Study Tips for Exams and Assignments

By Alana C

Studying at university can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when balancing coursework, exams, and other deadlines. Whether you’re tackling a tough assignment or preparing for end-of-year exams, having the right study strategies can make all the difference. But studying smarter – not just harder – is the key to success! 

In this blog, I’ll explore study tips to help you manage your time effectively, improve your revision techniques, and boost your productivity. From making the most of university resources to reducing exam stress, these strategies will set you up for academic success. 

Whether you’re in your first year or preparing for your final exams, these tips will help you stay organised, focused, and confident in your studies. Let’s dive in! 

Effective Time Management 

Managing your time effectively is key to balancing coursework and revision, as well as your personal life! Start by creating a study timetable that breaks tasks down into manageable chunks, prioritising deadlines and exam dates. Digital tools such as Google Calendar, Notion, and Miro can be particularly helpful for this. The Pomodoro Technique – studying for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break – can improve focus and prevent burnout. Or if you’re worried that you’ll pick your phone up and get distracted, then apps like Flora can help motivate you to stop using your phone for a set period. Time-blocking is another effective method, allowing you to dedicate specific periods to different subjects. Staying organised will reduce last-minute stress and improve your productivity! 

Research and Essay Writing Tips 

A well-researched and structured essay is crucial for achieving high grades. Start by using credible academic sources from Google Scholar or your university library database, instead of generic websites. Planning your essay is key – create an outline with a clear introduction, your main argument points supported by evidence, and a concise conclusion. Avoid plagiarism by correctly citing sources using the required reference style (APA, Harvard, or MLA). I always find it helpful to use Grammarly as it highlights any spelling errors I’ve made and ways I could refine my work – Just be sure to avoid switching to American spellings! When you submit your work, Turnitin will generate an originality score, which can be useful for identifying any potential referencing errors. However, a high score isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, especially if your work includes numerous references!

Making the Most of University Resources 

All universities offer a range of academic and student support services that students often overlook! Attending office hours is a great way to get personalised feedback from lecturers, helping to clarify difficult concepts. Sometimes lecturers are able to review your work so far which can help you to edit your assignment and make it even stronger! Use any previous feedback from prior essays to ensure you don’t make the same mistakes. Most universities have writing centres or online support to assist you with writing essays. Many universities have Royal Literary Fund Fellows, who are professional writers that discuss all aspects of writing in a 1-1 setting – including structuring an argument, making the essay clearer, and improving style. There may even be study groups you can join to make your learning more interactive! Additionally, accessing past papers and marking schemes can provide insight into exam formats and expectations, giving you an edge in preparation. 

Smart Study Strategies 

Cramming the night before an exam is ineffective for retention of information, so adopting active learning techniques is essential. Active recall-based strategies have been highlighted as a particularly effective technique for long-term learning. Testing yourself on information instead of passively re-reading notes, such as using flashcards (either homemade or using websites like Quizlet or Anki) can be extremely helpful. 

My personal favourite for active recall is making mind maps. On Goodnotes, I’ll write out the key information I need for an exam. Once I believe that I’ve learnt the information, I’ll make a new mind map and recall all of the information that I can. With the information I’ve forgotten, I’ll write it in red to highlight the elements I need to focus on more. Then rinse and repeat until I can fully recall the mind map! Other active recall strategies can involve working with friends, whether it’s teaching them a concept or asking each other potential questions that will be in the exam. 

Here’s an example from one of my Psychology Modules:

An example active recall mind map Alana used to revise her analysing attitudes to work and performance module (PSY102).

Exam Preparation and Revision Techniques 

Effective exam preparation starts weeks in advance. Begin by reviewing past papers and marking schemes to familiarise yourself with common question types. Practice answering questions under timed conditions to improve speed and accuracy – especially if you’re lucky enough to be given the exam questions in advance! Chunking – breaking topics into smaller sections – helps with digesting large amounts of information with revision being active. Apply the 80/20 rule throughout your revision, focus on the most tested topics, rather than trying to memorise everything. Prioritising key concepts ensures efficient use of revision time. 

To manage stress, incorporate relaxation techniques such as meditation, exercise, or short walks to keep your mind refreshed and focused. I’m a big advocate for using exercise as a stress release – whether it is high intensity or not (check out my fitness page @alanafiit!). Having a pre-exam routine is extremely useful! Avoid last-minute panic by packing essentials the night before, review key concepts briefly, and arrive at your exam early. Personally, I choose to get up earlier than normal and either go for a walk or run before an exam to settle my nerves, but this won’t necessarily help everyone. At the end of the day, you know yourself best! Create a pre-exam ritual that works best for you. A calm and confident mindset can significantly impact performance.  

Staying Motivated and Avoiding Burnout 

Maintaining motivation throughout the academic year can be challenging, especially during intense exam periods. Setting realistic study goals and rewarding progress – whether through a small teat, breaks, or social activities – can keep you on track. Avoid burnout by scheduling regular breaks, exercise, and sufficient sleep. A change in environment can improve focus. I find that going to the library leads to more successful studying sessions compared to my room. Or even splitting a revision day by going to the library in the morning and a café in the afternoon, by yourself or with friends, can be more productive than forcing yourself to sit in the same seat for hours on end! If you feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek support from university wellbeing services or friends. Remember, productivity is about working smarter, not longer!  

Ultimately, studying for exams and completing assignments at university doesn’t have to be overwhelming! By using effective time management, active study techniques, and university resources, you can boost your productivity and reduce stress. Remember to start early, stay organised, and find a study routine that works for you. It’s also important to take care of yourself – balancing study sessions with breaks, exercise, and proper rest will keep you focused and motivated. With the right approach, you can study smarter, perform better, and feel more confident in your academic journey.  

Now it’s time to put these tips into action – good luck with your studies!📚