How to make a revision timetable… and stick to it!

Easter break has felt like a breath of fresh air after a long Term 2. Better catch that breath quick, though! Exams are right around the corner, and after you’ve given yourself a well-deserved break it’s a great idea to get a head start on revision before you find yourself snowed under. While some people can be super-organised (I hold my hands up), others can really struggle to find the motivation to create a well-structured exam routine. I’ve put together a few tips to help you draft a solid revision time table that you will (hopefully) stick to!

1: List it or miss it!

Step one to creating your perfect revision timetable is a really simple one: get a pen and paper and write down all the topics you need to cover for your exams. Make sure you divide them into their relevant modules so you don’t get mixed up! This will be an immediate jog to the memory that will help dust off the debris of Term 2 and remind you of what you have covered across the whole academic year.

2: Categorise and prioritise

Hopefully you’ve got a long time to prepare before your exams start, but it can be really helpful to prioritise certain modules if you know that the exam is coming up early. If you’re not sure about when your exams are, try grouping the topics from your list into logical categories. Sometimes lectures aren’t always given in an order that works with your way of thinking, so this is your chance to change that. Once you’ve numbered your topics in order of priority, re-write them in order and put tick boxes next to them. This way you’ll know which topics you’ve covered, and you’ll also be able to see how much progress you’ve been making with your revision in the lead-up to exams.

3: Timetable

Creating the actual revision timetable is the fun bit. I usually keep it nice and simple, with a colour for each module. Divide the week into days, and the days into short bursts. If you know you’re good at self-motivated study, you might only need two boxes for each day (morning and afternoon). If you’re less good at keeping organised, it’s better to have more to help you keep a regimented routine. Don’t forget to take breaks between each short burst of work to make tea, get some fresh air and have a snack. I also strongly advise setting a finish time for your day, and making sure to put all your work aside after this so that you can rest and recuperate (revision is more exhausting than it would appear!).

Here’s a blank revision timetable for you to try! It has 15-minute breaks factored in throughout the day, and an hour lunch break. Your own timetable may look completely different to this, but it’s always useful to get some inspiration.

4: Sticking to it!

Making the timetable is the easy part, but adhering to it is another matter entirely. The reason I factor in breaks with my timetables is so that I can use them to rest and reward myself. I’m not a natural reviser, and it has taken me since GCSEs to work out a routine that works for me. By rewarding myself with snacks, a short episode of something on Netflix, or a walk around the block, I am more encouraged to focus on work in between. I also use the Forest app which stops me from using my phone during revision sessions. The earlier you get started, the more time you will have to factor in breaks and evenings off which will prevent stress and late-night cramming later on.

Hopefully these tips help you to create your perfect revision timetable. Make sure to rest and recuperate before you start revising, as you won’t be able to do anything effectively if you’re overtired from last term!

Good luck!

Becca.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my post on how to create the perfect revision playlist! https://our.warwick.ac.uk/finding-the-perfect-revision-playlist/