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Helpful exam tips for school leavers!

Preparing for your exams? Read our Top 6 Tips to help you get the most out of your GCSEs!

 

1. Water

Food, sleep and water are essential to keeping your mind and body functioning. Your brain needs to be hydrated for better brain function, and the water also helps to distribute nutrients around your body. The NHS recommends you drink 1.6-2 litres of water every day, although if you naturally drink more than that, that’s fine too!

You could even switch to squash or cordial to give your drink a kick! But watch out for fizzy drinks – a sugar high will make you crash and burn and feel as if you have no energy!

Find out how drinking water can affect your studies via the BBC.


2. Eat Right

Make sure to fuel your body and mind with lots of greens, fruit, nuts and seeds for healthy energy-boosting snacks, and make sure you have a balanced diet of three meals a day.

Try and eat as naturally as possible and stay away from refined sugars found in sweets and chocolate. Yes, they’ll give you a boost initially but very quickly you’ll notice a slump, leaving you feeling sleepy.

Find out more tips from The Student Room.


3. Practice Meditation

If you’re getting too stressed why not try meditation. Practising meditation can improve focus and concentration while studying. Giving your mind some space can make you feel more relaxed and calm when you are faced with stressful exams.

Find the best mindfulness apps at The Independent.


4. Sleep

Sleep is really important! It’s when your brain archives and detoxes the millions of thoughts that race through your mind during the day.

If there’s a lot playing on your mind you may start dreaming a lot. If you can identify what these worries are, write them down before bed. Acknowledging what they could help you to sleep soundly. Also, make sure you try to stick to the same sleep pattern that you maintained prior to exams!
To help you get into that sleepy zone, give yourself 30 minutes to wind down, without staring at a screen. That means no TV, no laptop and no smartphones just before bed! Pick up a storybook and switch the light off as soon as those eyelids start to droop.

Find out more tips from The Student Room.


5. Avoid an exam post-mortem

It doesn’t matter what your mate wrote for Question 3(b), it’s too late to go back and change your answers, so it will just make you worry even more.

Find helpful podcasts at BBC Radio.


6. Get Talking

When you’re feeling stressed make sure you talk to someone about it! Talking to your friends will help you realise that you’re not alone and they’ll give you support. Parents and teachers may also surprise you by providing you with a different perspective when you’re worried. They can help you to problem solve and find practical solutions to your problems.

Find out more exam stress tips at BBC Bitesize.


Remember if you have any questions, or if you’re concerned about your exam results you can always talk to our friendly team of tutors and staff who are are on hand to to advice you through all of your options. Find out more…

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