REVISION TECHNIQUES By Mr. Peter Mwikamba

Where to begin…… Before you start your revision, there is need for you to prepare. How do your prepare yourself well for your revision? Guiding questions 1. Do I have the right revision materials? 2. Do I have a personal study timetable? 3. Where am I going to work from?

Where to begin…… 4. Am I away from easy distractions? 5. For how long can I concentrate fully? …30minutes…45minutes...1 hour...? 6. What is the length of my break and what will I be doing as part of my break..? 7. In a given subject, which are these topics that I have understood well and I am confident in, and which are these topics that I am are struggling?

Getting started… Go through the syllabus/ topics covered and highlight the headings/subheadings Under one heading, scan the passage and highlight the keywords Summarise the material under headings on flash cards / revision cards Organise your book shelf for easy access of revision materials to help you settle easily for your revision.

1. Give yourself enough time to study Don't leave it until the last minute. Set up a timetable for your study. Write down how many exams you have and the days on which you have to sit them. Then organize your study accordingly.  

2. Organise your study space Make sure you have enough space to spread your study materials and notes out. The study area should have enough lighting and your seat should be comfortable.

Organize your study space… Try and get rid of all distractions, and make sure you feel as comfortable and able to focus as possible. For some people, this may mean complete silence, for others,  back ground music helps. Think about what works for you, and get it right.

3. Use flow charts, mind-maps or diagrams Visual aids can be really helpful when revising. At the start of a topic, challenge yourself to write down everything you already know about a topic - and then highlight where the gaps lie. Condense your revision notes into one- page where possible. This will help you to quickly recall everything you need to know during the exam.

4. Practice with past exams One of the most effective ways to prepare for exams is to practice using past papers. This helps you get used to the format of the questions (examinations criteria). Time yourself – This can be good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each section. 

5. Organise study groups with friends Get together with friends for a study session. Have your questions ready in advance of the session. Make sure you stay focused on the topic or a set of questions for an agreed amount of time, this can be one of the most effective ways to challenge yourself.

6. Explain your answers to others Explain an answer to a question to someone else. That will help you to internalize and retain better, and also to identify any areas where you need more work.

7. Take regular breaks While you may think it's best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counterproductive. Everyone is different, so develop a study routine that works for you. Some pupils study better in the morning. Others are more productive at night time. Plan well to capitalize on the time you work best.

8. Snack on brain food Keep your body and brain well-fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that will aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt and blueberries. The same applies on exam day - eat a good meal before the test, based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout. Sugar may seem appealing, but your energy levels will crash an hour later.

9. Plan your exam day Make sure you get necessary materials ready well in advance of the exam start time. Don't leave it to the day before the exam to suddenly realize you don't know what you're supposed to bring. Go through all the rules and requirements.

10. Drink plenty of water As a final tip, remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout your revision, and also on the exam day.

Remember Making a plan takes time but it’s a very important part of revision. Plan which subjects and which topics you will study on which days. Don’t forget to include the dates of exams on your study plan Remember to build in time to revisit each subject briefly after a day or within a week as well as just before the exam Don’t try to cover too much, too fast – be realistic, small chunks are best Make a conscious effort to commit the information to memory

Video clips https://youtu.be/M4yMYF80CFI?t=43 https://youtu.be/xjQo-Dmb74Y?t=191