It’s that time of the year again, we are truly in the midst of A Level and GCSE exams, with some of them coming to a close in the near future. You’ve been working hard for weeks, but it’s all becoming a bit too much. Revision is becoming a chore. You’re restless because you know you should be doing something, instead of procrastinating. It’s a stressful time! Do not fear, I’ve written this post to hopefully give you some inspiration, kick you into gear and get you through the last couple of weeks of your exams.
Where to revise…
If you revise best in your bedroom…
I personally revise best in my bedroom where I can sit down and be comfortable. If you are planning to revise in your bedroom I would recommend doing a few things. First of all make your bed, don’t try revising/working whilst actually lying in bed, this won’t get you in the zone for working and will also result in you finding it hard to switch off later in the day when you actually need to go to bed. Once you’ve made your bed and you’re sat on it make sure to remove anything that could be distracting; is your phone sat on your bedside table? I know mine usually is. Unless you revise better with music playing or a YouTube video on, take your phone and put it somewhere out of reach, or out of the room entirely. Open up your curtains, close your door to any distractions and make sure you have enough pillows and food so that you’re comfortable to work.
If you revise best downstairs…
I know so many people who revise better out of their bedroom, as it allows them to treat it almost like an office where they go purely to work. If this is the case for you then find this place and stick to it, whether that’s an office in your house, the kitchen table or even sat in your lounge. Choosing one designated place and doing all of your work there will train your mind to connect that place with working hard, encouraging you to stay more focused when you’re there. Try to choose somewhere that the rest of your family won’t keep walking in and out of, or wanting to sit in; this minimises the chance of you getting distracted.
If you revise best outside…
If you revise better in the great outdoors then you’re in for a treat with all the sunny weather we’ve been having! To work outside I’d recommend either using an outdoor table and chairs, or alternatively setting up a little picnic blanket with lots of cushions to make it comfortable for you to sit/lie there for many hours. Make sure, if you are out in the sun for a long period of time, that you wear adequate amounts of sun cream; we might be in England but you can still get sunburnt!
How to revise…
There are so many different revision techniques to try, I’ve compiled a list so that if you’re feeling uninspired, or the way you’re using isn’t making the information sink in, then you can easily find and try another.
– Mind maps
– Lists
– Bullet points
– Character profiles (for English)
– Posters up around your room
– Flashcards
– Create mini quizzes
– Use a revision guide
-Watch a YouTube video on the topic
– Past exam questions
– Timelines
– Draw it out
– Say it out loud
– Record yourself revising then play it back
– Get someone else to test you
– Make it into a memorable song/rhyme
– Teach someone else
What’s your most effective revision technique?
Why you should revise…
At this point in exams, especially if the ones so far haven’t gone to plan, quite a few people get to the point where they’re like, ‘why am I even trying?’. Just try and remember that you’re doing these exams for a reason, giving up won’t help anything. Even a little revision will help you more than doing nothing at all. At points, all of this effort will feel pointless, but on results day when you get amazing grades it will all feel so, so worth it. Even if you don’t do quite as well as you hoped you know deep down that you tried your hardest, which will always be better than getting a lower grade and thinking ‘what if I’d put a few more hours in’.
At the end of the day, if these exams don’t turn out amazing, then it doesn’t really matter. Exams, in the long run, do not define your life. In a few years time barely anyone will ask what you got for your GCSEs or A Levels, and it will not be held against you if you don’t quite meet your target grades. Your happiness, mental health and general well-being will always be more important than exams. If you feel like you’re struggling with exams, or that the stress or revision is taking over, then I urge you to reach out for help.
I’d just like to end this post with a big good luck to all of my followers who are currently doing their exams; you’re going to smash them!
Love Chloe x
Good luck to everyone taking exams x