Sometimes Revising Can Seem Daunting. Here Is How Can You Change That.
Whether it is GCSEs, A-Levels or University Degree level learning; you need to put in the revision time to pass. But how is it that so many people find that difficult while some manage it easily.
It’s tempting to think that ‘other people’ pass because they are ‘just clever’, but with a simple ‘little and often’ approach you can get the best possible results and study and revision can be more enjoyable too.
For some, the longest task can be drawing up the study time table!…how many of us have devised a beautifully colourful, thorough study plan only to miss the start date and so spend the next ‘study period’ rewriting the time table…yes there’s nothing like planning…but ‘doing’ seems more difficult…why?
George Turnbull, is known as the Exam doctor. He has many years of experience in education and the examination system. While at the Associated Examining Board (AEB) he was involved in the development of new examinations and modes of assessment.
Revision Tips
George is an advocate of the ‘10-minute rule’ will, whether you are up-to-date with your revision or still at the starting post.
He suggest that you begin with revising for 10 minutes and then having a 10 minute break…and continuing 10 minutes study and then a 10 minute break….this is to stop you switching between facebook and e mailing friends…reading text and of course replying to them ….eating anything that you can get your hands on and suddenly showing an interest in your usually neglected pets!…anything to avoid studying even gazing out of the window has a new appeal!
His study help suggest that if you start studying efficiently for 10 minutes then you increase it daily to 15 minutes and 20 the following day until after 5 days you will have built up to 35 minutes study nwhile keeping the rests to 10 minutes only…. so that you keep your study and rest separate! He says that the two don’t mix
Now enjoy your 10 minute breaks and realize that you are doing it…not about to do it but actually doing it!!! So congratulate yourself and enjoy your leisure!
Know when your exams are and make you timetable reflect that.
Start your study session with the subject that you least like so that you end by ‘enjoying’ studying what you enjoy! Three subjects in a session will be something to be proud of!
Highlight important points in your notes and re write the salient points onto cards in different colours to help you recall. Divide your time up between index card pointers, mind mapping and doing timed old exam paper questions.
In order for you not to feel that your life is all work and no play then you may want to get up half an hour earlier each day and shortening your lunchtime by 10 minutes you will then have gained up to 3 hours over a five day period…which certainly means that you deserve a night out with your friends!!!
Enjoy your leisure time you earned it!
Working with a friend …if you do work…maybe helpful and ‘break up’ the routine…you may find studying in the same place useful or you may be the sort of person that needs a change of scene so the library may be a good option.
Of course if you get stuck, get some help from your teachers as they are as keen for you to pass as you are …after all it reflects on their teaching, if all their students are fired up and ready to pass!
Exam Help & Test Skills
Check that your exams don’t clash as if you tell the school of the error then arrangements can be made to sort out the problem because no matter how well you prepare even you can’t sit two exams simultaneously!
Get all the equipment that you will need for the exam the following day and leave your mobile behind as they are not allowed in the exam…some establishments allow mobiles to be left on the invidulator’s desk!
DONT Cheat!!!! You will get caught and disqualified!
Enjoy a relaxing evening before and get up in plenty of time allowing for a protein filled breakfast which gives more long lasting brain energy.
Walk to school allowing plenty of time and avoid your friends so that you can stay in a calm state!
Before you turn the page over take five deep breaths exhaling slowly and allow a feeling of excitement and challenge to fill you.
Read everything twice before starting (time is factored into the exams for this.)
Mark the compulsory questions and your choice of optional questions ensuring that you have marked the appropriate number of required questions. You may want to briefly brain storm your first thoughts relating to each chosen question as you may forget later, when you come to do it in full.
Use the number of marks possible to get for each question and use this as a guide for how long to spend on each question.
Only answer what is asked! No marks for irrelevant info!
If you do run out of time then do an outline of the main arguments that you would have written in your essay or equations that you would have used for science and maths and why without actually doing it…just so that the examiner can see that you knew what you would have said and you will gain some marks..
After the Exam
Avoid talking with your friends about the exam it can be a source of anxiety.
Focus instead on the following exam as that one you still do have an influence on
And in the words of George Turnbull
‘And if all else fails, remember that Churchill and Einstein didn’t do too well at school. Try that one on your parents. Otherwise, good luck.’
For more study help form the Exam Doctor; George Turnbull, you may like to visit these links…if it isn’t just to avoid starting on your first 10 minutes revision but is indeed for revision tips, study help, test skills to be sure that you have all the exam help that you need to go for it!
You may like to look at our CD or MP3 download for Study and Exam – prepare to achieve which will enable you to overcome any psychological obstacles, allowing you to actually enjoy the study and exam process.
You Can Learn More At These References
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/studentlife/revisionandskills/revision/10_steps_to_revision_success.shtml
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8059860.stm
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