Top tips - April 2007

This month's Top Tips are from Bill Boyd, Programme Manager at LTS.

Here are some really great top tips on preparing for exams! You can use these yourself or pass them on to your pupils in the future.

• Plan ahead. Don’t just leave things to chance but draw up a timetable which includes study times, subjects, topics, etc, but also includes other activities.

• Never study for more than 40 minutes at a time. Read in complete silence and then listen to a favourite piece of music in the breaks as a ‘reward’, but don’t do both at the same time.

• Pictures are easier to remember than words. Draw something to represent what you want to express in writing. You will remember it, no matter how bad the drawing is. In fact, the worse the drawing, the more effective it will be.

• Eat well. Try to avoid food with too much fat and sugar in it as it will make you feel tired and lethargic.

• Drink water at regular intervals. Avoid alcohol as far as possible or use the promise of a glass of your favourite drink as a reward at the end of the day.

• Take some exercise. Running, walking, swimming and cycling are good as they increase the heart rate, increase the amount of oxygen to the brain and help you to relax.

• Keep things in perspective and think positively. If you fail this time around the world doesn’t end. You just need to plan your next move.