Study Support
2012-2013
TOD314032
CONDENSE
Fitting notes onto one side of paper makes them
easier to stomach, so rewrite and cut down as
you go.
HIGHLIGHT
RECORD
Target key areas using colours and symbols.
Visuals help you remember the facts.
Try putting important points,
quotes and formulae on tape. If you
hear them and read them, they’re
more likely to sink in.
TALK
Read your notes out loud, it’s one way of
getting them to register in your mind.
TEST
TIME
See what you can remember without
notes, but avoid testing yourself on
subjects you’re not 100% on yet.
Practice against
the clock: try, try
and try again!
The odd hour here and there isn’t
enough. Make a revision plan you
can stick to, with a daily outline which
includes times for breaks and meals.
Know your strong and weak subjects
and mix them up on your
timetable: don’t do all the nightmare
topics at once.
You will need help at some point, so
ask parents, brothers, sisters, teachers
and friends! Don’t be afraid to ask!
Set targets
that you can
reach and tick
them off as
you achieve
them.
Find somewhere quiet to revise. You could also try working with other
people but, if you can’t concentrate, save get-togethers for breaks from the books.
1. Make your
own revision
notes.
You’ll learn as
you write and,
once you’ve got
them finished,
you’re halfway
there!
2. Be sure!
Be certain that you know
exactly what you need to revise.
3. Concentrate on the
positives.
Revise by thinking that each
time you do it, you are making
the exam easier.
4. Try new
things.
Experiment
with new
ways of
learning:
variety
beats
boredom!
5. Don’t overdo it.
Concentration goes after a short
period of time, so make sure
that you take regular breaks.
6. Be confident.
Think positively about exams and
you will take in more information.
7. Focus
Avoid making pointless
notes. Look at past exam
papers and see how
questions could be asked.
Picture the scene. You have an exam really soon and you’re
supposed to be revising. Your mind starts to wander and
before long you find that you’ve wasted half an hour planning
your weekend, instead of your revision. How can
you improve your concentration? Here
are some suggestions...
REMOVE DISTRACTIONS!
FIND YOUR BEST
TIME OF DAY!
Do tasks that need most
concentration at times
when you are mentally and
physically fresh. If you are
tired and hungry, your
ability to concentrate will be
reduced!
Noise, uncomfortable surroundings and interruptions from other people all
affect your ability to concentrate. Find a quiet, comfortable place to study,
away from people, the computer and the TV. Keep this space as
uncluttered as possible.
SET A GOAL!
Decide on a goal for each session of revision. Try to
achieve this by the end of the time. Keep breaking
revision down into smaller pieces and reward yourself
when you do exactly what you planned.
Picture the scene. You have an exam really soon and you’re
supposed to be revising. Your mind starts to wander and
before long you find that you’ve wasted half an hour planning
your weekend, instead of your revision. How can you
improve your concentration? Here are some
suggestions...
KEEP SAYING “BE HERE NOW!” TO YOURSELF
When you find your attention is wandering, say to yourself the words “Be here
Now!” to refocus. At first, you might be doing this several times a minute, but with
practice, you will be able to concentrate for longer periods.
POSITIVE ATTITUDE
Tell yourself that whatever you do will be the best
that you can. Avoid saying things like “I can’t do it!”
(YOU CAN!) and “it has to be perfect!” (IT
DOESN’T!)
Picture the scene. You have an exam really soon and you’re supposed to be
revising. Your mind starts to wander and before long you find that you’ve wasted
half an hour planning your weekend, instead of your revision. How can you
improve your concentration? Here are some
suggestions...
CHANGING THE SUBJECT
REST AND STRETCH TIME
It’s better not to concentrate on the same subject for
too long. You will absorb more information if you
change subject or topic every one or two hours.
Take short breaks, get up and walk around.
When we move, blood is pumped around the
body and more oxygen is sent to the brain.
REWARD YOURSELF
Give yourself an incentive when
revising. By having something to look
forward to when you finish your work,
you are more likely to get stuck in
and learn more!
Revision doesn’t have to be all long hours sitting in front of your books. Here are
some suggestions that could help you to make it a less annoying and
more enjoyable experience!
SING WHEN
YOU’RE REVISING!
One of the best ways to learn
something is to make a song
about it with a catchy tune, so
you can remember all the
information more easily.
If you have a favourite song,
then change the words to
facts that you need to
remember. You’ll find that the
words stick in your mind
longer if you associate them
with a tune.
TEXT!
If you spend a lot of time texting with
your mates, then this might help you!
Whenever you text with mates, why
not ask a question both of you need
to know the answer to, then the other
person can answer back!
TEST YOUR MATES!
It can be great to get together with friends
and revise, as long as this is what you
actually end up doing. Try quizzing each
other - use pretend money and see who
ends up the richest!
Revision doesn’t have to be all long hours sitting in front of your books. Here are
some suggestions that could help you to make it a less annoying and
more enjoyable experience!
DECORATE YOUR ROOM!
Why not make your room into a revision centre? Put coloured revision pages,
post-it notes and bright diagrams up onto your walls, cupboards and drawers.
This way, whatever you’re doing, whether it’s drying your hair or picking out an
outfit, you are constantly looking at your revision notes!
PLAY REVISION GAMES!
A great tip is to make up some question cards with
questions on the front and answers on the back.
Then try to answer each question. If you get it right, put it
in the ‘right’ pile. If you’re almost right, put it in the ‘almost’
pile. If you get it wrong, put it in the ‘wrong’ pile. Go
through the questions until you get it right. Try to make it
FUN and give yourself prizes when you do well!