You probably have come across this before, but there are 3 main different types of learner: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. In reality, there are more types of learner with some cross-over between them. However, identifying which one suits you best will help you tailor learning to your own style. We each learn in different ways, at different speeds and prefer different methods of absorbing new information. Discovering which will help you learn not only for exams, but with anything.
This kind of ties in nicely with the first point - if you know what type of learner you are, then you can find revision techniques that work for you. For example, if you are a visual learner, you might prefer to make notes and then turn them into mind maps, linking different concepts together. If you are an auditory learner then you might record yourself saying your notes. If you a kinesthetic learner you might learn best with a hands-on approach. Studying at university is quite different to A-level - you study topics more in depth and there is more to remember. Revision techniques you used before may not necessarily work and you might need new strategies or to use several together.
Ensuring you have good quality revision notes is the first step towards effective revision. I would suggest making a set of written/typed notes from lectures or tutorials, for each topic and then module. Not everyone will like making use of a set of notes but that is the simplicity of it - it is up to you how you use these notes afterwards. You can then pretty much turn the written/typed notes into any format you like after. Establishing a good set of notes to begin with is important because it lays the foundation for your revision and will be written in a way you understand.
This isn't for everyone, and most of the time it will be better to study alone, especially if revising with others will get you easily distracted. It can be beneficial studying with others however, because chances are you will be able to help each other and discuss topics. With a course like medicine, it does encourage team work, particularly the PBL aspect and so you will be working in small groups often anyway.
I learnt this one the hard way, during some biochemistry exams where I would stay up late the day before an exam in an attempt to cram in as much revision as possible. This is obviously not a good idea for many reasons, but mainly at this point you will not be able to process that much information in such a short space of time. You should keep revising throughout the year and give yourself as much time as possible to study before exams. The night before and the morning of the exam should be used to relax - you have done all you can at this point.
Posted by Nathan