5 Tips From an AUA Senior to Facilitate Exam-Taking
3 min readContributed by Anahit Sukiasyan (BAEC ‘21)
It is that time of year again, right fellow students? Sleepless nights, drinking coffee endlessly and eating chocolate, not forgetting the challenges of a poor WiFi connection. During the exam period, anything is justifiable. Is your hair a mess? Finals. Did you eat nothing but junk food for a week? Finals. Does your face look like you just saw a ghost? That’s right, finals. Students get so overwhelmed and caught up in the exam race that sometimes they just need someone to look at them and say “Relax.” Can I be that special someone? Of course not, we have not even met or talked to each other. Can I try and make this period a little easier for you? Perhaps. But, the least I can do is try. Here are five tips I want to share with you to help you keep your sanity during the stressful exam period and to facilitate exam-taking at AUA.
Start Preparing Beforehand
Yes, I know that procrastination is your best friend but it is time to break some bonds with it. Dedicate time to go through material discussed in class, slides and notes, after each class and finals week will seem easier as you’ll be familiar with the material, overall.
Make Use of AUA’s Awesome Facilities
Did you know that even though classes are online you can still spend time studying at the AGBU Papazian Library at AUA? Just do not forget to book your seat one day in advance. We all miss being on campus and the freshman students haven’t even had the chance to find out how that feels, so booking a library seat will help you better focus on studying and feel closer to the University.
Don’t Forget to Eat Well
One of the most effective ways to get your brain working and facilitate exam-taking is eating the right food. On exam day, have a nutritious breakfast. This BBC food exam performance article recommends going for slow-release carbohydrates, such as porridge oats, whole grain bread or low-sugar muesli to generate slow-release energy. If you are looking for something that will make you focus better, try foods high in protein, such as fish, eggs, milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Manage Your Time Wisely
Time management is crucial, especially now that we are still studying online, and it is much easier to get distracted. Have a plan of how you will spend each day. I prefer scheduling every activity and knowing exactly what I am going to do every hour of my day. You can either keep a planner, make notes using your phone or store the schedule in your brain next to exam anxiety (which is perfectly natural). Dedicate time for self-care and relaxation. You can take a walk to the nearest park and get vitamin D from the sun on sunny spring days. Remember that the goal is not to become a walking ghost, but to digest the material and pass the exams successfully.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Here is a fun fact about you. You are not a machine. You are a living human organism, and sleep is a necessity for you. Yes, you think that sleepless nights will help you catch up and save you, but remember to put your health above everything. A good night’s sleep before the exam day will help you perform better and get higher test scores, as some scientists suggest.
If things did not go as planned, you failed or received a lower grade than you expected, do not blame anyone. It is not your overly demanding professor’s fault. And it may not be your fault either. Maybe you gave it all you could. Maybe you did not. Just do not mull over it and get angry at yourself. Do the things you love and spend time with the people you love.
Good luck, guys! And not just with exams. We are all growing up, becoming adults. Tough process, I know. Just do not let negativity take over. Believe in yourselves and move on. Cringey? I know, but hey, you can at least try.
| Become a part of the AUA Student Voices series and tell us about your achievements, aspirations, and goals! Submit a write-up through our online submission form and tell us your story! The selected articles will be published on AUA Newsroom. |