Exam times are stressful and no matter how long and hard you have revised, feeling anxious, stressed – and like you’ve forgotten everything you’ve ever learned – is completely normal.
This can be doubly true for students with a SEND or a neurodiversity, who may already have anxiety or memory issues as a result of their condition.
But did you know that making use of your senses can help with revision and study sessions, and boost your memory in the exam hall?
To give you an example, our brains are wired to link smell and memory. If you revise Macbeth every time you spray a particular perfume, then wear it again in the exam, you’re giving your brain an instant shortcut back to that learning.
Research suggests that the scent of rosemary can boost memory performance as well as promote calm, so keep a small pot or sprig on your desk while revising.
By working with our body and mind, we can make the best of our memory.
It’s about finding simple ways to shock the system out of a spiral of anxiety
With exam season upon us, here are some senses-based revision hacks you can try:
- Nose – scent association
Choose a distinct perfume, aftershave or essential oil and use it every time you revise a particular topic, then apply the same scent before the exam to trigger recall. Rosemary has long been associated with memory and can also help lower blood pressure and promote a sense of calm
- Taste – memory‑boosting mints and sweets
Pair a specific flavour of mint or sweet with your study sessions, then use the same taste just before entering the exam hall to cue up what you’ve learned
- Ears – audio revision on the move
Record yourself reading key notes and listen back while walking, exercising or doing chores, or use online recordings and voice notes made by friends to make tricky terminology more memorable. Reading notes aloud in dramatic voices or silly accents can also help important facts stick
- Eyes – Rogue Post‑its around the house
From laminated notes stuck by the bath to mind maps on the fridge, turn everyday spaces into gentle, low‑effort learning prompts. Get your family to quiz you over the dinner table
- Movement – get into the groove
Key facts can be turned into raps, songs or simple dances. Pace the room while “teaching” an imaginary class or juggle while reciting quotes to keep your brain alert
And if you feel overwhelmed by pressure, have a “system reset” using a bowl of iced water for wrists or face as a safer, more realistic alternative to the “ice bucket challenge”.
It’s about finding simple ways to shock the system out of a spiral of anxiety.
