semester can be a stressing time for all students. The biggest fear is that the student may enter the exam hall and the mind goes blank all of a sudden. So, knowing how to be prepared for the final exams properly is important to avoid stress and making mistakes during your exams. Preparing for the final exams can be time-consuming and exhausting, but it doesn’t to be. You don’t have to rush the last minute trying to cover the whole subject in a day. But there are a couple of simple things you can do ahead of time, to ensure that you’re ready to do your final exams. Here are some helpful ideas.

Start revising early

The first step is to give yourself enough time to read all the material that you’ve been taught in class. You can be able to approximate how much time you need depending on how much notes you need to read. For example, if you have a whole course for the whole semester, you will need to start preparing a few weeks earlier. But if you’re just preparing for a simple test, you can start revising a week before or even some days prior. You are the best judge the time you need to study. If the subject is a little bit difficult, start reading early to allocate enough time to absorb the material and practice it. Remember, your brain needs some time to digest everything, so get a full night’s sleep before the exam.

Find an alternative study spot

Spending all the time in the library can be draining. So, adjust your study routine especially for the final exams. A study by New York Times shows that simply alternating the room where an individual study helps improve retention. Ensure you have enough space to spread your materials out. Get enough lighting, a comfortable chair, and any other relevant material that may be helpful in the studying process. Try to avoid all forms of distraction, and make sure you’re comfortable to help you focus as much as possible. For some, it may mean complete silence, while others love having some background music. Think of what works for you, and take the time to get it right.

Avoid cramming in the last minute

Don’t rush to cram at the last minute. Try revising for 60 minutes to 90 minutes every day for a week until the time of an exam. Some students may prefer to study at night. This may work for them but in most cases, students experience declining returns on their efforts once they concentrate for four to five hours continuously. Also, don’t forget to take about 5 to10 minutes between your studying instead of cramming. When you distribute learning over time it benefits your long-term retention.

Form study groups

Find a friend or a group of people you share the same course to study together. You can simply review each other’s notes to find out what you’re missing, and don’t forget to discuss the concepts you think may be covered in the test. Start by asking some potential exam questions. Use flashcards to write some questions and let your friend quiz you. This will increase your understanding. Sometimes you can also learn more information by discussing the main concepts in a conversation with friends and group members than your teachers. This will help you understand the exact information in a different way, and also increase your understanding.

Avoid being the all-nighter

Almost every student will always pull an all-nighter. But the whole idea will just end up making you feel drained out. It causes impaired reasoning since that is the time you’re supposed to be asleep. It will also lead to poor grades and you will be forced to sleep for fewer hours than expected. According to a study carried by Dan Taylor, a director of sleep and health at the University of North Texas, lack of sleep may interfere with the rapid-eye-movement (REM) which helps in memory. So, get a good night’s sleep and you will experience better performance on tests.

Take superfoods

Before you enter the examination hall, make sure you have eaten breakfast. Studies show that meals that contain high-fiber, high-carb, or slow-digesting foods such as oatmeal are the best. When you study, you engage your brain a lot and it consumes high amounts of glucose. So, it’s important to take small breaks after every hour to refresh then resume your studies. Eating a healthy snack is very important and it helps to increase concentration. Try eating fruits, almonds, and yogurt before the test. These tips and tricks will help you get ready for any tests that you may be struggling with. Rest assured that your brain has the capability to house a lot of information for the sake of your exams. So, you need to make it easier for it to grasp and absorb more as you prepare for your exams.