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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2018Don\u2019t cram for that exam!\u2019 If you\u2019ve ever tried to improve your exam revision strategy, you\u2019re probably well acquainted with this \u2018golden rule.\u2019 It\u2019s true, leaving exam revision to the last minute is unlikely to yield first class results.
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen we don\u2019t prepare for an exam, our memory (or lack thereof) becomes a source of frustration. We waste valuable exam time wondering what would be – if only we could just remember that vital piece of information.
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDoes it sound familiar? Thankfully, studies have shown that it doesn\u2019t have to be this way. If we learn to exploit our memory for all it\u2019s capable of, it can become one of our greatest cognitive assets!
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1. Association, Association, Association\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRevising topics in isolation is an ineffective strategy. Studies show that if you associate new knowledge with existing knowledge, the new knowledge sticks! Why should this be?
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThink of your existing knowledge as a \u2018road map\u2019 in your mind. When you revise new information, you\u2019re constantly cementing new \u2018roads\u2019 onto this map. When it comes to recalling the new information, your brain can tap into multiple pathways to access the information.
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCreate a \u2018mind map\u2019 \u2013 Write down all the topics you want to memorise and draw \u2018links\u2019 or \u2018pathways\u2019 between them to show how each topic relates to the other. Crucially, add topics that you already know in-depth to your mind map. This will enable you to forge solid links between old and new knowledge.
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2. Sleep solidifies memory\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStudents are not often told they should sleep more! However, studies have shown that good quality sleep is important for solidifying memories. Our dreams may even have a role to play in this process! The phrase \u2018Let me sleep on it\u2019 indicates that a good night\u2019s sleep can do wonders for helping us sort, arrange and store information.
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPlan a revision schedule \u2013 Once you know the date of your exam, try to plan ahead so you\u2019re not pulling \u2018all-nighters.\u2019 It\u2019s better to do 1 hour of revision per day for 20 days than 2 hours of revision per day for 10 days. This will ensure new information is processed effectively and you\u2019re well rested for the day of your exam.
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3. Stories help cement memories\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYou may have noticed that, when a friend tells you about a memory from their past, they\u2019ll spend a lot of time focusing on the narrative (i.e. what happened, how it happened, why it happened). Studies have shown that, when recalling memories, people find it easier to recall memories if they are able to tell them in the form of a complex story. As a student, you can use storytelling to help you cement and recall exam material!
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWrite a revision story \u2013 the more the ridiculous the better. In your story, imagine a house where each character in each room of the house embodies a theory or concept you need to remember. The personality of your characters., and their actions, can become symbols of the theories you need to remember. This technique works well because it exploits your visual and spatial memory too!
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4. Rehearsal is vital\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt\u2019s tempting to just \u2018power-through\u2019 pages of your textbook to make revision headway. However, this is a counterproductive strategy. Studies show that rehearsal\u2013 going over the information you\u2019ve already revised – is crucial for determining what you really know. Once you\u2019ve determined the \u2018gaps\u2019 in your knowledge, you\u2019ll know where to focus your revision.
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTry group study \u2013 They say you never truly know a topic until you\u2019ve taught it to someone else. In a group, take it in turns to \u2018teach\u2019 each other about the topics you\u2019ve revised. Encourage your friends to ask you a few difficult questions to test your knowledge!
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf you can\u2019t find a study group, you could try reciting your knowledge of a revision topic. Record your \u2018mini-lecture\u2019 on your phone and play it back afterwards. Does it sound convincing?
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5. Meditation can improve memory\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRecent studies have shown that meditation and mindfulness can significantly improve memory. Scientists aren\u2019t exactly sure why, but it may be because meditation improves visualisation skills and concentration skills (both vital for memory!) In addition, meditation can improve relaxation in general, so may be useful in the run-up to the exam period!
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTry a guided meditation \u2013 These are available for free on many apps. Try a ten-minute guided meditation in the morning, or before studying, and see if you notice a difference in your concentration levels.
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSome students are put off using memory techniques for revision because they seem to require a lot of mental effort. Whilst some effort is involved in these techniques, they do make revision a lot more efficient.
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPsychologists say that it takes about 30 days to change a cognitive habit. Try these memory techniques for 30 days and see if revising efficiently becomes second nature!
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRevise the smart way with our model exam answers
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWith our model exam answer service, an expert academic specialised in your subject area will provide you with a model answer to the questions that keep coming up. You can take this answer away, study it and build on it so that come exam day, you’re prepared for the most likely questions.
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\u2018Don\u2019t cram for that exam!\u2019 If you\u2019ve ever tried to improve your exam revision strategy, you\u2019re probably well acquainted with this \u2018golden rule.\u2019 It\u2019s true, leaving exam revision to the last minute is unlikely to yield first Read More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[349,15,2004,2005,2006,183,184,1941],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-435783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-custom-essays","category-essay-paper-writing","category-exam-preparation","category-exam-tips","category-exams","category-study-hacks","category-study-skills","category-study-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435783","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=435783"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435783\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=435783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=435783"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=435783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}