Making the Best Use of Easter Holidays to Ace Your Exams
Daffodils are popping out of the soil, trees are starting to bud, and the sun has finally remembered it has a daily obligation. Spring is in full swing and the Easter Holidays are fast approaching. However, while holidays are normally a cause for rest and relaxation, Easter tends to be when it all kicks into high gear for those of us with exams. After all, exam results matter. GCSEs can affect your sixth form choices, AS levels can limit your university options and A levels decide whether you’ve met your offer. So how can you best use Easter to prepare?
1. Rest and relax
Admittedly, this seems slightly counter-intuitive; I’ve just explained how important exams can be. However, you’ve just finished a term of hard work at school. Before you throw yourself fully into revision, take a few days to recharge. You won’t learn anything if you’re exhausted.
2. Set realistic goals
How many of us have convinced ourselves that we can write a 2000 word essay in under an hour? Or that it surely can’t be that hard to master a new skill in one evening? You won’t revise effectively if you’re pushing yourself too hard, and overloading yourself with information is a good way to make sure you don’t remember any of it. Set realistic goals, such as learning a few quotes from each poem, rather than the whole anthology by heart, or pushing your average Maths paper score from 60% to 70%. Bonus: achieving these goals will improve your motivation and confidence!
3. Set up your study space
So you’re halfway through writing summaries of your Biology notes. And your younger sibling plonks themselves down on the couch next to you and turns on a terrible reality show. Even if you can avoid being sucked in, you won’t be able to concentrate. Setting up a space to work – where everyone you live with knows you will be working – is invaluable. You need a desk or table and a chair. Ideally, keep all the stationery you need (I would pick A3 paper and coloured pens) nearby. The less often you need to get up, the less distracted you are likely to be.
4. Create a routine
Don’t worry, I’m not going to suggest 6am wake ups. However, I do suggest waking up at a similar time each day, eating three (healthy-ish) meals a day, and fitting in some fresh air. Waking up at 10.30am each day is fine – as long as you don’t spend the next five hours making the most elaborate brunch known to man. Make sensible use of your time; creating a simple routine can help you settle to work, if you know you have time for relaxing scheduled in later.
5. Enlist support
There’s no reason to struggle through tricky topics alone. Doxa can provide help with any and all subjects, from 11+ all the way up to Master’s courses. Our tutors are friendly and supportive. They know how tricky exams can be, and they’re here to help you be as prepared as possible. Get in touch today and see how we can help you, whether you’re looking for a bit of extra encouragement, or urgent help.
And finally, a few “don’t”s.
First of all, step away from the studygrams. I understand the lure of a pretty highlighter – but it won’t improve your results.
Secondly, remember that your exam results do not define you. Academic achievement is great, but not as important as your mental health. Take care of yourself.
Finally, don’t give up. Exams can be scary, but you’re in a great position to prepare. It is possible to go from an “E” in a winter mock to an A* in the summer exams – and I say that because I did it.
Author: Ashley - Mentor Manager
Doxa Staff
I’m the Mentor Manager for Doxa. I completed a Secondary English PGCE at Cambridge and have taught at top grammar schools. I recently finished an MEd at Cambridge and am in charge of Doxa’s mentors.
