Exam tips from students

For down-to-earth, hands-on revision help, read these top 10 tips from students who have been through what you’re going through now.

Create a revision timetable and stick to it!

Schedule sensible work slots and breaks, making sure you have one weekend day when you don't do revision or think about exams - you'll come back to it refreshed.

Tell your family about your revision time

Your parents won't hassle you if they find you 'not working', provided you are following your agreed timetable.

Parents only worry and hassle you when they're not sure what you're doing, or if you do not seem to have a plan.

Ask your family for help if you need it

It may help make them feel useful to you!

Organize your time well to help fulfill your potential.

Keep bullet points on crib cards highlighting main subject theories and use these for quick revision and for reading during 'dead' times - for example, when you’re waiting for a bus.

Revise in a way that works for you

Some people revise well by listening, so you could try ‘talking’ your revision and recording it onto your iPod or onto tapes. Mnemonics (such as initials that spell a word) can help your memory.

You can listen to these recordings while lying in bed, travelling in a car, or walking to the shops - taking the guilt out of being out and about rather than in front of your books!

Check your exam details

Know where your exams are and when they start, how long they are, what equipment you are allowed to take in (for example calculators) and what you are not allowed to take in (mobiles, notes, etc).

Prepare items needed for the exam the evening before

Make sure you have the correct equipment needed for your exam (calculators, rulers, etc).

Your exam invigilator should remind you of what you are and aren’t allowed before the exam starts. Taking unauthorized equipment in can get you disqualified from the exam.

Remember to eat and sleep!

Ensure you eat and sleep properly. Now is not the time to diet or stay up all night. Have an early night before each exam.

Look after yourself

During the exam period a good routine and healthy eating are really important. Be sure to cut down on your weekend/evening job; most employers know that you need to commit time to the exams and revision, but often try to get you to do extra hours anyway!

On the morning of the exam

Have a good breakfast, stay calm and allow plenty of time to get to the exam. Remember that you can only do your best and even if you don't do as well as you'd hoped, your parents still love you just as much!