The easiest way to get smarter and do better on exams is to sleep at least 8 hours a night. A fully rested, fully functional brain is your greatest asset. Your brain is your ONLY asset. It’s all you’ve got. If you’re going into an exam or study session wired on caffeine or with only a few hours of sleep (or both), you are in a terrible place to react and think.
I was just reading a study that talked about testing people’s memory and daily activities if they slept for 5 hours or less. The difference was impressive. People had trouble finding their keys or remembering if they had completed a certain task. Sound familiar?
“Did I already wash my hair….? Yeah, I must have washed my hair already….? Maybe that was yesterday? Uh, guess I’ll do it again to be safe.”
All-night cramming sessions the night before an exam is about the worst possible thing you can do. Okay, maybe staying up all night drinking would be worse, but you get the picture.
You need your brain in tip top shape. That’s why I recommend taking the day before your PANRE off from work. Off from studying. All you do that day are low-level physical activities. Basketball, pack for you the trip to the beach you’re taking after your exam, etc. Get a lot of rest. Your brain is your only weapon.
There are a couple of keys to getting a good night’s sleep, especially the day before your exam.
1- Have a bedtime routine. It can be really simple. A bedtime routine cues your brain that it’s time to shut down:
- Glass of water
- Brush and floss
- Wash face
- Read a novel in bed for 15 minutes
Don’t wait to start this until the night before your exam. Set this routine up as a habit during your entire study period. The longer you do it, the more effective it is.
2- Be prepared.
– If you feel like you have to cram the night before an exam, you are already in trouble. Get out in front of it. Those nerves will keep you awake and struggling to sleep. Though I still think I’m a better test-taker if I’m rested. I’d rather be a good test-taker with no content knowledge than a bad test-taker with a little content knowledge.
– Use The Final Step to be sure you’re ready.
3- Review your confidence card and you’ll sleep like a baby (this is one of my favorites!)
– See Maximize Your Time and Efficiency for more details. Don’t purchase this today. There’s a better deal coming this weekend.
Brian Wallace