Getting ready for a big test or a large project delivery can be extremely stressful. Even if you’ve been keeping up with your studying every week, exams can create a great deal of anxiety. Taking care of your brain, spirit, and body at the end of the semester will take some planning.
Set a Schedule
What is your most productive time of day? If you’re not a morning person but you’re biggest test starts at 7 a.m., start altering your sleep schedule in the weeks before the final so you’re easily up and alert at that time during testing week.
Changing your circadian rhythms will take time. As soon as you have your finals schedule, use MCAT studying tips to make sure that you bring your most alert, focused self to your biggest test.
Hit the Grocery Store
Studying hungry is miserable. However, trying to study when you’re over-caffeinated, full of sugary snacks, or dehydrated because you’ve been living on potato chips is not effective either. Make a list of small meals that you can consume during your breaks and stock up.
Focus on
- fiber
- protein
- healthy fats
A piece of whole-grain toast with peanut butter and a fresh, crunchy apple will give you a hearty dose of protein, fiber, and roughage. Add coffee and it’s a brain-boosting breakfast or mid-morning snack. If you want cookies after your last test, buy them then. Don’t keep junk food in your home before your test. Of course, make sure you fill your water bottles before bed each night so you can stay hydrated with cool water.
Use a Timer to Determine Breaks
Sitting down to study for three hours straight is not the best way to store information in your head. Instead, set a timer for 45 minutes and make a note of 10 to 15-minute tasks that you can do when you’re done with this “work-burst” of studying.
For example, study for 45 minutes, then get up and get a cup of tea. Study for 45 minutes and then get up and dust one room. This author had a spotless apartment only during finals; getting up and doing a bit of spot cleaning was a treat that allowed me to clear my head, synthesize what I’d studied, and get prepared to go back to work.
Make time for connections with friends and family during these breaks. Just make sure to use a timer. It’s very easy to spend much more time on social media than you intended during your break times.
Unwind Without Chemicals
Getting up and moving around during your breaks can keep your mind focused. When you’re ready to wind down and sleep, you may be tempted to enjoy an adult beverage or another product to help you wind down. However, some of these products can take away from your ability to fix memories.
Lay in a supply of decaf teas and other warm, non-caffeinated beverage options. Snuggle in with a cup of hot cider to help you wind down. A warm bath can also help, but take care not to soak in extremely hot water. Dry, itchy skin will not help you focus.
De-Screen and De-Caffeine Before Bed
Electric screen light stimulates the brain and makes it harder to settle into sleep. As you head into your last 45-minute study session, consider turning off overhead lights and lighting a candle. During your last break, shut down the laptop, phone, and tablet and just focus on the candlelight to allow your brain to drift into darkness.
Just as you wean yourself off of electric light before bed, take care to stop your caffeine intake at least 8 hours before you plan to go to bed. Your brain will be racing with new information and you may have other worries to contend with. Stopping your caffeine intake early will give you more time to wind your brain down and fall into a deep sleep.
Enjoy good food in small amounts to maintain a healthy energy level. Avoid too many chemicals, from caffeine to alcohol. Try to adjust your sleeping schedule to bring the freshest brain possible to your toughest exam. Good luck!
