Write out a record sheet of your time, so you can see when you are available to study. This will also show you how long you spend on other activities such as watching TV or seeing your friends. You may need to make adjustments afterwards!

Create a study planner. Use a calendar, diary or wall planner and cross off each day as you go. This will help you know when your exams are and which order to study them in.

Clear clutter Spend a day tidying your work area. Check it has enough light and is comfortable!

Prepare tools Make sure you have plenty stationary. Purchase coloured pens, revision cards, highlighters and plenty of paper. Make sure you have plenty of snacks, nibbles, chewing gum and drinks!

Revision notes Help you understand, learn and remember your subjects.

Start by writing out lots of notes then next time you go to study that subject condense your notes down, then condense again on another occasion, so you end up with very brief notes or even just one word that triggers your memory.

Record Cards These can be brought from most stationers. Write key points

on them and get someone to test you. Pattern notes

Create spidergrams of information to link ideas to trigger your memory

Past exam papers Allows you to become familiar with the types of questions

you will be asked - can be a very good way of testing your knowledge and finding the gaps.

Before the exam Make sure you understand key words that will be used in

exam questions. Find out how many questions you need to answer and

how long you have to answer them. Check what equipment you need to takeThe night before Pack a bag with any equipment you will need and have it

ready to go. Either look over your notes and briefly review the main

points Or, have a night off and try to relax.On the day Get to the exam early – do not be late!

Deep breath, relax your shoulders and begin… Scan all the questions and choose which one you want to

do Underline the key words in the question Plan your answer – this helps you to think clearly, feel

calmer and write a clear answer. Timing – Look at how many marks are allocated for each

answer this gives you an indication of how much time to spend and how much you need to write!

Presentation – WRITE CLEARLY!! Number your answers and keep quotes brief and to the point

Check over your work – make sure errors are clearly corrects or deleted, cross out rough work and make sure you have answered the question!

To summarise: THINK then WRITE!

Be positive – tell yourself you can succeed and any failures are a chance to learn!

Give yourself a break – plan your time so you can socialise, exercise or relax

Don’t be a victim – change your circumstances if they are making you anxious. Rethink your revision plan and take 1 exam at a time so they are broken down into smaller manageable chunks

Talk to someone – friends are often as stressed as you, so find someone neutral like a member of staff not involved in exams (The LRC manager is always willing to help!)

Get enough sleep – allow yourself time to unwind before bedtime

Make a list – Lists allow you to organise yourself and give you lots of satisfaction ticking things off (include silly things like washing your hair just so you get a sense of accomplishment when you have done something!)

Concentrate - Anxiety can be distracting! Try thinking about a calming word or image if you feel stressed or your mind keeps wandering.

Keep a sense of proportion – Exams are important but you can survive even failure. There are always other options!

I hope you found this useful.

Come to the LRC if you need any help creating study planners, work records or revision notes!

Good Luck!

Ms Barker