Major Exams, Minor Worry
by Yashodhara Varma
To state the obvious and say the least, tests are a very stressful time for students. Here are some tips to study for tests, such as midterms and finals. The second semester generally constitutes a larger workload than the first semester. Here are some ways to manage your stress, study more efficiently, and focus on your mental health.
Study Tips
For foreign languages, an alternative method of study includes watching TV shows, reading books, and listening to music in the language you study. This especially helps with thinking in a different language.
Find study groups and attend study sessions your teachers may hold. Ask your teachers to hold study sessions. One great motivator is working with other people.
Vary your time and place of study. Ideally, you are not studying only the night before an exam or test.
Use techniques that work for you and your learning style. I take my notes in cursive ink and read them aloud, but if you are more artistically-inclined, you might want to try more visual studying styles such as sketch noting and mind-mapping.
On the Day Of
If you are unable to get enough sleep, which ranges from around 7.5 to 10.5 hours for a teen, drink a caffeinated drink such as coffee.
Eat a thorough breakfast and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Prioritize your Mental Health Throughout
Too many students get limited sleep and are constantly stressed. At times, this is very hard to control, but you should do everything you can to limit your stress.
Try decluttering your work space, avoiding procrastination, and breaking up large assignments into smaller sections.
Your mental health should also be a priority while studying; whether it is through exercise, art, mindfulness, or another outlet, finding an activity to occupy yourself with while studying is very important.
At the end of the day, it is just a test. Even though you should do your best, remember that the results do not define you and that they are not very important in the grand scheme of things.
Good luck to everyone on their exams!
