Tips and advice for revising

Exam pressure affects everyone. Here are some common thoughts and feelings that we know students struggle with:

• I am finding it difficult to sleep
• I am struggling to manage my time
• I feel easily distracted
• Other people seem confident and are ahead of me with their revision
• I struggle to motivate myself
• There is too much to remember

If any of these thoughts have occurred to you, please don’t worry and know that you are not alone.

Our Life Tools Programme offers helpful advice and workshops on procrastination, getting a good night's sleep and more, to help you combat these feelings.

Make a realistic revision timetable 

• Start well in advance
• Write in your exam dates and times
• Manage your time effectively and aim to have a regular schedule
• Be realistic - remember that working late at night isn’t usually a good idea
• Highlight any times that you will not be available due to other commitments
• Ensure that you plan for regular breaks
• Have a gradual plan - don’t leave anything until the last minute
• Don't try and revise too many subjects in the same session
• Plan some time to do something you find relaxing- you need to reward yourself along the way

Choose a suitable environment 

• Plan where you will be studying in advance
• Select a place where you won't be distracted (for instance, your student accommodation, the Library or your home)
• If you are revising as part of a group, confirm the time and location with them in advance
• Ensure that you have good lighting and that the room is well ventilated
• Try and avoid background noise

Work out which revision style suits you best

There are numerous revision techniques; you need to work out which combination suits you the best. Think about how you enjoy working and consider some of the following:

• Reading your lecture notes
• Going over your course work questions
• Making notes and prompt cards
• Reading your feedback comments
• Going over technical terms
• Using past papers and sample questions
• Essay plan practice
• Writing practice exam answers in the allotted time
• Use mind maps and diagrams
• Watching course related documentaries
• Watching visual exam aids and YouTube videos
• Participate in group revision sessions

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

• If you get stuck don't be afraid to ask your Tutor for help
• Ask your friends and family to test you
• Work in groups with your classmates to help each other

Don’t be too hard on yourself

• Take regular breaks, reward yourself and monitor your progress so you don’t end up overworked and burnt out. Remember there's plenty of support available to you if you feel you need it.

• Remember to also plan in things that make you happy and help you to relax
• Have regular breaks
• Reflect on the positive things
• Eat well
• Get lots of sleep
• Don't be afraid to ask for help

Our Life Tools Programme offers helpful advice and workshops on procrastination, getting a good night's sleep and more, to help you combat these feelings.

Additional information is also available in the following links:

• Planning your revision – info tips
• Guides & Tutorials

You can also contact the Study Advice team, which help students to:

• Develop more effective practices for studying at university
• Have a clearer understanding of what tutors expect
• Make studying less stressful
• Achieve better marks

There are common pitfalls that students tend to encounter when they are revising. Some areas to avoid are:

• Creating an unrealistic timetable
• Leaving revision until the last minute
• Writing out essays and learning them off by heart – it is unlikely that the identical question will come up
• Finding ways of putting off revision
• Negative thoughts