How to Revise Effectively for Your University Exams

Start Planning Early 

Revision doesn't start weeks before the exam - it starts on day one. The moment you walk into your first lecture, you should be prepping for when revision season comes around.

Starting early means you avoid the stress of all-nighters and last-minute cramming. No one performs well when they're exhausted and trying to absorb a semester's worth of content in 24 hours.

Here's what works: actively listen during lectures instead of frantically typing every word. Give yourself an hour after each session to write up your notes from the slides. By the time exam season arrives, you'll have everything organised, in one place and ready to go.

Use Revision Apps

There are plenty of revision apps that can help you prepare for your exams. They make studying more engaging and less tedious by switching up your approach. Quizlet lets you create flashcards to test yourself and others on exam content, while Forest helps you stay focused by setting study timers. Check out some of our other favourites below.

• Quizlet

• MindMeister

• Seneca

• Forest

Make a revision Timetable

And actually use it…

A revision timetable maps out what you need to cover and when. Break each subject into manageable chunks, so you're not overwhelmed.

Prioritise the topics that need your attention most, and revisit them regularly - repetition is key to keeping information fresh. Don't just tick off a topic once and move on; schedule time to review it weekly so it sticks.

Practice with Past Papers

Past papers are your secret weapon for moving into higher grade boundaries. They show you the types of questions that come up and, more importantly, how to answer them using the mark scheme.

You can find past papers on exam board websites (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, SQA, CCEA) or through your lecturers and university library.

Try answering the questions under timed conditions. In doing so, you’ll be able to pinpoint which areas you find most challenging and work through them accordingly.

Take time for yourself

Exam success isn’t just about learning and memorising. It’s about looking after yourself, both physically and mentally.

Sleep matters. In fact, studies show you need at least seven hours a night to function at your best. Anything less affects your attention span, problem-solving ability, memory, and energy levels, which is the last thing you want when exam season rolls around. 

Work in one-hour blocks with breaks in between so that your brain can recharge. Use those breaks to grab a drink, stretch, or move your body. It's not wasted time! It reduces stress and helps your brain retain information.

Teach your friends and family

One of the best ways to test your understanding is to explain it to someone else. If you're confident in a topic, teach it to a friend. Run through notes together, quiz each other, or work through past papers as a group.

You could also ask family members to test you on key concepts. Some people thrive in group study sessions, others will prefer to work independently - find what works for you, whether that's voice memos, rewriting notes, or talking through ideas out loud.

Reward yourself

Revision is intense, so celebrate your progress. Finish a challenging past paper? Take the evening off. Received a good grade in your mock test? Have a lie-in the next day. 

Balance is everything. Protecting your mental and physical health isn't optional - it's essential. And remember, the best reward is seeing the grade you worked for at the end of the term.

Stay Calm

Nerves before exams are completely normal. They're a sign you care about doing well.

If anxiety starts to take over, try grounding techniques like meditation - close your eyes, focus on your breathing, and let the stress drain away, even if it's just for a few minutes. Music can help too.

You've made it through this guide, and that's a great first step. Put these tips into practice, trust your preparation, and stay calm under pressure. You've got this.