What is good revision?
It is the degree of thought process involved which determines how effective the revision is, so‌
Effective revision is DOING! As a rule‌ Look for the pen, not the book!
… Just read … Just copy … Just rewrite … only use one method … leave it to the last minute … don’t focus on your strengths
… Do tasks … use a variety of methods … spread revision over time … focus on your weaknesses
Identify and Prioritise areas • Subjects will give a list of topics • Prioritise areas to revise • Red / amber / green • Out of 10
Making notes (low impact but a good starting point!).
For Maximum Impact… • Highlight key words in your notes • Or • Order the key words by subject
Mindmaps For Maximum Impact… • Use colour to help visual memory • Add pictures to help visual memory • Limit the information to make it manageable
Flashcards - For Maximum Impact… • Make them ‘stranger’ friendly • Do these regularly with your child • Put them in piles of easy medium and hard and move them when you get them right 3 times • Bullet point them
Videos - For Maximum Impact… • Stop when it stops being effective • Active revising – make notes. 10 bullet point per half hour. • Watch the video in sections where possible
Top Trumps - For Maximum Impact… • Focus on the content, rather than the appearance • Talk to your teacher about the content needed
Place small notes around the house - For Maximum Impact… • Less is more, be choosy! • Manage the amount to help your child feel it is manageable • Keep changing the information and the placements.
Exam Questions - For Maximum Impact… • Revise and then randomly select an exam question • Find a hard exam question and plan the answer • Bullet point answers to get loads of questions rehearsed • Do some full length / timed questions • Could these form some of the flashcards?
Subject Specific Revision Tasks
More available on TGI-space ‘Revision Support’
What else can parents do… • Ensure they have breakfast – proven to stimulate the brain • Create a study space for them • Agree a revision timetable • Minimise distractions like phone and internet. • Check what they are PRODUCING as revision • Get involved in the use of flashcards… but don’t force yourself in. The student must feel comfortable. • Be familiar with the study supports that are available for your child. • Equip them to do well – A4 and A3 paper, coloured pens, pencils, highlighters. • Support them – This is a hard time and they will need your support at sometime