As many of you are sitting the GDL and LPC exams in the coming months. We here at F-LEX thought we would give you are top tips to revision.

1. Visual Learning

My top tip for revision is to find out what works best for you. I’m a visual learner so for me, that means colours, highlighters, bubbles, underlining, anything to help things stand out.

2. Repetition, repetition, repetition

Other than that, it’s also just about repetition repetition repetition. I find it the best way to get things into my head. Oh and blueberries are the ultimate brain snack.

3. Schedule your revision

I would strongly recommend a revision timetable. Decide how many hours you need to revise for each exam then put all these into a colour coded spreadsheet. Try to stick to your timetable and put away your phone while you are revising. 

4. Keep some perspective

Get lots of sleep and remember to keep some perspective on things; it's an incredibly stressful time but it really isn't the end of the world if you fail! Good luck!!

5. Test yourself and teach others

I like to get someone to test me or even try teaching someone who doesn’t know anything about the content. This helps me to see how much I’ve actually understood the content and so I can go back to particular topics.

6. Try past papers

Also, past papers!! If you can get access to past exam questions, this is a great way to get used to the style of questioning and if you can have access to sample answers, you can see how much detail you need to go into when answering questions (this helps to prevent cramming too much info!). 

 7. Get organised

Have a file per module, where you keep all of your notes, practice papers etc. 

8. Say it out-loud

I always find it useful to go through my revision out loud (probably not the best approach for libraries!)

9. Condense your notes

I start with my lecture notes, then create mind maps with key points and cases, then condense these to small flashcards. If you are a visual learner, remembering where each key point/case lies on the mind map can be really helpful. 

10. Flashcards

Test your notes by answering practice questions with your condensed flashcards, and when you feel ready, lose the flashcards! You may be able to remember all the information, but it's useless if you can't adapt and apply it to exam questions.

11. Practise your timing

If you know how many questions you are going to be asked, work out how long you have to answer each question and practice writing answers within this time frame. You should then be able to work out what information is key to each topic. 

12. Don’t panic the night before!

Don't panic the night before! More information has gone in than you think. Getting a good sleep is so important and pack your bag the night before to save panic on the morning. 

13. Discuss with friend

My top revision tip (my god it's been a long time) is getting together with a friend to discuss the exam topics.

14. Create your study bible

Summarising notes down into a ‘study bible’: Go through each course and condense it down into the most summarised format I possibly could (along with a good index). The process of reading over and summarising the course helped retain information and also gave an easy to digest set of notes for last minute swot before the exam.

15. Understand the exam

 Understand the exam! I.e. understand the structure of the exam, what’s likely to be asked, the style of question etc. Do every past paper you can get your hands on!

So there you have it. A collection of our tips and tricks to help you smash your exams. Everyone here at F-LEX wishes you the best of luck!