As a university student, chances are you will have to do an exam at some point as part of your course. This can seem daunting and scary, despite the fact you will have already taken exams throughout your GCSEs, A-levels, and other study pathways. It might seem especially hard if your course is something you’ve never studied before… But you can absolutely ace these university tests with our five exam study tips below!
Study with your classmates
Chances are you will have made a great group of friends from your course, which is always a good thing. Course friends know exactly what you’re going through when it comes to studying – and you can do it together! Book out a room in the library or hole up in your student flat, and revise together. This is one of our favourite exam study tips as it allows you to be sociable while you learn, and you’ll definitely be able to help each other out.
Create flashcards
Using small cards filled with memorable information gives you a way to be able to fit in some quick-fire revision while the kettle boils or as you brush your teeth. They’re also brilliant for getting your flatmates to test you without them having to know anything about the course itself!
Take breaks often
This is one of those classic exam study tips which cannot be understated. It is vital to take breaks as often; your brain loses focus after 30 minutes and you’ll be wasting your time. Studies show that for every half an hour of revising or studying you do, you should be getting up to stretch your legs, have a snack, do the Wordle, play some Animal Crossing or listen to some Beyoncé. Get some fresh air on these breaks, too, and move around – it’ll help increase the blood flow to your brain.
Look at past papers
While you can’t rely on them too heavily, past papers are great for practising the style of a particular exam. This is one of the famous exam study tips that you’ll probably have used throughout your education, but that’s for good reason – it works! It gets you used to the format of the test, and how much you’ll have to write or answer on the day.
Ask for help
If there’s something you don’t understand, don’t struggle in silence. Ask your course friends if they can explain it in a way that makes sense to you – and if that still doesn’t work, arrange a meeting with your tutor to go through the parts of the course which are holding you back. There is no shame in being confused!
These are just five of our favourite exam study tips, to help you revise better for your university exams. Whether you choose to study in the library, from Starbucks or in your accommodation bedroom, work hard and you’ll come out on top. Don’t forget to make use of your University Student Support Services if exams are making you feel stressed, too.
