Study Tips and Revision

1.       Stick revision notes all around the room/house to help you retain the information by associating it with a particular place. When trying to recall it on the day of the exam, you’ll be able to mentally ‘walk’ through your notes.

2.       Travel to the Past – Do plenty of past papers and questions (if such are available) as they will give you an idea of the type and level of questions to expect on the day.

3.       Make summary notes – it helps your brain to memorise the information. Even better, make them into brain-friendly colourful mind-maps!

4.       Know the Syllabus – Find out from Lecturers what you’re supposed to know and revise accordingly

5.       Get Organised – Draw up a revision timetable. Arrange your syllabus into a checklist and decide when, where, and how you will revise each point in your checklist

6.       Be Flexible – Don’t be hard on yourself if you miss time to revise. Life can sometimes get in the way. Dust yourself off and adjust.

7.       Talk through what you have learnt – take time for discussion in the weeks and days leading up to the exams. There are few better ways of consolidating your revision then by discussing this with people on your course. You’ll pick stuff up and maybe teach them a thing or two.

1.       Come and study at the Union – As part of You Are More Than, Meeting Room 2 and 3 in Building 42 are open and available for students to be used for Revision during the exam period. So come alone or come with friends for a change of scenery  or quiet while revising!

1.       Take Regular Breaks – Research indicates that taking breaks during revision gives the brain a higher chance of remembering what you’ve crammed into it. Try 50 minutes on, 10 minutes off. Do something entirely different for at least a couple of hours in the evening. Watch TV, go for a walk, just generally de-stress, your nerves will appreciate it.

2.       Eat Healthy – Eating healthily during the exam period is a great way of letting everything else take care of itself, so that you can focus on the task at hand. Lots of fruit and veg will give you the minerals, ions and vitamins you need to stave off nasty germs and maintain other bodily functions – need I say more? Carbs for energy, protein for growth and repair – you know the score. You might want to think about getting some omega 3 (brain food) into your diet, found in oily fish or as handy capsules.

3.       Exercise gets the blood flowing – This means more oxygen will reach the brain and help it to function more efficiently. Anything you can do to get the brain working well is surely welcome during the exam period. Plus, it makes for a nice respite from studying

4.       Relax – If you find your palms sweating and you tense up at the very thought of exams, just put a bit of perspective on life – take a deep breath and chill.

1.       Pack the right things – Make sure that you bring your Student ID, pens/pencils/rulers/eraser and a bottle of water (don’t forget to remove the label!).

2.       Stow them away – You’ll be asked to place your jackets, coats and bags in a designated area.

3.       Switch off – You can bring a mobile phone into your exam, but it will have to be switched off and placed in the plastic bag provided.

4.       Check and double-check – Make sure you have the correct exam paper and all the exam pages/handouts you need.

5.       ‘I’m here! It’s mine!’ – Make sure you complete the yellow attendance slip and fill in your details on the examination booklet correctly.

6.       Remember that any rough work or notes must be entered in the answer booklets and crossed through to show they are NOT part of the submitted answer.

7.       Ssshhh! – Make sure you don’t talk to anyone during the exam.

8.       Trick your brain out of anxiety – Stress and excitement appear as similar symptoms in the human body – sweaty palms, dry mouth, increased heart rate, shallow breath! So say to yourself ‘I’m excited! I’m thrilled to do this!’ which will put you into a more confident positive ‘Superman/Superwoman’ state of mind!