Teaching revision is hard, as you are no doubt fed up of hearing, revision is a vital part of getting good grades, whichever stage of study you are at. But there’s no need to worry: with a few simple techniques and careful planning it doesn’t need to be the nightmare that it can seem to be at times. In fact it’s relatively simple. One thing that is important to realise is that not everyone learns in the same way. Ways of revising that work for one person may not necessarily work for another, so there’s no need to get frustrated if revision isn’t going so well– just change your technique.
Here are some tips that will hopefully help you breeze through revision when the time comes:
General advice:
· Start early. It may sound boring and a waste of time with exams so far away but by starting early you have a better chance of success. By organising notes and re-reading them at the end of every module you can make sure they stick in your mind and are committed to your long term memory, something that is important when it comes to success on the day.
· Focus on understanding not memorising. Make sure that you actually know what you are talking about, it will be apparent to the examiner if you actually know the material and it will give you a confidence boost too. Just reeling things off from memory is ok but if you don’t actually understand the fundamentals you may drop vital marks from not writing in depth or from forgetting things in the panic of the day.
· Choose your surroundings carefully. Try your best to avoid distractions. Don’t use the internet unless necessary and turn off the TV and your mobile. Have music on if you like some noise whilst revising, but try to ensure you are in a quiet, cool room with necessary drinks and suchlike at hand. If your family keeps interrupting then try a local library or relative’s house.
· Have regular breaks. Keep your mind alert with a break every hour or so and a topic switch to make sure you don’t get bored of the same material. Reward yourself for your work so you feel more incentive to do it, even small rewards will make you want to get revision done.
· Make a timetable. If you plan set times to revise then you are more likely to stick with them. Allocate slots for spending time with friends and doing your hobbies and you will soon see where you have spare hours in the day.
· Work on your weaknesses. Although it’s tempting to just revise what you already know it is more beneficial to revise your weakest areas first. This will give you a better overview of a subject and ensure you get those first vital marks for basic knowledge should a question you are not happy with arise.
Ways of revising:
· Make notes. Use paper or revision cards to write up notes for each module. Re-read your class work and summarise it into key points. Then you can use a highlighter to mark the most important ones which you should learn first.
· Record your notes. Either record yourself saying the notes or use a voice converter programme to change word files into an audio format. Listen to it, even if it is while you are doing other things, and it should soon start to sink in.
· Make use of past papers. Ask your teachers for papers from previous years or find some online by using the websites of the exam boards for each of your subjects. This is a very effective way of practising the actual format of an exam and the real thing will seem less intimidating as you will be familiar with it.
· Stick notes up around the house. Write your notes on post it notes or just tape them up where you are likely to seem them. On the fridge, inside your wardrobe: wherever you will see them day to day. When in the exam you can visualise the area they are stuck in and it will help bring them to your mind.
· Colour code. Use different colours for different areas, you can visualise these when in the exam and help trigger your memory.
· Test yourself. There are many revision books available with questions in them, but even without one you can create your own questions and get family and friends to test you. That way you know what you still need to work on.
Try teaching. If you have a willing parent or friend then sit them down and teach them about a certain area of your subject. You will need to know it to explain it.
· Repetition. Repeat your notes aloud as this is a good way to commit things to long term memory.
· Know the guidelines. Make sure you know what the examiners are looking for and the knowledge that you need. Make a checklist, it will feel good every time something gets ticked off and you can be confident that you haven’t missed anything out.
The night before:
· Do last minute revision such as re-reading your notes. Do not start new topics as this will be too stressful and you will not have enough time to learn them.
· Give yourself a cut off time and stick to it.
· Don’t try and cram information in, you will not be able to commit it to long term memory and so it will not be that beneficial.
· Get your pencil case ready with spare pens and equipment such as a calculator, compasses and anything else that you need for your exam.
· Go to bed early.
On the day:
· Read through revision cards if you wish to make sure you remember key points.
· However, do not ask yourself too many questions as you may forget the answers as you are stressed and cause yourself to panic.
· Make sure you eat well. Foods which release energy slowly are best such as nuts and bananas, these will make sure you do not run out of energy half way through.
· Get a bottle of water to take into the exam hall with you in case you need it.
In the exam:
· Make sure you read and re-read the questions.
· Spend at least 5 minutes planning on essay questions.
· Keep an eye on the time.
· Look at mark allocations and only write what is necessary, any more than this just wastes time.
· If you struggle with a question leave it and come back to it at the end.
· Check your answers if you finish early.
· Breathe deeply if you are feeling stressed and try to focus on what you are doing.
· Try not to miss out any questions, even writing a little may mean you gain some marks.
· Just try your best.
Good luck.
