By Jade Ellis, BA Accounting and Financial Management
With less than a month away until the January exams commence, the exam nerves and stresses start to kick in. So here is a little bit of advice on how to keep calm and reduce the stress of exam season.
Everyone is different when it comes to how to revise effectively – some people find it beneficial to cram and revise large amounts of information at once, whereas others like to have a timetable and space it out, doing little and often.
Personally, I find it beneficial to have a timetable, as being organised with revision naturally calms me and reduces stress. I plan my day out the night before, so I am making sure I make good use of the day and I am also not overloading myself. Within my plan I schedule a break after every few hours of revision, where I either watch a bit of TV or sweat it out at the gym, just so my mind can have a break before taking any more information in. My planning doesn’t just stop there – I also ensure that my fridge and cupboards are stocked with healthy meals and snacks to prevent a last minute dash to the shops when I have better things to do. Snacking on ‘brain foods’ such as nuts, seeds and veg makes me feel like I’m doing some good, and making sure I don’t go hungry helps with my concentration levels.
When it comes to revising, my tip is to start with the module that you find the hardest. That way, if your time management doesn’t go to plan (and I’m sure that’s happened to everyone at least once!) then you have the most difficult module covered, and you can spend your last day cramming the module that you find the easiest.
Another key to successful revision is location. 
If you find that when you try to complete a day’s revision in your bedroom you suddenly have a huge interest in cleaning and rearranging your furniture, it’s probably best to get out of your room and find somewhere else to study. Sometimes finding a like-minded friend can be useful, and if you have a similar study pattern it can be useful to study together. This has the added benefit of helping you to feel a bit more social over the exam period! Other people know that they study better when they resign themselves to the silence of the library, or sitting in a café.
If you have upcoming exams, I hope that these tips have helped you to think about what kind of work you find most beneficial – finding what works for you is the key to a successful revision session!
