Preparing for exams could be stressful especially in the final days of a semester. Searching through many tips on how to prepare for the upcoming exams, we came across an excellent article from the Simon Fraser University.  We especially like the strategy that targets how to avoid/deal with exam anxiety and will be sharing it here.

To minimize exam anxiety try to practice as if you are in the exam room. Here’s how to do that:

• Try to  create the same conditions of the exam-writing situation as much as possible
• Solve prior tests and quizzes then check the right answers, and make mental notes on where you made mistakes
• Find or make-up practice questions that are of the type that will be on the exam
• Put your books away (unless it is an open book exam)
• Work under similar time conditions while you complete the practice questions.
• You may even want to visit the examination room to get comfortable in the space.

Here are a few ways you can find or create practice questions:

• Answer chapter review questions in your textbook
• Turn the headings in your readings and class notes into questions
• Use questions from the textbook study guide or your class notes
• Participate in a study group and ask each other questions based on the material
• Make flashcards with a question on one side and the answer on the other, then quiz yourself
• Write outlines for any sample essay questions provided by the professor
• Make “Cornell notes”: Draw a line down your page about one-third of the way from the left edge; write questions in the left column of your page; write the answers to your questions directly across in the right column; cover up the answers and quiz yourself.

For the full article click here. We hope that you will find these strategies, and tips helpful. We wish you the best of luck with your exams!