HELP! Exam in 8 hours, what do I do?
- Thread starter Mandalore_15
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Go to sleep. TRUST ME, YOU HAVE TO GO TO SLEEP! You'll do far worse if you stay up because what knowledge you already have will be compromised come test time because you're mental faculties will be "please let me shut down" mode. Go to sleep, even if you only get 4 or 5 hours. Just lie down, close your eyes, and turn off the light. It's better than further damaging your mental abilities by stressing yourself when your body should be recovering from the days work.
I'll try and help. I've never had a hard time with tests myself, until I had to take the CSETs (freaking crazy tests). I failed my english/history test the first time (never got less then an A on a test till then) and studied like crazy for it.
In my experience it's best to study until your getting tired blurry eyes or until you have less then 7 hours till you have to leave for your test...whichever comes first.
At that point go take a shower and wash your hair (yes washing your hair is important). Nice hot water will help relax you and for some reason having clean hair and the warm water on your head also helps). Afterwards set your alarm for 5 hours later (2 hours before you have to leave) and go to bed. If you can't sleep try playing music (or if you are married have a gf etc try having sex...that usually helps). 5 hours may not seem like enough but it is....and you should wake up with a much clearer head. Make some coffee or tea and something to eat and then review your material until you have to leave (for 2 hours or so), this will get the majority of the information in your short term memory as well.
I for instance have GREAT short term memory. I'm a bit older now and my long term memory isn't as sharp as it used to be, but I can cram a TON of information into my short term memory for a short period of time. Studying for 2 hours before heading out to take your exam can make a world of difference.
Make sure your not stuffed btw, but also make sure your blood sugar isn't low or that you are very hungry. Don't over caffinate yourself either.
I suggest playing calm music on the way to take the test (I'm a rock fan myself but I play classical music before taking a test usually). This will help you become centered and prepared to concentrate.
Good luck on your test and don't stress too much. Take your time and use logic/deductive reasoning (if there are any multiple choice parts to your test) and if it's just pure exams etc think out your answers first (or even write them out and then revise them before creating a finished version.
I've often answered multiple choice questions correctly without knowing the right answer by eliminating wrong answers and I have even gotten full credit on exams by using previous information provided in multiple choice questions to expand on *hehe*. Go into a test of any type not just trying to answer the questions correctly but also trying to use every scrap of information you are presented with to your best advantage. Often one question will help answer another one for instance if your paying attention.
Before you know it the test will be over one way or another......do your best and feel good about it as that is all you can do!!
In my experience it's best to study until your getting tired blurry eyes or until you have less then 7 hours till you have to leave for your test...whichever comes first.
At that point go take a shower and wash your hair (yes washing your hair is important). Nice hot water will help relax you and for some reason having clean hair and the warm water on your head also helps). Afterwards set your alarm for 5 hours later (2 hours before you have to leave) and go to bed. If you can't sleep try playing music (or if you are married have a gf etc try having sex...that usually helps). 5 hours may not seem like enough but it is....and you should wake up with a much clearer head. Make some coffee or tea and something to eat and then review your material until you have to leave (for 2 hours or so), this will get the majority of the information in your short term memory as well.
I for instance have GREAT short term memory. I'm a bit older now and my long term memory isn't as sharp as it used to be, but I can cram a TON of information into my short term memory for a short period of time. Studying for 2 hours before heading out to take your exam can make a world of difference.
Make sure your not stuffed btw, but also make sure your blood sugar isn't low or that you are very hungry. Don't over caffinate yourself either.
I suggest playing calm music on the way to take the test (I'm a rock fan myself but I play classical music before taking a test usually). This will help you become centered and prepared to concentrate.
Good luck on your test and don't stress too much. Take your time and use logic/deductive reasoning (if there are any multiple choice parts to your test) and if it's just pure exams etc think out your answers first (or even write them out and then revise them before creating a finished version.
I've often answered multiple choice questions correctly without knowing the right answer by eliminating wrong answers and I have even gotten full credit on exams by using previous information provided in multiple choice questions to expand on *hehe*. Go into a test of any type not just trying to answer the questions correctly but also trying to use every scrap of information you are presented with to your best advantage. Often one question will help answer another one for instance if your paying attention.
Before you know it the test will be over one way or another......do your best and feel good about it as that is all you can do!!
Turn off your computer, assuming your not using it to study. Either go for a quick walk, or take a beath/shower. Then lay down, and listen to any music that calms you down. Set your alarm clock to go off an hour before the exam. Make some tea/coffee, review your notes, and then go take the test. Good luck!
Sleep. Likely, it's your brain that's ruining you. I've found that it helps to either concentrate on breathing or actively try to blank your mind (this one is really, really hard, but typically helps when I can't sleep).Mandalore_15 said:
Smoke massive quantities of pot and study all night. It will improve your, recall, but only if you are high for the exam.
right before you walk into the exam, find the closest fire alarm, activate it, and run! That should buy you some time... 
Sleep is the best thing you can do. Try taking a shot of whiskey, then going to bed. I did that once when I couldn't sleep, and I was out like a light. I've heard that studies show your sleep isn't as deep if it's alcohol induced, but I'd say it's better than no sleep at all.
I have exams next week as well... but I have two essays beforehand that count as part of the exam. One for english tomorrow that I am cramming incredibly for and one for history on friday that I'm not as worried about. At the same time, I'm trying to finish a lab for chem that's due tomorrow, because the way things worked out it couldn't get done until today.
Needless to say, I understand your stress. Just try reading a book, it always calms me. A book you enjoy reading, not a textbook. Once you're calm, you can either sleep or study, I'm not sure what your goal is.
Needless to say, I understand your stress. Just try reading a book, it always calms me. A book you enjoy reading, not a textbook. Once you're calm, you can either sleep or study, I'm not sure what your goal is.
DON'T STRESS! DON'T SLEEP! STUDY ALL NIGHT! RAAWWWRRRRR!
Probably not the best advice, but I've personally done this to get an A on my tests. XD
Probably not the best advice, but I've personally done this to get an A on my tests. XD
You could try some Decaff tea, that stuff is really relaxing. But what i do is something my dad taught me. Lie in bed on your back, and imagine your body full of bright orange liquid. Imagine the Liquid is slowly draining out of your fingers and toes, and once all the liquid has drained out, turn to the most comfortable position possible, and think about something really enjoyable, like how good it will feel when you Ace the test!Daystar Clarion said:
This most definatly. Don't sit infront of a screen when your trying to get to sleep, or you just risk becoming distracted and watching shit TV or browsing sites. Try a warm glass of milk, or as some people have mentioned go for a run to try and tire yourself out. Other than that just try lying down, lights off and empty your mind/ think about nothing other than that you're sat down in rest.DeadlyYellow said:
Mind me asking are you worrying because you haven't done any revision and are cramming now? If so, then tough. Just achknowledge that you've already hurt your chances, getting yourself worked up is unnecessary and more damaging to your chances. Accept that you've done wrong and think about yourself right now; your losing sleep, worried over a test you could have been better prepared for, asking a forum of strangers (nice strangers at that) for help on the eve of your exam. Feels pretty shit doesn't it? Promise yourself you're never going to allow yourself to feel this way again, do better next time and learn from your mistakes now instead of getting into a routine. Maybe you're lucky, maybe you can resit this exam later in the year if you don't do well, maybe you're going to wipe the floor with it and come away better than expected.
