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University season has really crept up on us, hasn’t it?

I don’t know about you but as soon as I begin University, I start to allow all of the upcoming tests and exams consume my mind! Yes, I am a walking stress machine… Stressing out about exams can be very counterproductive but it motivates me to do everything I can, to make sure I am as prepared as possible.

As I begin my second year of university, its safe to say that I have done my fair share of exams and tests in my lifetime. So, I thought it was only fitting to give you tips on how to be more efficient and productive, which would ultimately increase your grades! Efficiency and productivity really are the foundation for doing well.

If you want 9 tips on how to be more efficient and productive so you can ACE all of your upcoming tests and exams, keep on reading…

TIPS FOR EVERY UNI STUDENT TO ACE YOUR EXAMS:

1. MAKE YOUR DEADLINES A FEW DAYS EARLIER

Do you find yourself leaving your work until the day before your work is due? Because same… I wasn’t THAT bad, but when it came to subjects I couldn’t stand in school I would leave it till the last minute! Not a wise idea… Thankfully, when I started university, I was able to get rid of this bad habit.

Now, to prevent producing half-assed work, the key is to trick your mind. Bare with me…

Do you feel like your brain is overly ambitious when you are writing a to-do list? I’ve persuaded myself that it happens to the best of us because why is my brain telling me that I can write a 10-page lab report in 2 hours? Yep, no, that is not possible for the average human.

So, in order to prevent this, I like to push my deadlines forward in my calendar to make sure that I get all my assignments done in time.

Side note: I apply this technique to everything I am doing, including my site, I am currently writing this on the 18th of August…

Let me explain this a little more…

If I have coursework due on the 30th September, I would change the deadline to 2-4 days prior. That way, I start the task earlier and I can spend more time on it. If something comes out where I can’t get my coursework done, I still have 2-4 days to complete it.

2. STAY ON TOP OF YOUR DEADLINES

Changing your deadline to a few days earlier in one thing, actually staying on top of your deadlines is on a whole other level!

As soon as you get any work or a date for your exam, make it your priority to make a game plan to start working towards your deadline as soon as possible. If it’s: revising, writing an essay or just keeping on top of your revision notes, starting is the first and greatest hurdle. Once you start, you’ll find it so much easier to stay on top of your work.

3. MAKE A TOPIC CHECKLIST

I SWEAR by this tip! Writing a topic list for each module is one of my favourite ways to organise and make sure I revise EVERYTHING in time. When I know a test or exam season is approaching, I will go create a checklist on Microsoft Word or GoodNotes with every topic and subtopic that I need to go over.

4. FIND A STUDY BUDDY

Throughout school, I always thrived on having a companion where we can keep each other accountable and going to each other when we are struggling on. Also, during exam season, you can even create a study plan together!

If you don’t work well studying with other people, I suggest watching “study with me” on YouTube. Having a virtual study buddy gives you so much motivation when studying.

MY FAVOURITE STUDY WITH ME YOUTUBERS:

• ELLOITSANGELA
• KHARMA MEDIC
• THE STRIVE STUDIES

5. USE A DRY-ERASE BOARD

Teachers in schools used to RINSE “mini-whiteboards”, my friends and I would always get annoyed when all we did was use them. But honestly, now, I can’t live without mine.

If you are a visual learner or work well with repetition, you NEED to buy a whiteboard, it should be one of your dorm essentials.

I have linked the whiteboard and pen that I use daily below!

Ways in which I use my mini whiteboard are: practicing chemical reaction pathways, answering maths questions and drafting longer pieces of writing.

6. WRITE CUTE NOTES

When it comes to writing notes, the way they look is my priority (as well as the content in it of course)! In order to make me want to re-read my notes before my exams, they HAVE TO be visually pleasing to me. Having said that, I don’t go as crazy as other “study grammars” but I do take pride in creating pretty titles and having some sort of colour theme for each topic.

SECRETS FROM ESSE: A FEW YEARS AGO, I ACTUALLY HAD MY OWN STUDYGRAM WHERE I WOULD POST ALL OF MY A LEVEL NOTES

I love writing notes because I find that it helps get some knowledge in my head before I really dive into other revision techniques. Drawing pictures/ colour-coding is perfect for visual learners as well!

In the past, I would watch Youtube or Netflix whilst writing my notes to make time pass quicker. Although it would help me sit down and write my notes for hours at a time, I found that I wasn’t retaining enough information. So now I try and listen to instrumentalists to help prevent this.

7. USE SELF CONTROL APPS

If you struggle with getting easily distracted, this should be essential for you! My favourite apps are Self Control and the Forest app!

Self Control

Throughout Year 12 and 13 (otherwise known as hell due to A levels), I would get lost on Youtube and Netflix. Whilst I was on Youtube, I found about the Self Control plugin.

All you have to do is type “Self control plugin” into Google and it will automatically be installed onto your bookmarks toolbar.

Then, you can add all the websites that you want to be blocked from, for a certain amount of time.

Websites I add to my block list:

• Youtube
• Emails- both personal and business
• Netflix- I’m sure you can all relate…
• Pinterest- I can scroll endlessly on Pinterest for anything from fashion to organisation inspiration

Forest

Am I the only one that lives off and depends their happiness on small things like “streaks”?

I may be going slightly off-topic here, but when Snapchat streaks were a thing my happiness during the day depended on whether I had lost any streaks that day. 2 years later, you girl has finally outgrown that trait!

If you are as insane as me, Forest is perfect for you.

How does Forest work?

1. When you want to start focusing you plant a tree
2. During the the time you are working, your tree will grow
3. However, leaving the app will kill your tree (a big no no)
4. The longer you stay focused, the more trees you grow

PLANT REAL TREES WITH FOREST, BY SPENDING VIRTUAL COINS YOU EARN TO PLANT REAL TREES!

I spoke about why I love and use self-control apps regularly in my Ultimate Student Starter Pack.

8. CHANGE UP YOUR STUDY SPACES

At times, (especially when I’m not in the mood to work) i find myself getting distracted and bored of my study space very easily.

When I find myself in one of these moods, I like to change up where I’m studying to give me a bit of motivation. This could be going from a group study room to the library or to your bedroom.

You can even have a specific place to study for each module or a certain day of the week.

Studies show that making changes to your environment will increase your productivity, effectiveness.

9. WORK DURING YOUR OPTIMUM ENERGY LEVELS

Throughout the day, my energy levels fluctuate. When I wake up (depending on how many hours of sleep I get) I’m not energised. I need a good hour to feel somewhat awake and ready to get my day started.

If you are lucky enough to wake up and instantly jump out of bed to your desk, YOU ARE EXTREMELY LUCKY! Take advantage of this time by putting the tasks that will take you the most time first.

Having said that, you may not know or remember your optimum energy levels, so you can spend the next week experimenting and observing your productivity. Once you know, schedule everything that is important for you to get done during that time slot. Then other tasks that you need to do that uses less brain power e.g. cleaning, grocery shopping and laundry.

And that’s it!

I hope you were able to learn a few tips to stay increase your productivity and efficiency which will ultimately help you get better grades in your exams!

If there are any topics you would like me to write about, please let me know anytime in the comments section below.

See you next Monday xx

OTHER UNIVERSITY RELATED POSTS:

• 10 DORM ROOM ITEMS I COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT + FREE PACKING LIST
• 40+ DORM ROOM ESSENTIALS
• THE ULTIMATE STUDENT STARTER PACK: APPS, WEBSITES, SHOPS + MORE
• 13 WAYS TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE PREPARED FOR EVERY SEMESTER
• 12 GENIUS WAYS TO TRANSFORM YOUR DORM INTO A HOME