Everything You Need In The Run Up To Mock Exams

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Mock exam season is coming up, so to take off some of the pressure and help you feel prepared, we’ve got a supercut of all of our best blogs, advice, hints and tips. Take a look below and get ready to smash some brilliant results!

MY MORNING AND NIGHTTIME EXAM ROUTINE

The best way to be prepared is to prepare! Check out what Jasmine has to say about keeping up with a routine and how it benefited her during her GCSE exams. And you might be surprised, because it doesn’t have to be as regimented and strict as you may think…

“For me, having a set revision timetable made me feel more stressed. My advice would be to revise whatever you feel you need to most at a time that suits you. If you don’t understand something in Maths, don’t feel bad for perfecting that in exchange for your French revision. If a revision timetable works for you though, go for it!”

STUDY HACKS TO UP YOUR REVISION GAME

Once you’ve got your routine sorted, it’s time to think about what you’re actually revising, and how to do it best for you. For some people, that means bite-size chunks of different things, for others it means a deep dive into one subject. Check out our best hacks and see what works for you.

“Pick your most difficult task - whether that’s a piece of coursework, or a subject you don’t feel too strong in, and make that the first thing you start looking at. That way, once you’ve spent some time on it in the morning, you’ll still have an entire day to fill with easier things!”

THE PERFECT PLAYLIST FOR REVISION

For some people, revising in silence is a must. For others, a backing track is where it’s at. If you fall into the latter, this one’s for you. Check out our ultimate playlist, curated by some of our fave creators, full of focused beats to help drum what you need into your mind!

“I can easily get lost listening to these songs. They’re great for keeping me focused...not too upbeat, not too soft - just right! Often vocals can distract you from what you’re trying to read or remember so I love listening to instrumentals.”

HOW EXERCISE GOT ME THROUGH MY GCSES

If you find yourself feeling a bit creaky, a bit stiff, and a bit I’ve-been-sat-in-a-chair-in-a-weird-position-for-too-long when you’re revising, it might be a good idea to get up, get your blood pumping, and your body moving! See what Luke says about how exercise helped him through his exams, and maybe it’ll inspire you!

“Through physical activity, you actually improve brain function too! Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen in the brain, as well as increasing concentration levels and cognitive ability. It’s a win-win!”

TAKE A MINDFUL MOMENT

If sport isn’t quite your thing, take some time out to recharge between study sessions, with a quiet mindful moment. We share five different techniques to help you chill out, get a clear head, and get ready to take on whatever’s next. 

“The Five Sense Drill is easy to do before an exam or bed and you can repeat as often as you want:

- Take a couple of deep breaths
- Look around you and silently name three things you can see
- Now name three things you can hear
- Bring your attention to your body, and name three sensations you can feel (maybe warmth, coolness, etc)
- Now bring your attention to what you can smell or taste
- Take a couple of deep breaths to end the exercise”

HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR FRIENDS WITH THEIR EXAM RESULTS

Exams don’t really end when you turn them in. Then there’s the whole waiting around period, and finally, results day. Even with mock exams this can be nerve wracking and intimidating for some people. So, make sure your friends feel supported by using our handy tips (and feel free to share it with them so they know how to look after you too!).

“Why not start the day the right way, the night before! If you can, meet up with your friends and have a self care night. Watch your favourite movies, eat your favourite food, play your favourite games, and generally keep the stress to a minimum and the good vibes to the max. You’ll all feel refreshed going to get your results the next day, and you’ll all be together!”