Hands up, who has had a mental block in the middle of an exam? We’ve all been there. Exams can be pretty stressful; you’ve been studying for months, years maybe, and it’s all come down to this. Aaaah! Well, if you’re after exam success without the all the stress, you’re in the right place. I have put together my top 5 tips for getting the most out of any exam.

Keep calm

I know that this is easier said than done, but just remember to breathe. Even if you open the paper and the first question makes you want the ground to swallow you up, please don’t panic. Panicking will only make it 10x worse and could make you lose focus for the rest of the exam. If you do struggle to calm your nerves, look up some breathing/relaxation techniques online for some extra help.

Keep hydrated

Exam + dehydration headache = absolute nightmare! Being stuck in an exam hall without any water is not a good situation to be in, so make sure you’ve got a bottle to hand prior to any exam. And don’t forget to take the label off, ain’t nobody got time for being accused of cheating.

Protein = passing!

You’re probably thinking “it’s an exam, not a workout” but just go with it. An exam takes a lot of mental energy, so it’s important to make sure you feel fuelled. Avoid sugary foods like chocolate which will only give you a short-burst of energy, and opt for slow-release foods like fish and pasta to keep you going. This tip is especially useful if you’ve got a mammoth exam. Make sure you definitely have breakfast if it's a morning exam! ‌ ‌

Read the whole paper first

In school we always got told to read the whole exam paper through before answering any of the questions. For me, I found that this really helped. If you read through the whole paper first, your brain will be thinking ahead and working out answers for later. Fun fact of the day, hey!

Feel good, do good

When people think of the night before an exam, they often think cramming is the way to the A grade. Hell nah! Cramming is one of the worst things you could do, it won’t help you and could have a negative impact on your performance. I think a good way to feel fresh for an exam is to have yourself a little pamper. This Apotheke Green Tea Milk Bath from Urban Outfitters is perfect for a relaxing soak, or, if you’re after a quick-fix take-the-stress-away kinda’ thing, this Little Moon Essentials Anti-Stress Spray is ideal - it’s full of essential oils and distilled water to release tension. Awesome, huh?