REVISION STRATEGIES

If you learn best by reading and writing, these strategies will work for you:

• Use notes, books, and articles:
  Reading is your primary method of learning. Create detailed notes, summaries, and highlight key points from textbooks, study guides, or articles. Reading the same material multiple times can help reinforce your knowledge.

• Rewriting and summarising:
  Rewriting your notes or summarising topics in your own words helps you engage with the material. Write concise summaries, and try to explain concepts as if you were teaching someone else.

• Use revision guides:
  Revision guides are a great way to break down complex topics into bite-sized pieces. They often contain the most important points, which can help you focus your revision.

Suggested Tools:

• • Google Docs: Write, summarise, and structure your notes neatly.

  • Evernote: A digital tool for organising and accessing your notes on any device.

  • Pens & paper or a funky notebook - check out www.amazon.co.uk for some cool and original designs. 

If you learn best by watching and listening, these strategies will help you reinforce your revision:

• Watch educational videos:
  Videos are a great resource for learning complex topics. Watch educational YouTube channels, documentaries, or recorded lessons to understand concepts in a visual format.

• Listen to podcasts or audiobooks:
  Listening is an effective way to learn on the go. Find podcasts or audiobooks related to your subjects and listen to them while walking, commuting, or exercising.

• YouTube and educational channels:
  Use YouTube channels like BBC Bitesize, Khan Academy, or CrashCourse to watch videos on topics you need to revise.

Suggested Tools:

• • YouTube: Educational channels for GCSE subjects.

  • Podcasts: Find relevant podcasts on Spotify, Apple Music and BBC Sounds that align with your subjects.

  • LibriVox or Audible: Platforms for finding audiobooks that can help you with your revision.

  • Join the Libraries West scheme for free access to books, videos, films and audiobooks to support your revision.

If you prefer to learn by doing, these hands-on strategies will work for you:

• Create flashcards:
  Flashcards are perfect for hands-on learners. Write questions or concepts on one side and answers on the other. You can test yourself or ask someone else to quiz you.

• Solve practice problems:
  For subjects like maths, science or computer science, solving problems is key. Practice as many questions as possible to reinforce your understanding and improve your problem-solving skills.

• Write essays or reports:
  Writing is a great way to solidify your knowledge. Choose a topic, write an essay or report, and make sure to cover everything you’ve learned about that subject.

• Revision games and interactive quizzes:
  Use apps or websites that turn revision into a game. This will keep you engaged while helping you recall key information.

Suggested Tools:

• • Quizlet: Create interactive flashcards and practice tests.

  • Kahoot! and Blooket: Use or create fun quiz games to reinforce what you’ve learned. Try and beat your score each time!

If you prefer self-study and reflection, these strategies will help you work independently:

• Personal reflection and journaling:
  Keep a revision journal where you write about what you’ve learned, any challenges you’ve faced, and your goals for the next study session. This personal reflection will help you stay focused.

• Self-testing:
  Test yourself regularly on the topics you’ve studied. Use past papers, quizzes, or practice questions to evaluate your knowledge and identify areas that need improvement.

• Create personalised revision plans:
  Plan your revision according to your needs. Set daily or weekly goals for yourself and track your progress. You can adjust your plan as needed, based on which areas you feel you need more time on.

Suggested Tools:

• • Google Calendar: Plan your revision schedule and set reminders for key tasks.

  • Anki: A spaced-repetition app for self-testing and flashcard creation.

If you thrive in a collaborative environment, these strategies will help you learn best with others:

• Revision groups:
  Form or join a revision group with classmates. Discussing topics, testing each other, and teaching one another can help deepen your understanding. Each person can take responsibility for teaching a particular topic to the rest of the group.

• Group debates and discussions:
  Engage in debates or discussions with your revision group. This is particularly useful for subjects like history, RE, or citizenship, where different perspectives can enhance your understanding.

• Peer teaching:
  If you learn better by explaining things to others, try peer teaching. Explaining concepts to your classmates helps you clarify your own understanding and reinforce your knowledge.

• Collaborative learning platforms:
  Use online platforms to discuss topics with others. Many educational platforms offer forums where you can post questions, share resources, and engage in group discussions.

• Suggested Tools:

  • Google Meet or Zoom: Set up virtual revision sessions with classmates.

  • Slack or Discord: Use these platforms to chat, share resources, and ask questions with your revision group. You can even link up with other students nationally - try searching for your exam board e.g. OCR Computer Science group.

  • The Student Room - discuss worries/concerns/techniques/tips in a moderated forum. 

Active Learning

• Active recall: Regularly test yourself on what you’ve learned, rather than just re-reading notes. This strengthens memory and helps you retain the material.

• Spaced repetition: Review material at regular intervals to improve long-term retention.

• Interleaving: Switch between different subjects or topics during your revision sessions to improve problem-solving and make connections across subjects.

Smart Study

• Pomodoro technique: Study for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. After four sessions, take a longer break (15-30 minutes). This technique maximises focus and prevents burnout.

• 45-Minute sessions: Study for 45 minutes, then take a 15-minute break. This keeps your mind fresh and focused.

Practice Papers

• Why practice papers matter: Get used to the format of the exams and time management by completing past papers. Always review your answers and mark schemes to see where you can improve.

Mind Maps & Flashcards

• Mind maps: Use mind maps to visualise key concepts, connections, and breakdowns of large topics. This is a helpful tool for summarising content.

• Flashcards: Write questions on one side and answers on the other. Flashcards are ideal for active recall, particularly for definitions, formulas, or key concepts.

Memory Techniques

• Mnemonic devices: Use memory aids like acronyms or rhymes to help remember key information.

• Chunking: Break down large amounts of information into smaller, more manageable chunks.

• Feynman technique: Teach the concept to someone else as if you’re explaining it in simple terms. This ensures you truly understand what you're revising!