Steps to revision success

Before we start…..

SomeTOUGH TRUTHS

YOU'VE got to do it.

• Not your teachers with their revision sessions.

• Not randomly flipping through internet sites.

• Not staring at your notes.

• Not being too cool to study.

Revision takes time.

• There is no 'instant' version which will cut corners.

• Sleeping with your book under the pillow doesn't do it.

• Stop playing at other things, and start working at your revision.

Revising needs to be effective

• Revising is about remembering.

• It's not 'revising' unless you're fixing it into your brain.

• If you spend five hours working in your room, but you still can't remember it in the exam, you've spent 5 hours working, but you've not done any revision.

• Never just read your notes. You must always be DOING something with them to FIX the information in your brain..

Revision spaceFind a good place to work. It should be quiet and uncluttered.

Revision timetableDraw up a revision timetable - it's crucial.

It should be realistic, cover all subjects and allow you time to complete homework and other commitments as well as relax.

Start earlyBegin tonight! Do short intensive bursts, a half hour at the most then take a short 5-10min reward break.

When you re-start revising spend 5min recapping the previous work then move on to a new topic.

Re-write notesDon't just read through your class work, make notes:•gradually condense your notes so they fit on the back of a postcard•make portable flash cards of important ideas and key words•build a revision wall

Build a revision wall

Mind maps and spider charts• make colourful mind maps to place on your

wall

Revision mat• make a revision mat covering the key points

of a topic

Story boards and cartoon strips

• Write and draw key stages in a process of story.This engages both sides of the brain.

Practise answering questions

• Write out some questions and answers to see how much you're actually remembering. Use your learning outcomes as guides. Old end of topic tests are good to redo.

Listen in

• Read your revision notes onto your ipod and then play them walking down the street or waiting for the bus.

Seek help

• Don't go it alone. They say a problem shared is a problem halved. So, get friends and family on board to help you revise. Get them to test you – flash cards are helpful here. Go to any extra tutorials offered by your teachers.

Be honest with yourself

Avoid the temptation to focus on what you are good at or what you most enjoy. We all do this to make ourselves feel successful; it’s human nature.

Make sure you devote extra time to those areas you find more difficult and, possibly, less interesting. You can bet your life that these things will crop up in an exam paper.

At exam time you will be able to sayI CAN do this!

• This is a chance to show everything I have learned.

• This is my chance to achieve.

• I am capable of doing very well in this exam.

• I deserve to do well, because I have worked hard.

• I know what is expected of me in this exam.

• I am prepared.

Good preparation will get you there, not good luck

You can do this!