When you combine the excitement of sports with the intellectual intensity of exams, academic competitions can demonstrate levels of intelligence, as well as how well they can work under pressure. If you have an academic competition forthcoming, you must make sure you’re in the right state of mind to find success. 

This guide below can help you enter an academic competition with high confidence.

Study Habits

If you’re taking part in an academic competition, you should have already acquired good study habits. However, studying for an academic competition isn’t exactly the same as studying for an exam. There is a great deal of information that you must review outside of the classroom. 

Don’t waste time reviewing areas that you know exceptionally well. Remember that topics can be fairly broad with academic competitions, so you shouldn’t try to study the absolute minutiae of every single question. Succeeding in an academic competition doesn’t mean you have to be an expert in every separate area. If you knew everything there was to know; it wouldn’t be much of a competition.

Prepare For the Big Day

Your preparation in the weeks and days ahead of your competition is most important. However, on the day of the competition, you still need to psych yourself up and be ready to go. 

Make sure to get a good night’s rest and eat a healthy breakfast to start your day. For example, with law school competitions, mock trials are treated much the same way as real trials. Before a match begins, visualize what could come up–such as questions or how you’ll give your team an early lead. Give yourself at least a couple hours before the competition to do some light reviewing, but avoid over-studying, as you could end up losing track of concepts.

Relax

Wanting to do well in an academic competition shouldn’t keep you from attending to your needs and other responsibilities. Staying up all night and not eating because you’re too busy studying can end up being more of a hindrance than turning in early. 

The tension you’re feeling can be lessened by eating right and getting a good night’s sleep. Make sure wherever you’re sleeping is comfortable and go to bed as early as possible. 

Don’t spend the evening looking at your phone. Bring yourself away from screens so you can avoid the bluelight intrusion and mental overload from your smartphone, computer, and television. 

Make sure to get plenty of rest and de-stress before the competition, so you have the chance to perform at the top of your game. Putting in the time to prepare for an academic competition can help to enhance your performance. 

Additionally, each academic competition you take part in can serve as training for subsequent matches.

Learn more about how to connect with the people you meet at competitions; look into our LinkedIn for Students program!