Academic Integrity Office Tips for Students: Examinations

November 23, 2021 (Last updated: November 17, 2022)

Academic Integrity Office tips, Education, Fulton Schools, Graduate students, Resources, Undergraduate students

No matter how much you prepare, it is inevitable that you will feel a bit more stressed than usual when preparing to take a mid-term or final exam. While some stress can be beneficial, you need to work toward minimizing high levels of stress that will have a negative impact on your performance, and on rare occasions can make a person do something they regret. Here are a few tips to consider when preparing for examinations:

Start early and study more than you think you will need.
As much as possible, cut out any activity that is unnecessary and a distraction to your academic success. Study first, play later!
To stay mentally fresh, take a short 10-minute break after each hour of study time.
Develop a study and test-taking routine that you can replicate for each exam. Your body and mind like routines — set it and stick with it.
Show up early for the exam, or if online, do not wait until the last minute to get your computer properly set up.
Think about the power of breathing. If you feel anxious, stop what you are doing and take one or two deep breaths and relax.
If you find yourself struggling with an exam, accept it and just tell yourself, “It’s OK. I will learn from this and do better next time.”

For more information, check out the Academic Integrity Office website and the Fulton Schools Resources page.