Student Lifestyle
Exams are hard. Revising is hard. Life is hard. Period. As a student currently sitting my A-levels I totally get it however, this year, I have definitely been a lot more organised and I am starting to feel a lot less stressed about it all (well, not a LOT but a little). Here are few things that I have tried this year that have totally worked for me. BUT it is important to remember that at the end of the day we all learn information differently and sometimes what works for someone else won’t always work for you. The key is to try a few different things and work out your own individual style.
1. Flashcards
Now, I don’t use flash cards in the traditional sense (keyword on the front and definition on the back kinda thing). Instead, I like to summarise the information onto a flash card in a set of bullet points. It helps make the information seem so much less scary when I am holding an entire topic in just 3 or 4 small cards. This helps keep me motivated to learn as well as allowing me to play little games with myself as I try to memorise each side of the flash cards etc.
2. Quizlet
This is something that I have only really started using this year but it is freakin’ amazing! Quizlet is a website which allows you to create small study sets which you can learn from through online games and challenges. Once you publish a set anyone can use it if you want them too and you, yourself, can have access to millions of different study sets if you don’t fancy creating your own. I have used this loads for geography as I can put questions about case studies on one sides and their answers on another or, for sociology, I like to put theorists on one side and their theory on another. There is also an app which you can download onto your phone which allows you study on the move!
3. Teaching
People always say that the best way to learn something is to teach it. So, maybe you could see about meeting up with a friend and taking it in turns to teach each other different topics as you will help yourself learn whilst helping out a friend. Reece and I do this all the time over skype, even for subjects the other one is not taking.
4. Change of scene
It can be really easy to get stuck in a rut when revising so I find that is sometimes nice to go out and do some work. Go in to town and bring your laptop or flash cards into a coffee shop or, if you need to save some cash got to your local library or sit in the park if the weathers nice. Though, if you are planning to do this, go alone! It is way too tempting to just chin wag or sunbathe with a friend.
5. Find your time and use it
Everyone has a different ‘prime’ time to revise. Personally, for me it is the mornings as I wake up have some tea and I feel full of motivation to start. If I was not to start in the morning I would never get the motivation again. I know some people who prefer to start after lunch or in the evenings. It is totally a personal choice but, once you know, utilise that time as much as possible.
6. Colour co-ordinate
I work really well when I use colours to represent things, for example all the theorists in pink and all the evaluative points in blue etc. It helps create something visual for my mind to go off of when I am trying to remember all the information. I especially tend to do this with my flash cards. I will admit though that sometimes this back fires as I am a tad OCD about using more than one colour pen unless there is a specific reason so if I mesh up I usually have to start that card again.
7. Find your space
I have a friend who revises at her best when sat at her dining room table. Yet, for me, I am a floor reviser. I always do my best work there. Find your space, whether that is your room, the kitchen, or even outside! Though don’t forget that sometimes a change in scene can be helpful as mentioned above.
8. Scheduling
This is something I yo yo in and out of. Currently I love it as it is helping me stay on track and kinda eliminates some stress as I don’t have to worry about what I am doing each day cause it is already planned out. I do appreciate the limitations of setting a revision schedule as sometimes life just gets in the way. This sometimes stresses me out more so definitely try it but be aware it might not be your thing.
9. TEA!!!!
Maybe it is my Britishness shining through but seriously, tea helps me revise. To be honest though, in my opinion tea helps with everything. It helps me make sure I am having breaks in between my work and also helps me relax and not stress out to much whilst I am revising. Tea all the way!
I hope a few of my revision tricks help you in some way, even if it is only to prove that my style is not for you as it will leave you one step closer to finding your own style. Good luck for all your exams and remember to stay calm and revise hard!
1. Flashcards
Now, I don’t use flash cards in the traditional sense (keyword on the front and definition on the back kinda thing). Instead, I like to summarise the information onto a flash card in a set of bullet points. It helps make the information seem so much less scary when I am holding an entire topic in just 3 or 4 small cards. This helps keep me motivated to learn as well as allowing me to play little games with myself as I try to memorise each side of the flash cards etc.
2. Quizlet
This is something that I have only really started using this year but it is freakin’ amazing! Quizlet is a website which allows you to create small study sets which you can learn from through online games and challenges. Once you publish a set anyone can use it if you want them too and you, yourself, can have access to millions of different study sets if you don’t fancy creating your own. I have used this loads for geography as I can put questions about case studies on one sides and their answers on another or, for sociology, I like to put theorists on one side and their theory on another. There is also an app which you can download onto your phone which allows you study on the move!
3. Teaching
People always say that the best way to learn something is to teach it. So, maybe you could see about meeting up with a friend and taking it in turns to teach each other different topics as you will help yourself learn whilst helping out a friend. Reece and I do this all the time over skype, even for subjects the other one is not taking.
4. Change of scene
It can be really easy to get stuck in a rut when revising so I find that is sometimes nice to go out and do some work. Go in to town and bring your laptop or flash cards into a coffee shop or, if you need to save some cash got to your local library or sit in the park if the weathers nice. Though, if you are planning to do this, go alone! It is way too tempting to just chin wag or sunbathe with a friend.
5. Find your time and use it
Everyone has a different ‘prime’ time to revise. Personally, for me it is the mornings as I wake up have some tea and I feel full of motivation to start. If I was not to start in the morning I would never get the motivation again. I know some people who prefer to start after lunch or in the evenings. It is totally a personal choice but, once you know, utilise that time as much as possible.
6. Colour co-ordinate
I work really well when I use colours to represent things, for example all the theorists in pink and all the evaluative points in blue etc. It helps create something visual for my mind to go off of when I am trying to remember all the information. I especially tend to do this with my flash cards. I will admit though that sometimes this back fires as I am a tad OCD about using more than one colour pen unless there is a specific reason so if I mesh up I usually have to start that card again.
7. Find your space
I have a friend who revises at her best when sat at her dining room table. Yet, for me, I am a floor reviser. I always do my best work there. Find your space, whether that is your room, the kitchen, or even outside! Though don’t forget that sometimes a change in scene can be helpful as mentioned above.
8. Scheduling
This is something I yo yo in and out of. Currently I love it as it is helping me stay on track and kinda eliminates some stress as I don’t have to worry about what I am doing each day cause it is already planned out. I do appreciate the limitations of setting a revision schedule as sometimes life just gets in the way. This sometimes stresses me out more so definitely try it but be aware it might not be your thing.
9. TEA!!!!
Maybe it is my Britishness shining through but seriously, tea helps me revise. To be honest though, in my opinion tea helps with everything. It helps me make sure I am having breaks in between my work and also helps me relax and not stress out to much whilst I am revising. Tea all the way!
I hope a few of my revision tricks help you in some way, even if it is only to prove that my style is not for you as it will leave you one step closer to finding your own style. Good luck for all your exams and remember to stay calm and revise hard!