When exams are looming, you may be feeling a bit anxious and worried about all the work you have to do. Without adequate preparation you may not achieve the grades you need for your next chapter. While some elements of exam preparation are outwith your control – for example the exam dates – it is important to focus on what you are able to influence.
In this podcast “Balancing workload, exams and social life” join Rachel and Olivia as they chat about how they prepare for the challenges of exam season and about the difference in workloads between school and college or university.
Both were surprised initially at the difference between the style and amount of academic work and explain the techniques they used to address the challenges -from flashcards to collaboration, study planners and looking after yourself! Key to it all is wellbeing and health, find an activity to unwind and prioritise wellbeing.
Remember you are never alone – its ok to ask questions of teachers, lecturers or fellow students.
Sp although preparing for your exams can be a bit overwhelming, with the right strategies, you’ll be well on your way to success. Let’s look into some top tips to help you approach those exams with confidence… and remember your approach will be unique to others!
1. Creating Your Study Planner
First things first, let’s get organised! Your personalised Study Planner is your secret weapon for exam success:
- Find a Study Planner in paper, Word, Excel, or use our template LINK
- Add all your planned events and commitments – sports and clubs, lessons and appointments, parties!
- List all your subjects and topics you need to cover [1]
- Consider what time of day do you study best?
- Allocate time for each topic based on its difficulty and your familiarity with it.
- Break your revision into manageable chunks, like 20-30 minute sessions. Use the Pomodoro tool to support you to focus.
- Don’t forget to schedule breaks – they’re crucial for maintaining focus [7]
- Be realistic with your time management to avoid last-minute stress.
2. Creating an effective study environment
- Designate a dedicated study space to maintain focus and avoid distractions [12]
- Ensure proper lighting, preferably natural light, as it can boost mood and reduce stress. Students in naturally lit environments typically achieve 25% higher grades [11]
- Use calming background music to create a conducive study atmosphere [3] We love this Super Calm playlist
- Take regular breaks and engage in physical activity. Plan 5-10 minute breaks every hour to maintain focus and energy [3]
3. Revision Tips
Now, let’s talk about some tried-and-tested revision techniques:
- Use various methods: Mix it up with flashcards, posters, and summary notes to keep things interesting 1.
- Spacing is a powerful studying strategy you could try? In some studies, using spacing instead of cramming has resulted in a 10% to 30% difference in final test results. [12]
- Mind maps: Create visual representations of topics to connect ideas.
- Active recall: Test yourself regularly. It’s more effective than just re-reading notes.
- Past papers: Practice with previous exam questions to familiarize yourself with the format [3]
- Teach others: Explaining concepts to friends or family reinforces your own understanding.
4. Harnessing AI for Revision
Welcome to the future of studying! AI tools can supercharge your revision helping your understanding of specific topics.
- Use AI-powered platforms like Revisely to create flashcards and quizzes from your notes 2.
- Try Revision.ai to turn your PDFs into interactive flashcards and exercises6.
- Experiment with ChatGPT to generate practice questions or explain complex topics4.
Remember, AI is a helper, not a replacement for your own understanding. Use it wisely to enhance your learning experience.
4. Collaborate for success
Studying does not need to be a lonely activity!
- Ask for guidance from teachers and lecturers
- Find a friend to study with you – share techniques and test each other
- Ask family to spend time with you asking questions or while you share your knowledge with them!
5. Wellness Tips
Taking care of your wellbeing ensures you ready and able to focus
- Stay active: Regular exercise boosts brain function and reduces stress – take a walk in a park or head to the gym
- Eat well: Fuel your brain with nutritious foods to maintain energy levels.
- Take breaks: Step away from studying regularly to avoid burnout3.
- Practice mindfulness: Try deep breathing or meditation to manage exam anxiety.
6. Sleep and the Brain
Your brain needs sleep to consolidate what you’ve learned. Here’s why it’s crucial:
- Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep per night, especially during exam season
- Establish a consistent sleep schedule to regulate your body clock.
- Avoid screens before bedtime as blue light can disrupt your sleep patterns.
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine to wind down and prepare for quality sleep.
Remember, everyone’s study style is different. Find what works best for you and stick with it. Stay positive, take care of yourself, and believe in your abilities.
You’ve got this!
Sources:
- SQA Help with study plans and note taking. Available at: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/68908.html
- Glenifferhigh.renfrewshire.sch.uk (2020) A Revision Guide for your for SQA examinations. Available at: https://www.glenifferhigh.renfrewshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Revision-Guide-updated.pdf
- St Andrew’s High School (2019) ST ANDREW’S HIGH SCHOOL STUDY SKILLS GUIDE. Available at: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/nl/public/standrewshs/uploads/sites/26313/2019/10/St-Andrews-Study-Skills-Guide-2019-20.pdf
- SlideSpeak (2024) Creating Flashcards with AI: Top 5 Tools for Revision. Available at: https://slidespeak.co/blog/2024/08/23/creating-flashcards-with-ai-top-5-tools-for-revision/
- Woodhouse, J. (2024) How to Use AI & ChatGPT (Smartly) for Revision. Available at: https://www.savemyexams.com/learning-hub/revision-tips/chatgpt-ai-for-revision/
- The Learning Cauldron Five exam revision tips for the SQA prelims. Available at: https://thelearningcauldron.co.uk/five-exam-revision-tips-for-the-sqa-prelims/
- Revision.ai (2019) Revision.ai – AI Quiz Generator – Turn PDFs into flashcards. Available at: https://www.revision.ai
- University of Roehampton (2024) Online Study Skills Hub: Using Gen AI for revision. Available at: https://library.roehampton.ac.uk/studyskills/airevision
- Environment.gov.scot (2023) Educational resources | Scotland’s environment web. Available at: https://www.environment.gov.scot/educational-resources/
- UCAS (2023) How your surroundings affect the way you study. Available at: https://www.ucas.com/connect/blogs/how-your-surroundings-affect-way-you-study
- Whatuni (2023) How to create a study environment. Available at: https://www.whatuni.com/advice/student-life/how-to-create-a-study-environment/102918/
- Busch, B. (n.d.). An introduction to Spacing as a studying strategy. InnerDrive. Available at https://www.innerdrive.co.uk/blog/spacing-as-a-studying-strategy/