Hi! I’m Polina, a second-year university student and Marketing Assistant here at Working Options. After all the waiting – and the accompanying worry – exam season is here! Today, I’d like to share my best last-minute tips for feeling calmer and more prepared as you head into your exams.   

1. Firstly, go through past and specimen papers to understand the structure of the exam and types of questions it includes. Based on this, plan the approximate amount of time you will spend on each question and create a structure for answering questions.   
   For example, deciding how many paragraphs you want to use and how you want to organise your arguments.   
   This will mean that you don’t have to spend time on this during the exam and will have a structure for staying within the exam time limit.  
      
2. During your final days of revision, study techniques where you actively recall information are key as this will make sure you have committed your learnings to memory. Do as many past papers as you can to recap what you learned and to perfect your exam technique. You can also find many pre-made flashcards on Quizlet to avoid wasting time making them.  
     
3. While revising, make sure to note down the questions you struggle with. By doing this, you will understand your weaknesses. Now, focus your time on this information, and ask your teachers to clear anything up so that you are confident in all topics before your exam. There’s no need to repeat basic information that you already know many times, even if it makes you feel better prepared, as this will just take study time away from what is really important for you.                                              
4. Before leaving for school and going to the exam hall, make sure you have everything you need – take extra pens, pencils and a correct calculator if required. I would also recommend taking water to make sure you are hydrated throughout the exam. Did you know that students who take water into their exam have been found to score 5% higher on average!                                                                   
5. Finally, remember to take care of yourself. Even during your last days of intensive revision, do not forget to take time to care for your mental and physical health and make sure to sleep plenty. Also, make sure to eat and drink enough, this will help you feel better during your exams, making sure you can focus and do well. You can read my advice and app recommendations for this here: https://workingoptions.org.uk/student-zone/how-i-take-care-of-my-mental-health-as-a-student/   

  Thanks for reading, and I hope these tips help. Best of luck, just the final push is left!   

And please remember, although exams are important, if things do not go to plan and you do not do as well as you want to, please don’t get disheartened:
 

• Stay calm and positive: It’s natural to feel frustrated or upset but try not to dwell on the failure. Maintain a positive mindset and believe in your ability to improve and overcome setbacks like this. 
• Learn from the experience, failure is an opportunity for growth. Reflect on the reasons, ask for feedback and make your plan – sometimes there is also the opportunity to resit your exam. 
• Stay motivated, you’ve got this, and you WILL reach your goals.  

 Remember, one exam does not define your abilities or limit your potential. Stay focused, learn from your mistakes, and keep moving forward. With perseverance and the right approach, you can bounce back and achieve success.