Not sleeping the night before an exam

I'm sure this is something which a fair few people are experiencing at the moment. I find that occasionally the night before a big day I get really restless and for love nor money can i stop facts etc whizzing through my head, short of just getting on with it until i eventually drop off, does anyone have any suggestions as to how to encourage yourself to go to sleep more quickly. I've tried trying to clear my mind of thinking about the blasted exam but that really is easier said than done!

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Reply 1

Anonymous #1

its bad dont do it.

Reply 2

aleathiel

I have that, last year the night before my film studies exams I was getting into such a stew cos I couldnt sleep! even yelled at my brother I dunno how many times to be quiet (poor kid wasnt even making that much noise lol) in the end mum gave me some sleeping pills (natural type ones not druggy type ones lol) and I eventually dropped off but could have done with a better night's sleep.. this year for my art history exams I slept pretty good! weird eh! it's just how worried you are about it, try not to worry and it will be better :biggrin:

Reply 3

Peter88

Yea, I get the same thing, a couple of nights ago I couldnt sleep for ages because I had a Biology AS exam the next day. Do you press ups or read for a while to get your mind of it. Even if you dont sleep, lying down with your eyes closed is good rest.

Reply 4

Fluent in Lies

Just try.

Reply 5

Renza

If it's panicking and stress that's bothering you you could try 'Calms' which are meant to be a herbal remedy promoting natural sleep.

I don't know how effective these are. I've always had good nights sleeps when I've taken these though.

Reply 6

..anna..

Original post by Fluent &#953

Just try.

hahaha, the best advice i have ever heard!!

if you start writing what your thinking, youll soon get bored and want to sleep.
but i tend to just lie there, as someone said it is good rest and youll nod off eventually!
BTW, i personally wouldnt recommend "rescue remedy" my mum fed it to me on GCSE results day, i cried almost all of the day even tho i got good results, i couldnt help crying. and im not someone who cries much!

xxx

Reply 7

lemonadeX

Know EXACTLY what you mean. Had my Biology exam yesterday and went to bed at around 10pm the night before to try and get a good nights sleep (which is pretty rare). I ended up not getting to sleep until past 1, when I had to be up for before 7am!

I think after you've been lying there not getting to sleep for 45 mins or so, get up - Maybe do some press-ups (helped me) because it tires you out. Also have a glass of milk because that contains a chemical which helps sleep (or so I've heard).

-Will

Reply 8

trixx

I never sleep the night before exams. Just can't. And i skip breakfast. I know, everyone says i'm weird but it's just my way of dealing with stress.

Reply 9

Lofty

If you have revised enough and are feeling confident enough, then i don't see why you would be so nervous that you cannot sleep?

Reply 10

Fluent in Lies

With an avatar like that I should think you don't.

Reply 11

blissy

I get that: nerves, excitement, apprehension. I'm dying to get into the exam and look at the paper and apply my knowledge. It's not a matter of how much revision you've done.

To get round this, I just lie there. I think to myself "I'm resting, and resting is pretty much as good as sleeping. If I just rest, let my mind tick and my body relax it'll be fine. How much sleep do I need?" and with that I generally drop off to sleep in no time. As long as you're saying to yourself that even lying there is alright, you should be fine. Remember, you don't need that much sleep before an exam. Ideally, yes you should sleep enough but it's not the end of the world if you don't. Thinking it will affect your performance and it's more likely it will!

Reply 12

KPeh

lemonadeX

I think after you've been lying there not getting to sleep for 45 mins or so, get up - Maybe do some press-ups (helped me) because it tires you out.

I've heard the opposite.. It releases adreneline so your mind is more active!

Reply 13

Lush Law

I used to be a right stress head about exams and struggled to sleep the night before, but now, well this summer as soon as I got into bed the night before my exams I fell straight to sleep. Exams don't bother me anymore, so used to them now.

Reply 14

starya

If I really really can't sleep I tend to read a book. The Scarlet Letter for example makes me fall asleep after a couple of paragraphs at the most. Hasn't failed me yet!

Reply 15

Kolya

There is no point just lying in bed if you cannot sleep. Best to get up and pursue a healthy activity.

Reply 16

xavier2k3

Drink hot chocolate an hour before you go to bed, perhaps even horlicks or something. This will set you up for bed, i promise you. You need to wind down gently.

regards
--marty

Reply 17

ChanandlerBong

A couple of weeks ago, I only had about three hours sleep before a French oral exam. It's a vicious circle for me, the later it is, the more panicky I become and the less able I am to sleep. Rational thinking doesn't work for me, I just panic and panic. Anyway I was so stressed and pissed off that I promised myself never again, so I'm getting myself into an early rhythm a week before all my exams and I'm going to do some exercises the day before - both to relieve some stress and to increase the chances of getting asleep earlier. Also, having a hot bath before bed generally tires people out.

Reply 18

darryl

Read something totally unrelated but vaguely dull (not a page turner or you'll be up all night) - like I read about renaissance history and I dont even study anything vaguely related to it.

It distracts your mind and you'll get sleepy and relaxed and just think how cultured you'll become :biggrin:

Reply 19

wiggles

I couldn't get to sleep last night, but not because of nerves or anything, as it was only an AS retake that I already had a B in, but I think it's just cos it was my first exam, and I'd planned to go to bed early, and knew I needed a good night's sleep, so for some reason I just couldn't do it, lol. Didn't get to sleep till gone 2am, but exam went ok so I don't mind.

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