Discussion

Reading VS Revision – How to Survive School

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I don’t know about you, but I find that one of the worst feelings in the world is feeling like schoolwork is getting in the way of reading With exams looming (eek!), lots of us are starting to think about revision, but how do you revise and read at the same time without exploding?

1. Get into a routine

Revision timetables are always useful to use, but make sure you slip time to read into them. If it’s written down, you’re more likely to stick to it and it will mean you have something to look forward to. Also, reading timetables are so much more exciting than revision timetables 😉

You can also revise at the same time each day and then read for the rest of the time. I’ve got into the habit recently of reading at least a chapter of the book I’m reading before bed. It doesn’t matter what time it is, I’ll read and then I have something to look forward to at the end of each day. It’s time to de-stress, relax and get lots of words read!

2. Make reading a reward

Done twenty minutes of revision? Reward yourself with ten minutes of reading! It makes it so much fun, and you’ll find yourself being a lot more productive just so you can squeeze your reading time in.

I also like to throw chocolate rewards into the mix if I’m really struggling, but usually I end up eating the chocolate first before any revision has been done…

3. Don’t read.

Sometimes I find that if I don’t read anything, I’m more likely to read more when I finally do get around to reading. It sounds counterintuitive, but it works! Abandon books for a week and come back feeling fresh and ready to read!

4. Throw all revision out of the window and READ.

I usually try to do this at least once a month where I binge read millions of books for an entire weekend. In fact, this is usually my favourite way to read because it means I’m so engrossed that I pretty much forget to do anything else. I think other people may get annoyed with me though when I ignore them for long periods of time… It’s just you and your books and it gives you a well-deserved break too.

5. Find out what works for you

Everyone’s brain works differently, so figure out how you work best. For some people, reading is totally out of the question, but I find that if I don’t read I go just a tiny bit insane. My brain works best with words in it! Experiment, try new things out and listen to your heart.

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9 Comments

  • Reply
    Hannah
    5 February, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    I have to sit in a room separate from any books, and that is the only way I can revise!
    Hannah recently posted…The Booklover’s Guide to TravellingMy Profile

  • Reply
    Julia Lund
    Twitter:
    5 February, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    Great advice.

  • Reply
    Lara
    Twitter:
    6 February, 2016 at 7:14 am

    I agree that not reading totally does make me want to read even more when I finally get back into it. Often during the school year I don’t read for weeks and then in the holidays I’m so excited to read that I read A LOT when it happens!

  • Reply
    Natalie @ Flowers in my Books
    Twitter:
    6 February, 2016 at 4:14 pm

    Honestly, while I was taking my exams I abandoned revision altogether so that I could read and binge netflix (in hindsight, this is why I failed – TAKE LUCY’S ADVICE EVERYONE).
    Natalie @ Flowers in my Books recently posted…TBR Jar + The Choice by Nicholas SparksMy Profile

  • Reply
    TT
    6 February, 2016 at 9:43 pm

    Chocolate rewards are the only thing that pull me through revision: well, if I don’t eat all the chocolate as an “I’ll revise later I’m sure” that is. Awesome blog – I particularly like step 4; I probably feel like throwing my revision out of the window a good 7 or 8 times in a day, reading would definitely help!

    Well reading counts as English revision I guess? That’s what I’ll tell myself aha!

  • Reply
    Michelle
    Twitter:
    9 February, 2016 at 12:04 am

    When I was really stressed at uni, I used to set a 15 minute timer on my phone and read for that time after I finished studying and before I went to bed. It was a reward, but also allowed me to switch off my ‘study brain’ and go to sleep. I think it’s essential for me to keep reading when I’m stressed because it is one of the ways I relax.
    Michelle recently posted…On Screen: BreathlessMy Profile

  • Reply
    Ash @ Teabears & Co
    11 February, 2016 at 10:34 am

    THIS IS GREAT ADVICE 😀 I was scrolling through my bloglovin feed and this post practically opened itself. I struggle a majorly with balancing school, blogging, and reading. It’s either all work and no play, or all play and absolutely no work at all. There is literally no in between. BUT I HAVE TO OVERCOME THIS AHHH. So far I’m trying out the routine thing, because I don’t think I could survive not reading for that long D: I’ve tried taking short reading breaks before, but usually I end up reading for 5 hours straight and nothing gets done. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS <3
    Ash @ Teabears & Co recently posted…The Creative Blogger Award // I WAS TAGGED!My Profile

  • Reply
    Lara Liz @ Another Teen Reader
    Twitter:
    13 February, 2016 at 8:10 pm

    I’ve always found that no matter how much I love colour-coding and organisation, revision timetables feel like I’m carving the plan out of my own flesh. It’s horrid. But I could definitely get onboard with a reading timetable. . .

    I’m also utterly obsessed with the idea of a whole weekend, just for reading, but mine always seem to get interrupted. For some reason, my family seem to expect me to spend more time out of pyjamas than in them, which frankly seems more than unfair. Thanks for the great post, Lucy! It was really fun.
    Lara Liz @ Another Teen Reader recently posted…The Valentine’s Day Book AwardsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Cora @ Tea Party Princess
    Twitter:
    8 April, 2016 at 11:04 pm

    I think I’ve read this post about ten times since it went up haha.

    It’s full of great advice, I definitely agree with it all.

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