Test Prep Tips

I don’t believe in stressing out for exams, because I think stressing out just makes you do worse—plus, it’s no bueno for your health.  And while some people say they work better under pressure, I still think there’s a difference between pressure and excessive stress.  So, I’m going to share with you my test day regiment, plus a few things to keep in mind leading up to test day—or any big day really.

On the day of the test

Wake up: first, drink a glass of water.  Then get in at least 30 minutes of exercise—it’s good to get your adrenalin and endorphins going.  Exercise wakes you up, energizes you, and puts you in a happy mindset.

Eat a healthy breakfast with protein:  it’s not fun trying to contain the volume on a grumbling stomach in a silent room; but you don’t want to eat so much that you’re fighting your brain from going into a food coma during your test.

Breathe

Keep calm

Tune out EVERYONE:  It’s really annoying listening to everyone’s stress and feeling their negative vibes creeping in on you.  I like to put in my earphones for as long as possible, and play music that’s not going to distract me during the test by getting stuck in my head.  Sometimes it helps to find one song that brings you to a perfect level of oomph, and just have it on repeat.  That way by the time it’s test time, you’ve heard it so many times that if it does get stuck in your head, it becomes white noise.  Of course, this is something I do for myself, and may not work for everyone. So feel free to try it out if you need help finding your own way to get into the proper test taking kick ass zone

*Important note:  Get good sleep at least the two nights before your test, if you can’t get good sleep the whole week before.  If you feel it absolutely necessary to pull an all nighter, do it the night before, and get good sleep two nights before the test.  For example, if your test is on a Saturday, get good sleep Thursday night, and then pull an all nighter Friday night instead of the other way around because you don’t want to crash during your test.  Crashing from lack of sleep tends to hit you two days after instead of the very next day, at least in my experience.

Leading up to test day

It’s important to maintain your health and fitness.  Just 30 minutes of exercise a day makes all the difference in your energy level, which you’ll need plenty of whether you’re taking a 3-hour test, or a 3 day test (ahem, CA Bar!).  Fatty, unclean foods also make you feel sluggish, so make sure you’re nourishing your body with plenty of nutrients.

Also, stay organized.  If you’ve got multiple tests you’re preparing for, create a schedule of subjects and practice tests to do, as well as when to squeeze in a workout, meals, and even your shower.  Yes, even your shower.  It sounds crazy, but organization and time-management is half the battle.

Lastly, stay hydrated—drink lots of water and STAY AWAY from energy drinks.  Energy drinks are cans of disgusting poison.  I do not condone them.




BIG LOVE & HUGS

Love,

Justine