Exams are scary, but exams at university are even scarier. Suddenly, not only do you need to pass, but if you don’t, you’ve paid £9,250 for it. If you’re starting to stress about exams, we’ve got some tips on how to achieve a first in an exam! Follow these and you’ll be feeling more confident in no time at all.
1.Plan your time
It is really important that you learn to balance your study time with your social time, as well as ensuring you’re still making time for sleep, your other modules, and possibly even a part-time job. Whilst that may sound impossible, it really isn’t, it just takes a bit of practice. The best way to do this is to make a study timetable for the month or so before the exam. Fit in all of your responsibilities, and break down your revision slots into specific sections of content. That way, not only do you know you’re making time for everything, but you’ll be able to track how much content you’ve covered, too.
2.Use the materials from your lectures
We are all guilty of getting handouts in lectures and just chucking them away afterwards. After all, we took notes, right? Well, to help you get a first in your exam, try keeping these. Use them in your revision to help broaden your knowledge and cement your memories of the lectures and concepts covered.
3.Eat breakfast
On the day of the exam, be sure to eat a good breakfast. Whether you fancy oatmeal, eggs, peanut better or a mini fry-up, just make sure you’ve fuelled your body. It will help you stay focused, and it helps to improve your memory, too!
4.Chew gum
If you are wondering how to achieve a first in an exam, try chewing gum. Some studies have shown that if you chew gum whilst studying and also in your exam, it can help you concentrate. Just don’t start blowing bubbles and distracting everyone.
5.Answer the questions you know
You’ve probably heard it a thousand times, but flick through the paper and answer all the questions you definitely definitely know the answers to. This will give you a sense of confidence, and leaves you all the rest of the time to ponder over the answers which you’re not sure about.
6.Plan your revision out
Before you start revising, figure out what does and doesn’t work for you. Also figure out which topics you have the most understanding of, and do those last. Focus first, on the ones you’re completely clueless on, so that you don’t stress about not understanding them whilst you’re studying other things.
7.Invite people over to study
There’s a thing that ADHD brains do (as well as many other brains, including neurotypicals) called parallel play. This is when two people do things completely independently, but near one another. If you’re struggling to concentrate, consider inviting someone over to study. You don’t have to both study the same thing, and it might just help to have someone else in the room. Take a look at our top 10 study tips for deadline season for more help.
