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Surviving the Leaving Cert
After spending the better part of two years almost exclusively studying for a series of exams it’s more than understandable that students experience high levels of anxiety during the dreaded three-week Leaving Cert period. However, there are several tips and tricks that have been passed down through generations of students on how to best manage the stress of these trying times and ensure that the panic surrounding the exams remains at a minimum. The secret to success for exams begins long before you take your seat in the exam hall and so here is some advice on things students should bear in mind for taking care of themselves and remaining calm during the lead-up to your exams.
Tip 1: The night before - Relax!
I know it will most likely go against every fibre in a Leaving Cert student's body but the night before your first exam begins is not the time to stay up all night cramming. While it doesn't hurt to go over your notes one more time during the day before your exam, come night time it's time to put away the books and take your mind off the exams - even if just for an hour or two. Spend time with your family, watch a movie, listen to a podcast, do anything that brings you joy and helps you to relax. It's going to be a long three weeks so take this time to yourself to get in a good headspace before you begin
Tip 2: Never underestimate the importance of sleep
While stress and anxiety are known to keep people up at night it is essential that you give yourself adequate time to rest prior to beginning your exams. Students should be aiming to have between 8-10 hours of sleep the night before to optimise their brain function. Exams can also be very draining and as a result, a 20-minute nap after completing an exam before moving on to study for the next can be just what the body needs to keep going.
Tip 3: Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
While many have used this phrase regarding studying for exams it's also imperative that students are adequately prepared for what they are bringing to the exams. The best way to go about this is to set out everything you may need for an exam the night before and ensure that it is all in your bag before going to bed, trust me you don't want to show up to a maths exam missing your calculator or trigonometry set. In doing this you can sleep peacefully knowing there isn’t going to be a panic in the morning.
Tip 4: Give yourself time
No matter what time your exam begins, it's important to wake up nice and early to ensure that you have ample time to get ready and arrive at your testing centre without having to rush (Please double check that you have set your alarm!). It is recommended that all students arrive at least 30 minutes before the exam is set to begin, giving themselves time to put away their belongings and find their seats. Exams are stressful enough without arriving in a flustered and panicked state begging the protractor to let you in - no lie-in is worth that.
It’s said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and this is most definitely true during the Leaving Cert. Exams take a lot of energy and as a result, it's crucial that students are giving their bodies the right fuel in order to focus for such long periods of time and perform their best. The ideal pre-exam breakfast should feature protein of some kind as well as unprocessed carbohydrates such as oats, wheat, or fruit to ensure that energy is released steadily throughout the day and not in a single burst caused by sugary processed food which can lead to a blood sugar crash mid-exam. Furthermore, students should always have water in an exam and remember to hydrate regularly, ‘Leaving Cert’ weather can also increase chances of dehydration so it’s important to stay vigilant with your water intake.
I hope you find these tips useful and please remember to take care of yourselves during the exams. Wishing you all the very best of luck!
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