Brain Blackout: What to do When Your Brain Deserts You in an Exam Hall
The most dreaded occurrence is here, the worst has happened. You’re sitting in an exam hall with nothing but the echoes of memory of what you know in your brain, there’s nothing to call on, it’s just you and your failing memory.
What’s the way out?
Nursing students, with a hectic lifestyle of clinicals, presentations, group projects, extracurricular activities and personal day to day obligations, also have to grapple with bulky text materials and content. They have to learn practical facts, values and numbers all within a limited amount of time and this situation has made it so that even the best nursing students are likely to suffer from a brain blackout in an exam hall. In this article, we’d be highlighting what to do when you ask your brain for information you’ve stored there and all you hear are crickets.
Don’t PANIC!
Now, this might sound impossible but let’s face it; who has panic ever helped? No one! This is a high emergency situation, treat it as one. You do not need to literally check your airways and breathing in the ABC of emergency action (you might need to do that if you are hyperventilating). But, the first thing you should do is calm yourself. Your heart racing won’t get you anywhere, count to 20 if that helps you, lay your head down or look at something else but your question paper. Don’t try to rile yourself up and hope that stimulates your memory, it doesn’t work that way.
Recount, Recall, Recollect
You’re already in an exam hall, so no doubt, you know what’s going on here. Even if you don’t, check out the course title and code and look at some of the questions you have answered and familiarize yourself with the concepts the course is trying to teach. If you haven’t answered any question, that’s okay, check out the questions and try to ask yourself what they want to confirm that you know. Your brain works better in recollecting graphic details than it does just text so try to make use of this knowledge. Recall classes you’ve been to, significant moments in those classes and what was etched into your memory during those moments. Locate a particular question and try to recollect the moments you were reading about it or just browsing through, what stood out? If you’ve done this, something will stand out to you and you can build your answers on this or even use this link in your memory to remember all that you need to.
Utilize Mnemonics and Memory Aids
In times of crisis, every trick in the book becomes fair game. Mnemonics, acronyms, and memory aids are your allies in this battle against blackouts. Quickly conjure up any memory hooks you’ve used during your study sessions. Did you create a catchy phrase to remember the steps of a medical procedure? Did you make up a silly rhyme to recall drug dosages? Now is the time to rely on those mnemonic devices to jog your memory and retrieve the information you need. Don’t hesitate to scribble them down on your rough paper; it’s not cheating, it’s survival. The gauntlet is drawn between you and the questions and you’re smarter than you know, don’t mix them up, recall concepts around the question and make sure the mnemonic fits the questions you’re trying to answer.
Divide and Conquer
When faced with a daunting question, break it down into manageable parts. Focus on one component at a time, dissecting the question like a skilled surgeon. Don’t forget the principles of small steps that advices for students to learn bulky concepts into small steps. Don’t panic that the words ‘Don’t forget’ are used here, since this article exist because you did forget. Not all hope is lost, however, you can never forget that learning is from the simple to the complex. Information is built on already existing basic knowledge, so write your answers around that concept. Identify keywords or phrases that trigger familiarity and start building your response from there. Remember, partial credit is better than leaving a question unanswered. Even if you can’t recall everything, demonstrate your understanding of the topic by tackling each section to the best of your ability.
Engage in Strategic Guessing
In dire situations, sometimes you have to rely on educated guesses. You’ve reached a certain level and you got here somehow, so you’re not completely clueless. Everything you know and have been taught matters in this case. Look for clues within the question or options provided. Eliminate obviously incorrect answers and make an educated guess based on your intuition and remaining options. It’s like who wants to be a millionaire with higher stakes. But no pressure, at all. Trust your instincts; oftentimes, your subconscious do holds onto more information than you realize. It’s better to take a calculated risk than to leave a question blank.
Stay Focused and Keep Moving
In the midst of a brain blackout, it’s easy to get bogged down by frustration and self-doubt. However, dwelling on your momentary lapse won’t miraculously summon the answers. Stay focused on the task at hand and keep pushing forward. Time is of the essence, and you can’t afford to waste precious minutes lamenting over what you can’t recall. Avoid distractions and maintain a steady pace, and remember that perseverance is key to overcoming obstacles, both in exams and in life.
In conclusion, experiencing a brain blackout during an exam is every student’s nightmare, but it’s not the end of the world. By remaining calm, tapping into your memory reserves, and employing strategic techniques, you can navigate your way through even the most challenging of situations. So take a deep breath, trust in your preparation, and tackle each question with confidence. You’ve got this!
Wishing all Nursing Students success in their exam!