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[Futures](/luxegen/futures)

 /  08 January 2025  

#  Expert Tips For Smashing Your Exams  


Whether you’re prepping for mocks or the real deal, exams can cause a lot of anxiety. From clever hacks to productivity game-changers, here are some expert-approved techniques and tips to help you study more effectively.  


ByEleanor Magill

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## REFLECT ON WHAT WORKS 



  

“While everybody is unique in how they best learn and retain information, there are a multitude of strategies that you can use to ensure your revision is effective ahead of exams. We encourage all of our students to reflect on their approaches to revision as a starting point. Three questions to consider are: what revision techniques have you used previously? What did you find worked well and what didn’t work as well? How can you refine the process to get the results you want?” – *Stephen Ward, head of 11-18-year-olds at the* [*Stephen Perse Foundation*](https://www.stephenperse.com/our-people)

 

## Switch Up Your Environment 



  

“It might sound strange, but I really recommend getting out of the house. When you work in novel locations, it can help with memory retention. Parks, coffee shops, libraries or even just a different room can make a difference. It can also help to study while exercising at a moderate rate. Moving can improve focus, and it could just be on your walk to school, college or university. Audio is a great way to combine learning and being active.” – [*Ruth Kudzi*](http://www.ruthkudzi.com/)*, ex-deputy head, psychologist, consultant &amp; author*

 

## Study Smart 



  

“Use dead time to study. Think about those times when you don’t have anything to do, and you have spare minutes – on the bus? In the shower? Waiting for the kettle to boil? Repetition is powerful, so the more something is imprinted on your brain, the easier you will recall it. Also, become the examiner: creating your own questions can help you to recognise what might come up in the exam.” – *Ruth*

“There are some great tools out there worth making use of. Things like [Notion](https://www.notion.com/templates/study-tracker?srsltid=AfmBOooClk7VgwHmRP3U7MtBNckXZlyHdHt8VLNQUGJIL9QhDZZpcO8r) and [Anki](https://apps.ankiweb.net/) aren’t just helpful, they’re game-changers for keeping your study parts organised and tracking your progress.” – *Mohit S. Jain, founder of* [*Genie Academy*](https://www.genieacademy.com/)  
  
“When you're stuck on a concept or you're finding it difficult to retain information, try teaching yourself. Start at the beginning of the concept or topic and talk it through. When you get to a bit that's tricky to understand, it's probably an indication that you need to reassess your knowledge – sometimes simplifying concepts is only possible when you have a great understanding of them.” – [*Eloise Skinner*](https://www.eloiseskinner.com/)*, careers coach, psychotherapist &amp; author*

 

## VISUALISE A 'MEMORY PALACE' 



  

“A 'memory palace' is a strategy that enhances memorisation through visualising spatial locations. Your brain's spatial memory is exceptionally strong, so associating information with physical locations in your mind helps to strengthen your recall. Experts advise associating each room in your memory palace with a different famous person who performs a specific action (especially something bizarre, funny or surprising) related to the thing you wish to remember. I'd recommend reading *Moonwalking with Einstein* by Joshua Foer to better understand this technique.” – *Stephen*

 

## Have Fun – Yes, Really 



  

“Think about creating a song or a dance around a theme or drawing your own cartoon strip. The brain loves novelty and, when you’re in a positive mood, it can support you to work with more of your cognitive resources.” – *Ruth*

“Task stacking involves combining an unwanted task with one you look forward to, in order to provide you with more motivation. For example, for a piece of difficult revision, you might make yourself your favourite drink or light a cosy candle. If you work well with music, you could make a playlist to get you through the more challenging hours.” – *Eloise*   
  
“Changing the format of how you consume information, such as text to a video or podcast, engages different brain pathways, enriching your learning experience and making it more likely you can access the information from your memory during an exam. Try to bring the subject to life for yourself however you can, whether that's by using funny mnemonics or creating memorable imagery or audio or video content to help you.” – *Stephen*

 

## USE THE PROTÉGÉ EFFECT 



  

“Explaining a topic to someone else reinforces your understanding of the information and creates deeper connections in your brain, known as the 'protégé effect'. Doing so forces you to actively retrieve the information rather than passively reading, reviewing or reciting the information, making it more likely that you will be able to retrieve it again, say later for a test. You may also find it beneficial to create an instructional video on the topic that you can rewatch, which will help further reinforce your understanding and recall.” – *Stephen*

 

## Prioritise Breaks &amp; Balance 



  

“Your timetable should include dedicated study periods, breaks and non-exam-related activities. By incorporating breaks and leisure time into your plan, you’re more likely to feel engaged. After all, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for long-term success.” – *Ryan,* **former teacher, now director of studies at** [**TLC LIVE**](https://www.tlclive.com/) **and headteacher at** [**TLC LIVE Online School**](//school.tlclive.com/)**.**

“When you spend time studying, you should mark your progress with a small reward. This releases dopamine and means that you’re more likely to repeat the behaviour, helping to build stronger study habits.” – *Ruth*

 

## Use Caffeine Strategically 



  

“A cup of coffee can help with alertness but don’t rely on it too heavily. Instead, use caffeine strategically by consuming it in the morning to boost focus, but avoiding it in the afternoon or evening to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. If caffeine makes you anxious, consider adaptogenic mushroom coffee drinks.” – [*Hannah Trueman*](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/hannah-trueman-12ba63196)*, dietetic medicine specialist &amp; lead nutritionist*

 

## Find Your Why 



  

“During stressful revision times, it can be easy to forget why our exams are meaningful to us. Reminding ourselves of the deeper purpose behind our studies can help to provide us with a sense of motivation and determination. Ask yourself, why are these exams important to me? What will they allow me to do in the future? Perhaps even create a visual reminder of your ambitions (a vision board, for example) and keep it somewhere you can see it.” – *Eloise*

 

*Visit* [GENIEACADEMY.COM,](https://www.genieacademy.com/) [RUTHKUDZI.COM, ](http://www.ruthkudzi.com/)[ELOISESKINNER.COM](https://www.eloiseskinner.com/), [STEPHENPERSE.COM,](https://www.stephenperse.com/) [UK.LINKEDIN.COM](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/hannah-trueman-12ba63196) &amp; [SCHOOL.TLCLIVE.COM](https://school.tlclive.com/)

 

*Inspiration credit* : [@ManonDeVelder](https://www.instagram.com/manondevelder/?hl=en)

 

 

 

 

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