Revision? You’ve got this!

With just under sixty days until GCSEs begin, many of you will be feeling like the pressure is on, myself included. Being nervous and a little worried is totally normal as the exams edge nearer, but there are some ways to make yourself feel more confident about not only the outcomes, but also the processes. Here are my six tips for your revision:

1) Make time for hobbies

This one sounds a little counter-productive. To revise well, I should take time out of revision? Well, yes. Some of my hobbies include German, table football and writing these articles. Making time to do what you enjoy is good for your mental health and will mean that your revision will be more focused and productive, after having spent time doing the things you love. Additionally, hobbies may be used as motivation to study if you often struggle to focus on revision.

2) Take part in physical activity

There are physical, social and emotional benefits of regular physical activity, such as meeting new people, a reduced risk of depression, lower stress levels, and a decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease and obesity, as well as a lower blood pressure and a lower resting heart rate. Dopamine is also produced during exercise, making you feel happier! Sitting at a desk might mean you do more revision, but participating in physical activity means you will feel better and be ready to revise. If you want to combine revision and exercise, you could get someone to test you whilst on the move! You can definitely spend a few evenings per week revising, by all means, but leave some time for physical activity and hobbies too.

3) Sleep well

Sleep is crucial in order to be productive, because it gives time for your brain to process information. The recommended amount of sleep for teenagers is 8-10 hours per night, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Getting less than this means you will likely be tired and irritable, and therefore less willing or able to concentrate or revise effectively. Especially in exam season, getting enough sleep is vital to perform at your best.

4) Set realistic goals

This one is really important to remain motivated throughout this period until your exams. Goals should be: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Recorded and Time-bound (SMART). If your goals are too low, then you will not need to work hard to achieve them, and this defies the point of revision. Setting goals that are too high for you makes you feel disappointed, upset and inferior to others. If you are already passing with flying colours, don’t just aim to pass- aim at those higher grades. However, if you are struggling and need that grade 4 or 5, then this aim would be worthwhile for you. Don’t compare yourself with others and do base your goals on you.

5) Prioritise

This one is fairly straight-forward. If you need a certain subject for your post-16 courses, or you need to pass a certain subject to avoid retaking it, then put those subjects at the top of your priority list. Likewise, if a certain subject isn’t as important to you, then don’t totally neglect it, but do spend less time on it. Personally, I am focusing on history, maths and foreign languages and spending less time on my other subjects, based on their significance to my near future. It’s up to you!

6) Make a revision timetable

I do this on a weekly basis, as my schedule varies from week to week, but you can also do this fortnightly or monthly, or simply have a set revision timetable that you follow. This is important so you have a focus and a plan every day. It is also useful to spread your revision out, so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Most importantly of all: Do YOUR best!

There are many ways and lots of different resources you can use to revise. You can watch videos, use flashcards and revision guides, do past papers, and more! I wish you all the best of luck in the coming weeks- you’ll smash it!