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Work Experience Studying and Revising Qualifications and skills Career Planning E Guidance Aimhigher College and sixth form Apprenticeships, jobs and training Money University Transport Gap year and time out Studying & Revising Studying, Coursework, Revision, Exams, Exam Stress Studying and passing exams are important for your future. But often studying and revising isn’t easy and gets in the way of enjoying life. It needn’t be this way. Here are some tips and techniques to help you. Studying General organisation   Keep track - a homework timetable will help keep track of when you are set work and when it has to be completed   Don’t put it off - try to do your homework as soon as you can so it will be fresh in your mind and easier to do   Time - when is the best time for you to complete your homework? Straight after school or later in the evening? It's what works best for you that matters. How about a different approach?   Educational programmes on the TV or radio. Sometimes seeing it on screen, or hearing it, can make a topic easier to understand   Use the Internet to find useful sites that can help you with your homework   Encyclopaedia CD-ROMs contain loads of information. Have a hunt through and get the answers you need   Try Enquire, a reference service provided by librarians (and supported by Somerset County Library Service) Whereabouts should you study? People are different but it's usually it’s a choice between one of these:   finding somewhere quiet away from people, television and other distractions   having some noise in the background (usually music) that won’t distract you and may even help you concentrate a bit more. If this works for you keep it low and don’t be tempted to sing along! Coursework   You need to plan your projects carefully and make sure you don't leave things until the last minute. Break down the work into sections. Complete one section each week so you divide the workload properly over the time allowed   Take your time and make sure you choose topics you find interesting. Make sure you research properly before you start writing   You need to write carefully and clearly. Always check your spelling, grammar and punctuation. It's also worth checking if there is a word limit for your assignment Revision The BBC has an excellent revision tips and techniques site at www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revision. This includes the Seven Rules Of Revision:   Make your own revision notes - you'll learn as you write   Be brief - check the syllabus, ask teachers, make sure you suss the key areas   Concentrate on the purpose of revision - get it right and the exams should be easier   Don't overdo it - your concentration lapses after a couple of hours. Take regular breaks   Experiment - try different revision techniques. Variety beats boredom   Focus - look at past exam papers and don't make pointless notes   Be confident and positive - this should help you learn more and use your knowledge when it counts Exams In an exam:   Stay calm, breathe slowly and try not to worry   Read all the instructions carefully   Keep an eye on the time so you make sure you spend enough time on each question   Remember you can only do your best! Exam Stress Everyone gets stressed at one time or another. Lots of people get stressed at exam and test time or when coursework deadlines are looming large. This is quite normal! A bit of stress can be good for you. It’s the body’s way of making you alert and ready for what’s coming. It can help you do better. But too much stress is not good. It can make you feel unable to cope, out of control, even ill. How do you feel emotionally and physically? If some of these symptoms apply you may be suffering from too much stress:   Angry and impatient with people close to you   Close to tears over small events   Big mood swings   Alone and isolated   Self-esteem at rock bottom   Sleeplessness   Headaches   Tummy upsets   Loss of appetite or irregular eating   Panic attacks and difficulty breathing   Low energy and lack of concentration   Loss of interest in things around you If you're stressed don’t suffer in silence. Remember that whilst you can’t completely escape from feeling stressed, there are things you can do which may help. Get on top of things:   Check with your teachers on what you need to do to revise. Listen to their advice   Plan a realistic revision or study timetable. Include time to do things you enjoy as well as working   Take short breaks when studying or revising. A tired mind is not an active one! Look after your body:   Feed your brain. Eat healthy foods regularly   Take exercise, walk, run, swim, dance, play sport. It will help you sleep and make your brain work better   Get as much sleep as possible   Avoid misusing drugs - including alcohol - to help you relax or gain energy. They may seem to help at first but will quickly make things worse   Find time to relax and learn to switch off. Never go straight to bed after studying. Listen to some music, watch TV, take a short walk, have a warm bath or do something you like   Tune into your own feelings. If you feel anxious, tired, worried or stressed discuss your worries with people you trust Be positive:   Concentrate on you. Don’t worry what other people say they are doing (it may not be true anyway)   Ultimately remember to just do your best. No one can expect any more of you than this. And if you don’t do as well as you hoped, it doesn’t make you a bad person If you need help about stress speak to your teachers, school counsellors, Connexions PA, youth workers and anyone else you trust. It may also help to contact your school nurse or doctor. More information and advice BBC www.bbc.co.uk/schools Key site about many aspects of studying, exams and revision. BBC Radio1 One Life www.bbc.co.uk/onelife/your_world/school_studying Lots of information and advice about school and studying Connexions Direct www.connexions-direct.com See the "learning" section for help on studying, exams, course work and coping with stress. Enquire www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/enquire/index.html Ask a librarian a reference question (service supported by Somerset County Library Service). Childline Phone 0800 1111, web www.childline.org.uk The Samaritans Phone 0845 790 9090, email: jo@samaritans.org Web www.samaritans.org.uk Return to top of page Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Disclaimer