You've got this!

Revision for exams and note taking.
Feeling good when going into an exam.

Revision can be daunting for any student no matter how old they are. We expect the old grey matter to just do its thing and perform when it needs to. I believe the key to revision is just the same as the recommended "way to eat": little and often. 

Here's some tips on how to revise. 

1. Make sure you have drinks and snacks to hand. 
   Water, fruit juice, whatever takes your fancy. Avoid drinking coffee, the caffeine crash doesn't help and will make you feel lethargic and unable to focus. Matcha, on the other hand is a nice alternative. 
   Snack bars, nuts (obviously not if you have allergies!), dried fruit, bananas, sandwiches, whatever you feel good about snacking on.
   Our brains need feeding. You can't drive a car without fuel, right?
2. 40 minute study: 20 minute break.
   Don't overstretch yourself. Your brain needs time to digest information. 
   Set a timer on your phone or smart speaker (if you have one). I actually find Alexa a really good tool for things like this. They're also inexpensive.
3. Make flashcards and get someone to test your knowledge.
   Revision is much easier when you have someone to help you. (That person doesn't need to be in the same room, don't forget we can do everything online!)
   The act of making flashcards is a great way to keep on top of things, your brain enjoys it and will retain more. Get creative! You can get blank flashcards or, if you prefer, you can download an app here. 
4. Highlighters and fancy pens are your friends!
   I couldn't survive without highlighters and thankfully, they come in a whole range of colours. (I remember back in the 80s when the standard yellow was about all you could get...)
   Check out some highlighter sets here and here.
5. Going into an exam should feel good. You can feel confident about it. 
   We've all been there once in our lives at least when we didn't feel so good about sitting an exam but it shouldn't be so daunting if we have prepared effectively. The main thing to remember is you can only do your best and nothing more. And that's enough. When we don't sufficiently prepare, we leave ourselves open to the niggling doubts, which is normal, but when you know you haven't prepared in the right way, you will always know when you're not ready. 
   - Breathing exercises are important. 4 second inhale, 8 second exhale. Try it. Breathe in for 4 seconds. Then, slowly exhale for 8 seconds. Repeat until you feel calm. This is a very easy exercise to do while driving. I've done it myself. It works. 

Following the 5 steps above can really help you to prepare for your exams. It isn't easy but I think that giving yourself a chance will make all the difference. Remember that you don't have to study alone. And you're not the only one in this situation. Lastly, remember to reach out when you can't move forward. Always ask for help. 

Comment below and let's get the conversation going!