For many of us, exams are fast approaching and it’s a very stressful time of year. With lots of work to do and a lot of build-up to a tense exam situation, it’s easy to get anxious and this will stop you from working effectively. From somebody who’s done a lot of exams in her life (with many more to come, groan), here are my top ten tips for surviving your exam season.
1. Don’t panic! Everybody tells you this, but they’re right. Panicking is the worst thing you can do, and if you feel yourself getting worked up, take yourself away from your revision. Go out somewhere and think of something else. I know it’s difficult to avoid worrying, but the next tip is something you should always remind yourself of.
2. Remember it’s only an exam. There are far worse things in life, and far more important things. If you fail this exam or don’t get the grade you hope, you can always retake, or your other grades will help make up the difference. Even if you end up with a bad grade, the most important things in life are your family and your health. So don’t end up worrying so much that it affects your health.
3. Make a revision schedule. This helps you plan out what you’re going to do, and when, so you have an even coverage of the subject. Stick to it, and cross off things as you go along. This is quite a satisfying feeling, but more importantly it shows you what you’ve done already.
4. Bear in mind that your schedule will adjust as time goes on. Don’t fret too much if you have to cross off one thing to make room for something you missed earlier.
5. Take regular breaks. So that you can get back to revision with a clear mind, refreshed and ready to start again. You’ll learn more that way.
6. Set yourself a minimum amount of time you need to spend revising per day, for example 2 hours minimum. Give yourself enough time to do the tasks you set yourself on your schedule, but then the rest is your time, and you’re free to enjoy it without worrying about exams!
7. Youtube videos like Crash Course can help you to learn things without seeing it as revision. You can do this in the evenings after you’ve finished your main revision, so you can hopefully learn something without working too hard. But don’t rely on them!
8. Make study groups with friends –spend a couple of hours studying, then hang out. This can make it seem less of a chore, but these only work if you actually study!
9. If you get sad or anxious, think of the summer ahead. Thoughts of barbeques and sunshine will cheer you up no end, and it’s only a month or so away.
10. Remember there will ALWAYS be people who did no revision. Don’t set yourself a low benchmark, but remember you’ll always be doing more than some (if not most) people. This should put your mind at rest a little.
Hopefully these tried-and-tested bits of advice will work for you too. Good luck!
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