Finding Motivation on Exam Day !

We all know the feeling waking up on the dreaded, exam day. Tired, exhausted, lack of self-confidence etc. But what if we could wake up on exam day feeling ready to tackle whatever that test throws your way? Well, you can!

I love waking up on exam day feeling refreshed, relaxed and ready. But it takes a few tricks to get the hang of it! Here they are:

Listen to your favourite song. You know that one song that always puts you in a good mood no matter what's going on? That one song that you can't resist singing along to? Listen to it! I created a playlist with motivational songs to listen to on my way to campus and it never fails to put me in a good mood and get rid of those pre-exam 'jitters'.

Eat a good meal because when you feel good, you'll do good (hopefully)! I always make sure I eat something that's going to sustain me especially if the exam is going to take a few hours. When we're stressed it can be easy to reach for greasy food but let's be honest, that's not going to give you much energy for the exam. Also, eat something that's going to make you happy! Eat something that tastes good and something you actually like, be kind to yourself!

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Memory and concentration are said to improve when your body is hydrated. In addition, it can calm your nerves and keep you more alert. Need I go on?

Write down five things you're grateful for. Often on exam day, we tend to get down on ourselves because we feel we don't know enough material, or we'll fail. Writing down something you're thankful for helps cultivate positivity and boost your morale! So take some time to relax, reflect and re-focus!

Take a few minutes to meditate. I find this really helps get rid of those last-minute 'jitters'. Meditating before an exam – or even taking a few deep breaths – is extremely helpful in boosting confidence, calming nerves and reminding yourself that everything will be okay.

I hope these tips help boost your motivation on exam day! What are some of your pre-exam rituals?

The author can also be reached at sanket.ca.shah@gmail.com