ORGANISING YOUR TIME

• Draw up a weekly timetable including everything you need to do such as revision, eating, sleeping, lectures and relaxation.
• Be realistic about how much time you can spend revising – if you divide the week into 21 units (3 a day), you should work for a maximum of 15 units per week. You should have 6 units to do other things.
• Allow yourself time for relaxation as it will decrease your stress levels. This is not wasting time as it will help you work more effectively.
• Plan how you will use your time during your revision periods. Decide on the order of topics and how much time you will spend on each.
• Stick to your deadlines.
• Prioritise – do the most important topics first and allow more time for subjects you find difficult.
• Set specific goals for each revision period.

SLEEPING BETTER

• Do not work in or on your bed.
• Stop working at least an hour before you intend to sleep.
• Stick to a regular bed time and getting up time.
• Maintain good sleeping patterns – 6 to 8 hours a night are recommended.

STUDY PATTERNS

• Take regular breaks from studying.
• When you notice that you are distracted, get up and take a break.
• Fifteen minutes when you can concentrate is better than three hours of staring into space and feeling guilty or anxious.

BASIC REVISION METHODS

• Step One: Read your notes and seek answers to questions. Be as active in your reading as possible – talk to yourself, walk around the room, speak into a tape recorder.
• Step Two: Close up your notes.
• Step Three: Actively recall what you have just been reading, asking again the same questions without looking at your notes. Write down what you have recalled in brief notes.
• Step Four: Check the original notes with the new ones. If you recalled all the answers to the questions, then you have created a master card which you can use to re-revise without having to consult lengthier notes.
• Step Five: If not all the questions have been answered, re-read your original notes, looking particularly to those you missed. Repeat steps two to four.

ON THE DAY OF THE EXAM

• Do not try to learn any new topics since this may impair your ability to recall those you have learnt previously.
• Look at some brief notes or revision cards.
• Do not study for the last hour before the exam.
• Time your arrival at the exam room so you do not need to wait about outside with others who may increase your anxiety level.
• Give yourself time to settle before reading the questions and starting to write.
• Use a breathing exercise to regulate your breathing and calm yourself down.
• Have a plan for how you will use your time in the exam room.

RELAXATION ROUTINES

• Focus your attention on counting breaths.
• Close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply.
• Locate any areas of tension and try to relax those muscles.
• Stretch.
• Give yourself a little treat each day.
• Yoga, meditation and massage all contribute to reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

2. Make a checklist of daily requirements, based on each day’s papers:

If it is a Math exam, make sure your teen has all the necessary stationery – calculator, protractor. With your teen, check that all their pens work, that they have a ruler, pencil, eraser, tissues, water, etc.

3. Listen to the story of their day but don’t dwell:

After each day’s examinations, allow your teen to tell you about the exam – what was hard, what did they forget, what do they think they got right, etc. It helps to have debrief from the exam. It is not important to focus on the “should have”, “would have”, and “could haves”. Allow them the time and space to tell their story and then help them move on.

4. Help your teen focus on the next paper:

Simple questions like “What is up next?”, “Are there any compulsory sections?”, “Are there any predictable questions?” and so on, can be useful in helping teens come up with a study schedule for the time available before the next exam.

5. Help them to maintain a balanced daily routine:

Some teens feel stressed and work throughout the day and night – pulling all-nighters. But this actually makes it more difficult to retain and recall info the next day in the exam. Make sure they are getting enough sleep, especially the night before the exam. After an exam, they need time to rest and recharge before they can do any beneficial study for the next paper.

6. Sleep improves examination performance:

Studying should stop at least an hour before bed to allow your teen to unwind. Falling straight into bed from the study desk is a recipe for sleeplessness.

7. A healthy diet is essential:

What you eat and drink affects your performance in any field of activity, a healthy body is a healthy mind. Avoid fast food or foods high in fat, sugar and salt. Keep healthy snacks easily available and have them ready for in between study breaks or even to snack on while studying. And lots of water to keep the body and brain hydrated.

8. Don’t overhype the importance of any examination:

Our lives and futures do not reply on any exam results. Passing an exam is only part of the story. Remind your teens that there are always other chances and other ways to reach your goals.

9. Make sure your teen isn’t isolated:

Make sure your teen still connects with friends. Contact with their peers is very important to maintaining their spirits during the coming weeks. So whether they do video chats, phone calls or messaging during study breaks – a meaningful conversation can really help to lift your child’s mood.