‘You’re not alone’: How I make it through revision, essays and exams

Revision is one part of university life that I think everyone must hate at some point. It’s stressful, frustrating and can seem as though it’s never ending.

But it’s important to know you’re not alone in your frustration. Here are the ups and downs I’ve experienced during university and hopefully there are some helpful tips on how to get through this rocky time of the year.

Revision tips and tricks

Here are some revision tips and tricks that have worked for me during exam time.

Defeat the monstrous student habit of procrastinating

It’s so easy to fall into the habit of procrastination, putting your work off for hours or even days at a time. Procrastination takes many forms: infinitely scrolling through social media, binge watching a TV series, cleaning your room (yes, that’s also procrastination!) Basically when you’ll do anything to avoid what you’re actually supposed to be doing.

Truthfully, I think procrastination is part of the process of getting any essay or revision done. I find it helpful to make a plan of what I need to get finished during the day. For example, I might write a to-do list such as:

• Finish writing the first two paragraphs

• Read article x, y or z

• Review notes

This allows me to keep track of the things I’m doing (or not doing). If I don’t finish the majority of things on the list by the end of the day I know I'll feel bad, so it encourages me to do as much as possible.

Find out what revision style works for you

Being stuck at a desk preparing for an exam can be incredibly boring if it’s not done right. I think sometimes we forget that there’s more than one way to revise; I personally like to change my way of studying every couple of hours.

If I’m reading articles and writing notes, I like to put some of my favourite tunes on. This way, I associate reading and writing with something fun. I have a whole playlist full of songs that I can listen to while still managing to concentrate on my work. In fact, music actually helps me concentrate more.

Again, this is quite subjective, but everyone will have something that works for them. You might consider using regular breaks with, say, an episode of a TV show to keep you motivated. You’ll then start associating finishing a task with a reward of some kind.

If I have to memorise something, I like to read out loud and walk around. It sounds a bit cheesy, but I have to imagine that I’m reciting my notes to an audience. Either way, there are several ways you can make revision less painful, and you can be as imaginative as possible finding what specifically works for you.

Spend time talking with your loved ones

I recently had to write three essays that were all due in the same week. It might seem odd, but even though I was writing them in the library with my friends there, I kept catching myself saying: “I miss you guys!”

It’s ridiculous because although we were swamped with work, we were still with each other most of the time. But it’s not the same thing. I missed being in our little group without all the stress and worry weighing on our shoulders.

The same goes for family. I felt like I barely had any time to keep in contact with my parents; like every second I spent on the phone texting them was time I was wasting and taking away from the essays I was supposed to be writing. But you need to remember that taking time for yourself and your loved ones is just as important as your work.

Why not dedicate half an hour to call your family each day. I’m sure they’ll understand that you’re busy and catching up with them will probably put you in a better mood to study afterwards. Plan something fun to do with your friends and use it as an incentive to get through this stressful time together. Hopefully, this will help keep you sane during your revision period.

Don't forget to have downtime

Sometimes it feels like there’s a deadline looming around every corner, especially at this time of year. With so much hard work to come, it’s comforting to know the Christmas break will eventually arrive and offer time to chill out, relax and prepare for exams.

Planning days off

I like to plan my time in the run-up to deadlines and exams so that I have breaks, days off and study sessions all sorted in advance.

I need everything to be visual, so I use a large wall planner that shows me exactly what time I’ll spend doing what. Being organised makes me feel more in control during those stressful times in each semester.

To me, the time spent away from my textbooks is almost as important as the time spent reading them. Taking regular breaks means I find it easier to absorb and remember the content I’ll need in the exam hall. In my downtime I like to watch TV, explore the outdoors and take some time to detox. Seeing friends is a great way to leave revision behind for a few hours.

Working with others

Sometimes there is nothing worse that being stuck inside, alone, making mind maps, reading textbooks and researching answers. What I find particularly helpful, and have done since I was doing my school exams, is to work and revise with friends. Even if you’re revising completely different subjects, working with others can help keep the mood more relaxed. Plus, it also gives you the chance to test each other on your knowledge.

Getting outdoors

One of my favourite ways to detox during the run up to deadlines is to spend some time in the great outdoors. I often feel hemmed in if I spend too long in the same place, whether that be my university city, my hometown, or my flat.

While studying in Newcastle I like to take myself off to quaint market towns such as Hexham and Morpeth, or to the coast. Being outside, especially near water, helps me to clear my mind of stress or worry and come back to my studies feeling refreshed and ready to go again.

Finding the balance

Revision and coursework are important, but so is spending time alone, with family, or in the company of friends. You can’t spend every waking moment doing either of these things, so finding a balance is key.

Your mental and physical wellbeing should always come before your education, so managing your downtime and finding out what works for you will enable you to feel happier and healthier. You might even do better in the exam hall because of it.