With a day left for JEE Mains 2021, the most dreadful day for
all aspiring engineering students, it is nothing less than a
tornado in your mind – with formulae caught in the whirlwind running from one
place to the other, concepts hiding underneath anything firm trying to not get
caught in the gush of winds, and chemical equations trying to stay in their
right ratio to avoid a catastrophe.

Just like physics and maths, exam preparation runs on a
simple formula — number of days left before the exam and stress are inversely
proportional to each other. Days before the exam, you can feel anxious, experience a messed up sleep cycle and you might want go through your books all
over again. Keep in mind that last minute is not the time for hard work, it is the time for
smart work.

Instead of spending the last few minutes staring at the
calendar on your wall crossing off days, here are some 11th hour
preparation tips that will calm the storm in your heads:

Hone your skills

A few days before the exam is not the right
time to start a new topic. Trying to cover every topic will only add to your
stress. Instead, revise the topics that you have already studied. This will
help ensure that you don’t skip or attempt any question related to those topics
incorrectly and help you score in the exam.

Also read: JEE Mains 2021 Mathematics Sample Paper for Practice

Learn the formulae

There is no better time than now to take
out those highlighters and colourful post-its and scribble all the formulae on
them. Not only will this add colour to your study routine, but also help you
remember formulae more efficiently. Analyse the previous year paper to get an
idea of topics that occur in the exam more frequently. Accordingly, write down
all the formulae and keep giving it a glance from time-to-time to make sure
your bran imbibes it.

No need to discuss your preparation

A common habit of every student is to check
if they are on the same page as their peers. While this seems like a necessary
ritual before the exam, it will do nothing to boost your spirit. Instead, it
will only demoralise you and add to your pre-exam anxiety. The best thing is to
focus on your preparation and avoid unnecessary worry.

Also read: JEE Mains 2021 Chemistry Sample Paper for Practice

Steer clear of self doubt

Self-confidence will be your best friend in
times of anxiety. Keep self doubt at bay as it will only bring your spirits
down. Have faith in your preparation and yourself. Keep a clear mind before the
exam, leaving no room for silly errors. The paper can be easy or difficult, but
self doubt will only lower your chances of clearing it. Instead, keep yourself mentally strong and
march towards your success.

Take breaks at regular intervals

Studying continuously without breaks might
seem like a good approach, but it will eventually tire you. Taking small breaks
after every hour is a better strategy as it will rejuvenate your mind and
reduce your fatigue. Your concentration will improve after you resume your
studies after each break.