Study Skills Studying should not be a time when you ‘cram’ before a test or exam. Studying regularly reduces stress leading up to exam time and helps you succeed

Benefits of regular revision “The best revision is continuous revision, started as early as possible, spread into several sessions, rather than lumped in at the last minute". Rather than spend hours on end th night before the exam, study regularly and this will help you get the result you deserve!

How long should I study for? 30-40 minute study sessions are enough! You should break up sessions by taking a break, going for a walk, eating a snack etc.

My study environment Do I study better at night or in the morning? If you walk your dog in the morning then you could study afterwards. Am I more focused at a table or in my bedroom? Cool or warm room? Tidy or messy room?

My study environment Do I study best when I am with a group of friends… or is this just time spent chatting. Do I focus more when I am on my own?

Checking your phone every 2 minutes disrupts the flow of your study Checking your phone every 2 minutes disrupts the flow of your study. Give your phone to a parent/guardian to keep hold of during your study time

How to ‘MAKE IT HAPPEN’ Understand Condense Memorise Review

1. Understand Ask questions & ask for help if you need it Attend supported study sessions Keep track of the work & keep it organised so you don’t lose anything important.

2. Condense Make coloured notes & mind maps using only KEY points Use post it notes and stick on wall Make revision cards with questions on one side and the answer on the other.

3. Memorise Rather than just reading your notes, try one of these ways: Use mnemonics Funny stories or rhymes Make a song Remember the rhythm Draw a diagram, with annotations and picture it in your head If a primary school pupil can do it, it wont work e.g. copying or reading. You need to DO SOMETHING with your notes.

4. Review Make time to come back and check that you remember what you have learned. Test yourself or ask someone to test you after a few days/weeks. Don’t let all your knowledge drain away!!

Different ways to study Audio learning Effective note taking Teach a friend Revise with friends Changing the format of notes

Different ways to study Audio learning Effective note taking Teach a friend Revise with friends Changing the format of notes

Audio Learning Record your notes On your phone you can record yourself reading chunks of your notes. (Apps to change text into talk) You should shorten these down into small, memorable parts Like song lyrics, you will learn the words and rhythm and be able to produce answers in your exam. THIS WORKS VERY WELL FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE MUSICAL AND DON’T LIKE WRITING LOTS!

Effective Note taking Always write notes in your own words – unless the teacher tells you otherwise Less is more – you don’t need every single word, just the key points Make your notes visual e.g. draw small pictures to represent ideas Use different coloured pens for different points or to link knowledge

Teach a friend/family Teach someone you know, who doesn’t study the subject Choose a small part of the topic e.g. Causes of climate change Teach the person by speaking, showing diagrams etc. Test their knowledge at the end Evidence shows that this helps develop the knowledge of the person teaching the lesson as they think of how to explain it to others

Revise with friends Share resources – everyone makes a mind map for a different topic and then photocopy Create some questions on a topic and test each other Revise together at school, in the library or in each others houses – this means you still see your friends but can revise at the same time

Change the format of notes Reading/copying notes – PASSIVE This means you are not thinking or being challenged Make revision cards Make mind-maps – linking ideas with colour Shorten notes into small chunks

Revision cards example Easy to carry around! Effects of climate change: Flooding – Bangladesh Drought – Ethiopia > starvation More hurricanes – Philippians Water shortage – California Melting ice caps - Arctic Question: Explain 5 causes of climate change Show example of revision cards, tied together with an elastic band Question on one side Answer on the other Short, to the point notes on a topic

Mind Maps Link ideas with colour – use large branches then into smaller to develop lines of thinking. Add images to represent ideas.

Look after yourself! Drink lots of water Eat healthily Get fresh air & some exercise Get plenty of sleep! Tiredness ≠ success Put the phone away

Organise your time Schedule specific nights for each subject Make sure you know which topic you will study otherwise you spend time choosing/looking for the relevant notes