You may currently be at the peak of your mock GCSE exams or preparing for the next round; no matter what, it is extremely important to not let it get on top of you and become overwhelming.
After having had firsthand experience of the pressures of mock exams, these are my top tips on how to stay calm and make the most of it..
1. Take breaks!
Although you may feel as if you cannot waste any time, it's necessary to assign breaks for yourself to ensure that you do not get burnt out; assigning short and regular breaks allows you to have some guilt-free time to do a hobby, some exercise, or simply anything to take your mind off of your exams.
2. Do not compare yourself to others…
You may find yourself feeling stressed out because others appear to be doing a lot more revision or are constantly talking about exams, which can become overwhelming..
However, everyone has different ways of preparing and may present themselves to seem like they are doing more than they are. It's important to not compare yourself to others, which can lead to frustration and a low self-esteem.
3. Looking after yourself
During mocks you need to make sure that you are sleeping early, as getting enough sleep (around 8 hours) is vital for consolidating key information; caffeine will not cut it, as it can cause nervousness and stress. Drinking water is also vital as it can improve your concentration and memory.
But my most important tip is do not forget that these mocks are only here to help you for the future, so it essentially does not matter if you do really well or fail any because you can really utilise these exams to help you later on.
