By Matt Deo
Whether you go to a state school, private school, boarding school or college, exams are a part of life. So what are the best techniques to use when revising?
1. Plan a revision timetable and make sure you stick to it. Allocate your time to ensure that all your subjects will be covered sufficiently. Factor in some time for breaks so you do not feel guilty if you stop for a cup of tea or to watch your favourite TV programme. Put your timetable somewhere where the whole family can see it so they will know when to remind you to study and when you are not to be disturbed. They will also know not nag you if you are on a timetabled break!
2. Revise efficiently. Reading alone is not effective. You will need to be making notes, highlighting key words and testing yourself. Make revision cards and take them everywhere with you. Each card should have a few key words or phrases on it to act as reminders.
3. Make sure your notes from lessons are complete. If you have missed any lessons or homework check with classmates or your teacher that you have copied up everything you need.
4. Practise your exam technique. All the exam boards have websites from where you can download past exam questions and papers, along with sample answers. Practise completing an exam paper in the correct length of time. This will teach you how long to spend on individual questions. Doing past papers is also a useful way of highlighting what you know and what you need to work on. Ask your teacher to look over the paper and give you feedback.
5. Revise with friends, but only if you can avoid chatting about last night’s TV. Ask each other questions; discuss the answers and share revision tips and techniques.
6. Avoid distractions. When you are revising, turn off your mobile phone and switch off your computer. That way, you will not be tempted to text your best mate or waste 10 minutes browsing on the internet.
7. Use your time efficiently. We are generally at our most awake and receptive in the mornings. If you can, plan to start your revision by around 9am and concentrate on the subjects you find difficult or dislike. Not only will you feel good about getting the worst subjects out of the way early, but you will find them easier to deal with when you are not tired.
8. Explore various memory techniques. You may find some work for you better than others, but they are all worth a try. Many people swear by mnemonics, whereby you create a memorable sentence using words starting with the same first letter as the words you are trying to remember. For example, one revision website suggests My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas as a reminder of the planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto).
9. Eat properly. It is easy whilst revising to either snack on comfort foods such as chocolate and crisps or to forget about eating completely. Instead, take a tip from the top sportsmen and women and snack on a banana. The potassium in the fruit will increase your energy levels.
10. Believe in yourself. Keep telling yourself “I can do this” and you will find that you can!
Author Information
Matt Deo is a contributing writer for numerous websites and invites you to explore your private school and boarding school options in the U.K.
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