Sofia
It’s that time of year again, the dreaded GCSE’s. This time last year I was stressing myself right up until the very first exam. I remember the feeling of sitting in the main hall surrounded by other students in my year feeling so alone and isolated. I hated it.
I wanted to share with you a few tips that helped me through the revision and keeping as calm as possible.
Revision:
1. Don’t over do it:
During your revision you may feel that you need to revise 24/7 but you don’t! I began doing that and it made me stress more. I felt like I wasn’t learning ANYTHING. I decided to make a chart, nothing special but something that was easy to follow along. I had set days for set subjects. For example, on Monday was history (if i’d had that lesson that day). This helps with reminding you what you did during the lesson and it’s testing you in a good way!
I felt that 30 minutes of revision, a 10 minute break and then another 30 minutes was enough revision to help me through. During your ten minute break you can have a drink or something to eat to keep your energy going.
2. Music:
I found that listening to music during my revision helped me to keep a calm mind. Listening to soft music nothing with heavy guitars or too loud with help you just keep relaxed whilst revising.
3. Find your space:
Whilst revising you should find a quiet place that you can revise. Whether it be a corner in your room, in the garden (if it’s not raining) or in the local library, you need that space where you can go to and not be bothered by people and other noises.
4. Have no distractions:
Your brain tends to get easily distracted by the little things especially when you’re revising and it’s not usually something you want to do. Make sure your revision space hasn’t got anything that will distract you. Put your computer and video games away, you can use your phone for music but turn it on silent and place it face down on the table so you don’t see when you have notifications coming through, even turning your phone on airplane mode.
The night before the exam:
The night before your first exam can be a very stressful and nerve racking thing but if you make sure you are calm and relaxed you’re sure to be less of a mess on the day.
Here are a few tips:
1. Have a bath:
Run a nice hot bath, buy a bath bomb and place it in (I highly recommend Twilight by Lush as the ingredients are really relaxing). If you like face masks apply one and take some time away from social media, just relaxing in your bath! Read a book or play some calm music! If you don’t like baths have a hot shower and apply a face mask after if you like.
2. Get a good night of sleep:
As much as staying up and revising all night sounds like a good plan you need to allow your mind to shut down before a big exam and making your brain work super hard. For example, if you get up at 6 a.m. go to bed around 9:30 / 10 p.m. to give yourself a good 8-9 hours of sleep.
3. Make sure you’re prepared:
Before getting into bed make a check list of everything you may need for the day ahead. For example, a water bottle (without the label), if you have a certain exam make sure you have all the right equipment and set a few alarms so you wake up at a good time to get ready and leave – you don’t want to be late!
The day of the exam:
1. Make sure you eat breakfast
Eating a good, healthy and fulfilling breakfast will help you kick start your day.
2. Try avoiding caffeine
I found that it didn’t help me to wake up and it made me less alert and feel worse because once it wore off I didn’t feel good.
3. Water, Water, Water:
I cannot stress this enough… HAVE. A. WATER. BOTTLE. Without my water I don’t think I could have survived. Whether it gets too hot in an exam or you get thirsty you should always have water! Don’t over drink that you need to pee because then you’ll lose time but I definitely recommend taking a sip of water every now and again during your exam! It’s refreshing and will keep you hydrated.
These are just some of the tips I felt would help others because they really helped me. Whether these help you or not try finding your own tips to help you if following others don’t work for you!
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