Studying is just one of the things you can do to get good grades. Here are some scientifically proven ways to ace your tests.
You will need
- A sprig of rosemary (optional)
Step 1 Go to bed early Go to bed early the night before. Sleeping only six hours instead of eight increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol by 50%, and sleep- deprived people score 30% lower on memory tests.
Study right before you turn in. Research shows we remember things better that way, because the act of sleeping ‘locks’ the information in our brain.
Step 2 Eat breakfast Don’t skip the corn flakes. Students who eat breakfast score higher on tests and report less test-related anxiety. Best bets? Eggs for brain-boosting choline, and oatmeal for a calming increase in serotonin levels.
After your healthy breakfast, treat yourself with a little dark chocolate. It boosts memory, alertness, and concentration, and its special chemicals even decrease anxiety.
Step 3 Visualize success Imagine acing the test. Sounds crazy, but visualizing success, like a term paper marked ‘A,’ stimulates the alpha waves associated with relaxation, making you less likely to choke during the exam.
Stuck on a question? Go with your gut. Your first hunch is almost always the right one!
Step 4 Chew gum Pop a stick of gum. In one British study, the act of chewing was found to activate the hippocampus, the brain area responsible for memory, improving recall by 35%.
Go for peppermint or spearmint flavors: Mint scents increase alertness, leading to fewer mistakes.
Step 5 Use acupressure Use this acupressure trick: Press the spot on your wrist about two thumb widths down from the base of the palm. Acupuncturists believe this signals the heart to slow to a more soothing rhythm.
Put a bit of fresh rosemary in your pocket on test day—it’s a proven memory booster! In fact, in ancient Greece, students wore sprigs of rosemary in their hair on exam day.
Step 6 Drink water Bring a bottle of water with you to the test. Even the slightest dip in hydration levels can lead to stress, memory loss, and a drop in mental functioning.
Step 7 Take deep breaths If you feel anxious during the test, take a deep breath. Breathe into your belly, not your chest; count to 10 as you inhale and 10 as you exhale. This helps you focus and lowers stress hormones in seconds.