Revising at Home

Easter vacation is well underway and it’s time to discuss that horrible topic: revision. Everyone shudders at the thought of starting revision and we know exactly how to spend our time NOT doing the work we should be doing – it’s a secret talent of ours. But this post is dedicated to helping out with revision and trying to make it seem that bit less daunting. We all know that the university environment can be amazing for revision: we have a huge library with loads of quiet and noisy seating areas, common rooms in lots of the departments, University House, the Rootes Learning Grid and so many other little areas around campus that are ideal for getting your head in your books. But this post looks at what happens when you come home for Easter.

That first weekend at home is heaven: mum waits on you hand and foot, your bed is fresh and cosy, your dog is as cute as ever and your entire circle of family and friends is desperate to catch up with you. So how guilty do we all feel when we have to send that "I’m so sorry guys I’ve got too much work to do :(" text. Being at home seems like a dream after working so hard at university for ten weeks, but in reality it’s an extremely difficult experience to balance your work and home life now that you’re being pestered by parents and friends to go out or do jobs or walk the dog. Sometimes I feel like I would’ve got so much more done if I’d stayed in Leamington…but I just can’t resist the family Sunday lunch.

So here’s what you need to do:

Plan, plan and plan!

It’s so cliche to go out and buy or make a revision timetable but they are total lifesavers – especially at home. Use these timetables to plan in what revision you want to do and which days you want to dedicate to going out with friends and family. I try to plan my days off when my parents aren’t at work, so I can spend time with them and use the days when nobody is home for the hard revision sessions that need to be in silence (it’s hard learning a language when the dog is pestering you for a walk!).

Dont be afraid to say no!

It’s a horrible feeling when you have to keep rejecting offers of lunch and trips to your grandparents’ houses but unfortunatey it has to be done. So don’t be afraid to say no if you think you have too much revision to fit in: it may feel sad at the time but I promise your friends and family will totally understand your reasons! And don’t forget that your Easter holiday is 5 weeks long; you can always find a day later on in the holiday to make it up to them!

Make sure your parents understand the importance of revision.

For the parents who have attended university they usually understand the pressure you’re experiencing and know when to leave you to work in peace. But for mine (neither of which attended university) it was initially very hard trying to explain to them that an hour a day of revision just wouldn’t cut it! So the most important thing to do in this situation is to sit them down and try to fully explain the work you’ve got to do and how they can help. Mine were so understanding and my mum has found the perfect way to keep me working hard: she often brings me a cup of tea and some chocolate treats to keep me going, and knows to ask if I want to walk the dog with her to get out in the fresh air for an hour. These things may seem insignificant to others, but they truly mean a lot to me. And knowing how to act around me during my stressy revision moods means I’m getting on really well with my parents who I know just want to support me.

So good luck with all your revision, keep working hard and I promise it’ll all pay off!

Happy Studying!