- Many students are tempted to consume caffeine when stressed or sleep-deprived like finals week. Be careful not to drink too much caffeine because it can make you jittery and lower your concentration. Instead, try eating a peppermint candy or an orange during the middle of a final exam, as they can spark mental alertness and act as immediate forms of “caffeine.”
- Eat a healthy breakfast and stay hydrated to keep your brain full of energy and attention. But don’t eat more than usual because that can just as easily have the opposite effect and lower your attention abilities.
- Sleep well. It can be hard to fall asleep at 9:00 if you’ve been going to sleep at 11:30 for the past week. So, try to ease yourself into sleeping earlier. Finish eating and stop using electronics like your phone and iPod at least 30 minutes before you plan to go to sleep.
- Try eating brain superfoods, such as nuts, seeds, chocolate, fish (omega), avocado and whole grains.
- Exercise and get some fresh air. If you have no 8:00 final, but have to be at school at 9:45, walk to school. It gets the blood flowing to your brain and mentally prepares you for final exam mode.
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