Wiki Help Needed - Study tips and revision articles

You may have noticed that TSR Wiki is currently locked from editing for a while. This is because we have moved it over to the Development Site to restructure it for the site redesign.

Currently I am working on re-structuring the 'Study Help' section, and in doing this realised we urgenty need two articles you might be able to help with on 'Revision Methods and Tips' and 'Study Tips' - for people at school and college.

Anyone here should be able to write these, of at least a couple of hundred words. If anyone wants to have a go, then please post an article in this thread...there might be rep from me for anyone who has a g at writing one...

WE HAVE PLENTY ON THESE TOPICS FOR NOW - BUT PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CREATE MORE. HOWEVER IF MAY NOT BE INCLUDED FROM NOW ON.

Here's what we need:

Revision Methods and Tips

An article focusing on exam reparation and tips to help them go well. It should also have sections looking at different methods of revision you might ue - reading books, making notes, mind-maps etc and the benefits of each method. Over all it should have the emphasis that different methods are good for differnet people and you need to find some which work for you.

Study Help for school and college.

We have an article focusing on study tips at uni, but need some things sepcific to school and/or college. Things like rogasnising your time, atending class and keeping notes/books/filing, completeing homework and course work, finding out info about exams and deadlines, suggestions for organising your time etc.

We really need to try and get these done by the end of the week too, so your help will be much welcomed! :biggrin:

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

Laevis

Hi Captain Kirk :biggrin:

I had to give a short speech on study tips for new sixth form students at the start of this year. I could dig it up, modify it and post it if you like- i'd love to give something back to TSR.

I'll get cracking and post it ASAP :smile:

Leavis,

EDIT: Should it be written in first person so as to sound like a personal advice guide written using hindsight? Or should it be a slightly more formal, impersonal guide?

Reply 2

TSR Community Staff

Either format would be good.

We currently have some very formal and many informal articles.

Personally, I think something informal would be best, but what ever is easier for you.

Thanks for your help!

Reply 3

TSR Community Staff

Just upping this as stuf is still needed!

Reply 4

-CBee-

I can have a go at the revision tips one. Shall I break it down into sections, with a bit on different types of revision?

Reply 5

TSR Community Staff

-CBee-

I can have a go at the revision tips one. Shall I break it down into sections, with a bit on different types of revision?

Sounds like a great idea!

Look forward to readin it :biggrin:

Reply 6

-CBee-

Roger Kirk

Sounds like a great idea!

Look forward to readin it :biggrin:

Cool

Shall I send it through to you by private message when I'm done? Or just attach it in this thread?

Reply 7

Laus

These are just some ideas. I hope some of it is useful...

Read through what you have done during the day (at school) that evening and/or before you go to your next lesson. Not many students do this, but research shows it really helps you to remember better and helps you to come to lessons more prepared and more able to link the new material to the old.

Make revision material (throughout the year) - but just in small chunks. For example, take one AS/A2 topic and put a question on one side and the answer on the other - such as, give 3 advantages of cotton over wool, or give brief details of 2 key inventions in spinning or weaving, or give 3 reasons why cotton was (or was not) a lead industry. These cards take very little time to do, help you to interact with the material and can form the basis of your final revision.

Allocate one free period a week to do revision - you'll be surprised how much you can do.

Timelines can be helpful - especially for History. They are invaluable for making sense of a series of events, because you can trace improvements, factors etc. Pin them up in your room or on the loo wall!

For English Lit, for example, pick a key character and do a series of cards with evidence of their characters action or a useful quotation. Put these chronologically so you can trace development.

Draw key theme cards, style cards etc. with evidence. You could draw a timeline of books and plays and superimpose a tension graph i.e. lines rise for more dramatic events (take Inspector Calls, for example).

Poems - blow up the poem (photocopy and stick them on large paper) and annotate them in different colours for content, and various stylistic ideas. A chapter or scene synopses for books and plays can be useful (4 points will do).

Essay writing tips

Perfect your essay technique. Good spelling and grammar helps too.

When attempting past papers, always answer the question! - It might sound fairly obvious but many people just narrate the story. Examiners are assessing your ability to show historical reasoning. Always reread the question at the start of every new paragraph. Make a brainstorm/mindmap of the major points you want/need to cover in your essay. Make sure your points are relevant. Try not to waffle.

Never say 'I think' - they don't care about your opinion! Use phrases such as 'the evidence suggests' or 'this implies that...'

Don't assert - demonstrate.

Be analytical and evaluative.

Structure your essays - e.g. intro, 4/5 paragraphs, conclusion. Start and finish every paragraph with a topic sentence relating to the question. Make links.

Key sentences - an interesting intro - a clever conclusion (with a twist?) - use historical hindsight. Use evidence well. Don't be afraid to criticise.

Listen to the points your teachers/friends/parents make - write them down so that you have a really comprehensive range of notes to revise from.

Use past exam questions.

Read outside of the exam syllabus (don't get carried away, mind).

