Top tips for revising
Kayleigh Mills,
28th May 2018
Tags:
Life
Blog
Education
Exams
Success
Guys, it’s official, I’ve finished my degree! I know you might just be starting your GCSE exams, or even A-levels, so here are some of my top-tips to tackle this season of revision:
Delete social media off your phone
It doesn’t have to be a permanent break-up with Instagram, but having space from media platforms is a healthy choice, (even if you reinstall the apps on your phone in the evening!).
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a massive advocate of social media, I think it can be used for really positive things like encouraging and honouring others, BUT when I’m trying to revise it’s also my number one distraction.
Sometimes we have to be wise and put our education first and crack on with it. Social media will always be there, but this opportunity to ace your exams won’t!
Leave the house
During my first year of university I became a cave-woman. I didn’t leave the house for days because I felt guilty about using my time to walk to town, when I could be studying. Can you relate? Let me start by saying that staying at home for days on end isn’t healthy; you need fresh air to give your brain space to relax.
If you work better at home, then do that, but make sure you are leaving regularly and taking brain breaks. You’ll create a more relaxed revision environment by doing this, and you’ll remember so much more!
Have a social life
I used to feel so guilty about seeing my friends during revision time because I was worried that I was sacrificing valuable studying time for fun. There are so many bad things about this thought pattern. Firstly, revision can be fun, (you can make it as fun as you want!), and secondly, I’m an extrovert so being with people recharges me and fills me with joy.
If you think you’re an extrovert too, then make sure you create space in your revision time-table to see people. You need to be encouraged by your friends, and just because you’re working towards your exams, it doesn’t mean you need to be a slave to revision. There’s still time for fun with friends.
Create a revision plan
I love plans and I find that revision structure really benefits my studying. Before you start revising make a chart that is divided by weeks, and then allocate topics to each week. When I first started creating revision plans I would allocate topics to each day, but I prefer the flexibility of weekly planning because I can choose what I study, and I don’t feel bad if I haven’t completed my daily task. This way, all the topics get covered in the week, but I have control over when I study each topic, according to how I feel and what I want to tackle day-by-day.
It’s also wise to figure out what you need to study before you start studying. Structure is key during revision season!
Figure out how you revise
This is a big one, and my technique has changed during all three years of my degree. I first started creating posters and that was great, because the modules I took just required me to learn information and regurgitate it. In second year the information was much more applied, so I did more practice papers and reading. Finally, in third year I had more essays, which meant I had to be reading a lot, and learning big chunks of complex information.
I mostly learn by writing things multiple times, but I only know this through trial and error (and 16 years of education!). Talk to your friends and find out what they do; be flexible and open to trying new methods.
And my top tip is….
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
Exams are important and they can often feel overwhelming, but they don’t last forever. Work hard, take care of yourself and be kind to your brain. There’s only so much information you can retain at one go.
Look after your physical and mental health during exam season, this will help you to perform the best you can. And don’t forget, God loves you, He has amazing plans for your life and you will be ok. Good luck!
