Whilst the Easter weekend is a time to indulge in chocolate, for Strathclyde law students, it also means the impending exams. To help students prepare for these exams, the Comms team have shared some exam tips to help them get through the final academic push.

1. The relative test – Legal concepts can be extremely complex. To ensure that you have truly understood them, try explaining them to someone who isn’t well-versed in law. A relative or roommate will tend to ask questions. If you can answer these, you truly understand the concepts.
2. Focusing revision – Examiners are looking for critical analysis, and thus, in essay questions, the papers tend to be focused on specific academic debates in that area of law. Look through your notes for these points of debate as these will likely come up.
3. Definitions and spelling – Learn key definitions and spelling! Key terminology is very important which can be very difficult with Latin or similar words. No one wants to mess up in involuntary obligations because they can’t remember how to spell rescission, and they got mixed up with all the judicial remedies!
4. Read the questions properly!  – Missing out key bits of exam questions will harm your grades. Wise words from a teacher I once had – don’t do anything for the first minute of your exam, take a breather and then read over the questions slowly and dissect it. If you follow this method, it becomes much harder to misread the question.
5. Stay in good health – This applies to both your physical and mental health. Ensure you are sleeping enough, try not to pull too many all-nighters and stay away from caffeine as much as possible. Exams are necessary but not as important as your heart health. Ensure you aren’t neglecting your body: drink water, staying hydrated can aid in memory retention, and make sure to eat enough. Try to carry on exercising, even if you can’t complete an entire gym session or workout something as simple as 5-10 minutes of yoga can greatly aid your mental health.
6. Know when to stop – As much as you may have seen the infamous Kay Chung’s all-nighter TikToks, sometimes knowing when to stop is just as important as all your revision. Working yourself into a pit of fatigue will not help with your exams, so remember to take breaks. My favourite way to do this is via the Pomodoro method, where you work for around 25 minutes and take a 5-minute break. As a chronic fidgeter, this can be very helpful in maintaining focus.
7. Try not to become a hermit – Talk to friends, go out and engage in activities. Anything from a coffee break to a sports practice. Remember, you have a life outside of law school, and keeping it up even with exams helps you not to burn out.