I still remember the night before my GCSEs—sitting at my desk, highlighting page after page of notes, convinced that if I just stayed awake long enough, it would all stick.
Spoiler: it didn’t.
By the time I got to the exam hall, I was exhausted, and the information I’d stayed up cramming seemed to vanish into thin air.
The truth? Most students don’t fail because they’re not clever enough. They struggle because they revise in ways that drain energy instead of building memory.
The good news: there’s a better way.
Here are three of the most important strategies that I would use if I was to go back and re-do them:-
1. Spaced Repetition > Last-Minute Cramming
Your brain remembers better when you spread revision out over time. Instead of rereading the same notes in one sitting, test yourself on smaller chunks every few days.
After each lecture/lesson, create ANKI cards (maximum 15 for each lesson) based on the learning objectives of the lesson. Stick to 1 answer per card.
2. Active Recall > Passive Reading
Simply staring at notes or textbooks doesn’t cut it. Close the book, ask yourself a question, and try to answer it from memory.
Past papers are gold here—real exam questions show you exactly how much you know (or don’t).
3. Energy Management > Endless Hours
Revision is a marathon, not a sprint.
Short bursts (25–30 minutes sessions) with breaks (5 mins, or a longer 20 minute break after 4 sessions) are far more effective than long, draining sessions.
Stick to a maximum of 4-5 hours of studying a day. After this, there is little to be gained.
Get decent sleep, eat properly, and move your body—you’ll retain more if your brain isn’t running on fumes.
Final Thought
GCSEs are tough, but you don’t need to sacrifice your health or happiness to do well. Revise smarter, not longer.
At The Med Den, we help students do exactly that—whether it’s breaking down tricky biology, structuring revision plans, or giving last-minute exam support.
👉 Ready to study without burning out? Why not explore what we offer?
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