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 So, exams are here again! Don't panic and don't pretend they'll go away. They won't! But if you're organised, you'll find it won't be the nightmare experience you feared and if you go about things the right way you'll even get time for some fun in between!
First of all, find a good place to work. It must be quiet and uncluttered, well-lit and free from chocolate wrappers and sports socks!
Draw up a revision timetable, it's crucial. The odd hour here and there isn't enough to make a real difference. You need a revision plan that is realistic and that you can stick to daily that also includes breaks and meal times. Getting the balance is crucial to your success. Use the monthly, weekly and daily planners to help you plan out your days systematically. It stops you feeling overwhelmed.
When you are planning your study, mix up your weak subjects among your strong subjects so you don't do all the difficult topics all at once. It's really easy to lose your confidence when you are revising, and focusing on the tricky subjects altogether can make you go all wobbly.
Set targets that you know you can reach each day and tick them off as you achieve them. This makes you feel great and helps you move forward in small, baby steps towards your bigger goal in each subject.
Always make your own revision notes because your subconscious starts learning them as you write them out. Also, when you re-read them they make sense to you as they are in your own words and style.
Make your notes short and sharp and keep to the main points. Try to get your notes on one side of paper as it makes them easier to remember. Write key facts on post-it notes and pop them on the walls in your kitchen or bedroom.
Make up silly mnemonics or poems to help you remember important dates or facts.
Use a highlighter pen and mark key areas with different colours. Try making up your own symbols because, if you are a visual learner, this will really help you remember the facts. Use mind maps and diagrams to also help you.
If you learn by listening, try recording your notes on your iPod or portable CD so you can listen to them in your room or when you are falling asleep. Also, recite your notes out loud to yourself so you can hear them.
If you are a sensitive learner, move around the room while you recite information or are learning new material and try to use multimedia resources like the computer or video camera to help you study. Mind maps in different colours also help.
Test yourself often without looking at your notes, or work with a friend or member of your family testing you and focus on what you need to go over again.
Don't overdo the time you spend hitting the books. Have a regular time for physical exercise. Walk round the block with the dog, ride a bike, listen to some music or really change your environment to give your brain and eyes a break. You really will come back refreshed and able to absorb information again.
Time yourself by going over past exam papers against the clock as it gives you confidence to know the types of questions you may come cross and that you can answer in the allotted time.
Experiment with different styles of revision as it helps to alleviate the boredom and keeps you interested.
Remember to get a proper night's sleep. It gives you reserves of energy.
Get yourself in a positive and confident frame of mind and think of five things you are really good at and visualise yourself doing those things. See what you're doing, hear what people are saying and remember how good you feel when you are at your best. As you go into your exam remember those feelings, sounds and thoughts, it will help you relax and focus on what you are good at.
Be well prepared, it takes away anxiety.
Ask for help from friends, family and school if you are feeling overwhelmed, confused or unsure. Never bottle things up. Remember, a problem shared is a problem halved.
Keep the bigger picture of your life in mind. Although exams are important they are only one aspect in your life and you need to keep them in perspective.
Celebrate your small successes along the way. Give yourself a treat, plan a visit to see your friend or watch your favourite TV programme, whatever feels like a special moment for you.
Sue Atkins is a former Deputy Head with 22 years teaching experience and is now a Parent Coach. She has written many books on self esteem, toddlers and teenagers. She is author of Raising Happy Children for Dummies. For more information go to the Positive Parents website.
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