NAIROBI: End-of-year exams are here with us. Some students may feel like although they have spent weeks studying, their minds are going blank as exam time approaches. Some cannot even sleep.

Here are mistakes you need to avoid as D-day approaches:

Lack of enough sleep: Get at least seven hours of night sleep to avoid napping or sleeping on the exam day. Ensure you are fully alert on the exam day. Most students think that using their sleep time to read offers them more study time. This, however, has the opposite effect. Don’t wait until the day before the exam to start revising.

Last-minute cramming: Cramming days before the exam is a big mistake as it increases anxiety. According to research, studying a day before the exam crowds your memory with a lot of information at the last minute. This can interfere with your long-term memory retrival. If possible, take a full-day off from books so that your brain can rest.

Locking yourself indoors: Some students think that locking themselves indoors (at home or in a library) during exams will help them perform better. Get out and do some exercise to increase the release of endorphins and boost your confidence. You will find yourself sleeping better at night if you take time to walk, jog, cycle or exercise. Having spent so much time looking at books, it is advisable to give your eyes a breather and allow your mind to relax.

Complete avoidance of TV: Even your parents would not want to see you anywhere near the television. But you need some personal time during your study period. If you enjoy watching TV, a short break from books to watch TV will be a good relief. Even watching a short interesting (not violent) movie at night before the exam can give you some mental break.

Caffeine: People believe that too much caffeine will keep one alert and awake while others opt to avoid it like a plague. Both assumptions are wrong. Moderation is key so if you must, just take an average amount.

Thoughts about exam day: When the exam pressure is too much, some students will avoid thinking about the D-day altogether. However, it is important to think about it so that it guides you in your preparation.

Exam day is hard enough. Do not be your own worst enemy. Recognise and correct any mistakes as this keeps you calm and confident.