Christmas is over, New Year was great, and now …. back to uni, and those upcoming exams. We’ve all been there, (and some of us are going through it right now)!
However, it’s not the end of the world, and with a little bit of planning, it’s not going to be anywhere near as bad as first thought.
So, here are a few “top tips” to help you along the way, and ensure you are as prepared as possible.
- Give yourself enough time to study, and don’t leave it until the last minute. Set up a timetable for your study. Write down how many exams you have and the days on which you have to sit them. Then organize your study accordingly. You may want to give some exams more study time than others, so find a balance that you feel comfortable with.
- Make sure you have enough space to spread your textbooks and notes out. Have you got enough light? Is your chair comfortable? Are your computer games out of sight? Try and get rid of all distractions, and make sure you feel as comfortable and able to focus as possible. Think about what works for you, and take the time to get it right.
- Visual aids can be really helpful when revising. At the start of a topic, challenge yourself to write down everything you already know about the subject – and then highlight where the gaps lie. Closer to the exam, condense your revision notes into one-page diagrams. Getting your ideas down in this brief format can then help you to quickly recall everything you need to know during the exam.
- One of the most effective ways to prepare for exams is to practice taking past versions. This helps you get used to the format of the questions, and – if you time yourself – can also be good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each section.
- Explain your answers to others, including friends and relatives. Explain an answer to a question to them. That will help you to get it clear in your head, and also to highlight any areas where you need more work.
- Get together with friends for a period of focussed study. You may have questions that they have the answers to and vice versa. As long as you make sure you stay focused on the topic for an agreed amount of time, this can be one of the most effective ways to challenge yourself.
- Take regular breaks. It’s not always best to study for as many hours as possible.
- Everyone’s different, so develop a study routine that works for you. If you study better in the morning, start early before taking a break at lunchtime. Or, if you’re more productive in the evening, take a larger break earlier on so you’re ready to settle down come evening.
- Snack on brain food such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt and blueberries. The same applies on exam day – eat a good meal before the test, based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout. Sugar may seem appealing, but your energy levels will crash an hour later.
- Make sure you get everything ready well in advance of the exam – don’t leave it to the day before to suddenly realize you don’t know the way, or what you’re supposed to bring.
- As a final tip, remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout your revision, and also on the exam day.
And finally ……… Good luck. Calm down, take stock, steady those nerves, and you’ll be fine!
