1. Start early (but don’t panic if you haven’t)
It’s the middle of May and my first point is to start revising early, not much help telling you that now is it! However well done you if you did start revising early. Nevertheless I could not leave it off of my list as long-term revision is so much more effective than short term revision. Here’s why:
Consider your brain to be a computer with lots of files. If you look over a topic once, it is going to be put into a ‘short-term’ memory file, along with things like what you’re having for tea and what knickers you are wearing. Can you remember what you had for tea on the 12th of February? No, just like you won’t be able to remember what the Golgi apparatus is if you read it once. If you re-revise things over a period of time the information will get transferred into the ‘long-term memory file’ and you’ll remember it in your exam and years to come (which is what education is about really).
2. Buy new stationary.
Buying new, pretty stationary always motivates me to start revising! Surely I am not the only one? Here are some of my favourite places to buy:
Sass and Belle and Paperchase, for exeptionally pretty stationary Amazon - next day delivery for students and post on Sundays!B&M and most other discount stores for cheap and fun stationary.
3. Revise more than one subject per day.
If you have more than one exam then it is definitely a good idea to split your days up by revising more than one subject or topic. If you spend a whole day revising one topic you're bound to get bored and as soon as that happens nothing is going to sink in. Mix it up and keep it fresh.
4. Focus.
Revise notes as a whole first but then focus in on questions using past papers. Usually similar questions come up year after year so using past papers is a great way to get to know the paper. In saying this don't rely completely on past papers and try to think originally too.
5. Sleep.
Make sure you get lots of rest. I know it's hard when you have a lot of things going on but trust me the right amount of sleep works wonders for your brain. Also just doing something other than revising whether it be by spending time with friends or just sleeping will help take your mind off of things and refresh your brain.
