Exam season can be stressful and challenging for students, but with the proper preparation and mindset, it can also be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. This time can be advantageous for students attending SISD, one of the best bilingual schools in Dubai.

Students attending our secondary school have the unique opportunity to develop fluency in two languages. This may come with added pressure during exam season. However, at SISD, we are here to support you, to help ease any stress you may be feeling and ensure success, so we have put together our top 5 tips for students during exam season:

Plan and Organise Your Study Schedule

One of the most effective ways to prepare for exams is to plan and organize your study schedule in advance. This involves creating a realistic timeline considering all the subjects you must study and the available time. For bilingual students, it’s essential to allocate enough time for both languages and ensure that you have a balanced study plan. Creating a study plan helps to keep you on track and reduces the risk of burnout. This can also help to improve your overall performance.

Practice Active Recall

Active recall is a powerful technique that involves retrieving information from memory and testing yourself on what you’ve learned. This technique helps to strengthen memory and improve retention, making it an effective tool for exam preparation. For bilingual students, active recall is significant as it helps to reinforce both languages. To practice active recall, try using flashcards, quizzes, or summarizing notes in your own words. By testing yourself regularly, you’ll improve your memory and identify any gaps in your knowledge that need to be addressed.

Seek Help and Clarification

As a bilingual school, we understand it’s essential to have help and clarification when needed, especially if you’re struggling with a particular language or subject. Be bold and ask your teachers for extra support or seek help from a tutor or classmate. It’s important to remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and can ultimately lead to better understanding and improved performance. By seeking help and clarification, you’ll fill in any knowledge gaps and gain more confidence in your abilities.

Stay Healthy and Take Breaks

During exam season, it’s easy to neglect your physical and mental health in favour of studying. However, this approach can be counterproductive, leading to burnout, fatigue, and decreased performance. To ensure that you’re performing at your best, it’s essential to take breaks, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet. As bilingual students, you can practice both languages outside the classroom by watching movies, reading books, or talking to native speakers. Although this is still revising, you subconsciously practice while taking moments to enjoy time outside of a structured class. Taking care of your physical and mental health helps you be better equipped to handle the stress and demands of exams.

Manage Your Stress and Anxiety

Finally, managing your stress and anxiety during exam season is crucial. This can be done through various techniques, including deep breathing techniques, meditation, or yoga. It’s important to remember that a certain stress level is average during exam season, but excessive stress and anxiety can impair your performance. By managing your stress and anxiety, you’ll feel calmer and ultimately perform better in your exams.

At SISD, we know exam season can be a challenging and stressful time, especially for those attending one of the best bilingual schools in Dubai. However, by following these top 5 tips, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands and challenges of exams, following on to see the rewards of your hard work. Remember to plan and organize your study schedule, practice active recall, seek help and clarification, stay healthy, take breaks, and monitor your stress and anxiety. By doing so, you’ll excel in your exams and develop valuable study skills and habits that will serve you well in your future university destinations and academic endeavours.

It’s important to remember that exam season is just one part of your academic journey, and success is not determined solely by exam performance. While exams are essential, they do not define your worth as a student or a person. Maintaining a balanced perspective and prioritizing your mental and physical health above all else is essential. If you would like to contact us about exam season, please email info@sisd.ae

Good luck with your exams!