Exam Revision 'Top Tips'

Our Student Members have provided their Exam Revision 'Top Tips' which you may find a useful resource in planning your exam revision program. 

We have grouped the Tips under headings and hope that within these Tips there is the kernel of a 'good idea' that might help you through your exams.

Planning

• Failing to plan is planning to fail - study to a timetable
• Start revising long before exams!  Complete weekly revision to keep up to date - hard, but effective
• Divide study days into three sessions (morning, afternoon & night) with a break halfway through each
• Start revising early, follow a schedule, all night study sessions don't work
• Develop a routine that ensures you get out of the house in your breaks
• Write a study plan the night before and stick to it the next day
• Study where you will not be distracted eg. in the library with a studious friend!

Study methods

• If you are able to teach someone else in the topic this not only helps you but also prepares you to be able to express your answer well
• Study by practising the same type of exam you will be taking - MCQs, long case, written
• Get together with a group of friends and quiz each other
• Record notes and/or lectures onto an MP3 and listen
• Quality over quantity - don't cram, use flashcards instead.  10 key dot-points on each condition covering everything
• Stick to basics before learning lots of detail - lecture/PBL revision should get you through
• Anything I need to memorise I repeatedly explain to my dog.  He never gets bored!
• Remember difficult lists (eg. clinical findings) with mneumonics

Health and wellbeing

• A great way to keep motivated is to reward yourself with regular treats!
• Eat well, sleep well and exercise
• Spend some time each day talking to someone.  Don't internalise your stress
• Things are cemented into memory during sleep, so make sure you get enough

Other tips

• Get a friend to change your facebook password so you can't procrastinate/waste time
• Plaster notes on your bathroom door for efficient on-the-dunny learning
• Common things are common - and commonly examined

Thank you to all of our Student Members who submitted exam study tips.  If you have any additional tips, please email them to us and we will update the list.