University of Melbourne Exam Advice (from an exhausted veteran).

I’ve had three hours sleep over the last two days, and my last exam for this semester ended officially 2 hours ago, so it seemed like the perfect time to write a post full of exam advice!
Please note that this is NOT advice from someone who is good at studying or even naturally talented at remembering how-to-do/things, so I figure this is probably good advice for anyone. Other seconds bloggers should add their ideas in the comments, perhaps?

1. Don’t panic.

2. See 1. No really, you’re probably exhausted/overly excitable/scared of failure… or a gloriously messy combination of the three. Tell your body to quit with the acute stress reaction, you’re not going to die. There are no scary monkeys in the Royal Exhibition Building (unless you take one in I guess, but I don’t know if monkeys are a permitted text). There are no pirahnas, no evil clowns, no poorly written fanfictions about Severus Snape and Harry; there isn’t even anyone expressing distaste in your favourite music.
You’re probably not even going to fail. Take it from me, I’ve failed three subjects… Wanna know how? APATHY. Apathy is the enemy! If you have TRIED to any extent to study chances are GOOD you will not fail. I have some frankly crap results to show for this philosophy, but it’s true!

3. Perspective, get some. Even if you think you’re going to fail, what is the worst that could happen? You might have to do the subject again? Big deal, keep it to yourself next semester and make everyone look bad in the tutorials.
Keep in mind that if you’re worried, it’s not just you. There’s a few thousand students walking in, and chances are you’re going to make *at least* a handful of them look like fools. I mean c’mon, look at that guy. Bet he thinks he’s so cool with his “CANDIDATE ABSENT” flag on his table. Yeah, you’ll show him…

4. Read the bloody question. Twice. Maybe even draw some squiggly lines so you remember what it says.

5. Use reading time.
a) If you choose to go into the examination hall during reading time, don’t just passively read the questions, mentally answer them. You can’t write anything but you can give yourself a headstart. Alternatively if there’s a particular subject you have trouble with, skip right ahead to the difficult section and give yourself as much time to ponder it as possible. You can tuck it in the back of your head while you do the easier questions first.
b) You may also choose to wait until the last minute to enter the examination hall.  Use this time to cram the notes you find the MOST difficult to remember. It is crucial that you do not panic or this step is pointless. Plus, it also saves on the awkward shuffle amongst the hoardes of examinees you have to do when the hall opens! You can feel good about not feeling like cattle! Reading time has never done anything for me except make me nervous (I hate not being able to write anything), although YMMV.

6. Take breaks during the exam. Like, even if it is for one minute or two. Stretch, drink. Enjoy the Royal Exhibition Building. It’s flipping gorgeous. Look at the pretty ladies who appear to be floating in midair! Marvel at the pretty patterns! Crane your neck at the ceiling!

7. Forgotten something – calculators, pencils, water, whatever, or need help? Make use of the Exam Support Stall. Haven’t personally used it myself but I hear good reviews!

8.  Develop a system so you can triage multiple choice questions easily without having to write anything complex. This could be obvious , but worth mentioning. I always circle the numbers of questions I’m going to come back to on the ANSWER SHEET ITSELF (lightly, then rub it away) – this way I don’t accidentally skip no. 47 then write the answer to no. 48 on that line. I’ve done that before, it ruined the next 80 questions. Glad I noticed! I also draw crosses against options that are false, circles against options I’m unsure of, and ticks against something that is true. Works a treat for when you have to answer those horrible, “which of the following is FALSE” type questions.

9. The invigilators are nice. I have not been bitten once, three years running! Stick up your hand if you need something, like another piece of paper because you’ve just written everything on the wrong page or line. Or spilled water all over your paper. Of you finally admit to yourself that yes, your bladder is correct and you do, in fact, need to go to the bathroom.

10. Relax, you have loads of time. Especially if you’re in a first year science subject. They give you three hours to do roughly an hour’s worth of questions! Ha!

11. I am quite seriously suggesting that you wear a funny hat or maybe some kind of outfit. It will brighten the lives of everyone around you, or at least give them something to look at.
11.a) wear sensible shoes. Everyone in the entire examination hall will resent you if you wear heels and then leave early/go to the toilet.
11. b) come in your pyjamas if you want. No one will care, although some may be jealous. It’s not like anyone has showered in the last 24 hours anyway – who has time for such things when there are exams to not fail?

12. Don’t put your water bottle on the table, keep it on the floor. This is perhaps the most important thing. Although if it does leak, it’s not all bad in summer, you can use your ruined paper to cool your forehead. Just pester the invigilators for another piece of paper!

So, anyone else got good advice?