It’s that time of year again; revision week! It can be pretty stressful but don’t fret, HC gals Beverley and Natascha have rounded up 10 top tips for surviving it all!
1. Take Breaks
This one is a cliché – and for a reason. Whether you stop for five minutes to catch up on social media, or half an hour to watch the latest episode of something make sure you give your self some time off. It’ll help a LOT! However, remember not to overdo it. Smartphones, laptops are very useful for work and breaks, but they are very distracting as well. If you want to concentrate better between breaks, switch off your mobiles and sites like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and so on. The world won’t end if you’re unavailable for an hour!
2. Go Different Places
This is a good one because it’s so flexible. Go to the gym, or for a walk, just as long as you do something that isn’t staring at your notes. It lets you gets you out of the same position for a while and you’ll feel more refreshed when you go back to studying. If you decide to spend your whole day at the library, remember to occasionally leave the desk and get some fresh air! Maybe you could even have small chat with a friend outside of the library for a short change of scenery.
3. Study Somewhere New
If you always study in your room, maybe try the library. Or if you’re always stuck there, go to a coffee shop in town. The new atmosphere will let you refocus a bit, and hopefully clear your head. And there’s no harm in the extra coffee…
4. Use Colour
Staring at a page full of writing is no fun and can be pretty daunting. Try highlighting the important parts (and no, unfortunately that isn’t every second word), or underline titles with different colours. If you’re feeling adventurous maybe make some diagrams to go along with your notes. Mixing it up can help it stick in your head and be quite fun!
5. Eating
Eating well while you’re revising is important- nutrition is very important. Fruits, vegetables, meat and milk contain ingredients that allow your body to work properly. But remember to treat yourself, too- there’s nothing wrong with snacks and goodies here and there, and they definitely make revision a little brighter!
6. Read Widely
You might think “why should I read more, my reading list for uni is long enough?!” That’s true, but it often helps to read non-academic books with a different genre to gain knowledge, or just give your brain a bit of a change. If you read regularly in your spare time, reading becomes easier and you will become a better writer which is a plus for essays and other coursework. Reading can inspire you, and will realise that you can connect ideas easily.
7. Experiment With Your Learning Style
Put some variety into your learning style; it can be awfully boring to sit the whole day with your textbooks open, and you can fall into a lull. Maybe you should try something new! Go to a gallery or museum if there’s an exhibition on the topic you have to read for your course. Try reading aloud or create a board or mind map as a revision plan for your exams. Use your resources and be as creative as you can!
8. Use Memorisation Techniques!
So many books have been written about good memory skills, but it’s important to find the way that works best for you personally. For example, the most common one is to use your imagination and invent stories to remember facts, numbers and names. The stories have to be so crazy that you will enjoy remembering them! Other people record themselves listening to their notes and read it back, highlight or use brainstorms.
9. Discuss Topics with your Friends/Classmates
Sometimes theories, concepts and texts are so complex and difficult to understand! If you try to explain in your own words what you have read, everything becomes a lot clearer. Talking with friends about it can be also entertaining and you will get a different outlook on the topic by sharing your ideas, and even coming up with new ones along the way.
10. Sleep Enough!
We at HC can’t stress the importance of this one enough! Sleep deprivation is bad for your health as well as being bad for your studies. Your concentration drops and you need more time to comprehend your material; you won’t work as effectively when you had a good night sleep! Try and begin work as early as possible so you don’t have to face an all-nighter in the library, and if you feel like no more work can be done until you’ve had a nap, take one!
We hope this tips come in handy when you’re revising, and good luck with all your coursework/exams!