4 Study Tips for Exam Season
Look, I get it. I’m a final-year law student. I’ve done the all-nighters. I’ve had those “maybe I’ll just move to a cottage in the woods and disappear” moments. Studying isn’t always pretty…and don’t even get me started on those hyper-curated “study aesthetic” videos. Honestly, nothing makes me want to shut my laptop faster.
Now winter’s creeping in. It’s dark by 4 PM, it’s raining non-stop, and the only thing you want to do is curl up in bed with a warm pumpkin-spiced latte and rewatch Lord of the Rings.
Trying to study right now feels like such a mission!
But here’s the good news. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and in this blog post, I will share with you a few things I’ve found genuinely help me stay on track, even when motivation is at rock bottom.
Motivation: “For what purpose?”
The easiest way to keep going is to remind yourself of your ‘why’ and to visualise the ultimate objective. Consider your reasons for doing the course and let these be your gentle nudges. Why are you doing this degree? What doors will it open for you? Who are you doing it for - your future self, your family, your values, your dreams?
Have your goals somewhere visible - at your desk, in your planner, on your lockscreen. When you’re tempted to procrastinate or give up, that visual reminder of your ‘why’ can give you the extra push you need.
Systems: Work Smarter
You don’t need to be the most organised person on the planet to have structure.
As someone who’s known for having 23+ tabs open and 10 unfinished Word docs at any given time, I’ve had to figure this out the hard way (forgetting where half of my notes are just before exams!). For me, OneNote has been a total lifesaver because everything’s in one place, colour-coded, and easy to access.
Every week, I take 30 minutes to tidy up my notes, double-save everything to the OneDrive, and make sure deadlines are logged in my calendar. Find a system that works for you, and stick with it. Consistency matters more than perfection.
The 5AM Club (or… at least some kind of routine)
Waking up early isn’t just for morning people - it’s a habit that anyone can build with time.
Now, I’m not saying you have to wake up at 5 AM (unless you want to), but having a consistent morning routine can change everything. If you know that staying up late scrolling is the reason you can’t get out of bed before 10, be honest with yourself. Break the pattern. Remember the way you go to bed at night is often the way you wake up. If you end the day feeling stressed, scattered, or stuck to your phone, don’t be surprised if your morning starts the same way, that’s why I suggest making the change.
The earlier you start your day, the more time you have to get things done and more importantly, to enjoy your evenings without guilt. Whether that’s a chill night in or a well-earned night out, you’ll feel better knowing you were productive earlier in the day.
'SWAB' your work
This is my own version of the classic SWOT diagram used in business to assess Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. I’ve adapted it to suit my studies, because it helps me clearly identify what needs attention and what doesn’t.
Think of it as a tool for maintaining oversight and managing your energy more effectively. Here's how I break it down:
S - Strengths
These are your solid areas and the topics or skills you’re already confident in.
Yes, keep practicing and reviewing them to stay sharp, but don’t overinvest time here. Statistically, the gains from improving something you’re already good at are relatively small compared to the progress you can make by improving weaker areas. Use your strengths to boost confidence, but don’t let them become a comfort zone.
W - Weaknesses
These are where your growth lives.
Identify weak spots early and be honest about them. Then, allocate time and space to work on them with patience and compassion. Avoid the temptation to ignore or delay these…they are opportunities in disguise. Progress here will often have the most impact on your overall performance.
A - Acceptance
This is your mental checkpoint.
Accept that you don’t have to be perfect at everything and acknowledge that neither does anyone else. The reality is nobody is perfect. Holding yourself to impossible standards only wastes time and energy. Acknowledging your limitations isn’t failure; it’s efficiency. Acceptance clears the way for smarter, kinder study habits.
B - Boring (stuff)
These are the tasks that are so dull they seem easy to skip but skipping them adds mental clutter.
Whether it’s responding to emails, writing applications, or reading something dry but necessary, get them done early. These small, unglamorous jobs take up way more brain space than they deserve if left hanging. Clearing them creates space, mentally and practically, for the work that really matters.
To sum up...
Studying law during a gloomy winter is not one of the top 10 things on anyone’s list. But remember this is just a season, not forever. Your hard work now is building the foundation for the future you’re working toward.
Find your ‘why,’ create systems that support you, and build routines that serve your life (not the other way round). Nobody’s asking you to be perfect, just consistent.
And hey, if you still want that pumpkin latte and a Lord of the Rings marathon? Make it your reward, not your escape.
You've got this.
Written by Lisa Maria E