Y11 Revision Skills

Finding a suitable place to study

You need a good study place to be prepared to study. You should be able to answer YES to all of the following questions.

Is my Study Place available to me whenever I need it? You need to be able to use your Study Place when you need it. If you are sharing it with someone else, work out a schedule so that you know when you can use it. Is my Study Place free from interruptions? It is important to have uninterrupted study time. Is my Study Place free from distractions? Research shows that most students study best in a quiet environment. If you find that playing a stereo or TV improves your mood, keep the volume low.

 Does my Study Place contain all the study materials I need? Be sure your Study Place includes reference sources and supplies such as pens, pencils, paper, calculator, and whatever else you might need. If you use a computer for your work ideally it should be in your Study Place. Does my Study Place contain a large enough desk or table? Use a desk or table that is large enough to hold everything you need. Allow enough room for writing and try to avoid clutter. Does my Study Place have enough storage space? You need enough room to store your study materials. Make sure you have enough storage to keep your desktop clear of unnecessary materials that can get in the way.

 Does my Study Place have a comfortable chair? Select a chair in which you can sit for long periods while maintaining your attention, nothing too comfy that will make you sleepy! Does my Study Place have enough light? Make sure you can clearly see what you are doing without any strain or discomfort. Does my Study Place have a comfortable temperature? If your Study Place is too warm, you may become sleepy. If it too cold, your concentration may suffer. Select a temperature at which your mind and body function best.

What type of learner are you?

In the Autumn Term you did a questionnaire which helped you understand the type of learner that you are. Use the following tips to help you when deciding upon a revision style.

Suggestions For Visual Learners

Visual people prefer to read the handouts and look at the illustrations the presenter puts on the board. They also take excellent notes. Write things down because you remember them better. Look at a person while they are talking to help you focus. Its better to work in a quiet place although many visual learners do Maths with music in the background. You are better studying on your own. Use colour to highlight main ideas in your work. When learning vocabulary or terminology use colour to learn them. Look at the words frequently.

Suggestions For Visual Learners

Maps Posters Charts Spider diagrams Cartoons Summary notes Mental pictures Mind maps

Suggestions For Auditory Learners

Auditory people prefer listening to material and sometimes get lost if they try to take notes on the subject during a presentation. Try studying with a friend so you can talk aloud about the work. Say aloud the things you want to remember. Before reading a chapter, look at all the pictures, headings and talk out loud and say what you think the chapter is about. Read out loud whenever possible. Make recordings of notes or lessons and listen to them to revise.

Suggestions For Auditory Learners

Record ideas Say keywords aloud Tell another person Make a presentation Get someone to test you Exchange ideas with your friends Play quiet, relaxing background music

Suggestions For Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners do best with "hands on" activities and group interaction. To remember work, pace or walk around while saying the words aloud to yourself. You may not study best at a desk, so when at home try lying on your stomach or back. Try studying with music in the background. When studying take breaks frequently, provided you always return to studying! When trying to memorise, try closing your eyes and writing the information in the air. Picture the words in your head.

Suggestions For Kinesthetic Learners

Walk n talk Draw cartoons Posters & storyboards Make a model Role play/drama Make a mind map Write a story Annotate diagrams Make cue/flash cards

Record it!
Make a note in your planners of the tips that are linked to your learning style.

Revision

How to Revise
Think of a session as a third of a day - it could be 3 to 4 hours long Many people find it helpful to revise for 2 out of the 3 sessions per day Here is a possible pattern:
MORNING Day 1 Revise Day 2 Revise Day 3 Free

AFTERNOON

Revise

Free

Revise

EVENING

Free

Revise

Revise

How to Revise
Break each session up into half hour slots 25 minutes work followed by a 5 minute break
Day 1 MORNING Revise Day 2 Revise Day 3 Free

AFTERNOON

Revise

Free

Revise

EVENING

Free

Revise

Revise

How to Revise
THURS WEDS TUES MON SUN SAT FRI

Morning

SCHOOL

SCHOOL

SCHOOL

SCHOOL

SCHOOL

HIST - WW2

FRENCH - writing

Afternoon

SCHOOL

SCHOOL

SCHOOL

SCHOOL

SCHOOL

RELAX

RECAP - WW2

MATHS algebra

ENG poems

BIOL - nerves

RECAP algebra - poems

CHEM salt

RECAP - nerves - salt

Evening

RELAX

Spend time making a thorough revision timetable and STICK TO IT

How to Revise
What kind of person are you?
Some students are early birds. They will definitely want to use the morning session.

Late risers will avoid mornings like the plague! They will work well later in the day

Night owls will do their best revision in the evenings

How to Revise
How to plan your revision: Have a definite finishing time Plan regular breaks Get up and walk around during your break Drink plenty of water Have a tick list of topics to cover Gradually aim to summarise your notes

How to Revise
Revise the same work again after 10 minutes Briefly review the work: after 1 day after 1 week. This method will fix the work quite firmly into your long-term memory

How to Revise
Just remember that, no matter when you revise, you need to go to bed at a sensible time and be able to get to sleep. It may be that you have to read a fiction book, watch television, listen to some music or have a bath before you go to bed to get a good nights sleep

How to Revise
ABOVE ALL PRACTICE PAST PAPERS AND QUESTIONS AS THESE ARE THE BEST WAY TO HELP YOU DO WELL.

Summary
Positive attitude Prepare a thorough revision timetable and STICK TO IT Be honest with yourself and plan in relaxation as part of your timetable Work for 25 minutes and take 5 minute breaks Use a variety of revision tools and techniques