Read on for some exam tips from our RLAs!

We know exam season can be a stressful time, so we asked some of our RLAs to give us their tips and tricks for exam season, and their top ways to relax.

Tips from the Archers Road RLAs: 

• The Pomodoro Effect: Set a timer for 25 minutes of focused study, then reward yourself with a 5-minute dance break (yes, even in the library). Repeat until you’ve conquered your reading list. 

• Create a Study Playlist: Classical music? Lo-fi beats? Whatever tunes keep you in the zone, make them your soundtrack. Just don’t pick anything too catchy, or you’ll be singing instead of studying. 

• Use the “Feynman Technique”: Pretend you're teaching your subject to a 5-year-old. If you can simplify it, that means you understand it. Plus, it’s also a great way to practice your storytelling skills. 

• Change Your Scenery: Feeling Stuck? Try studying in a café, park, or a new spot in your house. New environments can give your focus a fresh boost. Find a study space where you know you can work well without distractions.
• Stay organised: track your deadlines and commitments, maybe use a planner to do this
• Get into a study routine: work out which times of the day work best for you and create a revision timetable. Break your tasks up in order of urgency – smaller tasks can feel more manageable than larger ones.
• Stay motivated: set achievable goals and reward yourself after completing a task, e.g. having some of your favourite food.

Tips from the City Gateway RLAs: 

• Prioritise your tasks: Make a list of what you need to do and how important it is, you could even use an online tool like Notion to sort this. 

• Practice exam papers: Find some past exam papers on pastexampapers.soton.ac.uk. This will help you understand what you can expect in your exams and helps you with exam timings. 

• Body doubling: Try studying with your coursemates or friends. It can make things less overwhelming and sometimes seeing someone else working can help you be motivated to do the same. Just make sure that it isn’t people you get distracted with!
• Use active learning techniques: instead of reading notes over and over, try writing them out in your own words, drawing diagrams, or even explaining the material to a friend. It can help you understand things better and remember them longer. 
• Take care of yourself: go for a walk, do some exercise, do a hobby, listen to a calming playlist. Whatever you choose will help your brain reset. Make sure you eat well – enjoy your favourite snack or a hot drink as a reward after studying.

Remember, exams are like a marathon, not a sprint. Look after yourself, pace your studies, and don’t forget to breathe. You’ve got this! 

Tips from the Highfield Hall RLAs: 

·       Create a study plan: Break down what you need to study into smaller topics and set realistic goals. This will stop you from becoming demotivated or burnt out. If you are short on time, prioritise areas which you feel less confident on first.

·       Food: Get some study snacks that give you energy to work, working on an empty stomach won’t help your focus. Ensure you are also taking time to cook healthy meals.

·       Limit distractions: if you know you study better at university, go to campus. Try putting your phone on do not disturb so you are not distracted. Find a study space that works for you – the Library has different volume levels, you can also choose to study in the centenary building, The Bridge or Avenue Campus

·       Study with friends: Studying with friends can help you stay on task and accountable for your work. Just make sure you are with people you won’t get distracted with!

·       Find a study technique that works for you: Everyone learns differently. Experiment with different study techniques such as using flashcards, mind mapping, or spaced repetition. 

·       Take care of yourself: The better you take care of yourself the better you can retain information. Make sure you’re eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep. Get some fresh air, maybe take a walk in nature or try out some exercise. Spend time with loved ones, devote time to your hobbies or enjoy a soothing tea.

You can find further tips and hints from 4 of our RLA's on this further article, as they go into how they prepare and relax during exams.