The Night Before an Exam: Dos and Don'ts
Your child has an exam tomorrow. How can you help them feel ready, without adding pressure? Here’s how to make the most of the night before.
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Exam season is just around the corner, and with it comes a fair amount of stress. So what’s the best way to spend the night before an exam, and what should you avoid?
Light Review Only
Cramming until midnight? Not a good idea. Ideally, studying should happen gradually over a few weeks. That way, the night before the exam doesn’t have to be stressful. A quick refresher of any tricky concepts is more than enough.
Keep Socializing Low-Key
Hanging out with classmates might seem helpful, but the night before an exam isn’t the best time. At that point, group study sessions can easily turn into stress marathons. Also, it’s hard to avoid talking about the test, and that can lead to extra stress. A quiet evening at home is a better bet.
Make Time to Unwind
Help your child unwind with a favourite activity: a good book, a movie, some music, or even a walk to grab a soft-serve ice cream. Playing a sport is another great option—just remind them not to overdo it. Sore muscles the next morning won’t help them focus.
Pack Everything the Night Before
Scrambling to find a calculator five minutes before the bus arrives is a recipe for panic. Encourage your child to pack their bag the night before: pencils, eraser, pens, highlighters, any permitted materials, a water bottle, and a snack. A pack of tissues can also come in handy. Sniffling neighbors during a test can be surprisingly distracting.
A Full Night of Sleep
Most exams require sustained focus, and that’s hard to manage without enough rest. Late-night cramming might seem helpful, but it often does more harm than good. A better strategy? Head to bed early and aim to feel refreshed in the morning.
Before turning in, your child should double-check their alarm and set it early enough to avoid a rushed start to the day.
If they’re having trouble falling asleep, deep breathing can help calm their nerves. Here’s a simple technique you can walk them through:
- Inhale slowly and deeply through the nose, letting the belly rise.
- Hold the breath for a few seconds.
- Exhale gently through the mouth, pulling the belly in.
Hang in there—just a few more weeks, and exam season will be over.
Resources
- Our article Studying with Learning Disabilities: A Parent’s Guide
- The article Learning how to manage stress, on alloprof.