It’s that time of year again when revision seems to be all you do, when fresher’s weeks and nights out become a distant memory, when a can of Red Bull and an espresso machine become your best friends and the word “Exam” sends shivers up your spine. No need to worry, we have figured this one out for you in just 5 easy steps!
1) Note-to-self
Remember, Pen and paper when attending lectures…taking notes in class is a must, especially as you can refer back to them later when you are preparing for your exam. Drawing diagrams and bullet points help to remember what you have done. Using post it notes are always good to stick on your study desk to help you memorise your bullet points.
2) What do I do now?
The question we all ask ourselves when we sit down to revise…it’s like we completely forget what the lecturer said and what books to read. When you’re only thought becomes the doughnut you had for lunch!
This is where your notes come into use, look back at what you wrote down and before you study, challenge yourself to write down everything you already know about the subject area and then highlight areas you haven’t covered or remembered. When your exams get closer, try to summarise your notes into one-page diagrams. Sometimes it helps to see what you already know in a diagram format, it will also help you to recall everything you need to know in your exam.
3) Make a Timetable
Make sure that you give yourself enough time to prepare for the exam. While some students seem to succeed on last minute revision and pulling all-nighters, this is not the best way to approach an exam. This is where making a timetable can really help bring some order to your revision life. This way you know what you should be revising and for how long.
Write down how many exams you have and the days on which you have to sit them and then organise your revision accordingly. You may find you want to give some exams more study time than others, so find a routine that you feel comfortable with.
Everyone is different, so create a study routine that works for you. If you find that you study better in the morning, start early before you take a break for lunch or if you find that you are more productive in the evening, take a break beforehand so that you are ready to sit down and study.
4) Test Yourself
Testing yourself is the most effective way to prepare for an exam. It helps you get used to what questions will be asked and the format they are in. Plus, if you time yourself, it can be a really good way of making sure you are spending the right amount of time on each question.
Remember, your university or school wants you to pass! When it comes to exam questions, read it a few times – in most cases you’ve probably seen the question before but it has been worded slightly differently.
5) Be Smart – Make sure you eat right and get some sleep
This may seem like such a simple thing to do but some of us fail at this a lot. Eating healthier keeps the brain more active and making sure that your body gets enough rest helps you feel more energised for the next day.
As a final tip, remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout your revision and on the exam day.
Good luck!
Here at The Hive all our rooms have a purpose built study area as standard AND our students are able to take advantage of our clean and airy communal study areas. To find out how you can join our thriving student community please contact us today on 020 3551 2550 to arrange a viewing.