It is natural to feel anxious and nervous about exams, but preparation is key and a well prepared revision plan can really help.

Revision is all about learning and not just memorising, which is why it is vital to plan ahead so that all the information is leant thoroughly and not just memorised.

To start it is vital to find a good place to revise. Even though the bedroom seems like the best place, this is not always the case as there are often many distractions. A quiet, well lit place is usually the best. Somewhere that has comfortable seating and enough space to set out your notes. A library, an empty dining room, a classroom or a kitchen are usually good places to start.

It is good to plan ahead and work out some kind of timetable that will display exactly what is going to be revised and when. Try to revise the subjects that are more difficult, this way, it is possible to spend that little bit longer revising should it be needed, plus it will improve confidence for the remaining subjects.

Memory does play a big part, so it is worth understanding how you learn best. Are you best at writing notes or do you find it easier, reading and then re-reading something until the subject becomes familiar to you.

Create clear and concise notes, then once these have been learnt, condense the notes down again, and keep doing this until a few important keywords remain. This will make it easier to remember the subject and easier to revert back to should you need refreshing.

It is also worth getting into a routine when it comes to revising. Try and set aside the same hours every day. By doing this, it becomes normal to revise at a set time and also other people will be aware of when you will be revising therefore meaning there will be less interruptions and distractions.

As good as it may seem to revise as much as possible, it is not necessarily good for you. Revising too much in one sitting risks over saturating the brain. This way information will not be retained. This is why a timetable is very important. Regular breaks will also help, a 5-10 minute break every hour or so will make a huge difference.

Once all of the above have been put in place, be sure to test yourself. Ask yourself questions, get a family member to ask or even a teacher. Everyone will be willing to help.

Then make sure you eat properly, rest properly, sleep properly and try not to revise the night before the exam just to make sure that you are fully relaxed.