Exam season is slowly sneaking up on us. This means that, before long, students are going to be busy with revision schedules, lesson notes and study posters. Even though exams aren’t for a few months yet, it’s all too easy for students to put off any type of ‘revision’ until the last minute, cramming everything into the precious weeks beforehand. Here at Tutor Doctor we’ve seen up close just how beneficial starting revision early can be. Not only are kids better prepared and less stressed, but their final exam grades are likely to be much better than they expect!
So what are the benefits of starting revision early?
Less Stress!
There really is no better feeling for students than being prepared for upcoming exams, especially when students know they’ve put the work in. Getting on with revision sooner rather than later means much less stress and anxiety, plus it allows students to study at their own pace rather than exhausting themselves with all-nighters a week before the big day.
Explore different revision techniques
Having time on their side means that students can explore different revision techniques rather than just sticking to one. This can involve a whole host of different ways to study. For example, students can practice writing out their notes, then try typing them up — repetition is often an excellent and effective way to absorb information. If this isn’t working then colourful visual posters containing key pieces of information is a fun way to learn. They can even put these posters up on their bedroom wall so they become a part of everyday life and therefore get absorbed more deeply.
There’s no rush (no cramming necessary)
Studying for exams early means that students get to take their time with revision and avoid last minute cramming or rushing through topics. It also means that the same amount of time can be allocated to each subject, instead of leaning toward favourite topics and avoiding the trickiest. Another huge benefit is that getting on with exam preparation now allows students enough time to identify areas in which they aren’t feeling as confident, which means they can go over areas they’re finding particularly tricky and get help if they need it.
Time to practice exam techniques
As they say, practice makes perfect. The earlier students start revising, the more time they’ll have to complete practice papers from previous years and get used to the format. All too often students have fantastic knowledge but their exam technique is lacking, which ends up affecting their final grade. There’s a whole load of practice papers available online to download and use, or teachers can provide tests from previous years. Just make sure they’re completed under timed conditions!
For more exam and revision tips and techniques, check out some of our other helpful blog posts. We’ve got it all covered from dealing with exam anxiety to making the most of study sessions.
Tips on how to get rid of exam anxiety
Study Habits of successful students
