Looking for ways to get going with your studying?
Stressing about the fact you've been putting off revision can make it even harder to finally start, but there's no need to panic.
We've got 10 ways to ease yourself into revision while still getting plenty of it done – just decide which ones work for you and get going.
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1. Look at past papers and examiners' reports
Past papers will give you a clear idea of the task ahead, the structure of the paper, the wording of questions and examiners’ favourite topics.
You should also make use of mark schemes and examiners’ reports.
Going through a past paper's mark scheme once you've taken the paper will show you where you’ve gained and lost marks, and help you figure out which areas you need to devote more studying time to.
Examiners' reports show how they thought candidates performed on a particular paper. They're valuable as they can give you an idea of common mistakes students tend to make on the exam and how to avoid making them.
You'll be able to find A-level and GCSE past papers, mark schemes and examiners' reports on the exam boards' websites.
- Read more: how to use past papers to ace your exams
2. Make a plan
Creating a timetable helps you fit revision around other areas of your life. It helps you prioritise and can prevent you running out of revision time. Plans can be as simple as a list of what needs to be done each week up to hour-by-hour colour coded works of art.
You won't completely stick to your plan, and that's fine – things change and you can adapt along the way. But once your plan's sorted, it's time for the hardest part... getting started.
3. Make a list of what you need to learn
Take a subject, break it into topics using the specification or text book so you have a useful list of everything that needs to be learnt.
Remember to go through everything in the spec in enough detail to be able to apply it to exam questions.
4. Organise your notes
Your notes may well be the raw material for your revision. Check you've got decent notes on everything and ask your teacher if you've got any gaps to fill.
But organising your notes is only the start. The next step is learning them.
5. Read through your notes
This is a popular approach, often used in combination with highlighting key points. If you do start your revision like this you should test yourself regularly to check information is going into your brain.
A lot of students find they need to use their notes in a different way to learn them effectively.
- Read more: how to study effectively for your exams
6. Highlight your notes
Highlighting is a very common revision technique, and it help you focus on identifying key points. Some students develop elaborate highlighting techniques using different coloured highlighters.
You can also use your highlighted passages as the basis for flashcards or for self-testing.
7. Buy stationery
This is always a pleasure, especially if somebody else pays. Nice new pens, highlighters, cards and notebooks can all be useful.
While using stationery can be fun, it can also be quite distracting so try to use it in a way that helps you learn.
8. Make flashcards
You get double learning value from making your own card sets, as making them is active learning, and you can then use them for regular testing.
Put questions on one side and answers on the back to make your flashcards really easy for testing. Try putting them in different piles according to how well you know them so you can focus on the ones you’re less sure of.
Because flashcards usually don’t contain much detail, make sure you practise past exam questions so you develop the detailed knowledge, skills and techniques you’ll be assessed on.
9. Create mindmaps
Mindmaps help you see how a particular topic is made up of different parts. They're usually in spider diagrams but can be more complex with several branches and sub-branches. Visual learners often find mindmaps really helpful.
You can make mindmaps to plan answers to exam questions or to create the ‘big picture’ of a topic. Test yourself on mindmaps by hiding different branches.
- Read more: six amazing apps to help you revise
10. Buy revision guides
Before you buy a revision guide, think why you want it and how you’ll use it. Is the information presented in a way that will help you learn? Does the book have extra features like quizzes, examiners’ advice and past exam questions?
Ask yourself if you have what you need in your own notes, or do you need an extra source with even more information?
What revision methods work for you?
However you choose to start your revision, make sure you test yourself regularly in different ways and get lots of practise at exam questions. Find out what you do and don’t know and focus on improving your weaker areas.