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We all go through exam stress, fear of not being able to fulfill others’ as well as our own expectations and adapt to different mechanisms to deal with the exam time imposters, differently. But keeping all that aside for a few seconds, we often wonder when we look at the toppers and want to know how different is their exam planning, study schedules and what secret did they use to secure such extraordinary grades and rankings, right?
Well, heterogeneity is the synonym when it comes to dealing with stress and preparing for exams, for everyone has their own unique way to beat the stress and work under pressure to secure good marks. However, these are some generic secrets that toppers abide by, that help them be sane and keep calm under the tremendous pressure that exams bring—
- A study plan to keep you ahead of the time
Time waits for no one and like someone had rightly said, “Failing to plan is planning to fail,”—Exam times are no sporadic stuff that you can deal with at your own whim and fancy. You need a full proof strategy that you need to start following much prior to your exams, say months, to finish off that vast syllabus as early as possible.
- You need to keep a track of your improvements chapter wise
Covering new topics and working on new chapters is of no use if you don’t have the previous topics well registered in your mind. Hence, it is mandatory that you keep a track of whether you are improving, chapter wise.
- Revision is a must
Like mentioned above, it is absolutely pointless to cloud your brain with new topics and information until and unless it has stored the previous stuff well in your mind. Hence, revision is crucial and every day before you start with a new topic, it is wiser to revise the things you learnt the previous day.
- Maintaining a good sleeping pattern
Eight hours of sound sleep is mandatory for your body to function properly and toppers abide by this mantra always. Sleep deprived mind and body is a catalyst to failure, and thus, anybody aiming to bag the top rank in academics make sure that they give their body and mind the adequate amount of rest they deserve.
- Eating healthy
Our diet plays a vital role in everything that we do, and during exams, it becomes extra essential that you follow a healthy diet and avoid those foods that can make you fall sick or risk the chances of indigestion, stomach upset or nausea in general.
- Making self study notes
Creativity is always well appreciated and while you may think mugging up everything word to word from your text book is enough to fetch you marks, it is important for you to know that teachers do appreciate your own effort to write an answer on your understanding rather than producing a replica of bookish text. Hence, making self study notes helps you a lot on the being creative front.
- Solving sample papers
You can’t play a final world cup match of cricket well if you haven’t practiced well. Same goes for final exams and thus, toppers make sure that they have ample idea and knowledge of what the real test would be like by answering sample questions, to determine where they are lagging behind and where they need to improve.
- Time management
Time doesn’t wait for anyone, and toppers are no different. The only difference is that they know how to manage it well, by making a proper schedule and planning their days much prior, to schedule their study hours, break, meals as well as sleep times.
- Don’t hesitate to question
Toppers are human beings after all! They may have the very same doubts as you and the key factor is that they don’t hesitate to question. It is always wise to clear your doubts with subjects/topics instantaneously than to let it prevail and bug you later during exam time.
- Giving it the 100% shot
Finally, it is all about dedication and toppers give their 100% for every subject. Preparations, study schedules and planning—all these are of no use if on the final day of examination you don’t give it your 100%. So, read carefully, think, analyze and then give it your best shot to ensure that you secure good grades.
