'Whether it's a mid-term test or those all-important finals – preparing for and passing exams is a big part of UK student life.'
From school to postgraduate level, if you study in the UK, at some point you'll almost certainly have to take some kind of exam or test. It's easy to worry about revision, but just as easy to make sensible plans to get you on the right track.
Before you start revising, make sure you are completely clear about the content of the exam and what you need to know. Check the format of the exam with your subject tutor and make sure you have copies of any notes or books you'll need to revise. It's also a good idea to ask your tutors for past exam papers which you can try before the actual exam.
Before you start revising, make sure you are completely clear about the content of the exam and what you need to know. Check the format of the exam with your subject tutor and make sure you have copies of any notes or books you'll need to revise. It's also a good idea to ask your tutors for past exam papers which you can try before the actual exam.
It's important to allow yourself plenty of time for revision and not to leave things until the last minute. If you are rushing around trying to learn everything the night before, you're much less likely to do well. You'll also be causing yourself unnecessary stress.
Find your method
Try and make revision fun and work out how you learn best. Colourful flashcards? Revising with friends? Different people have different ways of revising effectively. Taking frequent breaks and making time for yourself is also important too. Decide how many hours of revision you need to do per day and when you reach certain targets, allow yourself a treat. For example, four hours of revision might equal getting to watch your favourite TV programme, or treating yourself to a coffee with friends.
Try and make revision fun and work out how you learn best. Colourful flashcards? Revising with friends? Different people have different ways of revising effectively. Taking frequent breaks and making time for yourself is also important too. Decide how many hours of revision you need to do per day and when you reach certain targets, allow yourself a treat. For example, four hours of revision might equal getting to watch your favourite TV programme, or treating yourself to a coffee with friends.
You may also find that working in a small study or revision group with your classmates helps you revise. You can test each other, compare notes and suggest ideas. Meeting once or twice a week throughout term time can help you organise your work, though you may want to increase your number of meetings as the exam period approaches.
Another important part of revision is keeping healthy. Make sure you eat plenty of nutritious vitamin-rich food (anything with Omega 3 in is said to be great for improving memory, so stock up on plenty of fish!), aim to go to bed at a sensible time and try to spend some time outdoors everyday – even a walk around the block helps clear your mind.
Another important part of revision is keeping healthy. Make sure you eat plenty of nutritious vitamin-rich food (anything with Omega 3 in is said to be great for improving memory, so stock up on plenty of fish!), aim to go to bed at a sensible time and try to spend some time outdoors everyday – even a walk around the block helps clear your mind.
Avoid plagarism
Plagiarism is when you take someone’s ideas, work or answers and say they are your own. Plagiarism is forbidden in UK institutions and there are very serious consequences if you are caught plagiarising someone else's work. Plagiarising can happen in many forms including, copying some else's answers in a test, using an essay or written piece of work that someone else has written or paying someone to complete work for you.
If you are uncertain about what is and isn't allowed, check with your course tutor.
Plagiarism is when you take someone’s ideas, work or answers and say they are your own. Plagiarism is forbidden in UK institutions and there are very serious consequences if you are caught plagiarising someone else's work. Plagiarising can happen in many forms including, copying some else's answers in a test, using an essay or written piece of work that someone else has written or paying someone to complete work for you.
If you are uncertain about what is and isn't allowed, check with your course tutor.
Ask for help
Finally, remember that you can always ask for help. If you are feeling particularly anxious or worried about exams then it's a good idea to talk to your tutor or student advice centre.
You can also find out more about settling in and getting support in the settling in section.
Finally, remember that you can always ask for help. If you are feeling particularly anxious or worried about exams then it's a good idea to talk to your tutor or student advice centre.
You can also find out more about settling in and getting support in the settling in section.
