Tips for revision

Danielle Dennis

As we head into February, after taking January as a chance to reset for the year, there are a few important things to consider as you look ahead academically. By now, you will likely have completed your mock exams and, hopefully, received your results. Whether you performed really well or feel you need to rethink your approach, we hope to share some helpful tips to support you throughout this academic year.

Having completed both an undergraduate and a master’s degree, I have certainly done my fair share of studying and, along the way, picked up some valuable strategies that I wish I had known earlier.

Time Blocking

Setting aside dedicated time for revision is essential and sticking to it is just as important. This time can be broken down into smaller, focused blocks, such as spending an hour reviewing content and another hour completing past exam questions. Being clear about what you are doing and when helps you stay organised and motivated. Planning your time blocks in advance can be especially effective. When you enter a study session already knowing exactly what you will be working on, you eliminate wasted time and can fully utilise each block as efficiently as possible.

Phone Access

This may seem obvious, but your phone can be one of the biggest distractions while studying. Thankfully, there are now many apps available that can lock your phone, or even just social media for set periods of time. One of my favourites during university was an app that grew a virtual tree while you focused; if you left the app, the tree would die. It was a surprisingly effective way to stay accountable and maintain concentration.

Location

Finding a study location that works best for you is a very personal choice. This could be the library, your bedroom, the kitchen table, or even an empty classroom. What matters most is that the environment helps you focus. Try not to simply follow what your friends are doing what works well for one person may not work for another. Revision is about working with yourself, not against yourself.

Time of Day

When do you work best? Energy levels fluctuate throughout the day, and this varies from person to person. While you can’t control exam timings, you can make sure you are learning and revising during the parts of the day when you feel most alert and focused. This helps ensure that, when exam time arrives, the knowledge is already well embedded and ready to be recalled.

I hope these tips help, and best of luck this exam season!

Author: Danielle Dennis

Danielle has a passion to help others to identify their career goals.When not doing that she can be found at the stables with her horses or at the gym