Team up. Even if you’re normally a loner, meeting up with other students help you better understand the law. It can give you ideas and angles on cases and materials that you’d never thought of before. Law is all about arguments – so find someone to argue with.
Schedule fun stuff. Studying from the moment you wake up to the second you go to bed is a rookie mistake. Pencilling in little or no free time is a dangerous routine to get into. It will hinder your absorption of information, so you’ll be working twice as hard for a much smaller reward. And you’ll probably get ill. Leave time to relax – your mental health and your grades will thank you.
Focus on your weaknesses. Pay special attention to the topics and areas in which you’re struggling the most. Don’t waste time making notes on a topic you’re already familiar with.
Don’t waste too much time on admin. It’s the most dangerous kind of procrastination because it feels productive. Immediately cease highlighting cases and making revision timetables. Keep your exam preparation to the basics. Try to make your notes that you need from the internet before get down to revising – this will minimise screen distraction.
Talk to your tutors. Academic staff are there to help. So many students fail to use this to their advantage. Many tutors will have feedback and consultation sessions that allow you to gain plenty of help with essays and exam technique and what you may have missed out on in any practice or formative assessments you’ve produced in your subjects. Most of your tutors will be accessible by email across the exam revision period and will be willing to answer questions.
Make short-term sacrifices. Revision is all about efficiency. Prioritising various tasks is a skill that will be required in a fast-paced career, such as being a lawyer or solicitor. Waiting until you’ve finished researching your essay before watching the next Netflix show – a reward system, if you like – will maximise your focus.
Next time, plan ahead. If exam modules aren’t your strength, stick to coursework or practical modules next time exam season comes around. Most universities don’t offer only exam-based modules. Some may be comprised of coursework, or practical assessments such as advocacy or mooting. It’s difficult to avoid exams altogether – but revision stress is obviously reduced with fewer of them.
Lauren Crowe and Will Hibberd are law students at Sheffield University. They blog about studying law at The Almost Lawyers
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