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You've got this! 10 things you gotta do to stress less before exams

 
Swimsuit, sunscreen, beach towel—yup, you’re all set for spring break. Hold on there, beach babe. First you gotta ace those massive exams before you can bust out the sunnies. Not sure where to start with that massive pile of test, homework and projects? Don't worry. We've got these study hints to keep your cool and stress less. Whew!

1. Don’t cram

Sometimes exams can sneak up on you. Make sure to plan out when tests are so that you can start studying a week before the exam instead of the day before. You’ll retain more info if you study over a long span of time rather than jam-packing month’s worth knowledge in a short time.

2. Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Your teacher will be impressed that you’re willing to go the extra mile to better understand what you’re learning. Set up a time to come in a few minutes before school to go over how to solve that one tricky problem. It’ll only take a few minutes and will make you feel more at ease about what’s going to be on the test.

3. Buddy up

Studying will go by quicker—and be way more fun—if you study with a friend. You can split the work up and learn some tricks on how to remember the info better. You can also double-check that both of you get the same answer to guarantee success!

4. Study break

Make sure you give your brain the break it needs. Studies show that the best way to prep for an exam is to take a 10-minute break after 20 minutes of continuous studying. Don’t automatically hop onto Twitter to see what’s going on. Instead, take a walk, chat with your sister or nom on a healthy snack (think: nuts and dried berries). Then get right back on track after those 10 minutes are up.

5. Getting those zzz’s

Catching a good night’s sleep is soo important for feeling alert and ready the day of an exam. Plan to get around seven to eight hours of sleep, so that you won’t be fighting to keep your eyes open while writing that Ancient Egyptian history essay. Ahh, feels good being fully charged.

6. Friendly foods

Eating a healthy breakfast is key for brain fuel. Give yourself time to grab breakfast before heading out the door, unless you want your stomach growl all day long. Having juice and cereal is a great way to start your day and give your body the energy it needs.

7. Comfy Clothes

We totally get that looking cute for school is a must. But exam day isn’t the best day to wear those sky-high wedges or those new skinny jeans. You don’t want to be uncomfortable while sitting down for the test, so opt for some leggings and that super cute tunic. You’ll look great while feeling great, too!

8. Set the tone

If you have some time to spare before the big test, listen to some calming music to help quiet the nerves. We like listening to music from Ed Sheeran or plugging into our Classical music playlist on iTunes Radio. Doing this right before the exam will calm your nerves and get you in the zone.

9. Deep breaths

Right before you flip over the test to begin, take a moment to do three deep, calming breaths. Push all the negativity out of your mind and only focus on the test. You totally know the info, so don’t let the frantic energy in the room get the best of you.

10. Confidence is key

Over anything else, be confident in yourself! Don’t let your mind think about all the things that you may not know, but focus on all the information that you have learned and studied about. No matter what, know that the exam isn’t the end of the world. If you don’t do well, there will be tons of opportunities to boost your grade back to where you want it to be.

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by Caitlin Moynihan | 2/1/2016
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