Exam season is well and truly upon us and for many students, this means stress. Whether gazing out the window longing for summer, or cramped up by your desk in a last-minute panic, these tips will be sure to help you keep your cool so you can study hard.
Make the most of resources and teachers
If you have a private tutor, this is the perfect opportunity to make the most of them. Ask them anything and everything; from tips for studying, to exam technique. This doesn’t just go for those with tutors; don’t be afraid to ask your school for extra help. With GSCE’s and A Levels in full-swing, teachers will be happy to offer you their advice, so make the most of them while you can!
Use all the resources your school has given you, but don’t stop there. Online, there are tonnes of sites which can help you study during your exams. BBC bitesize is great for those doing GCSE’s and Key Stage. Changing these resources you use to study will help you stay interested and will help you to absorb more information. In your breaks, you can also use many of these sites to test yourself with their quizzes for a fun way to check what you have learnt.
Plan revision
Work out which days you will spend studying for which subjects. Plan it out so you don’t end up rushing the night before that last exam! One subject a day will get boring. Change it up from morning to afternoon to keep it interesting.
Avoid last-minute revision the night before! Use revision plans to make sure you have enough time to get all the sleep you need before each exam so you will feel fresh and prepared every day.
Don’t get distracted
It is understandable that this is easier said than done, but this is key for studying. With summer fast approaching it is hard not to daydream. One solution is to take regular breaks, just for few minutes each time, to give your brain a break and to get it back into work mode. Another suggestion is to change your revision environment once in a while, so you don’t get too comfortable sitting at the same desk. Once you have planned your revision, don’t let yourself flick aimlessly through Instagram wasting time. Allow yourself breaks to do this, maybe use it as a reward for all your hard work. For example, for every 2 hours spent studying, you can spend 15 minutes on social media. Once the exams are over, you can have the whole summer to relax, daydream and browse through Facebook, so power on through for those last few weeks – you won’t regret it!
Check out past papers
Past papers are easily accessible and really give you an idea of what could come up on your exam and the format of it. Now, don’t go thinking the same questions will come up again, but also don’t assume they won’t. Past papers are just to guide you to help you understand the way in which the exam works and what they expect of you. It is not safe to rely on them to predict what your exam will be on.
Just before the exam
- Exercise – it will get your blood pumping and your brain going but don’t tire yourself out too much!
- Eat protein – you need a slow release of energy; if you take in too much sugar you may hit a sugar-low during the exam!
- Use your short-term memory – this is the perfect time to get a few more facts and dates stuck into your short-term memory ready for the impending exam!
Follow these tips for a smooth sail through your exams. Summer is just around the corner, so let’s give it one last effort to get those results you really want!
Blog by Holly Patterson