Tips for revising

Mocks are just around the corner so if you're in a panic like I have been, this should help

1) Make a revision timetable

You don't need to spend ages making one but put your lessons and frees on it as well as evenings and weekends. Plan revision around lessons, work, hobbies etc to make an achievable plan for each week or do one week at a time. If this doesn't work for you, you could write a list of things to do that week and work through them planning each day as you go along. 

2) Get pens and paper ready to start

I use flash cards but I know a lot of people make mind maps or type it up. All of my revision material is out ready to go so it's quick and easy to get going. If I can always see it I can't forget what has to be done. 

3) Don't buy loads of revision guides

I did for GCSE but haven't bought a single one for A Level. I personally think class notes are detailed and thorough enough but I like to write everything I can down. If you prefer to listen a revision guide may fill in gaps you can't remember. They don't hold all of the relevant info at A level so you'll have to research into somethings whereas for GCSE if you learnt the book you'd know everything that would be in the exam. 

4) Turn your phone off

Harder said than done but if you can't hear it going off you may not get distracted as much. I still get distracted by anything and everything but if I can prevent this as many ways as possible I will try. 

5) Listen to music

I find listening to music helps me concentrate for some subjects and not others. It's easier to listen to music when doing practical work but it's said that classical music really helps with revision. 

6) Take regular breaks

This can be to have a snack break or just a break in general but you have to stay disciplined if you want to get anything done. I'm definitely very hard on myself when it comes to having time off but you must do it to stay sane!

7) Eat healthily and drink lots of water

A healthy body means a healthy mind so the professionals say. I think it does have an impact on how alert and motivated you are and I try to keep to the same routine when revising so my body isn't hungry at inconvenient times.

Hope you've found this helpful in some way, if you have any other tips please let me know

Amy x

Hand Luggage Essentials

As I'm off on holiday next Tuesday and so many others are off on their travels too I thought I'd share with you what my hand luggage essentials are. I pack the vital things in my hand luggage so that if I lost my suitcase I would still be able to contact someone and carry on with my holiday.

The first and most important is your passport followed by your tickets. You won't be getting on that plane without these so leave early enough so you do have time to go back for them. I keep mine in a zipped pocket in my hand luggage that's easy to access so I know where they are all times.

I then have my phone so I can contact people at the other end and when I arrive back home. I also keep my charger to top it up if it runs out of charge. 

Staying on the topic of electricals I take my iPod to listen to and 2 pairs of headphones. My over the ear headphones and my in ear headphones. I always find over the ear hurt after a while so I take my in ear headphones too and I also find they're more comfortable to sleep in. 

I take a book and magazine with me to read in the airport. At the moment I'm reading The Secret and Twilight. Yes I have been reading Twilight for ages but I'll have time to actually read it in the airport as well as by the pool on holiday. I tend not to read them on the plane as I take full advantage of the films haha.

I keep a little pouch in my bag with some items which I know if I don't take, I'll need. I call this my emergency kit. In it there is hand sanitizer, tissues and wipes for keeping clean. Theres nothing worse than feeling like you have grubby hands. They're also useful for in the airport if you stop to have something to eat. I keep paracetamol in there incase I get a headache etc, they're useful to keep in your bag incase someone else is in need of them too. I also keep a body spray or perfume on me at all times. Little testers of perfume are perfect for travelling as they're so small and definitely won't exceed the liquid limit which is 100ml per container in the UK.

Make up isn't a must but I don't want feel disgusting so I just take concealer, powder and mascara to put on when I arrive so I look slightly presentable. At the moment I'm using MAC's Select Cover Up concealer, Benefit's Hello flawless powder and Soap and Glory's Thick and Fast High Definition Collagen Coat Mascara.

My next essentials are both food related. I always have sweets for the take off, it's just something my family always do and always have done. I also like to take chewing gum to keep my mouth feeling fresh for the whole journey.

Last but not least is sunglasses so you're prepared when you arrive and won't have to rummage around in your suitcase. This way can also prevent them braking or snapping in your suitcase.

Amy x