If your exams are about to start and you're panicking because there's not enough time left to revise - stop and breathe. At this stage, the best thing you can do is not to cram, but stay steady, follow your routine, and look after your mind. Even if you don't feel 100% ready (and most people won't), you can still walk into your exams calm, focused, and clear-headed. Here are some top tips to help you feel your best heading into exam season:

1. Accept Where You Are

Beating yourself up isn't going to do any good if you're feeling unprepared and being negative will only harm your exam day performance. The exam is going to happen whether you like it or not and you need to accept where you're at and plan for the future - "What can I do right now?" instead of "I should have...". Adopting a good, sustainable revision plan now will be a lot better for you than cramming or worrying about the time you've wasted up until now.

2. Breathe Before You Panic

We've all been there and we know how easy it is to panic before and during the exam. Panicking won't answer the next question or rejig your memory, so stop and take some deep breaths, and get back on track. If you aren't familiar with the square breathing technique, it is a great way to ground yourself:

Breathe in for 4 seconds

Hold for 4 seconds

Breathe out for 4 seconds

Hold for 4 seconds (and repeat from the start)

3. Focus On What You Do Know

If you have forgotten something, there is no point staring at a blank page. Move forwards and answer what you do know. Then you can go back to what you're stuck on and try your best - a partial answer will still get marks and is better than nothing at all.

4. Sleep > Cramming

A rested brain is always better than an exhausted one, even if it means you don't get through all your notes and have every single topic 100% committed to memory. Resist the urge to stay up all night cramming, and give your brain the rest it needs to perform in your exams.

5. Set a Pre-Exam Routine

Part of what makes exams so stressful, is that we don't know what to expect. While you can't plan out what questions will appear, you can get into a good morning routine to give yourself something planned. You can:

- Set a wake up time - make sure you have plenty of time so you're not rushing.

- Plan a good, nutritious breakfast - getting in your carbs, proteins, healthy fats and staying hydrated will start your day on the right foot.

- Pack your bag calmly (or even pack it the night before) - double check you've got everything you need so there's no exam hall panic.

- Do something that relaxes you - you can walk, do yoga, listen to music, read etc.

6. Don't Let One Exam Define You

You think you've had a bad exam, the best you can do is move on and focus on the next - it is out of your control now. Carrying negativity and doubt into your following exams will only hurt how you do. And remember that you only think you've done badly, you don't even know for sure!

7. Talk To Someone

Doing exams is hard and stressful, and there will be points when you don't feel great. Instead of bottling it up, talk to someone, whether it's a friend, parent, teacher. They can't solve your problems but talking to someone about how you're feeling will help lighten the load and help you think more clearly.

Good luck if you have exams coming up! Scholar Hub is sure that you'll smash them!