A student takes so many exams on the pathway to his career, especially in his academic life. When preparing for any exam, the students often think about anything else they could do for exceptional preparation. However, on reviewing the things students do before the exam, it was found that most things are not meant to enhance their performance. Some things were inhibiting their preparation. The point to note is that most students did not even know this. The students have to scrutinise their last day’s preparation to know about such things.
It is to identify if anything is there, which they usually do a day before the exam, which holds them back from giving their best in the exam. Notably, after the CBSE board Term-2 exams, various competitive exams are aligned for this year, including NEET 2022, JEE 2022, CUET, NTA 2022, & NTSE. So, today we will discuss ten things that you should never do a day before exams.
Important! Get all information on JEE Main 2022, NEET-UG 2022, KVPY, and olympiad exams.
As we all know, the exam season is going on. With a spoonful of stress and a pinch of nervousness, students have a high time for preparation. Different students have different study methods. But, it was found that several things, which students do on the last day of preparation, actually negatively influence their ability. They may be doing such things blindly for years.
We have curated a list of ten things that they should never do a day before exams that students should go through once. The students should identify such things they do from this list. They should stop doing those things before the exam day.
10 Things You Should Never Do A Day Before Exams
Studying a new topic or new book on the last day
Some students leave a new topic for them to study a day before the exams. Students should opt to study a new topic on the last day of preparation. Also, students should not study a new book for a subject whose exam is scheduled for the next day. It is good to prepare a topic or chapter from different textbooks for the exams, but it is not good to do this a day before the exam.
There is a reason why students should not do this. On reading new material for the exam scheduled on the next day, if students did not grasp it on time, it might destabilise them. They might lose confidence if they do not understand the concept clearly.
Procrastinating things
Many students have a serious problem of procrastinating. The students should not leave things to be done on the last day. The exam approaches before such students are prepared for the exam. Postponing the study of important or complex concepts for a day before the exam is no good. A student cannot get things done on the last day before an exam. It is impractical to think like this.
Everything important must be done when there is still time left. Procrastination will do nothing but only lead a student to the exam hall in a panic-stricken & fearful state.
Using gadgets or social media
Students addicted to social media apps should try to avoid social media apps on their phones throughout their preparations, especially on the last day of preparation. They should keep all their gadgets out of reach. Also, they should restrict themselves from checking their cell phone frequently. Distracting social media apps and gadgets cause a lack of attention in students.
Getting disturbed by the studying approach of another student
Many students keep asking their peers about all topics they have studied or how many books they have referred to for preparation. Such students may start feeling low or disappointed if they know that somebody has read more than them.
Students should follow their timetable and study at their speed. If another student has completed a major portion of the syllabus, there is nothing to feel low! Maybe that student is just reading out and not studying seriously as you do. So, do not give a damn about others and stay focused on your goal.
Not eating properly or eating unhealthy food
Exams preparations should not prevent you from eating a wholesome diet. Don’t get too involved in studying that you skip having your meal. Students should eat a healthy & sufficient diet during the preparation, especially on the day before an exam.
Besides, students should avoid binge eating and say no to unhealthy food. Also, students should not eat recklessly before the exam. A healthy meal should be preferred simply as a student would not want to take the risk of falling sick at such a crucial time.
Being over-caffeinated
Students should know that coffee will not make them score well in their exams. Coffee can help facilitate the efficiency of preparation by keeping a student wakeful. However, An overdose of caffeine may cause side effects like headaches, dizziness, or dehydration.
Those students who easily get nervous or start feeling anxious by just thinking of writing an exam should avoid drinking coffee. It may increase their anxiety.
Not having adequate sleep
One of the major mistakes that students should avoid is not having adequate sleep a day before the exam. Many students think that night studies will help them learn better. However, the influence depends on the body. It might adversely affect your health & even your memorizing capacity.
A sound sleep offers rest to the mind & body of a student. It will refresh the students’ brains for the upcoming exam day. With proper sleep, your brain will work efficiently on exam day.
Comparing preparation with friends
Students should strictly avoid comparing their preparation with their friends or roommates. Every individual can learn or grasp things. Someone winds up earlier while someone takes time to finish it up. The result is the same for both of them, i.e., to learn all the concepts right.
