1. Study Support 2012-2013 TOD314032

2. CONDENSE Fitting notes onto one side of paper makes them easier to stomach, so rewrite and cut down as you go. HIGHLIGHT Target key areas using colours and symbols. Visuals help you remember the facts. RECORD 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 See what you can remember without notes, but avoid testing yourself on subjects you’re not 100% on yet. TIME Practice against the clock: try, try and try again!

3. 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. Set targets that you can reach and tick them off as you achieve them. You will need help at some point, so ask parents, brothers, sisters, teachers and friends! Don’t be afraid to ask! 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.

4. 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. 5. Don’t overdo it. Concentration goes after a short period of time, so make sure that you take regular breaks. 4. Try new things. Experiment with new ways of learning: variety beats boredom! 7. Focus Avoid making pointless notes. Look at past exam papers and see how questions could be asked. 6. Be confident. Think positively about exams and you will take in more information.

5. 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... 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! REMOVE DISTRACTIONS! 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.

6. 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!)

7. 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... REST AND STRETCH TIME 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. CHANGING THE SUBJECT 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. 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!

8. 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!

9. 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!