University exams are fast approaching and when the students in the library are not self-destructing (“This is the hardest thing ANYONE has EVER had to do”;”If I don’t get a coffee I will LITERALLY die”) they are usually sharing interesting, but questionable, revision tips. Some personal favourites include: “A few glasses of red wine DEFINITELY made my essay writing SO much better last night”; “You learn best when you sleep, 16 hours a night is doing me so much good”; “Work at home, in bed, under the duvet – it will help you concentrate.”

Over the last two years I have tried and tested these methods and devastatingly they don’t seem to pay off. So, we got together with some second year students to ‘de-bunk’ the revision myths and get some sound advice for the current A-Level students:

“Don’t spend time stressing about studying, just study!”

– When it all gets too much the tears, tantrums and phone calls to mum may all seem like a good de-stressing method but it is actually best to avoid these time-wasters. Generally we get stressed about having too much to do or not understanding our work. Therefore, the best method to deal with stress is to channel it into a couple of hours of studying. By the end of those few hours you will be calmer, less distracted and will have less work to worry about!

“An Hour on, an hour off”

– This seems like another way to get out of doing revision, but it doesn’t have to be.  If you start early enough (this is the hardest task) you can often get a good 5 hours of intense and structured revision done in a day.  This way, instead of doing a mixture of TV, music, Facebook, Twitter, eating chocolate…and then some revision all at the same time you can split it up throughout the day.  Though I would advise in your ‘hour off’ it is best not to go to Facebook and TV as tempting as they may be, but instead exercise, chat to friends and family and eat ‘brain’ food.

“Think carefully about where you study”

– Revising in bed under the duvet seems to always be the most attractive option (especially in a cold university house!). However, revising and relaxing in the same place can often make revision less effective or cause you to stress when you are supposed to be relaxing! Having a physical space – such as the library or kitchen table – that you associate with working can make you more motivated when you choose to sit down and study. Also, having a space like your bedroom that is free from books and notes can allow you to relax once you are done for the day!

Revision and exams aren’t great, never have been and never will be! But studying effectively and making sure you get some R&R after a good revision session will make the whole experience much easier. Good Luck! (Its all worth it in the end!)
Jo &Joe

I have to admit that when we decided to write a blog on our four week long Easter holiday I was slightly worried about my lack of activity. Don’t get me wrong, films had been watched, lie-ins were had, too much food had been eaten and I had managed to successfully avoid any form of physical activity. But, the academic side of life had taken an ermm….backseat. This was not due to a sudden lack of work (I wish) but rather my need for some serious R&R after a long winter term. I have to say that after one week back in lecture my 4 week break seems to have paid off. It is always hard getting back into the swing of things but coming back to Newcastle both well -rested and with a fully belly (courtesy of my mother) getting back into essay writing and lectures was much easier. It got me thinking about sitting my final school exams and always being told that ‘rest is just as important as studying.’ It appears that there is definitely an element of truth in that advice! If you are preparing for you Highers, Advanced Highers or A-Levels right now then maybe getting a bit of R&R is exactly what you need – four weeks might be pushing it though!

Jocelyn