Study and Revise to be Healthy and Wise

Why Revise?

There are various reasons and methods to revise. Below are just a few of them, which are intended to give an overview of the effectiveness of revision and the benefits it offers if done properly. Do consider the following points which are very important.

1) If you feel it will help you, set a revision timetable, revising certain subjects at certain times.

2) If you feel the need for silence while revising, try to make this possible.

3) If you like to work to music, get some headphones and listen to your favourite album whilst you work. Try to listen to something that is familiar and "one of your favourites" - this will help to put you in a positive frame of mind during your revision - it can also reduce the risk of distraction, under the right circumstances.

4) Make sure you have a break from revision - try to arrange things so that you have a "day off" revising. This will mean when you re-start your revision, you will be a little fresher.

5) Try to revise one section of notes, or one set of topics together.

6) If you have trouble with specific details of topics, at least try to understand the topic generally and try not to get too bogged down with details. If you just choose to "ignore" topics, you may be limiting your options too much when it comes to answering questions - try to gain a broad understanding, as this is often sufficient to answer most or part of a question. (Quite often, details are supplied anyway - you just have to tie them together.) 

Tips for revision

1) Try to develop your own technique for revision. Different techniques work for different people and depending on the type of subject being revised, some techniques are more suitable than others. Here are some:-

2) Read and Memorise.

3) Make summary notes - short version of main notes.

4) Mae a List of keywords for each topic covered, which can act as "triggers" for other ideas.

5) Some kind of diagrammatic representation of notes can be helpful.

6) Revise with a friend or colleague - if possible, exchange ideas during revision - this can be very helpful to both people in understanding topics and building confidence.

7) Questions and Answers - get a friend to ask you specific questions about topics and think up questions to ask your friend. This will test and help to build your own understanding.

8) Make up a set of revision cards - with one main topic per card, each topic listing ideas or information for this topic. You can carry these cards with you and, if you choose, get them out and revise whilst a passenger in a car or on the bus or train, or when queuing somewhere.

9) If possible, ask your teacher or tutor to revise topics you are unsure about and try to get the tutor to help you to fully understand the topic.

Hope this helps. Good Luck to All.