Monday 7 December 2015

Exam time!

Hey guys,

I know most unis have exams after Christmas, but here our exams are before we break up. In a way, it's good because it means I don't have to revise over the holiday, and can actually spend it relaxing with family and friends back home, but it's also turned my Advent calendar into a countdown of doom! Every door opened is a door closer to Christmas, but it's also a door closer to my four exams!

Lectures are finished now, so it's up to me to make the most of the next couple of weeks for revision.
Revision at uni is really different to at school. Everyone says that the structure of learning is very different, and they're right. At uni you don't have anyone to answer to (unless attendance is taken at lectures/tutorials!), you can choose your best learning methods, and they don't post answers to exam papers! There is a lot of support available, but you have to work out where to go find it, it won't just come to you.

So, in light of this lovely time, I have FIVE top tips for revision at uni!

1- Learn it the first time!

It's called revision for a reason, you're supposed to be revisiting and consolidating the material, not learning it for the first time. Nothing should be new when you're preparing for exams, so it's really really important to stay on top of all your work during the term, not just the couple of weeks before the exam!

2- Get out of your room

Everyone knows that it's tempting to stay in bed, and say you'll be productive from your warm, cosy room, but we all know that you'd get far more done in the library or other study spaces. It's less acceptable to watch Netflix in your jammies when you're in a public place, so you do actually get work done. Bonus points if you leave your phone at home!

3- Set yourself a timetable

It's really easy to lose a sense of structure at uni, especially when there aren't any lectures. The day can fly by without you realising, and you end up doing very little work. Come up with a timetable, with frequent short breaks, and you will be so much more productive. It doesn't have to be 9-5, it could be morning and evening, with afternoons off, or any structure that works for you. See point 4 though!

4- Start early!

I mean this in two senses, both lots of time before the exam, and early in the mornings. Don't fall into the trap of starting revision at 1pm, and then getting stressed out and feeling like you've not done enough. This is only going to result in you working later into the night, and that will seriously mess up your sleeping patterns. Get up and out nice and early so you can relax in the evenings... which takes us on to my last tip.

5- Relax!

It's so important to look after yourself in times of stress, and exam periods can be the most stressful of all. It's imperative that you eat healthily, exercise and sleep well. Ensure that you're setting aside time to relax, and take time out from studying. Whether you go shopping, or to the cinema, or just veg out in front of the telly, you need to give your brain a rest sometimes.


So all that's left is for me to say good luck in exams, whether they're coming up now, or after Christmas!!

P.S. If you do find it getting too much, talk to someone! Everyone's there to help!

Keep reading lovelies x

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