Revision Tips and Tricks

I know for many people exams are coming up in the next month or so, whether you're doing GCSE's, A-Levels or University Exams, I've compiled a list of things that I do that will help you be organised and stay on track for getting a good grade. Here we go...

ONE
Have a timetable to follow. So, I know most people would've done this months ago but if you haven't, I'd strongly suggest that you do. I find it really helps me stay on track with what I need to know and by when. I created mine using Get Revising way back in September. It not only allows you to  create a colour coded timetable but you are able to insert when you have other commitments so won't be able to study. Other features it offers include emailing you when you have a revision session coming up so you're not able to forget as well as having in built flash cards that you can either make yourself or if relevant, the ones that other users have created.

TWO
Set a structure. Everyone is different when it comes to how long they can stay concentrated. For me its 45 minutes. After that my mind starts to wander and I'm not fully focused at all. So, I work in 45 minute slots giving myself a 5/10 minute break in between. Something like this:
Study : 45 minutes
Break: 5 minutes
Study: 45 minutes
Break 10 minutes
Study: 45 minutes
Break: 5 minutes
Study: 45 minutes
Break: 25 minutes
I generally combine two 45 minute slots for one subject and then after my 10 minute break change to another subject, because if you're anything like me you'll get bored easily!

THREE
Reward yourself. When I have a break, whether it be  5, 10 or 25 minutes. I will allow myself a 'treat' or something I really want to do. That could be as simple as watching TV for a while or browsing through twitter. But I find once you've done something that you want to do, it really motivates you to get through the next 45 minutes of revision.

FOUR
Remove yourself. I think a big mistake that people make when doing revision is locking themselves away in their room for 3 hours. This is a massive no no from me. I can't sit still for 10 minutes let alone 3 hours so in my breaks I will go downstairs and see my family or make myself a cup of tea, something like that. But even if I've chosen to just look through Twitter, I won't stay in my room.

FIVE
Don't study on your bed. I know, it's oh so tempting but never a good idea. I used to do this but more often than not found myself slumping into a ball of over emotional teenager and taking a nap resulting in me getting absolutely nothing done. Instead I study at my desk in my room. I do also have one in the study but that room is freezing and rarely used so I much prefer the one in my room. If you don't have a desk then you could always just go and sit at the kitchen/dining room table.

SIX
Be comfy. There is no point in sitting down to revise being totally uncomfortable because that'll just distract you more. Instead put on some comfy clothes and sit on the comfiest desk chair you own. Sounds basic but a lot of people still use the most uncomfiest basic stools that will make your bum go numb within 5 seconds of being at on it and nobody wants that.

SEVEN
No Technology. I get distracted easily, I'm not going to lie. So, I remove all technology from where I'm doing revision so any phones, tablets or iPods. I did this recently expecting it to make absolutely no difference but oh my, I concentrated so much better I didn't have the dings of notifications going off so there was nothing for me to worry about. (Except I forgot that I hadn't told any of my friends I was doing this so one of them kept messaging me thinking that I was ignoring her...I wasn't)

EIGHT
Keep hydrated. I always keep a glass of water next to me when I'm revising because I just can't concentrate full when I'm dehydrated. Pretty simple really

NINE
Have foods that you like to nibble on. Whether that be sweets, chocolate, or carrot sticks. I like to keep something that if I'm feeling peckish I don't have to stop my revision to go to the kitchen and grab something to eat. It also helps if you say to yourself  "I can't have another sweet until I've finished this section" It makes you more motivated to get it done a little quicker.

TEN
Get enough sleep. The same applies to a night before you have a big exam too. If you don't give yourself the amount of sleep required before a day of revision then your retention isn't as good so the revision is less effective. Getting enough sleep helps this to improve so you're more focused.

ELEVEN
Use Colour! When making revision notes make them bold and colourful that way if you're in an exam and you need a piece of information you can think back and say "Okay, I wrote that in purple". It doesn't help everyone but it helps me!

TWELVE
Go for regular walks. On days when you're stuck inside revising this is key. Get yourself out of the house even if it is only for 10 minutes it can really help you feel energised.

THIRTEEN
Don't limit yourself. If you're on a roll with something you're doing and that 45 minutes of revising time is up continue, it's only a guideline it doesn't have to be stuck to by the minute.

There we go, some of my revision tips and tricks that I thought may help some of you who have exams coming up.

I'll see you next Thursday.

Lily

xoxo 

Social Media Links:
Twitter: @lilyblogss
Instagram: @lilyblogss
Snapchat: lilyblogss