Revision Tips

It’s that time of year where many of you will have started studying for your upcoming uni exams whist some of you will be feeling a little apprehensive about starting soon. It’s likely that at some point in your life up to now, you’ve had to endure the concern and fear that has been inbuilt into us when it comes to exams and preparing yourself ready for them. But were here to help reduce the stigma that lies around it and help you gain a better mindset with these useful tips.

Don’t limit yourself before you’ve even started!
Naturally you’ll want to do well in your exams, but I’m sure you have already put a limitation on yourself on how well you’ll do in a certain subject because its not your “strongest” area. Don’t write that subject off or accept before you’ve even sat the exam that your grade will be low just because you don’t usually perform well in it.  It is something that we all do subconsciously in many scenarios, but when you acknowledge what you’re actually doing to your self-belief, it’s crazy isn’t it? Put in a little extra time to that subject and you’ll surprise yourself!  

Don’t leave it until the last minute!
The thought of sitting down and revising for hours on end can be super daunting and is something that most of us will put off until the very last minute. Procrastination as its finest. Were here to tell you to absolutely not do that! Leaving plenty of time for revision will not only allow you to thoroughly do it, but it will make the whole exam period much less stressful on you mentally. Keeping a good mental wellbeing is key to having a clear mind.

Plan
Setting some ground rules and creating a maintainable schedule for yourself when it comes to study will ensure you have structure to your days. It will allow you to use your time more efficiently whilst achieving your daily goals. Setting some ground rules for when you are studying is effective too. Removing distractions such as your phone and iPad, logging out of social media on your laptop and creating your revision space in a quiet space.

Detect your preferred method
It doesn’t have to be as boring as you think! There are many different styles in which revision can be done and detecting which technique you learn best in is key. We’re all different.  Make it colorful and make it memorable, some may prefer flash cards, others brainstorm charts, whilst many learn better by simply reading. If you are a reader, break down large paragraphs of information into smaller sections by extracting the most important parts. This will make it easier and save valuable time for you.

Revise with friends
If ever you were looking for someone in the same situation as you, it’s going to be during your time at uni! All you have to do is look around you and you’ll find many other students with the same concerns as you, but also with the same goals as you! So why not help each other through it right? Get together and arrange a games night with a twist. The twist could be that the questions are based on your uni subject. It makes it fun and you’re also learning at the same time!

Have some time out
Whilst ensuring your prepared for exams is going to be your main priority over the coming months, it is essential that you do not allow yourself to turn into a revision Zombie. It is equally as important to take some time to yourself in between for self-care, exercising and socialising to maintain a healthy wellbeing. If you’re not functioning at your best it will impact your performance on exam days.

Like anything, this period is only temporary and in a couple of months you’ll look back and wonder why you worried so much. Try not to overthink it and take on board some of these tips, but if you are struggling there is always someone to talk to. You are not alone.