KnowHow: Our 7 essential revision tips

KnowHow Assistants

The KnowHow team have put together their top revision tips to help you stay focused and make the most of your time when preparing for the upcoming exams and assessments.

1. Set up a dedicated workspace

It might seem obvious, but choosing where you work can make a big difference to your productivity.

Try to create a space that’s separate from where you relax, and if you’re sharing space with others then it’s worth agreeing a time when you can each use the space.

Remember, if you’re on-campus then you can book a study space in the library before you arrive.

2. Establish a good morning routine

Keeping to a positive morning routine can also help you to maintain productivity. Tips include setting an alarm to wake up at the same time each day, getting up and getting dressed, and preparing a healthy breakfast that will set you up for the day.

3. Create a study plan

Creating a realistic study plan is an important part of your revision, and you should consider:

  • How many assessments you have and how confident you feel in each topic
  • When you are most productive
  • What other commitments and responsibilities you have

Breaking up your daily tasks into chunks can make them feel more manageable and help you to prioritise your workload.

Make a daily list of tasks that you would like to achieve, and try to schedule the most challenging or time-consuming tasks for the time of day when you work best.

You can download our printable Revision Planner to help create your study plan, and remember to schedule in some regular breaks!

4. Study actively

If you sometimes find that you’ve spent a long time studying but are struggling to remember what you’ve revised then your study technique could be too passive.

Active studying can really help when revising. Using techniques such as mind maps, flash cards or post-it notes can help you to engage with large amounts of information and keep things interesting.

5. Stay focused

It can be easy to lose concentration when you’re revising. The Pomodoro technique is a useful method to help you stay focused. Here’s how it works:

  • Choose your task or topic to revise
  • Set a timer for 25 minutes and work until the timer rings
  • Have a 5-minute break
  • Repeat 4 times
  • Have a 30-minute break

Find more useful techniques to help you beat procrastination in KnowHow’s online tutorials.

6. Take a break and reward yourself

As the saying goes “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. Revision can mean that you spend a lot of time sitting down and looking at a screen, and it’s important to take breaks as your health and mental wellbeing matter more than anything else. It can actually hinder your progress if you don’t allow yourself to take time off.

Try to create time to see friends, call home, walk through a park, make yourself a delicious meal, watch TV, knit, have a kickabout, read a book, make fun plans for summer, do whatever makes you happy!

It’s also worth making time to get outside if you can by going for a walk or a run. Moving your body helps to relieve stress and will also release endorphins that can lift your mood whilst you study.

Taking a break and rewarding yourself for completing tasks can help you to stay motivated, feel a sense of accomplishment, and achieve more.

7. Be prepared

If you’re looking for tips and tricks on how to best prepare for your upcoming exams then check out the KnowHow exam preparation online tutorials. We’ve got a variety of exam types covered so you’ll know what to expect and can make sure you’re prepared.

You can also find online tutorials on Canvas, or book a place on a KnowHow workshop for support with topics including note taking, statistics, literature reviews, critical reading and academic integrity.

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