Saudi Gazette Examination is the best way of judging a student's potential and his/her performance through out the year. They are challenging part of school life for both children and parents — a stressful period but there are ways by which you can easily overcome them. Some students throughout their entire academic year do not even spare a glance at their textbooks and books, when they come home from school. And, during exams they pray and try to cramp everything within days. On the other hand, there are many, who despite learning and revising their lessons on regular basis forget due to anxiety during exams. However, there are certain ground rules for exams for those who have studied and those who have not; don't panic as its not going to take you anywhere. Keep yourself calm. Clean your room or the study area around you. Everything should be clean and organized, it will make you feel pleasant and you will look forward to your studies too. Studying in a messy environment will confuse you, not to mention distract you very often. To excel explicitly in your exams, the Saudi Gazette spoke to a few teachers to give you beneficial pointers. Fatima Al-Aqqad, a homeroom teacher of grade 3, Manarat International School, Jeddah, said that students need to take good care of their health. They should eat and sleep on time. They should make a timetable for themselves and religiously follow it. After learning a chapter revise with a friend or record your answer and compare it with your notes later. You can make yourself a test paper too. “Analyze the situation realistically. Jot down your problems on a piece of paper and talk to your parents, teachers or friends about it,” she said. Al Aqqad said students need to relax in between their studies. Take a 20-minute break after some serious studying. Drink a cup of hot chocolate or eat a bowl of cream and fruits. Lastly, remember that after every hardship there is ease, if you are working hard be confident. “Time and Tide wait for no man; make the best use of the time. The more efforts you put the best results you get,” Al Aqqad said. Karim Karam of Orbit International School said that for most people exams are the most challenging time of their lives. Karam has some following tips, which might help relieve you of the stress. • Stress is contagious. During exam week, resist the urge to have a study session with your super-tense friend, especially if he/she is complaining about all the work she has to do and is breaking pencils all over the place. Her stress will only add to your stress. • Learn to recognize when you're stressing out. A break or a chat with someone who knows the pressure you're under will get things into perspective. • Avoid comparing your abilities with your mates. Those “Oh my God I've only read Macbeth 17 times” conversations are such a wind up. Everyone approaches revision in different ways, so just make sure you've chosen the method that works best for you. Make a realistic timetable. Stick to it. • Eat right. Treat yourself like a well honed machine — fresh fruits and vegetables — a proper breakfast because no one can think straight on coffee and cornflakes. • Sleep well. Wind down before bed. Don't revise under the duvet - your bed is a sanctuary not a desk. Get your 8 hours sleep. • Exercise. Nothing distresses the mind faster than physical activity. Integrate it into your timetable. • Steer clear of any exam ‘post-mortem'. It doesn't matter what your mate wrote for Question 3(b). It's too late to go back and change your answers, so it will just make you worry even more • Ultimately, don't lose sight of the fact that there is life after exams. Things might seem intense right now, but it won't last forever. Janam Khan, a student of Grade 12, International Indian School, Jeddah, like others also believes that it is very important to be stress free during exams. Amtul Razzak, an English teacher of grades 3 - 5, International Indian School, Jeddah said that as examinations approach parents, teachers and students start off with hectic routines of study and revisions. Pay attention when revision starts in the class, oral or written, much can be learned if one diligently pays attention, said Razzak. Instead of memorizing the answers, Razzaq said, it's better to understand the concept / story line and write the points in your own words. Practice makes a man perfect, so practice numerical problems on paper, she said. Razzak further explained, dates in History can be easily learnt by relating them to something specific. For example, your date of birth or your family members or a special occasion, etc. When brain doesn't get enough oxygen, concentration is lost. Drink lots of fluids and place your study table near the window so that oxygen and light is available in abundance, said Razzaq. Razzaq's last and important advice to all students is don't keep reading and revising till the last minute. Believe in yourself and have complete faith in Allah. __
