1) Do not be thrown off track if one of your papers did not go well. “There is nothing more you can do about those results. Throw yourself into each subject as it time comes, and especially for the so-called ‘easier’ subjects which are often scheduled towards the end of the exam timetable. Every paper counts,”she says.
2) Review your study roster. Coughlan says learners should now be well into the groove of studying, and should consider whether they can up the ante a little bit, by putting in an hour or two extra to complete a mock paper, for example.
3) Develop a daily routine and eat the frog. She says it is very important to decide on a daily routine and stick to it. By having a set routine you don’t have to decide from moment to moment and hour to hour what you are going to do next, which allows your full attention to be on your preparations. Importantly, you have to eat the proverbial frog, says Dr Coughlan.
4) After each paper, get right back in the saddle. “Rather than spending too much time relaxing, aim to take a short breather only, and then immediately shift your focus to the next paper. Review a chapter or two to get your mindset instantly on the right track,”.
5) Tune out all noise and distractions. “Switch off your mobile phone and any other devices while you are studying, and do not study in front of the television,” says Dr Coughlan.
6) Practise saying no. As the exams near completion, matrics might be faced with more and more invites and events that seem much more exciting than yet another study session. “There will be time enough for fun when you’re done. While it is good to socialise a little bit during this time, just to stay in touch with the real world, the limited time you have available for studies should be jealously guarded.”
7) Stay balanced. As always, the best counter to stress and anxiety is living a balanced, healthy life, says Dr Coughlan. “Make time for exercise, get enough sleep, and try to keep your diet healthy and balanced,” she says.
