The Night Before a Test

Big test tomorrow? There are a few things you can do to keep your mind fresh and alert tonight, and to ensure a good result in the morning.

Put notes in order. Your notes will make much more sense if you read them in chronological order. Use your first fifteen minutes of study time getting everything organized.

Don’t fill up on sugar and caffeine. It’s tempting to drink caffeine so you’ll be able to stay awake and study all night. But then what happens? You’re sleepy and unable to concentrate during the test the next day! It’s better to start early and work until you’re tired.

Start early. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know that you should start as early in the evening as possible to give yourself time to study while you’re still awake and thinking clearly. But there are other reasons to get an early start. What if you discover too late that you’re missing something like a calculator, a set of review questions, or an atlas? If you get an early start, you’ll have enough time to deal with an emergency situation.

Don’t eat anything new or weird. You don’t want to discover that sausage chili throws your stomach into fits of rebellion the night before a big exam, now do you?

Pack essentials for the actual test. Will you need a pen or pencil specifically? What about an eraser, a pack of colored pencils, or other item? Don’t forget a watch! Have all these things gathered together and ready to go.