KIS Summary:
- 5 easy study tips you can use for last minute studying right before your exam.
- When studying for your exam, focus on the subjects you are weaker at, and not the exams that are coming up first.
- The most important thing is to take care of yourself, so we provide some self-care tips for you too.
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With final exams coming up in a few weeks, it is well and truly crunch time! I’m sure you are thinking about all that last minute content you need to squeeze into your brain, and how you are possibly going to do it for every subject.
Along with a few key tips for last minute revision, here are some general advice about time management and the importance of taking time for yourself during this stressful period!
Table of Content:
Last Minute Revision Tips
You’ve spent a year ticking off all those syllabus dot points and it is now time to bring it all together.
Consolidate your Notes
Well first, having a super concise set of consolidated notes is paramount. Revising 100 pages worth of notes is an impossible task, but if you can consolidate it into 10 pages, then you can focus your attention on the key ideas (particularly those that you are struggling with).
Make Mind Maps
Syllabus mind maps are another effective way to organise your content, particularly if you’re a visual learner like me. For my content-heavy subjects I would put the Module heading in the middle and then work my way out based on syllabus dot points.
If you are looking for more study help, book a free 30-minute study skills consultation with a KIS Academics tutor today:
Continue Practicing
It can be stressful to do full practice papers a week before your final exam, but it is still important to make sure you're doing some practice. Here are some easy ways to incorporate this into your day:
- If you can, complete at least one question for every subject, every day. Keep those clogs ticking, even if it's literally one multiple choice question.
- Another effective technique, especially if you're pressed for time, can be reading past questions, without spending the time fully answering them.
- Simply thinking how you would approach the question forces you to consider application of content and allows you to recognise those areas or ideas that you might not be so familiar with… and if that’s the case, time to go back and focus your study on those concepts!
In the lead up to your exam, you obviously want to be studying the broadest range of content but it is important that you don’t sacrifice depth in those areas that really need it. Identify weaknesses and focus your attention there - there is no point spending time on content that you already know!
To-Do Lists
Create precise to do lists. Micro-tasks will help you stay on track - these tasks should take around 30 minutes so you can structure your study using the Pomodoro technique.
As you begin to tick off these goals, you will feel a greater sense of accomplishment and be motivated to move onto the next goal. Rather than facing the almighty 3 hr past paper (which can seem like a huge task), it might be more effective to work on 20 minutes of harder multiple questions - quality not quantity!
Flashcards
Another classic tip is to use flashcards for those quotes and questions that you still aren’t remembering. Speak your answer out loud as if you were explaining it to someone else. Keep doing that until you’ve got it!
If you prefer digital tools, use Anki! Here is an article on how to best utilise Anki to study.
How to Manage your Exam Timetable?
When managing your exam timetable it’s all about working smart; prioritise the subjects and topics that need it.
We have the tendency to only study for the upcoming exam, but this can create a lot of stress when you finish that exam, and then have three more over the next five days that you did not prepare for. Trust me, I’ve been there and I would not recommend it.
Instead, you should focus on the subjects and topics that you are weaker in. This may mean focusing on your last exam if you are more confident with those exams that are earlier. So just because English is your first exam, it doesn’t mean you should just be studying for English… what about the economics exam that you are weaker at, and is the day after the English paper?
What I’m trying to say is: BE ORGANISED! As soon as you’ve read this, sit down and plan out your study days for the full course of your exam timetable. Devise strict hours that you will dedicate to each subject on your ‘off’ days (when you aren’t sweating it in the exam hall).
And this bears repeating: dedicate more hours to the subjects that require more attention.
How to still Take Care of Yourself?
While last minute revision and time management is super important, this piece of advice takes the cake: take time for yourself.
It is so essential that you strike a balance, otherwise you will burn out. These final exams do not mean that you have to put all other aspects of your life on hold.
In fact, exercise, socialising and good sleep is exactly what your brain needs to process all of that information that you have so tirelessly crammed in!
- Exercising releases those ‘feel-good’ hormones called endorphins. They act as a pick me up when study is getting you down, and are an amazing way to counteract stress.
- Socialising releases oxytocin which once again reduces stress and anxiety by relaxing the brain and providing the psychological stability you need to perform your best.
- Getting those 8 hours of sleep is necessary to provide you with the energy you need to kick another day. Even better, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep has been proven to help with memory retention!
In taking the time for yourself and practicing mindfulness, you could choose to make a ritual - stick to that ritual, even on exam days. That ritual might be taking your dog for a walk or simply making your morning coffee. Just make time for yourself.
Conclusion
With all these things in mind, it's time to focus on the task ahead. You are on the home straight now! Knuckle down for the next few weeks, and then you can celebrate once it's all done, with the knowledge that you've given it your best shot! If you need some additional support, book a free 30-minute study skills consultation with a KIS Academics tutor today!
For more study tips and resources, check out these KIS Academics articles:
Manoj Arachige
Dylan Kay
Manoj Arachige
FAQs
How do I consolidate my notes?
Focus on the subjects and topics that you are weakest in, and work from there. Follow the syllabus dot points to ensure you've covered the content that is being tested.
For more tips, check out this KIS Academics article.
Where can I find more practice questions?
You can find practice questions on the official state websites, your past school papers, or search the internet!
KIS Academics has a bunch of extra questions for you too! Check out our blog site and search "practice questions" and you will see them.
How do I use Anki?
Flashcards are a great way to ensure that you are studying actively. You can either make physical cards, or use Anki. Here is our guide on how to best utilise Anki to study effectivey.
How long should I be studying?
There is no magic number! Everyone studies differently, and the most important thing is you've studied enough to feel confident in your abilities. Here is a sample study routine from a 99+ ATAR graduate for you to refer to, but just use it as a guide. Find the routine that best suits you!
Want more personalized study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor from KIS Academics can make the biggest difference!
