Top 10 Revision Tips
- Before you begin, make a full revision timetable. This will help to keep you calm and stay focused.
- Get creative; try using a variety of techniques such as spider's web diagrams and writing key words in different colours to help recall information.
- Take frequent breaks! Everyone’s ability to retain information falls over time so we recommend taking regular breaks every 45 minutes to keep refreshed.
- Eat and drink healthily! Your brain needs to keep its energy levels up so eat fresh fruit and vegetables regularly and be sure to have a proper breakfast the morning of any assessments.
- Get plenty of exercise! It is one of the best ways to deal with stress.
- Make sure you give yourself time to relax and sleep well. It widely recommended to get between 7-8 hours’ sleep!
- Recognise when you’re stressing out. A break or chat with someone who knows the pressure you’re under can often put things into perspective.
- Avoid comparing your ability to others and make sure you’ve chosen the revision that works best for you!
- Make use of revision resources provided by your department, and don’t be afraid to ask for some where not.
- Reward yourself and build treats into your timetable! Plan something exciting to celebrate your effort at the end of your assessments.
Looking after yourself and your mental health during the pandemic
Practise self-care
It can be so easy to slip into the habit of sleeping late, spending all day in your pyjamas and eating junk food, but looking after yourself is essential for your mental health. Just ensuring you do simple tasks each day such as getting up and having a wash can feel difficult sometimes, but they can make a big difference to the way you feel.
1.Ensure you are getting fresh air
It can be difficult to motivate ourselves sometimes, but going for our daily exercise has never been so important. Even if you don’t enjoy exercise, just going out for a walk can really help make you feel better. When you’re indoors open your windows, let fresh air in. We know it’s tough at the moment, particularly if you don’t have access to your own outside space like a garden but try to ensure that you are still allowing fresh air to circulate wherever you are!
2. Eat healthily
We all enjoy indulging in something a little bit naughty from time to time, but ensuring you are eating a healthy, balanced diet can really improve how you feel.
3. Sleep
Being indoors all day can really affect your body clock. Try to ensure that you are getting enough sleep, you should be aiming for between 7-8hours a night. If you are struggling to get to sleep, try introducing a routine where you go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
4. Stay hydrated
Remember to drink plenty of water. Water helps your body to flush out any toxins. Staying hydrated will make it easier for you to concentrate at the task in hand.
5. Stick to a routine
It can be difficult when you have nowhere to be to motivate yourself to get up in the mornings; however if you try and stick to a routine it will help you continue to manage the balance of studying from home and taking time for yourself.
Staying connected
Keeping in touch with those you hold dear, be it friends, family or a partner is so important at the moment. It can feel lonely, particularly if you don’t have your support network around you. However, we are all different, and will have different preferences when it comes to keeping in touch.
Remember there are so many options available to us; ensure you pick ones that work for you:
- Telephone
- Text
- Email
- Social Media
- Video Calls
- Apps
- Letters
Support
We’re very aware that the current situation will for many be a sudden and abrupt period of change at a time which would otherwise have seen a lot of activity through organised events or informal friendship groups. The risk of loneliness and isolation in this period for everyone reminds us all of the importance of staying connected.
The Students’ Union also has a webpage dedicated to COVOID-19 Support.
Staying connected is regarded by many as one of the five main ways to maintain good wellbeing. We’ve created AberSU Covid-19 Peer Support | Cefnogaeth Cymheiriaid Facebook group to support this.
All Student Support services are now operating remotely and contact details can be found on the following web page www.aber.ac.uk/en/student-support/contact-us/.
Advice
The Students’ Union Advice Service is operating as usual via remote means.
You can contact the service using the contact the details below.
The service will operate video calling consultations via Zoom as required during usual drop-in times of 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm, Monday to Thursday. You can find the link on our Undeb Myfyrwyr Aberystwyth Students' Union Facebook page or on our website on the homepage underneath our Facebook handle.
Online: Using our enquiry form
By Email: union.advice@aber.ac.uk
By Phone: 01970 621712
The University is working hard to try and find working solutions to issues which are arising. Remember their dedicated coronavirus webpage is updated continuously. If your query is not covered by the FAQs please email coronavirus@aber.ac.uk where it will be passed to the relevant team to consider.
Stay safe and well.