To manage exams well, you need to stay at the peak of your functioning capacity. Too much stress can spoil your performance, but we all need a certain amount of adrenalin in our bodies to take on the challenges ahead. Here are some pre-exam tips for improving your performance * Plan your revision in advance by listing achievable targets and tick them off when completed. * Practise deep breathing and relaxation techniques before the exam. * Don’t let your mind wander into catastrophic thoughts like "I can't understand this author", " I'm going to fail this paper" or "I'm not going to pass my degree". * Make time for fun, but avoid alcohol or drugs, as they can affect your memory and de-skill you. Avoid going straight to bed after revision, otherwise you may have difficulty sleeping with thoughts rushing around your brain. * Use active learning techniques like summarizing as you go along and asking yourself questions as you read. * Make sure you stay in touch with sympathetic friends and family: having someone to offload your problems can help. * Avoid coffee late at night, which may over-stimulate and increase feelings of anxiety.