Revision Guide
There are many revision guides for both students and parents but here are some suggestions and ideas that will help to outline the basics.
For Parents
- It is a very fine line for parents to tread, you want to be supportive and there is often a tendency to ‘nag’ about doing revision but students need to be motivated to revise themselves.
- Create a quiet place for revision at home with plenty of space to spread out notes.
- Recognise that some students do work well with music, but avoid the distraction of TV, mobile phones or the internet.
- Be realistic and sensible about revision times – encourage them to start with short spurts 40 minutes with a 5/10 minute break and then increase revision periods.
- Be there to help – exam time is stressful for you and them, be around to listen to any problems and concerns. Offer to help with testing once a topic has been revised and learnt.
- Be prepared to have revision notes around the house – the visual impact of flash cards, revision notes and diagrams will act as prompts and will reinforce learning.
- Encourage your daughter to get plenty of sleep, exercise and the right food and allow ‘negotiated time off’ to go out, but make sure there is the right balance.
- Expect your daughter to do between 4/5 hours revision per day.
For Students
- Plan your revision – this way you will have an idea of the topics that you have to cover and have a realistic view of the time you have set aside for revision. (one day per subject will not ensure success)!
- Make sure you do not just revise the topics you like – tackle the subjects you find most difficult first.
- Make your own revision notes – you will remember these more easily, but do not just copy notes – try to read, refine and jot down the key points. Everyone has their preferred style of making notes, but vary it; spider diagrams, charts, glossaries, flash cards, mind maps.
- Revision guides are good for checking and last minute revision but make sure you make your own notes, as the best grades are gained by including specific facts and figures and examples that you will have in your class notes.
- Read things out aloud, or describe and explain particular topics to your parents or friend.
- Nearer to the exam, practise past papers to make sure you get the timing right and can complete all the questions.
- Go over topics more than once.
- Attend all revision sessions provided by your teachers.
- E-mail and meet up with your teachers to go through any issues you have identified during revision.
- If during the exams you have a ‘bad paper’ do not dwell on it – you have to move on and focus on the next exam.
- Do not believe your friends who say they have not done any revision – they may appear to be wasting time and are often the ones who come out with the best results!
Further Links
Top Tips for Exam Success by George Turnbull (Student ‘exams doctor’, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority)…
A Booklet for Successful Students by Anastasia, Academic Prefect…