Knowing what to do before a test is difficult. Deciding whether to cram or wind is a tough decision if you don’t know what’s best for you. Luckily, we have some tips on how to spend the night before an exam and even the morning of. Learn if you should unwind, do some last-minute learning, and even what you should eat.
You’ve made it to the night before your exam and all your hard work is done. Undoubtedly, you’re nervous about what’s to come tomorrow and how best you should prepare. The important thing is to be in the best possible position for taking on your GCSEs, A Levels and more. Thankfully, we can tell you how.
How To Spend The Night Before An Exam
The night before an exam shouldn’t be spent stressing you out even more.
- Don’t pull an all-nighter: It’s tempting if you feel as if you have loads to learn still, but you don’t want to risk falling asleep during your exam. Plus, being sleep-deprived will mean your brain is in the worst possible position for taking on tricky questions. Ensure you get plenty of sleep.
- Only look at the most valuable topics: You need to accept that you won’t be able to cram in the whole subject in one evening. So, look at the topics that you’re least confident in, or ones that will likely be a higher mark question. Concentrate on those, instead of barely looking at everything.
- Unwind the night before an exam: Before you decide to go to sleep (a healthy amount remember), take some time completely away from revision and exams. Watch an episode of your favourite TV show, read a book or even play a game. This will help relax you before heading to bed.
- Check you have everything you need: Something you really don’t need is to be running around in the morning looking for your equipment or any other resources you may need. Pack your bag the night before and triple check you have everything you need. You should even pack your lunch and water bottle so you have as little as possible to think about in the morning.
What You Should Eat Before Your Exam
Not only does your brain need to be ready, but your body needs fuel too; importantly, the right fuel. Here is what you should eat the night and morning before an exam.
- Put the sugar and caffeine way: No doubt you think this will make you energised; it will, but just not in the right way and not for very long. Whether for dinner or for breakfast the morning of your exam, sugar and caffeine will just make you irritable and won’t focus your attention.
- Have a hearty meal: Nobody wants to be the person in the hall whose stomach is growling loudly. That’s distracting enough, but you don’t want to constantly think about how hungry you are. Eat something filling that will keep you going.
- Eat something healthy and nutritious: It’s tempting to get some tasty snacks to pick at whilst you revise, but this isn’t what’s best for your body. Make sure you have some vegetables, some protein (especially fish!) and some healthy carbs. The better you treat your body, the better you’ll perform during your exam. This includes having some toast or cereal and maybe a banana before sitting down for your exam.
- Stay hydrated: You’ll be able to take water in with you, but you don’t want to be reaching for it all the time. From the night before until the morning of, drink plenty of water. Just make sure you pop to the toilet beforehand so that you’re not busting during your exam.
Once your exams are done, you should have as many treats as you want to celebrate the achievement. However, follow the above tips on what you should eat the night before your exam to make sure your body is in tip-top shape.
The Morning Of The Big Day
Know you know how to spend the night before an exam, we should give you some tips about the morning to.
- Do a little exercise: Definitely don’t go run a half marathon or do a new PB at the gym. However, moving your body means you won’t mind sitting down so much during your exam. Plus, it’ll distract you and be better for your mental health; it’s a win-win! You could do some yoga, go for a walk or even just dance it out — whatever joyful movement you enjoy the most!
- Leave the books behind: At this point, you’ve done everything you can to learn the exam content. Unless you are absolutely desperate, try to leave your material alone to remain as relaxed as possible. Enough of the day will be spent thinking about the topic as it is!
- Arrive in plenty of time: This is definitely not the day to be late. Make sure you get to school or university in plenty of time as that’s stress you certainly don’t need. Even if you’re there too early, you can meet with friends or have a snack whilst you wait.
By following these tips, you’ll be in the best place possible to take on your exam.