Comparing yourself with others will do nothing but bother you. Worrying about the preparation level of other students will influence your capabilities. Instead, students should believe in themselves and prepare hard.
Not keeping calm and overthinking
Some students get very anxious or nervous a day before the exam. This, if not controlled, may lead to panic attacks on exam day. Students should take a moment and think will panicking bring any good results to them? or can overthinking help them get good marks? The answer will be no! So, the students should stop stressing. Rather, they should try to keep their minds calm.
Students should practice breathing exercises or quick meditation to combat unnecessary stress & anxiety.
Not planning for the exam day
Some students get so involved in the last-day studies that they forget to plan for the next day. They do not remember to keep the essential things such as a pen, pencil, calculator, or even ID card for the exam. The students should plan for the exam a day before, like setting the alarm to wake up early for a quick revision, having a wholesome breakfast, reaching the exam centre, etc. It is good to keep all the exam essentials and documents in their bag the day before.
Conclusion
During the exam season, most students want to do everything they can to improve their preparation. However, many students do some disadvantageous things on the day before exams. They are unaware that such things will hamper their performance in the exam. Also, there are some crucial things they miss or skip to do, which might prove helpful to enhance their result. We have discussed ten crucial things that students should never do a day before the exams. By reading this article, they can identify what adversely affects their performance. The students should consider not committing such mistakes on the last day of preparation. It will help to elevate their performance up to the mark of excellence.
FAQs
What should a student do a day before the examination day?
Students should wake up early as per their preparation schedule. A light exercise to keep them active is inevitable. The students can revise the key concepts until late afternoon. Besides, students should not study anything new on the last day. Some mild physical activity is essential to improve the blood circulation in your body and aid in a sound sleep. Further, students should have a light and nutritious dinner. Before going to bed, the students should put all their exam day essentials, including admit card, required stationery items, watch, etc., in their bag. Lastly, students should get sufficient sleep to rejuvenate their minds & body.
What are some mistakes that students should avoid during the exam?
There are some common mistakes that students should avoid while giving the exam.
- Firstly, students should read their question papers properly.
- Students should not start writing or filling their answers randomly without strategic planning for solving the paper.
- Students should not get panicked on entering the exam hall.
- Students should not get stuck on one question and unnecessarily spend too much time on that.
- Students should not leave multiple things or questions for the last minute.
- Students should not leave the exam hall early. If students have time, they should try to check & improve their answers.
Is caffeine intake before exams good for students?
The caffeine present in coffee boosts alertness and focus for a specific time. Notably, having the right amount of caffeine helps get good results for a challenging task. It is evident in studies that drinking coffee while preparing for the exam and before an exam aids in the enhancement of retention skills. The appropriate amount of caffeine helps students hold more information learned in their brains to utilise it in the exam. However, students should consider the right time and the right amount of caffeine.
Why is revision hyped so much for optimal performance in exams?
Revision is crucial for productive learning. A student forgets most of a piece of content learned within some days after learning it. So, it needs to be frequently revised to retain it in mind. As we gain new experiences, our brain regularly reorganises information. Therefore, the experiences that are not revivified or concepts that are rarely applied or revised steadily fade off from our memory. The students are advised to revise what they have studied within 24 hours of studying as it helps to retain the knowledge.
Why are the students advised to avoid unhealthy foods during exam time?
Eating unhealthy foods has an adverse influence on our bodies. It is evident in studies that the type of food a person eats does affect his brain. Notably, some food items come under a bad nutritional diet for students. They obstruct the proper circulation of energy and blood in the mind and body. Students are advised not to eat food items like meat, very spicy dishes, excessive salt, and stale food. All these affect our brains. Moreover, certain items like alcohol and excessive caffeine should also be avoided due to their negative effects.
Why is getting adequate sleep significant for efficient performance?
One of the most ignored aspects in the daily life of many students is sleep. We require a sound sleep of seven to eight hours every night. It helps in our well-being. If a student is not getting sufficient sleep, his memory is among the primary things to suffer. Students need to sleep to generate critical memory links and connections. When we learn something for the first time, such information casts a fragile imprint on our brains. As we sleep, our brain reviews that information and creates stronger connectivity to make it a stable part of our knowledge.
