Effective Revision Strategies

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Effective Revision Strategies

• VALUE 2008
• Shaun Theobald

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What is revision?

• Active process of re-visiting whats been learned
• On-going and systematic

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Good revision requires

• Creativity
• Interactive study techniques
• Motivation
• Time management
• Willingness to work with others
• Writing skills
• Selectivity
• Critical thinking
• Effective use of memory
• Concentration

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The twelve basic principles of effective revision

• Clear objectives
• Clear targets
• Systematic and realistic targets
• Realistic schedules
• Clear time-lines
• Dont exhaust yourself
• Carry out continual self-testing

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The twelve principles cont.

• Use varied methods
• Work with your own learning style
• Maximise your concentration
• Record your revision
• Work with others

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1.Clear Objectives Revision Techniques

• Always start each revision session with a clear
  sense of what you want to achieve.

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Examples

• Produce a model answer under exam conditions
• Read 4 weeks notes
• Write 2 sample answers
• Consult one key text Chs. 1-3
• Re-draft/summarise 3 sets of lecture notes

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2. Clear Targets Revision Topics

• Not just a module etc but specific
  topics/issues/practice questions/parts of past
  exam papers etc.
• Always narrow down targets/ academic content use
  past papers etc
• Carry out a module audit
• Focus revision topics so you achieve

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3.Systematic and Realistic Targets

• Better to concentrate on understanding something
  you can achieve within a specific revision time
  than be over ambitious or too broad.
• Adjust your topics according to the assessment
  structure for your module/exam

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What to revise?

• Examine course outline/syllabus
• Check recommended reading lists
• Essay/assignment topics
• Past Papers
• Topics emphasised by lecturers/tutors

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Should you learn everything?

• Be systematic-work out what you cant afford to
  leave out and tackle it now
• Analyse the pros and cons of learning all or part
  of your syllabus 60-70??
• Some modules (e.g. computing) may be 100 assessed

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4.Realistic Schedules

• Daily/weekly/monthly.
• Including rest and relaxation!
• Sensible and flexible you should review and
  change from time to time!

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Prioritise

• Establish time needed for each subject
• Plot out a schedule thats realistic and based on
  past experience
• Allow for the unexpected
• Balance revision before and during exams
• Plan each week in advance and review
  regularly-adapt plan accordingly

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Interweaving modules in the schedule

• Divide modules across weeks
• Allow time for consolidation review
• Arrange final stages around the exams themselves
• Work in half-day blocks?
• LW508 Mon 19th May LW503 21st LW304 23rd

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5. Clear time-lines

• Dont revise just up to the exams, but through
  the exams.
• Tues 20th Thurs 22nd further revision
• Develop a continual sense of the time you have in
  front of you and how you will use it.

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6. Dont Exhaust Yourself!

• Remember that short active sessions are better
  than long, fatiguing ones.
• Develop your concentration BBR
  (BlockBreakReview)

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Breaks and changes method

• Block Break Review
• 20 10 10
• 30 5 5

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7. Carry Out Continual Self-testing

• Practise practice answers!
• Check practice answers.
• Check and review what you have learnt continually.

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Sample Answers

• Prepare open book answers
• Prepare answer plans, spider diagrams,
• Produce 1 page of key bullet points
• per proposed answer and memorise
• Answer a few in full against the clock.
• Swap answers with friends
• Build towards a closed book timed answer

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Checking answers

• Check answers for the number of key points
• Check for clarity
• Check for your focus on the question how close
  to the question were you?
• Check your handwriting is it legible?
• Check for reading and learning
• Check for original thought and independent
  evaluation

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8. Use Varied Methods!

• Dont just read and noteexplore different
  techniques!
• Posters
• Post-its
• Index cards
• Tape recorder
• Word docs on PC
• Subject packs

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Subject packs

• Notes
• Articles
• Related assignments
• Graphics/illustrations/diagrams
• Mind Maps
• Sample Answers

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9. Work with Your Own Learning Style

• Understand your own strengths and weaknesses
  learning style-
• Visual
• Aural
• Kinaesthetic
• Reading writing
• Be flexible!

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10. Maximise your Concentration

• Work in harmony with your body proper food,
  proper rest etc.
• Develop a sense of order and continuity.
• Use a regular study area neat and systematic.

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Improving Concentration

• Prepare Time Table
• Start on time
• Clutter free zone
• Quiet place
• Comfortable (but not TOO relaxing!)
• Be assertive-say NO to distractions!

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Improving Concentration cont.

• Work with your body clock
• Arrange room equipment in advance
• Be active
• Move on at agreed times
• BBR
• Manage other anxieties
• Practise relaxation

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11. Record your Revision

• Set and plan targets.
• Record what you have achieved.
• Use your records to boost morale and set out
  future targets.

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12 Work with others

• Try and share some of your revision by working
  with others
• Shared perspectives more knowledge
• More fun!

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GOOD LUCK!

• Keep it going keep it active
• WORK WITH PAST PAPERS
• Templeman Library on-line resources-
• http//library.kent.ac.uk/library/exampapers/