Revision Skills

The purpose of this presentation is to help

you organise your revision and cope with

exam stress

Revision Ideas

Why be Organised?

Does thinking about exams make you feel…• Nervous?• Worried?• Sick?• Stressed?

Why be Organised?

If you have preparedand revised, these feelings won’t go away completely, but you will go into the exam confident about the topic and know you have honestly tried your best!

How can I Organise myself?Information from: http://www.mondofacto.com/study-skills/exams/how-to-get-organised-for-exams/02.html

• Exam timetable or schedule

• Create a timetable that includes each day from now until then

• http://getrevising.co.uk/timetable/intro

How can I Organise myself?Information from: http://www.mondofacto.com/study-skills/exams/how-to-get-organised-for-exams/02.html • Fill in each exam in the

correct day. Highlight each exam day in a bright colour.

• Think about how many exams you have, and how much material you need to cover.

Hint: You need to spend more timerevising the subjects that you find difficult.

How can I Organise myself?Information from: http://www.mondofacto.com/study-skills/exams/how-to-get-organised-for-exams/02.html

• Working backwards from each exam, fill in details of how you will spend each day.

• Don't forget to leave time for 'catch-up days' and days off.

What are we going to cover…

• revise in manageable chunks• recall the core facts of your

subject• summarise the information

you are revising• create flash cards to aid your

memory• use mindmaps to aid your

memory

Motivation

• Identify what motivates you to revise. For example, you may need to pass your exams to get into uni or to get a job, or you may want to get a good degree, or you may want to tell you friends and family that you've achieved a 2:1 or 1st class degree

• Have a piece of paper above your desk and review it when you are struggling to revise. It will remind you of why you are doing revision and taking exams

Revise in Manageable Chunks!

When you are reading or revising, do you ever suddenly realise that you have been staring at the page for a few minutes without actually reading anything?

This is probably because you are trying to take in too much information at once.

Revise in Manageable Chunks!

When you are revising, your brain works better if you do small chunks of revision instead of big chunks.

15 – 45 minutes then have a 5 - 10 minute break

Revision Example

Place a watch or clockwhere you can see it. When you have finished your revision period, take your planned break - don't be tempted to carry on until you have finished that particular section or topic. Take a break NOW!

Revision Example

When you are having a break, leave the space where you have been revising. For example, if you are in the library go outside for some fresh air, or if you are at home, make yourself a cup of tea.

Start Revising

It's easier to remember something if you understand it

• Spend some time looking over basic concepts and ideas of the subject you are revising today

• Spend time understanding these concepts NOW

• If you cannot understand these concepts using notes and text books, ask a lecturer to explain this concept to you. Then repeat it back to them to ensure your understanding is correct

What is a Glossary?• Every time you read a word

and you don't know what it means, use your notes and text books to find a definition for it

• Write the word and the definition on a piece of paper in your own words

What are Flash Cards?• Invest in some index cards, or cut

some pieces of card into A6 sizes

• If you find a fact or concept that you found particularly difficult, write it down on one of your flash cards. Keep these in your pocket or bag and get them out for a quick read whenever you have a few minutes spare, on the bus etc

• You can ask family or a friend to test you

What is a mind map?Information fromhttp://www.healthcircles.co.uk/HC_MM_Revision.pdf

• Draw a picture in the centre of the page to represent the subject you have chosen e.g. a globe for geography

• Add some key branches from the central image to represent the key subject headings

• Add more sub branches, written on thinner lines, as you consider extra information you need to learn. This may include some of the key dates, formulas and facts about the subject

• Use symbols and pictures to represent different information and make the Mind Map colourful

Conclusion

Preparation is the key

Ask for help if you need it

Wishing you all the best!