Are you one of those children who feel butterflies fluttering in their stomachs as the dates of the annual exams draw near? Or you feel dizzy and feverish as you enter the examination hall?

You prepare well for your papers, but as soon as the exam paper is handed out, you break out into sweat due to nervousness and seem to forget everything you have learnt. If your answer is in the affirmative, please read these tips carefully. Then re-read!

Exams are not demons which give you nightmares. The only reason for your blues is because you do not plan for them properly, or have a wrong line of action.

Today I shall share some tips which I followed strictly in my student life and, with the grace of Allah, always passed with very good grades.

Divide your time wisely

Good planning is the key to success. Once the date of your exams is announced and the syllabus is given out, calculate your time carefully. You should start preparing for your exams at least a month before. But because you start late, all you can do is to divide your study hours into chunks of two- or three-hour sessions and study one subject at a time. This is not enough to cover all the topics well.

Seek help where needed

If you still have difficulty in any of your subjects or topics, the best step is to approach your subject teacher. Usually teachers willingly give extra classes to students who are weak or are struggling with some topics.

If your problem is not resolved, seek help from a parent or elder siblings. Opting for tuitions or coaching centres should always be your last option.

Often children are scared that they will get a scolding from their parents for lagging behind in class. You should realise that they are the ones who are always ready to help you out in a crisis. Hiding issues always make them more serious, so open up to your elders and share your problems with them.

Do not overwork yourself

I had a friend in school who always secured the first position in class. One year, on the day of the mathematics exam, she asked for a glass of water from the staff. But before her request was obliged, she fainted. In a furore, she was carried to the sick room and her parents were called. My friend’s mother told the teacher that her daughter had not slept for two nights, as she wanted to score full marks in the test.

Although you should study hard and keep your focus on your upcoming exams, always remember that there should be a balance between studying and resting. Only when your brain is fresh, will you be able to grasp your lesson with more ease. Have adequate sleep so that your body is prepared for the next day of hard work.

Keep an eye on your diet

My little friends, do not be surprised by this tip I am giving you. Fast foods, or foods which are high in carbs and fats, make you lethargic, sleepy and dull. Eating a diet which is light and nutritious will keep you more alert and wide awake when you are studying. Avoid chips and so called energy drinks. Have a lot of fresh fruits and salads in your diet.

Drinking at least 12 glasses of water daily will sharpen up your memory and keep you alert. A warm glass of milk at bedtime will energise you and also help you to sleep soundly.

Your studying place is important

The place where you are studying should be well-lit and airy. Place a table and a chair with a straight back in your studying area with your books and stationery handy.

Make sure that you avoid disturbance from younger siblings, noise from a running machine or distraction because of a guest. If possible, keep the door to your studying room closed. Silence is essential for learning, as you can focus more on what you are trying to comprehend.

Know your best hour

Some children prefer to sleep in the afternoon so that they can stay up late to study. Others prefer to relax a while after school and then begin their studies. They are early sleepers/risers and often get an hour or so to go through their books peacefully before going to school. It is up to you to choose the time you feel is more productive and plan your daily routine according to it.

Take short breaks while studying

A brisk walk in the open freshens our minds. Take a break from your studies after an hour or two, and go out. Take deep breaths and try to keep your thoughts away from your upcoming exams. If going out is not possible in your vicinity, play with a sibling for a short while, or have a chat with your mum. Small healthy snacks also boost your energy levels.

These breaks will lessen your fatigue and prepare you to go back to work refreshed and with a clearer head. On the contrary, trying to keep on studying for long hours at a stretch usually brings you to a point where your mind refuse to grasp anything new.

Never try to rote-memorise your answers

This is the last, but a very most important advice. Students who rote memorise their notes, without trying to understand the real context, never get good grades. First of all, this is inadvisable because you do not gain the knowledge of a topic, if you just learn the answer to a question by heart.

Secondly, during the exam, if you forget a line of what you have memorised, you will be completely lost. Gaining comprehension of a subject by understanding what you have been taught, will help you reproduce in your own words the answer to any question.

In the end, I will like to share a thought with you. We go to educational institutions to learn and develop our personality. Passing exams by hook or by crook, should never be our goal. As you move higher from grade to grade, you should be more learned, have a firmer grasp on the subjects you have been taught and know how to make productive use of your education. In this way, after finishing your education, you will be able to go out into the world to make it a better place!

Best of luck to my young friends!

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 3rd, 2025