Get ready for the exams 2021
Preparing for exams?
Give yourself the best chance with these study tips and try not to let the stress get to you!
You've got this.
Give yourself enough time to study
Don't leave it until the last minute. To help sort out your time management, set up a timetable. 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.
Organize your study space
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. For some, this may mean almost complete silence, for others, background music helps. Some of us need everything completely tidy and organized in order to concentrate, while others thrive in a more cluttered environment. Think about what works for you and take the time to get it right.
Use flow charts and diagrams
Visual aids can be helpful when revising. At the start of a topic, challenge yourself to write down everything you already know about a topic 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.
Practice on old exams
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 it can also be good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each section.
Organize study groups with friends
Get together with friends for a study session. 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
While you may think it's best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counterproductive. If you were training for a marathon, you wouldn't try and run 24 hours a day. Likewise, studies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps.
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 at night-time, take a larger break earlier on so you're ready to settle down come evening.
Try not to feel guilty about being out enjoying the sunshine instead of hunched over your textbooks. Remember Vitamin D is important for a healthy brain.
Snack on brain food
You may feel like you deserve a treat, or that you don't have time to eat, but what you eat can really have an impact on energy levels and focus, so keep away from junk food. Keep your body and brain well-fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt, and blueberries. The same applies on exam day, eat a good meal before the test / exam, 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.
Plan your exam day
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 what you're supposed to bring. Check all the rules and requirements and plan ahead.
Drink plenty of water
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.
