That time of year, hated by almost every student in the country, is slowly sneaking up.
Though it’s completely normal to feel anxious about summer exams, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure you’re as prepared as possible.
Here, the team at McComb Students have put together a list of things you can do to help you prepare for the looming exam period – either at your student accommodation in Ormskirk or back at home.
1. Don’t skip breakfast
It might sound like a bit of a cliché, but breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day – even if it’s just a bowl of porridge, blueberries, strawberries or Weetabix!
If you’ve got more time to spare in the morning, whip up some avocado on toast or a full English breakfast, including eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, mushrooms, black pudding and hash browns.
If you’re not a big breakfast person, you can’t beat a glass of fresh fruit juice or a smoothie – loaded with antioxidants, such as kale, berries, etc.
2. Plan ahead
After tucking into some breakfast, you then need to make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to cover each of your subjects in thorough detail.
The easiest way to do this is to create a revision timetable. Try and break your revision up into blocks of 20-30 minutes and take 5 minutes in between. This will prevent you from cramming everything in and allow you to manage your time better.
Having a plan to follow will help you to focus and cover all the modules that could potentially be on the exam paper in the summer.
3. Use past papers
Every student has their own revision techniques – some learn by re-reading their notes whilst others prefer to watch videos, listen to podcasts or create mind maps and posters.
Past exam papers can also be beneficial when preparing for exams, allowing you to familiarise yourself with the style of questions asked on the paper.
Asking your lecturer for some past papers will help you to plan and practise the types of answers you’ll need to provide to get the scores you want and deserve. Plus it’ll enable you to look at questions from different angles and avoid spending too much time on one question.
4. Put your phone down
When you’re studying for those all-important exams, you need to ensure your time is uninterrupted. And that means spending time without phones, social media and TV.
Not only will this help you to focus on your exam revision but it’ll also help you to work faster, meaning you can get back to socialising, scrolling social media and watching Netflix and your fave TV shows sooner.
5. Avoid binging on fast food
You might be tempted to order greasy food, such as a McDonald’s or Domino’s, to your student accommodation in Ormskirk after a long day of revising. But aside from eating away at your bank balance, takeaways won’t do your health any favours.
You’re better sticking to healthier options. Preferably foods that contain lots of protein and vitamins, i.e. fish, which is a great source of Omega 3, and plenty of fresh vegetables.
6. Cut down on caffeine
There’s nothing better than a nice cup of coffee in the morning to stimulate your brain and help you to stay alert for longer. However, drinking a lot of caffeine is not a good idea when you’re preparing for exams.
The chances are, if you drink cups of tea and coffee during the day and energy drinks at night (close to bedtime), your sleeping pattern will go straight out the window.
We’re not saying you have to stop drinking caffeinated drinks altogether, just reduce your intake where possible.
7. Take time for yourself
Finding the motivation to revise can be tricky when the sun is shining and you’d much rather be sitting in a beer garden with your friends. However, the trick to acing your exams and getting the grades you want is to incorporate rewards.
Having something to look forward to after revising will help you to stay focused and put the work in. It could be a visit to the cinema with your mates, a shopping trip with the girls, a big night out at the weekend, or a much-needed pamper with face masks, snacks and a glass of wine.
Want to know the most important thing to remember when preparing for exams in the summer?
Don’t be too hard on yourself.
You can only do your best, and following these top tips is sure to help make your revision that little bit more bearable.
For more advice on revising for exams, or the facilities available at our student accommodation in Ormskirk, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 01695 422 122.