Practise your writing skills.

Always ask where you went wrong if you get a low grade.

Have a look at what the examiners are after. There are specific websites with past papers, mark schemes etc.

Do lots of past papers under timed conditions - this works particularly well for History, English Literature and Philosophy.

Only describe events when you need to in order to make your arguement. - Explain why your point is relevant and how it answers the question.

Note/cue cards are always handy for when you're out and about.

Mind maps (I'll use philosophy as an example) Plato ----> arguments/analogies (e.g. forms/cave) ----> draw links ----> work things out ----> show criticisms etc.

Get an A3 piece of paper - divide into four parts. Then, for example, make four headings e.g. Hume, theory, good things, bad things; Aristotle, theory, good things, bad things etc. For the latter you could have under theory his four causes: material, efficient, formal and final (MEFF) etc.

Argue with a friend and/or talk things over with someone - parents make interesting victims!

Every relevant point picks up a mark. Always make a point.

:smile:

Reply 8

adrenaline1989

Brilliant advice!!!

Reply 9

Laus

Thanks

Reply 10

02mik_e

Thanks for that Brillant Advice

Reply 11

TSR Community Staff

Right, thanks for your efforts Laus. I've added your stuff to the development site, so watch out for it when the new design goes ''live''. I made a couple of additons to it myself and an intro and moved a couple of sections around. Hope you like what I did!

Your help is much appreciated. If anyone else has anything to write on these topics, please still do. We can create another article if the direction/content is different, or merge the, together i to one article.

Let's kep up on this and create a great section :biggrin:

Reply 12

Laus

Thanks Roger. It wasn't the best I know - just some general ideas. Glad to hear that you managed to get something good out of it :smile:

.

I'll add to it if I can think of anything else.

Reply 13

TSR Community Staff

Laus

Thanks Roger. It wasn't the best I know - just some general ideas. Glad to hear that you managed to get something good out of it :smile:

.

I'll add to it if I can think of anything else.

It's mostly ll your work still. I just added an intro, reorded a couple of sections so I could put in headings and subheadings and added a 2 or 3 bits more specific to other sibjects like maths :biggrin:

But by and large it is still your stuff :biggrin:

Reply 14

Laus

Really? Aw, thanks! :biggrin:

Reply 15

Laevis

Captain Kirk, you're getting mine tomorrow first thing- promise :smile:

I've really finished it now but i'm just going to go through it again and do those 'last minute' touches which seem to become 'last hour' :s-smilie:

First thing tomorrow morning :wink:

Reply 16

TSR Community Staff

Anyone got anything else here for us to add? :biggrin:

Reply 17

Laevis

Okay, what i've written is a sort of guide for students who have just completed their GCSEs and are about to move onto sixth form/college. It details the major changes and gives help/advice on what to do and when.

I thought this would be ideal to accompany what Laus has already done ;yes;

Sorry if it wasn't what you expected/hoped for :redface:

Here are some useful suggestions to bear in mind as you make that nerving yet exciting transition from GCSE to A Level, derived from my own personal experiences.

Beginning the new term, I was relishing the challenges that higher education would undoubtedly bring and it is important to acknowledge that higher education will challenge you more than GCSEs; it is a big step up in workload so be prepared to work harder and concentrate more.

You will be bombarded with talk about UCAS, University and Careers. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it is best to use this as your motivation for the next two years. For the first time since I started schooling I had a feeling that University was in sight and this is the goal to which you are ultimately working. So keep reminding yourselves that no matter how tough things may seem it will be worth it in the end when you end up achieving grades that allow you to go to a University you love to read a subject you enjoy.

Probably the biggest difference you will notice when you enter sixth form/college is the emphasis on independence. You become a much more independent student in many ways from little things like having to buy your own paper, folders, stationary, books and various other resources that will supplement your learning to bigger things like carrying out your own research, initiating your own coursework, catching up on missed lessons and reading around your subject areas outside of class far more than ever before. This independence is the biggest and hardest to cope with difference between pre and post GCSE education so it is important to embrace it early and ensure you keep focused.

Another huge change will be the free periods in your timetable. It is very easy to use these free periods to hang about with friends and catch up with the latest banter. The key to free periods is compromise. By all means use free periods to have some time off and rest, particularly if you have been working hard over the week however it is essential that most free periods are dedicated to keeping up with work, revising, doing extra research etc. Although the staff will do all they can to try and ensure you are using your time effectively, it is ultimately down to you to make the most of your time. Your future, your responsibility.

The greatest thing about Higher Education is your ability to handpick your subjects. I cannot stress how important your subject selections are so pick wisely. There are two main criteria to consider when selecting which subjects to take: 1- What you want to study in the future 2- What you will enjoy most. Look into the course(s) that you want to study at University and see if there are any essential A Level (or equivalent) subjects for that degree. For example, in order to study ‘Medicine’ most universities require that you have a ‘Chemistry’ A level. The second criterion is also important. It would be advisable to pick a subject you genuinely enjoy and want to learn more about. For example, I picked English because I had a passion for literature and I loved reading, I picked History because I had a burning desire to learn about the past and, in a sense, about my identity, I picked sociology because I wanted to understand in greater depth what was going on in society and how I could make a difference. If a student is enjoying their studies it’s always easier for them to thrive. You will find the work much more enjoyable.

