Your Class XII board exams are breathing down your neck. And you are nervous!

Sneha Upadhyaya, an studen of Class XII from Mumbai, says, "I am prepared but there are so many things to remember that I am getting jumbled. And I have a huge family. Everybody gives advice. I don't know what to follow."

Here are a few tips to help you stay calm on D-day. 

Nervous bouts

"Some students are more prone to nervouse attacks. They break into cold sweats, breathlessness, clammy hands, and/or dizzy spells," says counsellor Rita Shah. 

"When this happens, the first thing to do is to sit down somewhere and take deep breaths. Call out to whoever is at home or with you. Talk about something unrelated to exams like a new film or a book. Normally, students feel better immediately. But if you don't, visit your doctor."

Do not ignore such extreme instances.

Important checklist

Maintain a checklist with what you need to carry to your examination hall. Your hall ticket, your ID card, your pen box and some sweets.

Yes, some sweets may help you take care of instances where you suddenly sweat or feel low while writing the paper.

Stock up with at least six pens for your exams. Try out each for a little while before the actual exam. If you feel the ink is depleting fast, replace the near-empty pen with another. Maintain a steady number of pens. If you find it difficult to remember all this, ask someone at home to do it for you.

The other things to include are a good pencil, an eraser, a ruler, and standard geometry equipment.

Water requirements

Many students feel thirsty just before their exams. Remember to drink water at least an hour before the exam. Go to the washroom at the examination centre just before you enter class. It is also a good idea to have one glass of lukewarm milk before you leave for the exam.

Arriving at the centre

If you are wondering what time to reach the exam centre, here's help. It really depends on the kind of person you are.

If you feel happy meeting your friends, you should reach at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time. That way you get to chat with your friends for five minutes before you head for your classroom.

If you are the nervous and reserved kind, it would be good if you can time your entry just when the first bell rings.

But on the first day, remember to come at least 20 minutes before time. It will help you locate the room and your bench and explore the location of the washrooms.

Breaks in between exams

During the breaks between two papers, you could plan on taking up a paper from a later date.

For example, if you have a three-day break after a paper and the next two papers are Physics and Chemistry, on the day you return from your paper, study Chemistry. You can continue to study Chemistry until the next morning. Then, take up Physics. That way you do a quick revision of Chemistry too.

Important notes

It would be a good idea to make a list of formulae, diagrams, equations, and some important laws and structures.

Carry these when you are travelling towards your exams, for a quick revision. ]

However, DON'T refer to these while answering the paper!

Just before entering

Just before you enter your examination hall, take three to four deep breaths. Remember to exhale equally slowly. Walk confidently into the exam hall with a smile on your face.

Wish you all the best!