Ellen Dickinson

My top 5 study tips

1Teach the material to someone else! Your parents, your siblings, your stuffed animals, anyone who will listen... By forcing yourself to simplify the content for somebody, suddenly the difficult concepts will become so much easier to understand.

2Don't underestimate the importance of breaks. Always keeping your nose to the grindstone is admirable, but burn out is real and can happen before you know it. Know your limits and incorporate breaks into your study schedule to avoid losing motivation!

3Keep it creative. Colour-code your notes, draw pictures, make silly acronyms or even write a song about the content. The more unique your strategy is, the easier it will be to remember. Study doesn't have to be boring!

4Start early. Your parents and teachers say it for a reason! Revising and making notes for exams early means giving yourself the best shot at succeeding, and getting the results you want. Resist self-sabotaging by leaving it to the last minute.

5Be your biggest supporter. Sometimes believing in yourself and recognising your own efforts is the push you need to keep going even when it gets tough. Don't forget how hard you've worked and everything you've overcome to get to where you are now!