Regents Exams--Aahhh!

Regents exams are the worst. They make your brain feel like it was stuck in a vat of marshmallow. Here are a few tips to help make them less painful.

Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before the test. There is no way you can cram an entire year of info into your head in one night, so don't miss out on sleep because of it.

Take frequent breaks. Your brain can only concentrate on information for a short period of time before it starts wondering. Use your alarm clock to set 30 minute study sessions. Take five minutes in between to go for a short walk or grab a bite to eat. Make sure your break doesn't go beyond five minutes or valuable time could be lost.

Ask for a wake up call. The only thing worse than taking a regents exam is waking up late for it. Ask a friend to call you at a specific time to make sure you are up and moving. Get everything ready the night before, and don't forget those number 2 pencils.

Eat breakfast the morning of your test. Yes, your elementary teachers were right--your brain needs fuel to function properly.

Try to relax. Many students suffer from test anxiety. If you feel your stomach crawling up your throat, turn the test over and take a few deep breaths. If you are having trouble with a question, skip it, just be sure to go back to it before you finish. Always check to make sure you answered every question.

The exam schedule is available at
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/schedules/June06new.pdf

Good Luck!