How Not to Prep for Exams

The cityscape is painted golden with sunshine, the weather is divine and your favourite restaurant is calling your name. But you cannot go out and enjoy this beautiful day because you have an exam coming up.

We've all been there, trying to live life to the fullest but being held back by our academic obligations. Here you go – some pro tips on how not to use the limited time you have to prep for your exams.

Don't procrastinate

Procrastination is often a result of the fear of failure, which is common among perfectionists.

Remind yourself that you have written countless gruelling exams over the course of your life and ask yourself, if you could overcome all of those, why would this one be any different? Additionally, pretend you're "too cool for school" and actually don't care about grades to trick your brain into forgetting about your crippling fear of failure. No harm in trying, right?

Don't panic

The key is to worry just the right amount, enough to motivate you to be productive but not so much so that it'll terrify and convince you to give up before even trying. You're already offering your educational institution your (or your parents') hard earned money, don't offer it your sanity too. No need to feed its ego.

Don't overthink

Make sure to leave your worries at the study table before calling it a night. Dwelling over the possible outcome of your exams can disrupt your sleep cycle due to the anxiety, negatively impacting the next day's productivity.

Your educational institution has likely given you hair fall, back pain and a quarter-life crisis; don't let it give you sleepless nights as well. Besides, can you imagine letting something live in your mind rent-free? In this economy? Yikes.

Don't be afraid to vent

Avoid bottling up your feelings. Confiding in a confidante about what's bothering you can help put your mind at ease, thereby improving focus.

Turn to a friend who's willing to listen (without imposing, of course). Encourage them to vent about their own struggles too, and turn the conversation into a therapy session in which neither party offers or receives sound advice (or money) on how to deal with the situation at hand.

This may sound fruitless, but it could provide some much-needed solace during such trying times.

Don't give up

If all else fails and you end up not being able to study the entire syllabus within the deadline, use the weapon of bewilderment. When writing the exam, make up answers that are so bizarre that even the professor starts questioning the legitimacy of their own knowledge.

Write something so profound yet so baffling that your professor has no choice but to spare you some points in recognition of your indestructible will to pass the course.

Most importantly, don't forget to be kind to yourself. Regardless of the outcome of your exam, life will go on. If the outcome is favourable, be proud and pat yourself on the back. If not, I suggest jamming to "Nobody's Perfect" by Hannah Montana, guilt-free.

Good luck!    

Nuzhat enjoys baking but simply cannot find the required ingredients. Tell her about your favourite baked goods at nuzhatchowdhury07@gmail.com