How I Trick My Brain Into Surviving Exams

They say “school life sweet, but na exam dey spoil am.” And honestly? They didn’t lie one bit.

You can be cruising through the semester, attending classes, making new friends, enjoying hostel gist, even sneaking in small jollof at midnight, but the moment someone whispers “timetable is out,” your whole mood changes. Headache go start. Suddenly, even food go lose taste. Exam season can turn the most energetic student into a shadow of herself. I know because I’ve been there.

But over time, I’ve learned how to handle that scary season. It wasn’t easy, but I figured out small tricks that work for me and maybe they’ll work for you too.

First things first, I try not to panic. Easier said than done, I know. But I've realized that once I allow panic to enter my body, everything else scatters. My brain shuts down, I forget what I’ve read, and I end up scrolling Instagram for hours to “calm my nerves.” So now, once exam talk starts flying around, I take a deep breath and remind myself that I’ve survived other exams before. I’ll survive this one too.

Now let me tell you the second secret, I read with music. I know it sounds weird, but soft instrumentals or lo-fi beats help me stay focused. It blocks out all the background noise (especially when roommates are gossiping about who’s dating who instead of reading

I also make use of group reading, but only with people that are serious. You see that one friend who always says, “Let’s read together,” and ends up turning it into a full-blown gist session? Yeah, I avoid that one during exams. I read with people who challenge me. Sometimes when someone explains something in their own way, it sticks better than what I read alone.

And then there’s my reward system. After reading for two or three hours, I give myself a small treat maybe an episode of my favorite K drama, or a chilled glass of zobo. Little rewards like that help me stay motivated and not feel like I'm suffering.

Sleep? Very important. In fact, cramming all night before an exam has failed me too many times. I now try to read early and sleep well the night before. A fresh mind remembers better than a tired one.

And finally, I remind myself of the why. Why am I doing this? Why am I going through stress, sleepless nights, and mental pressure? Because I have dreams. Because I want a better life. Because my future deserves this sacrifice. That mindset alone can power me through even the toughest paper.

So yes, exam season isn’t fun, but it has taught me discipline, planning, and resilience. I still get nervous sometimes, I won’t lie. But I no longer dread it like I used to. Instead, I show up with my pen, my brain, and my quiet confidence.

Because I know: I’ve got this

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