We appreciate that building up to exams, revising and balancing your commitments is tough for all students. For the student athletes among you we know the time management and juggling everything can be more challenging and potentially overwhelming as you still want to fit in your training.
Number 1 - Make a realistic revision schedule...
How much work do you 'actually' have to do?
How much time do you have to do it in?
Will you still be committing to all of your training or will you speak to you coach about reducing it slightly during the build up to your exams?
Make sure you break all of your work down into manageable chunks.
A little bit every day can make a big difference (rather than expecting yourself to do hours at a time just on one day).
Make time for breaks and rest in your schedule.
Number 2 - Know your revision style...
Do you like to study alone in a quiet room?
Are you someone who prefers to work with others or have music on in the background?
The key is to set up everything up in a way that helps you to focus (not distract you).
Number 3 - Customise your notes...
Explore different options for putting your notes together.
Are you a colour coder?
Do you prefer pictures and diagrams?
Or do you like reducing your notes down to postcards?
A combination of all of these may also be your preference.
Number 4 - start early enough so you can make sure you understand everything...
This is one of the man reasons why starting early is important. If you are unsure on something it will give you chance to ask and find out.
If you come across something you do not understand, try to find the information to help you understand it.
Just memorising it will not help you in your exam - ask you teachers or friends for help if you need it.
Number 5 - Make sure you allow time to work through past exam papers...
The first reason for doing this is to familiarise yourself with the layout and type of questions you'll be asked.
Practise completing exam papers in the set time limit to improve your exam technique.
Remember - this stage isn't about being perfect and getting everything rights, it's about focusing on technique and how'll you work through the paper on the day.
Number 6 - Get active...
As student athletes you will be able to get this one in to your schedule a little easier than some people.
Don't just focus on training though.
When you're not revising, use your spare time to get away from your books and do something active, like going for a walk or doing some stretching.
Exercise is good for taking your mind off stress and keeping you positive, and it will help you sleep better.
Number 7 - Ask for help...
If you're feeling stressed, it's important to talk to someone you trust.
This may be a family member, teacher, coach or a friend, or even drop me a message if you aren't sure who to reach out to.
Lots of people find exams difficult to deal with, so do not be embarrassed to ask for support.
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