What to do the Night Before an Exam

Eat, sleep, study, repeat.

For the next few weeks, high school students around the country are tackling their ATAR exams and real talk, it’s a very stressful time in a student’s life.

One of the most nervous times weirdly isn’t when you’re sitting in the exam though, but the night before. Our thoughts can run wild, we get restless sleep, lose our appetite, and even fear we haven’t studied enough.

To help you get yourself out of that funk, here is what to do the night before an exam.

Eat a good meal.

Ever heard of brain food? Turns out that’s actually a thing ‘cos what you’re eating is fueling your brain.

If you’re not having a balanced diet, your mind isn’t getting the nutrients it needs to function at peak performance. Steer clear of junk food and avoid processed foods.

Instead, eat fresh foods that will help with mental energy, concentration and memory like fish, vegetables and nuts.

Likewise, in the morning, eat some eggs, peanut butter and fresh fruit.

Get a great night’s sleep.

We can’t stress enough how you need to get a good night’s sleep before an exam.

Research has proven that memory and learning are solidified during your sleep, with eight hours minimum recommended.

To make sure you get the best sleep, avoid eating anything an hour before you sleep and don’t use your phone, laptop, or tablet at least 30 mins before you hit the hay, no matter how tempting Netflix or TikTok may be.

Drink plenty of water.

Wanna keep that laser focus during an exam? Drink plenty of water the night before. Our brain functions better when it’s well hydrated (don’t argue, it’s science).

If you’re going into your exam dehydrated, you run the risk of losing focus, forgetfulness, headaches, and mental fatigue.

Avoid energy drinks and drink plenty of water the night before and on the morning of.

If you struggle to get enough water in, read our article on five tips to help you drink more water.

Go for some exercise.

Feeling stressed or need a better night's sleep? Exercise will defs help with that.

By going for a jog, ride, workout or even just walking the dog, you’ll get the blood, oxygen and other nutrients pumping through your body. This will improve your memory and keep you sharp for your exam the next day.

Plus, it’ll help manage your stress levels and help you get that good quality sleep.

There you have it! By doing one or all of these things the night before your exam, you’ll be feeling great, less stressed and ready to smash it out of the park.

Header Image: Jeswin Thomas via Pexel