For people sitting prelims:
If you’ve got prelims coming up, the best thing you can do is actually make a plan instead of just stressing. Start revising for the subjects you have first so you’re not scrambling the night before. Try to do a bit every day over the Christmas break — it doesn’t need to be hours and hours, just enough so things don’t pile up.
Revision tips:
- Study for 30 minutes, then take a 10–15 minute break — your brain needs rest to remember stuff.
- Make a timetable so you know what subject you’re doing each day.
- Use flashcards for things like definitions, dates, or formulas.
- Summarise notes in your own words — it actually helps you understand better.
- Test yourself with past papers or questions from your textbooks.
- Explain topics out loud like you’re teaching someone else — it really works.
- Colour-code notes or mind maps to make them easier to remember.
- Don’t study in bed — your brain associates it with sleep.
- Keep your phone away (unless you’re using it for revision apps).
- Reward yourself when you finish a study session — even something small like a chocolate bar counts!
For parents and guardians:
The main thing we need is support (and maybe fewer “Have you revised yet?” comments every five minutes). Let us study when we say we’re going to, and try not to make us feel bad for taking breaks — sometimes we actually need them. Encouragement helps a lot, especially when we get stressed or feel like we’re not doing enough.
Ways parents can help:
- Ask us if we need anything while revising (snacks, quiet space, etc.).
- Praise effort, not just results — it helps us keep going.
- Help us make a revision timetable if we’re struggling to plan.
- Remind us to take breaks and get sleep — all-nighters don’t work.
- Keep the house as quiet as possible when we’re studying.
By Rachel Mullen
