♡ Revision Tips and Tricks ♡

If you're a long term reader of my blog, you may recall that probably around this time last year (perhaps a bit later, actually), I wrote a post all about my revision essentials. So today's post is kind of an updated version, but coming from someone who completed their GCSEs last year, and is now studying for their A-Levels. Last year, I actually left my revision quite late in the school year, and I do honestly regret that. This year, however, I have kept on top of my work and started my revision much earlier - and hopefully my hard work will pay off when I get my exam results, so I've compiled a list of tips, tricks and essentials that are helping me get through these few stressful months leading up to my exams, in the hope that they are helpful to you also.

My first tip is to organise a Revision Plan / Schedule - or in other words, a revision timetable. It's super handy to have a plan of what you're going to revise on each day running up to the real thing. You don't necessarily need to have a plan of exactly what to revise on each day, but I find it's really helpful to at least know what subject you're going to revise on each day. Along with having a general revision schedule, I also have a weekly revision planner - it's from Sighh Designs, if you would like to check them out. I find that this helps me plan my week and revision much more precisely and accurately - meaning I know exactly what I'm doing during that week. It also helps that it's super pretty!

I also like to leave time in my timetable for fun other activities, and make sure to get some work done during my free periods at school. 

My next tip is to have a copy of your exam timetable and stick it somewhere - not for you to see it and panic every time you look at it, but to help you plan what you need to focus on first and what subjects are more important for you to be revising at that time. For me, this year I have two English exams and two Sociology exams during peak exam season but my sociology exams are first so I know that they're the most important exams to be doing intensive revision for - and my education paper comes before the family paper, so I need to spend more time and effort revising for that specific paper.

I also really recommend having a clear desk space or set space to do your work. Last year, I didn't have my own desk so I sat at the table downstairs but it wasn't specific for me and there was a lot going on around me, but now I have my own desk in my bedroom, I've found it much easier to keep it de-cluttered and I find it easier to concentrate and get on with what I need to be doing. Also, by having a set space away from your bed (for example) separates work time with your relaxation time, and you'll probably find that it's easier to relax and de-stress once you've finished revising for the day.

I personally really like to have a revision playlist to work with. I tend to find that I get a lot more work done when it's not silent, and music doesn't distract me as much as a TV show or movie would. Everyone tells me that you should listen to classical music or music that you don't tend to listen to on a daily basis as it'll help you concentrate more but, I've found that if I'm not listening to music that I enjoy or if I'm listening to classical music, I'll get bored and then won't want to do any revision at all so I do tend to stick with music that I typically listen to because I know I enjoy it. However, I will move all of my electrical devices (iPad, phone, laptop if I'm not working on it) to the opposite side of the room so they don't distract me. You know what they say - out of sight, out of mind!!

I also recommend taking regular breaks and keeping hydrated. If you take a break every hour or so and get a drink or something to eat and, I don't know, scroll through your Instagram feed or watch a YouTube video for ten minutes, you'll probably find it easier to get back revising and concentrate faster. Plus, it gives you something to look forward to and work towards when you're revising!

My final tip is more specifically exam / revision-based. Past Papers. Past papers are a great way to revise, you're learning exam technique and testing out your knowledge at the same time. You can usually find a mark scheme online somewhere, or take the questions to your teacher and have them mark them. You'll be able to see where you're getting marks - and losing marks, and end up having an idea of where and how you can improve.

And that concludes my little revision tips and tricks post for this year. I hope my tips help you guys and you get some new ideas and tricks to help you revise. Good luck to everyone for their exams and I'll see you next week with a brand new post.