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10 great exam revision tips
You’ve spent all semester studying hard and now exams are here. But panic not, here are our ten failsafe exam revision tips to help you through…
- Declutter
Get rid of all the extraneous stuff from your desk and your room. Having some space and a sense of order in your busy student house can really help you to feel calm and ready for work. Even making your bed is worth the effort now, because a tidy room really does equal a tidy mind. Plus, if you’re feeling slightly reticent about starting your revision, this is a gentle way in.
- Turn off
Televisions, tablets, music, and most importantly your phone. Having a temporary digital detox, even if it’s just for an hour at a time, is really helpful in improving your focus. It’s probably one of the most important student exam tips.
- Be active
Don’t just sit there in the same place and read old notes. You could rewrite your lecture notes neatly (also a win for decluttering). You could make flash cards or use post it notes to make huge mind maps on your walls. If you need a change of scenery, you could take your notes with you on a walk. Find a bench somewhere and have a read through everything in a different setting.
- Find out the exam format
This is a no brainer, but it is easily forgotten. Make sure you know how and what you are being tested on. Your lecturers can help with this, but it is also down to you to look at your syllabus and make sure you understand what’s expected. Essays, multiple choice questions, practical examinations or presentations – they all have their own specific requirements. It can make a difference to your whole approach to revision – for example, do you need in depth understanding of a few small areas, or a broad-scale knowledge of a subject?
- Work with friends
Pick a group of friends who you trust and know will keep you on the straight and narrow when it comes to revision. Share your notes with each other and talk things through, apart from helping you to remember things it can be a refreshing change to having your head down at your desk on your own.
- Take breaks
It’s important to remember that you are not a machine, and the human brain requires some regular rest and recuperation time. Schedule yourself and few breaks each day, and not just five minutes. Taking a full hour off, away from your computer, and ideally outside in the fresh air, is proven to make you feel better and more energised.
- Vary your methods
We all have different ways of learning and remembering things, and while you might think you know exactly how your brain works, switching things up sometimes can be really effective. Mind maps, diagrams, big drawings and neat ordered notes, it’s worth trying it all out.
- Ask for help
Remember your lecturers are there to help you learn and pass your exams. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for extra help, it’s literally their job. So, if you want something explained in more detail, or you want access to some old exam papers, send an email or knock on their office door.
- Do past papers
Past papers are probably the best way to revise for most people. They help you feel absolutely clear about what is expected of you, as well as giving you a way to work out your timings and see how long you should spend on each question.
- Be kind to yourself
An hour and a half of good quality revision is something worth celebrating, so get yourself a cup of tea and a chocolate bar or go for a run to clear your head. Good student well-being means seeing friends, eating well and giving yourself some time to have fun, and all of that can make the hard work hours much more bearable.
On behalf of the whole Beyond Lettings team, we wish you the very best of luck in your forthcoming exams.