What to do The Night Before an Exam
One of the most daunting things about university is exam season. In high school, we’re introduced to final exams, but the stakes usually don’t feel very high. Now you are introduced to midterm and final exams that can make or break your entire course mark.
The most important thing is to be prepared. Studying the material is one thing, but getting ready for test-taking is also an important skill to learn. Here are some tips to prepare yourself the night before an exam.
Have a plan for the next day
The last thing you want is to be late for an exam or underprepared. The night before is the perfect time to set time for eating, studying, getting dressed, commuting, and anything else you might have to do before the exam.
If you have an exam first thing in the morning, you will have to be very careful that you have enough time beforehand. Set as many alarms as you need and make sure to test the alarm just in case it’s not loud enough to wake you up.
Try to get up a bit earlier so that you have some time to spare. Most professors will advise you to get to the lecture hall at least 15 minutes before the doors open. If you end up going to the wrong place or something takes up more time than you thought, you want to have space to still make it on time.
When it comes to exam days you can never be too organized or too prepared. Be as meticulous as you need to be.
Review the syllabus for relevant information
The syllabus is your go-to resource for all important course materials. The night before is the perfect time to refresh your memory of the policies and specific details associated with the upcoming test.
Cheating is a major offense at all universities which could result in failure of the course or something worse. Even forgetting your phone in your pocket can be considered an academic offense.
Other important information on the syllabus includes how much the exam is worth for the final grade, what writing materials and/or aids are allowed for exams, and the format of your exams.
It is in your best interest to be familiar with all the rules and procedures before you go into an exam.
Get enough sleep
Proper sleep is possibly the most important resource you could have to be successful in university. Health care professionals usually recommend at least 8 hours of sleep each night, but you might want to get even more before an exam.
When you plan for the next day, incorporate how much sleep you need and plan everything out around it. If you have an exam at 10 am, you need 2 hours to get ready, and an hour to commute, you’ll probably want to wake up around 6:30 am.
To get a proper 8 hours of sleep, you should try to get to bed around 10 pm the night before. If you can get to bed earlier, that’s even better. There’s no point in cramming to study the night before if you won’t be rested enough to focus on the exam in the first place. Sleep should be at the top of your priorities.
Make sure all the necessary materials are together and organized
Exams always have restrictions and requirements when it comes to testing materials. Taking a math exam is pointless if you didn’t bring a calculator, so you need to have everything prepared as early as possible.
Usually, course instructors will inform you of what is allowed or needed for an exam. A general rule would be to at least bring a pencil, eraser, and your student ID.
For multiple-choice questions, you can only use a pencil or else your answers will be invalid. Pens are often recommended for short answer or essay questions but are rarely required.
However, some professors may ask for specific materials for specific sections of the exam. Pay close attention to the instructions to avoid any problems.
Your student ID will be required for all exams throughout your university career and are used to make sure that you attended the exam. If they don’t mark you down on attendance, they may not accept your exam or there may be unnecessary complications.
If you aren’t able to bring your ID, any other form of government ID is usually acceptable, but the university and/or department policies can confirm this.
If you want to make sure you don’t forget these items, gather them the night before and put them in your bag. You don’t want to be in a rush the morning of the exam and have no idea where your ID is.
Looking to take notes effectively on your computer? Watch this video to see how you can do that!
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