’Twas the Night Before GRE . . .
#15: Get it together. Pack up the day before so you don’t
have to go scrambling around in the morning. Get your admission ticket, ID,
water, and nonsugar energy snack (for the break) all ready to go.
#14: Wind down. Runners don’t run a full marathon the day
before; they rest up for the big day. Avoid cramming the
day before the test. Read a book, watch a movie, hang out with friends, whatever
relaxes you—but make it an early night. And speaking of which . . .
#13: Get enough sleep. Don’t get into bed at 7:00 just to
stare at the ceiling, but do get to bed early enough to ensure you have enough
sleep to be alert and energetic for Test Day.
#12: Set two alarms. You don’t want to miss your testing
appointment because your alarm was set for p.m. instead of a.m.—stranger things
have happened. Also, one of your alarms should be battery-operated, just in case
something crazy like a power outage occurs during the night. Unlikely, sure, but
peace of mind will help you sleep better. Of course, if your appointment is
scheduled for the afternoon, waking up on time shouldn’t be an issue.