Whether you’re studying for GCSEs, A Levels, or for a degree, one thing never changes: exams!
There are some people out there who can ace exams, almost without thinking; they can read the information, revise it and then remember and understand it well enough to write it down in an exam situation which is great! I am definitely not one of these people! For me, exams are a long, Jaffa cake fuelled slog which always used to feel like it ended with a coin toss: I might pass, I might not! Recently though, I feel like I’m starting to get to grips with my learning and slowly, exams are starting to feel less like the cliff face they used to be.
Revision does not mean the same for everybody because we all have unique brains that process information in different ways, but there are a few general pointers that won’t harm you to try. Here are my favourite exam revision tips:
1. Rein in the panic
Believe me, I know this is easier said than done! I am so so bad at keeping my calm during exam season it’s almost laughable. Nevertheless, we have to try our best: take a deep breath, drink plenty of tea and keep putting one foot in front of the other until we get there.
2. Find yourself a Study Buddy
Revising can be a really boring, really lonely trek and one simple solution could be to form a small study group or just study with one more friend! This can be a great way to stay focussed and engaged, and clear up any misunderstandings you may have before the exams.
3. Take regular breaks
We’ve all done it, you sit down to revise and suddenly it’s 6 hours later, you’ve not moved, you’ve not eaten, your legs have gone to sleep and you’re getting quite close to a Vitamin D deficiency. It is a lot better for your mind and body to take regular breaks while revising: this doesn’t have to be anything snazzy, just getting up and making a cup of tea can be just what your brain needs to stay focussed enough to hit the books again!
4. Test yourself
I use this technique a lot and have found writing out little questions and then answering them from memory is one of the best ways to get the facts into my head. It’s also quite satisfying when you can visibly see yourself getting better and better at recalling the information
5. Look after yourself
In amongst all the deadlines and jobs on your ‘to-do’ list, there is still you: a human being who needs to be looked after! So don’t neglect yourself, get plenty of sleep, cook yourself meals that would make Gordon Ramsey proud, and don’t feel guilty about having time off to read a book, play an instrument, or take a walk. You are important too!
6. Have a little Faith
Yes, it might seem like everybody else is absolutely flying through the course, meanwhile it looks like you haven’t even been awake for 60% of the year, but that’s stress talking! At the end of the day, you’re here, you’ve earned your place and everybody (teachers, family, friends) believes that you can do this. Have a little confidence and keep on swimming!
Good luck to everybody this exam season! You’re stronger than you think and you have got this. Don’t give up!
Barking Mad 