Let's talk about revision! What would you do to memorise and process information?
“Revising can look different for everyone. I preferred to be in the library with friends as I appreciated the pressure from everyone else working on the same thing. I would for sure say to try not to work in the same space you relax in – don’t lose your safe space!”
“I learnt best when I was helping my friends with the same content, almost becoming a teacher. I found that this approach increased my chances of keeping the information in my head and proved to myself that I understood it.”
Talk us through your idea of a healthy approach to an exam day!
“On the night before, I would always try my best to get a good sleep. Cramming information towards the end never helped me, so I always had a set time to stop, and I tried not to look at anything the next morning. I also struggled to speak to other people doing the same exam beforehand so I would try to keep in my own little bubble. It’s a classic but I would try to have a good breakfast and drink lots of water – sounds like my mum, but she was right!”
“In terms of after, I loved to make plans and be around people, even if it wasn’t the last exam yet. I found having a reward afterwards would really help the nerves – even if it was just a little treat from Common Ground. If it was the first exam of many, I’d say try to allow yourself and your brain to have a mini break, watching Bridgerton or going for a walk – I found I would get worn out otherwise.”
What's your advice in handling multiple deadlines all due at the same time?
“It feels like such an overwhelming time and it feels like no one else around you is experiencing the same thing but I promise that some people are. If you aren’t managing to keep up with all the deadlines, speak to someone! It’s better to have asked for help early than too late. Either here in LUU with our Advice team or within your School – there’s plenty of people to support you.”
“I would also recommend trying to build in over-time or set yourself a pretend deadline, if you can. Pretend deadlines worked really well for me as I always had an extra 48 hours to have a disaster but realistically I had more time. These tactics can work for some people but could be impossible for others!”
What's your favourite way to stay mindful and reduce stress during a difficult time like the exam season?
“It took me a long time to realise that it was okay to take breaks and that my best way of learning might not be the same as for my friends. I learnt that I couldn’t sit down and work for four hours straight like some of my friends so I needed to do my own thing. For me, looking after myself revolved around taking lots of breaks, going outside and watching a lot of Tiktok. It also really helped me to remember that it wasn’t going to last forever – there was a deadline, and having it physically on a calendar felt weirdly nice.”
Any words of encouragement to end with?
“It’s all going to be worth it! As I’m typing this, I’m sitting with a friend who has six days till their final deadline ever… They are stressed to the max but we are all doing this together and it’s about taking it one step at a time. Imagine how good it will feel in six days!”
“On a more serious note, if you need help, please do reach out to us at LUU. Our support services are here to help, especially at this time of year.”
This article has been edited for clarity before being published.
