Smart habits: Champittet secondary students get ready for exam season

Final exams can be a source of stress for secondary students – but they don’t have to be. At Collège Champittet, our secondary students begin preparing for their exams early on, so that when the big day comes, they feel confident and ready.

In December, many of our students in grades 12 to 14 took mock exams. Designed to replicate the conditions of final exams, these practice tests are a great way for students to understand what to expect during their exams. Mock tests also provide valuable feedback, revealing areas that students can still improve through targeted studying. In fact, creating a strategic study plan is one of the best ways in which students can aim for exam success, whether they’re preparing for the IB Diploma, the French Baccalauréat or the Swiss Maturité.

Work smarter, not harder: Ways to manage stress and study more effectively

When the academic pressure is on, it’s even more important for students to look after their physical and mental wellbeing.

• Eating well is critical not only to boosting physical health, but also to improving concentration and focus. So avoid caffeine, and sugary or salty snacks!
  
  
• Skip the all-nighters, because getting enough sleep is paramount to retaining information and solving problems.
  
  
• Make sure to set aside time for exercise – even a brisk walk can do wonders to relieve stress and enhance cognition. Remember: healthy body, healthy mind!
  

• Breaking time into chunks can also be a helpful way to manage studying. Make a plan, dedicating different blocks of time to different subject areas – and don’t forget to schedule breaks. Frequent, shorter study sessions over months can go much further than a single intensive session right before exams.
  
  
• Feel free to use digital tools that aid studying, like flashcards or quizzes, but avoid the distractions of social media in order to stay focused.

See our article on time management for more tips – and best of luck to our students!