Whilst university may be over for the summer, January exams are looming over, so its a great idea to get ahead of the time and revise over time rather than cram in the last minute
Create a Timetable
- Divide your time:
- Week 1 (Pre-Christmas): Focus on reviewing lecture notes and building foundational knowledge.
- Week 2 (Christmas Week): Lighter revision schedule to allow for holiday activities.
- Week 3 (Post-Christmas): Intensive practice and mock testing.
- Final Days: Consolidate and review weak spots.
- Daily schedule template:
- Morning (9:00–12:30): Most challenging topics (e.g., theories, case studies, complex readings).
- Afternoon (2:00–5:00): Application (e.g., practice essays, past papers, group study).
- Evening (7:00–9:00): Lighter work (e.g., flashcards, summarizing notes, podcasts).
- Breaks: Take a 5-10 min break every hour and a 1-hour lunch.
Weekly Breakdown
Week 1: Foundation Building
- Review notes, lecture slides, and readings.
- Summarize key concepts into mind maps, flashcards, or notes.
- Create a glossary of terms, concepts, or theorists.
- Highlight areas where you lack understanding for follow-up.
Week 2: Mid-point Maintenance
- Lighter load, focusing on key summaries and smaller tasks:
- Reread essential texts.
- Listen to podcasts or watch videos relevant to topics.
- Create a question bank based on possible exam themes.
Week 3: Active Recall & Practice
- Practice past papers under timed conditions.
- Test yourself using flashcards or quizzes.
- Write practice essays or short-answer responses.
- Review and refine summaries.
Final Days: Consolidation
- Review weak areas identified during mock tests.
- Focus on key topics that are likely to appear in exams.
- Use “teach back” techniques (e.g., explain topics to a friend or record yourself).
Tools and Techniques
- Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of rest.
- Mind Maps: Visualize connections between concepts.
- Active Recall: Test yourself instead of re-reading.
- Spaced Repetition: Schedule reviews of topics at increasing intervals.
Self-Care and Balance
- Set boundaries: Finish revision by 9:00 PM to relax before bed.
- Sleep well: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
- Stay active: Go for a daily walk or do light exercise.
- Enjoy the holidays: Dedicate specific days or evenings for family and festivities.