Five Tips to Make Exam Revision a Breeze

Exam season is well and truly upon us and for those sitting GCSEs, A Levels, undergraduate exams, or any other papers, it might feel as though time to revise is running out. Don’t panic – these five top tips will help you manage your time and workload so exam revision will be a piece of cake.

Make a (Realistic) Revision Timetable

Print out a calendar specifically to plan your revision. Firstly, mark your exams on in red pen – this will ensure they stand out. Then use a black pen to schedule your revision sessions. This is where you need to be honest about how much time you can dedicate to study on each given day. When you have marked each study session on the calendar, decide which exam you will be revising for on which day, prioritising by date.

Put In the Work

There’s no way around this one – if you want the best grades, you need to put in the work. Follow your revision calendar and know you are doing all you can to succeed.

Try Different Methods

Everyone learns in different ways and the same goes for revision techniques. Flash cards have long been a popular way of revising, with their pocket size and portability working in their favour. Some people find writing out what they need to learn can cement it in their brain, others record their notes and listen back to absorb the information. If you are a visual learner, making a PowerPoint can be an effective way to revise – the process of making a slideshow is the equivalent of notetaking and when finished you can watch it over as many times as you need. A laptop for college is great for this and all your other study needs. When revising, remember what works for your friends might not work for you, so experiment. You could always mix and match the methods suggested above.

Take Time Out

Although making time to revise is necessary, don’t forget you also need a chance to relax, or you risk suffering from exhaustion or burnout. Take time out to do whatever helps you reset – walk the dog, take a long bath, watch Encanto for the twentieth time… whatever works for you.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

We all know sleep is important, so as tempting as it can be to burn the midnight oil, especially the night before an exam, prioritise getting to bed at a reasonable time. Wind down before trying to sleep by having a milky drink or reading (not related to your study!) If you are struggling to fall asleep because you are stressed, consider lavender oil to help you drift off. Gentle talking can also lull you to sleep so apps such as Calm or an audiobook might do the trick.

On the day of your exam make sure to have breakfast and stay hydrated. Take deep breaths and relax knowing you have done all you can to prepare. Good luck!