Lots of people think of revision as something you do in the build up to an exam and they would be… correct! However, the “build up” should be much more than just the few days or even weeks before the exam. Revision should be an ongoing process that starts the same evening that something new was learned during the day. It is only by going back to something again and again that we become better at it.
Revision is about you doing what you need to do
You will probably hear your friends boasting about “how little revision they did last night” – and if you admit you have been revising you have fears of being the Swot of the class. In fact, however, your friends are probably working just as hard as you. In any case, you know how much you need to revise so just do it, and don’t worry about what the people around you are doing. Everyone will get what they deserve in the end…
Little and often is best
Your mind will only be able to concentrate well for short periods of time – the first 15 minutes of revision are thought to be the best. Make sure you stop for a few minutes every 30 minutes or so. During your break, a good thing to do is to sit back for a few minutes, close your eyes, relax, and just think about the things you have just learnt.
Revision is tiring
While you are using up energy revising it is important to eat properly so that your body and your mind are fit and ready for the exams. Fish, eggs and milk are high in protein which is used by your brain. But you will need energy as well. Nuts and bananas will are good sources for this (chocolate is another good source of energy, but the effects of eating a bar of chocolate last far less than eating, for instance, a banana).
Be organised and be disciplined
If you set aside the hours in the day you are going to revise, and let everyone else know what these are, you can make sure you are not disturbed. You can then get into a ‘revision pattern’ – where your mind expects to be revising and is therefore more receptive to the material. Creating a timetable, either on paper or using online resources such as www.getrevising.co.uk is a great way to structure revision – so long as you stick to it!