Stay in the loop with all of my tips and tricks for the upcoming exam season…

 Exam season.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll probably scream into your pillow a few times a day as well.

Trust me, I know. 

But don't fret, I am here with all my tips and tricks on how to get through this academic year, and I promise, you'll get through it in one piece.

As a year 13 student who has sat my GCSE's and about to sit my A levels, there are a few things I will absolutely be doing differently this year...

Firstly, let's talk about mindset. 

Before you start rolling your eyes because you have most likely heard this such an incessant amount of times it’s starting to sound like a broken record, please just hear me out.

During my GCSE year, I found myself immensely overwhelmed by the idea of exams. Despite spending a great deal of my school career putting my all in, I had completely given up at the worst time I could have decided to give up.

While in certain subjects, maths and English, I had kept my resilience, I found myself wishing I had tried harder in my other subjects. 

Before I even walked into my history exam, I had decided that I was going to fail. Did that reflect in my exam results? Yes, absolutely it did. While I did still pass, I did not achieve the grade I wanted and the thought process I had at the time was at fault for that.

You can not give up before you have given yourself a chance!

If there is a subject you are struggling with, you need to start thinking about all the things that will help you overcome the struggle rather than focusing on the idea of failing. 

This brings me onto my next point...

Ask for help.

Your teacher is there for a reason. Don't worry, I get it. Not every teacher is approachable but there are other people and other sources that could be helpful. If you can't go to your teacher, go to a friend or ask the person next to you.

I tend to write down the area I need help with and do some research online once I am home. Use the media to your advantage!

There are so many different websites and apps you can use to help you achieve an understanding of anything you need support with. 

Of course, there are other factors to starting off your academic year strong. This next one you might find unexpected...

Diet.

Fuel your body! I can not stress this enough!

Last year, I really struggled with putting the right amount of food into my body. Through the school week, I was eating under 1000 calories and it caused me to be extremely tired. 

I had absoloutely no energy for anything and it not only reflected in my school work but it also reflected in my attitude. 

I was miserable.

This year, I have made a huge change to that. I do not leave the house without a healthy and colourful breakfast to start my morning. 

I pack a lunch filled with different nutrients to keep me energised and satiated. Just from doing this, I have not only been so much happier but my will to get things done and my recall within subjects have exceeded stupendously. 

School is also a lot less miserable.

I know. 

Trust me, get on this guys!

On to my next point...

Dress your best to feel your best!

Going to school feeling comfortable and secure in my appearance made a vast impact on my confidence.

I wear clothes that make me not only look smart but make me feel smart. Being put together not only has an impact on your own mindset but it makes the people around you look at you with higher regard.

Appearance matters.

So curl your hair. Put on a pretty outfit. Put a little mascara on. It makes all the difference.

And if you're in high school and still wear uniform, wear it properly. 

Even if you think it is 'uncool' to do up your blazer and wear your tie to a normal length, I promise you now, it is more uncool to look unkempt and like you haven't put any effort in. 

Stand up straight, smile and be prepared. 

Being organised...

Another biggie. 

Make sure you have all the equipment you need and I am not just talking stationary.

Yes, it is important that you have your stationary but you also need what I like to call an 'essentials bag.' I am sure many of you already know what this is and probably have one but for those who do not, an essentials bag is a small bag containing all of those little products that keep you smelling nice and looking presentable throughout the day. 

If anyone needs a little inspiration for what to put in this bag, this is what I put in mine...

• Hygiene products
• Lip gloss/ lip care
• Brow gel
• A packet of tissues
• Chewing gum
• Bobbles
• Claw clips
• Mini anti- perspirant 
• Hand cream
• Moisturiser

If you need folders or binders to organise your subjects, get them!

Organise your bags as well, this might just be me but the idea of everything having its own space genuinly eases my mind. It is much easier to find things, you will not regret it.

My next point also correlates with organisation...

Stop putting things off!

This last point is vital.

This goes for everything.

If you do not finish your work in lesson, finish it at home. If you get given homework, do it as soon as you can, preferably on the same day.

For those of you in college or sixth form, stop wasting your free periods!

If you have work to do, just do it.

Holding things off, especially in year 13, is the biggest mistake you will make.

Listen, it's a stressful time. It is. You do not need anymore weight put on your shoulders on top of exams. Having unfinished tasks is bound to make you feel weighed down.

By not getting things done, you are making your own life harder!

You know what that leads to?

The dreaded burnout. 

Save yourselves.