FOR those of you who are still in education, exams will be a natural part of life.

They may seem to be inescapable – once you have finished your GCSEs, you are plunged straight into AS levels.

However, after doing my GCSE exams last year, I can assure you that they are not the end of the world.

At my school, the High School for Girls in Gloucester, one teacher told our class at the beginning of Year 11 that it would be the fastest year we would know.

It definitely was.

The year flew by, so it's important to be focused and to concentrate in lessons so you are not confused later on when you start revision.

However the teachers are there to help you, and when I was really struggling with chemistry, the most helpful thing I did was to ask my teacher to explain the topic again. So don't be scared to ask for support.

Revision may sound like a truly dull concept, but you can make it bearable.

I found that making colourful posters and studying with friends actually helped me remember the subjects better.

Methods of revision are also crucial, as you have to find a way that is most beneficial to you.

Whether it's writing out notes, making cue cards or even writing a song about what you are learning, do what you can to help you remember.

Please don't think that life stops at exam time.

It is even more vital to have time off from revision to relax and spend time with your friends and family.

For me, they were the ones who kept me sane during exams.

It may sound boring, but eating healthily and exercise can really help you concentrate as it puts your mind in a better state.

Going for a swim or perhaps just a walk around your area can help clear your head and give you a chance to escape revision for a while.

When it comes to the real thing, and it is the day of your exam, it is scary.

But apparently feeling slightly nervous is good as it gives you the adrenaline to put in more effort when you are in the exam.

I would say it helps to not think about it too much, and to just go and do your best.

The most important thing to remember though is that life does exist after exams.

What helped me the most was thinking about the summer that lay ahead – almost two months of complete freedom.

Getting your results at the end of the summer may be an even more daunting idea.

But it is probably best to just open the envelope straight away and get it over with.

Don't worry if your results are not what you were hoping for – although they may determine where you go from Year 11, your future is not completely determined by them.

I am now in Year 12 with my AS Level exams fast approaching, so I will be going through the whole exam process again soon.

This time I will try to remember not to worry so much about it.

So if you have exams coming up this year, remember that there is more to life than results.