Achieving a Revision/Life Balance

Don’t let revision ruin your life…and vice versa

When exams start looming there seems to be two types of people: the revisers and the procrastinators. While the revisers move into the library, neglecting all responsibilities beyond their revision notes, procrastinators can often be found using everyday life as an excuse to avoid work. But, if there’s one thing you should take away from this exam season let it be this:

Revision, like everything in life, is about balance. Here are just a few tips to help you achieve it.

Brain vs dishes

When living with a mixture of procrastinators and revisers, it can seem like one person’s doing all the housework, in an effort to avoid revision. Meanwhile another housemate is only doing revision and neglecting the housework, creating a wobbling tower of dirty plates by the sink.

During exams no one needs the added pressure of housemate tensions. To avoid this, try devising a rota and allocating jobs. All the while bearing in mind when people have exams. Alternatively, take a more relaxed approach by promising that you’ll each do your bit at a time that suits you. Conversations along these lines will ensure you’re all on the same page and helping each other do well.

Brain freeze

Like housework, preparing meals can seem like a chore when revision stress creeps in. If you know you won’t be feeling like Jamie Oliver in the middle of exams then plan ahead.

Home comforts such as curry and chilli are simple to make but will last for a few months in the freezer. Simply leave them to defrost in the fridge the night before and voila: a home cooked meal that only needs to be heated in the microwave, freeing up plenty of time for revision. Plus, no one can deny that knowing they’re having something yummy for dinner puts them in a great mood for the rest of the day!

Here are some tasty freezer friendly recipes.

Alternatively live off ice cream and frozen pizzas if that’s what you need to be productive!

Is Haribo brain food?

Continuing on the theme of food, there’s nothing worse than having to leave the library earlier than planned because hunger is ruining your productivity.

Regardless of whether its hunger or boredom that’s getting in your way, the simple solution is snacks! For those who are actually hungry, something to nibble on will see you through that last hour of revision before dinner.

Alternatively, if you’re not actually hungry, just bored, then taking a ten-minute snack break will clear your head, leaving you motivated and ready to get back to work. So whether its fresh fruit or a bar of Cadbury’s fruit and nut, always leave the house armed with snacks for revision success.

Alternatively, if you’re not much of a snacker, drinking plenty (of soft drinks) will not only do wonders for your brain but provides an alternative excuse for a much needed break.

In a wonderful cycle of health and learning, a wander to the kitchen or water fountain once an hour, for example, will give you regular breaks from revision, perhaps the chance for a quick socialise, and will also ensure you’re drinking enough water.

The life of Brain

Having said this, quick chats while the kettle’s boiling and whispered “hello”’s library don’t really constitute a social life.

While going out the night before an exam isn’t advisable, taking a break from your desk, catching up with friends and forgetting about that past paper question you just couldn’t answer, will most likely make you more productive when you get back to work.

If you know you’re easily tempted to socialise at crucial stages in revision, when you really don’t have time, then don’t worry- you’re not alone.

Try making a realistic to do list of tasks you have to get done before the social event. This should not only make you more productive with your work and more relaxed with your friends, but will also ensure you don’t live to regret what turned out to be just an average night at the pub.

So there we have it: a tidy house, tasty meals and time with friends can all be achieved at the same time as revision. All it takes is some forward thinking and a good to do list – if only the exams themselves were that simple!

Good luck everyone!