What's the best way to revise?
Different students swear by different approaches but in every case your best bet is to make a revision plan. It's never too early to suss out how much work you have to cover. Establish how much time you have available between now and the exams, and then draw up a realistic timetable. In working out how much time you should devote to each subject, try to concentrate on your weaknesses without losing sight of your strong points.
So I've set up a revision plan, what next?
Stick to it! That way you can keep track of how much work you've done and what you have left to cover. Choose a place in your house to revise where you won't be distracted. Also make your family aware of the fact that you need some peace and quiet during this time, so they know not to disturb you. Switch your revision between subjects to avoid becoming bored of a single topic. Look for fresh sources of information other than your notes from class. The internet for example offers some good learning resources - it's amazing what Google will find for you! Set yourself up with a 'reward' after every revision session. Nothing extravagant, just a small treat to get you back to your books. The most effective way to approach a revision session is to concentrate on understanding, rather than trying to memorise everything.
How do I cope when the exams get really close?
Avoid last minute revision the night before. Instead, complete your revision plan early, and then relax for the rest of the day. During this time, don't focus on passing or failing, if you've kept to your revision plan and you're calm, the answers should come out naturally. Just before the exam itself, don't go 'testing' yourself on specific questions, and when you finally sit down avoid rushing into things. Read the whole paper. Fingers-crossed you will pass. But failing doesn't mean that you're a failure in life. It simply means that you didn't make the grade in a particular subject - this time around.
What are the problems candidates can face?
Putting off revision, finding excuses to do other things or leaving all the work until the last minute. The fact is, the more you delay, the more likely you are to get in a stew and panic. Unless you stick to a sensible revision plan, there will always be the temptation to think negatively. In this situation, many people believe they're somehow unable to revise or are destined to fail. Some people are terrified of disappointing their parents. Often this is pressure they believe themselves. If you like your parents are on your back, talk to them. Clear the air to clear your head. Perhaps the biggest problem surrounding revision and exams is stress. It can make even the most hard-working person think they can't remember anything and can even lead to panic attacks.
So how should I deal with exam stress?
Try not to be frightened of stress, but see it as a positive force - after all, it keeps you on your toes mentally and can help you focus on the task in hand. Learn to recognise when you're stressing out and understand its causes. Often a break or a chat with someone who knows the pressure you're under will get things into perspective. Avoid comparing your ability with your mates. Everyone approaches revision in different ways, so just make sure you've chosen the method that works best for you.
Panic is often triggered by hyperventilating (quick, shallow breaths). So if you feel yourself loosing it during the exam, sit back for a moment and control your breathing. Steer clear of any exam 'post-mortem'. Learning how other people got on can lead to worry about under-achieving.
Ultimately, don't lose sight of the fact that there is life after exams. Things might seem intense right now, but it won't last forever.