Starting with the first, January exams. So, my first exam is 17th January. I am having some trouble with motivation in order to revise. Given the fact it was Christmas, then I got sick; it is suffice to say that I have not achieved revision godliness this time around. After every exam period is over, the famous last words of "I'm going to start earlier" are always on my lips, and out before I can rein them in with the knowledge that I will not in fact start earlier next time but instead do exactly what I have done for years...Given my great expertise in exams, I have decided that for today's blog, I will compile a list of things to do to help you revise. They go as follow:
1. Eliminate distractions. This means turn your laptop, TV and phone off to allow yourself complete seclusion. This doesn't always work because the littlest of things can distract you from something you really don't want to do. For example: oh, I must make a snack for brain power. Or, I must check to see if I've gotten an important email regarding said exam... We've all been there, but it's a good starting place.
2. Get all your relevant notes and references out to begin the process. You can't revise if you haven't gotten the relevant material. If you've been organised through the semester, this is an easy and quick step. But if partying and socialising was more appealing than organising your lecture notes, this is going to take a time which will distract you from actually working. Can you see how these all link in together to create a huge excuse to procrastinate?
3. Set goals. The worst part of revising is taking breaks willy nilly. The fact that you can convince yourself that 10 minutes of revising deserves a 40 minute break is rather quite impressive. I always set myself goals to achieve before I can take a break. This generally involves me denying myself of food until I reach said goal. This works perfectly for me because I'm a fatty at heart and the hunger pangs only spur me on to work harder.
4. Keep positive. There's nothing worse than having to do something you don't want to do in a terrible mood. It makes the process a whole lot less appealing and less effective too. Once you have revised, done your exams; you'll feel better knowing you did all you can to achieve. You can only ever do you best.
5. Have a long-term incentive. Usually, for me, this is planning a night out once all my exams are done so that I can get a little bit tipsy, have fun and forget about everything educational. But this could be anything from, a takeaway treat, a trip to the cinema, a long-sleep-all-day-and-don't-get-out-of-bed treat. The main thing is that it makes you want to work and do well.6. Just do it. There's nothing you can do to stop time- I should know the amount of times I've wished I have had Bernard's watch only to know that it doesn't exist. You might as well just get on with it, get it out of the way and then move on. Simple!
Those are my handy, hopefully helpful tips for surviving and excelling at revision. The more work you put in, the more you'll get out so make that your motto :)
Well, I should really take my own advice and get back to MY revision without any distractions. That means goodbye to my good ol' laptop and hello to 3 trees amount of revision notes.
No rest for the wicked, eh!
Muchos love,
Nicole
xxx
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