It’s almost mid-March, the Poui trees are blooming and final exams are just around the corner (or midterm exams, as the case may be). But not to worry – we’ve got your back with our guide to best practices and tips to help get you through the fast approaching late nights and the onslaught of exams.

1. Move around – This becomes particularly important if you tend to be an active or excitable person. Stretching, standing up, even dancing or jumping around briefly will help your blood flow, get you focused and be a quick break from the intense focus studying usually requires.

2.  Take a nap – Even though it may seem counter-productive, a 5-25 minute nap after school can be just the thing you need to be rested and refreshed ahead of a study and homework session. Be certain however, to keep your nap short (set an alarm if you have to) and avoid succumbing to the temptation of taking naps close to your bedtime as those will almost definitely result in you waking up dazed the next day with a mountain of homework and studying still left undone.

3. Take a break – When you’ve earned a break, don’t be afraid to give yourself one.

4. Keep healthy snacks close – Your brain needs fuel too, and if you’re anything like me just the thought of a sit-down study session makes you hungry. To avoid unnecessary breaks in studying for back and forth trips to the kitchen, have healthy, simple snacks nearby while you study.

5. Drink water – While some swear by coffee and tons of sugar, studies show that drinking water is one of the best ways to keep yourself alert without the crash that often follows a sugar or caffeine high.

6. Find online resources – For every single topic you don’t understand there are hundreds of easy-to-use, easy-to-understand resources online to explain them. Even though your assigned textbooks and the notes you took in class are indispensable, online resources can be great at clearing up lingering doubts and broadening your interest and knowledge. Just be sure that your sources for information are reliable!

7. Improve your study mind-set – Aim to think positively when you study, and remind yourself of your skills and abilities rather than dwell on past failures or disappointments. Be objective, not catastrophic and avoid comparing yourself and your study style to others.

8. Minimize distractions – This might mean turning on airplane mode on your laptop or cell phone as you revise notes or read slides, it might mean turning off your phone altogether, telling your friends not to text you, or it might mean putting your phone on silent. Be real with yourself and do what it takes to cut out distractions.

9. Simplify your notes – Use highlighters for important points. Re-state, and explain in other, simpler terms the information you’ve noted, whether in your notebook,  slides, or information from textbooks.

10. Bring everything you need – Wherever you study – the dining room table, your study desk at home or in the library – only bring with you what you will need and leave behind whatever you don’t.

11. Read key info aloud – Reading important or especially difficult to grasp concepts aloud helps you to remember them and helps you keep focused as you study.

12. Teach someone – To really test your knowledge and to spread knowledge around, explain topics or theories to others. Though this works best with classmates and friends that already have a good grasp of the subject area and are able to steer your clear in the event that you’re getting it wrong, explaining topics to persons with little knowledge of the topic also helps reinforce your knowledge as you answer genuine, unscripted questions.

13. Focus on the process, not the outcome – Try to enjoy the learning and revision process, rather than obsess over the grades you might get (or the grades you might not get).

14. Don’t multitask (too much) – Don’t go too hard on everything all at once. Study one subject per day or at a time for the best results, and don’t pressure yourself to get 10 things done in one night.

15. Treat yourself – Treat yo’self every now and again. It’s only fair. 

These tips are tried and true lifesavers for our team, so we really hope they help you through your exams. Let us know in the comments or on our Twitter or Instagram which tips work best for you! Happy studying and may the odds ever be in your favour!