Exam periods can be a source of dread for students, raising unhelpful doubts about your ability and leading to unnecessarily elevated stress levels. However, it does not need to be this way. Following these simple pieces of revision advice, you can maximise your potential and minimise your stress, ultimately leading to much greater exam success.
 

Organised Revision

The absolute key to effective revision is organisation. The more organised you are, the more efficiently you will use your time. In light of this, revision does not start with opening your textbooks and making notes. It starts with a revision timetable. You should work out roughly how long you think you will need for each subject you are being examined on and based on this, write a timetable where you set realistic targets for each day’s revision, and aim to finish your revision at least a week before your exams to leave time to recap.
 

Disciplined Revision

Once you have written your timetable, it is vital that you stick to it. Do not take longer than you have scheduled for a topic – move on. Similarly, do not rush through topics in order to finish your day early. Avoid distractions while you are working. Do not watch television or have your phone beside you – save that for your breaks. While you are revising, it is important that you entirely dedicate yourself to that task. Also, make sure you are always actively revising rather than passively. What this means is that simply reading the words on the page is rarely enough to ensure you understand the information. Be sure to make notes, test yourself, work with teachers, and ensure that you really are taking in the information and would be able to reproduce and analyse it effectively in the exam.
 

Revision Breaks

Finally, reward yourself for hard work. Be sure to schedule in regular breaks, especially at meal times, and make sure you totally distract yourself for work, whether it be by going for a walk and getting some fresh air, or watching something completely unrelated on the television. Regular breaks can be the key to maximising your discipline during your revision sessions. Just make sure the breaks aren’t too regular!
 

Revision Rewards

Following these simple tips can make all the difference. You should find that your revision is more effective, leading to greater preparedness for the exams, as well as helping the time pass in a relatively smooth and stress-free manner. Exams simply do not have to be as painful as people often expect them to be.