Depending on your household income, you may be entitled to receive Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). This is a sum of either £10, £20 or £30 a week (again depending on household income) just for attending all your lessons and being punctual- not bad considering you used to do it for free in year 11. EMA is there to ensure you can afford all the resources that you will need and supplement your education in any way necessary. You will find you may need to go on visits to museums/exhibitions whilst studying a particular topic and so your EMA helps to pay for this. I spent a lot of money on more specialist and advanced books during sixth form which weren’t available in the library and I funded this using my EMA. It also helps to alleviate financial worries so you can continue to concentrate on your more important learning.

Organisation is of paramount importance so get organised and begin planning from the off. Remember: Failure to plan is planning to fail. When you are handed your timetables draw up a revision timetable where you allocate a certain amount of time each week to your different subjects. Use your time constructively throughout the year and you will find exam periods much less stressful.

Keep all class notes organized too as they become your best tool for exam revision. Buy separate folders for each of your subjects and simply file in the notes as you take them. This will make it easier to refer to your folder when you come across points you don’t understand and when you come to revise.

When you near exam periods, be it January or Summer exams, go on your respective exam board websites and find out the date of your examinations. Don’t wait for your teacher to give you an exam timetable as at many sixth forms/colleges, such as mine, you are given the timetables too late to use as part of your planning. The earlier you begin your revision the more prepared you will be for your examinations. Create a revision timetable allocating time for each subject but don’t over do it. Ensure you give yourself evenings off and afternoons to relax as too much pressure will be counter productive. It is a good idea to spend a bit more time revising the subjects you are less confident on so that you may become more confident as the exam looms nearer.

It is important to try and enjoy your time at sixth form/college. The only way a student can enjoy their studies is if they throw themselves at it fully, if they engage 100% and try their best. You will each have different hopes and expectations when you enter sixth form however it is the knowledge that you worked your hardest and tried your best that makes you all satisfied when you leave.

Captain Kirk- If you want, i could edit what i've done or do something totally different but, for now, that's my contribution :tsr2:

Reply 18

TSR Community Staff

Woot!

That is good stuff there too.

I will read the rest of it soon and then add it to the wiki...brilliant stuff...i need to make a list of people to rep!

Reply 19

-CBee-

I've done something covering revision methods and tips, hope this is useful for the wiki :smile:

It has a few pointes which could hopefully help people.

Introduction
 Different types work for different people- depends on what type of learner you are, what subject you’re doing and how long your concentration span is
 There’s no need to go overboard- cramming can work for some, but for most people it’s a case of a little over a longer period of time. Try to plan out your revision in advance: give yourself some times when you rest, and try to make the plan as varied as possible (a whole week of Maths revision might sound like a good idea when you plan, but realistically by Wednesday you’ll want to jump out of the window). Obviously making a revision plan is intended to focus you, but be realistic as to how long you can concentrate for

Reading up
 Use revision guides for more fact-based subjects, especially at GCSE, but beware of them for subjects like History where they may not cover many or even any of the topics you take
 In English, series like York Notes/Advanced/Sparknotes can be invaluable, but remember the examiner wants to see your own opinions, so be sure to read your set texts thoroughly as well and know them inside out before exams
 Extra reading around a topic can be very useful for exams, and mean you have a better grasp of the facts/ideas related to it. Although obviously, you’re only being examined on the syllabus, so don’t devote all your time to extra reading when your class notes should be your main source of revision
 Class notes will often have been deliberately put under headings which can guide your revision- so use them and don’t cram them down the back of the locker in mid-October and forget about them!

Note taking
 As above, make sure your class notes have been kept throughout the year and read over them as many times as is possible
 If you really want to hammer home the facts in your notes, type them up during your study leave, correcting and adding as you go through to make sure they’re the best they can be. They’ll end up neater than originally, and you can then wander around the house looking like a lunatic and generally scaring your family as you recite them out loud over and over again.

Mind maps/diagrams
 If you’re a visual or creative person, drawing loads of mind maps for different topics and colouring them in with a multitude of felt tips is one way of making the hours locked away revising more bearable
 Be creative. Draw stupid pictures of stick men in hats. Whatever takes your fancy. The more memorable it is, the better, because the facts will stick and you’ll have the added bonus of thinking about a stick man in a top hat telling you all the answers during the exam. Frankly, what more could you want. Well, I don’t want much more at least.
 Try to use mind maps/spider diagrams/brainstorms in areas where you’re a bit shaky on the topic, or aren’t quite sure of everything. If you draw it out with everything that you can remember about a topic, and then go back to your notes to see what you’ve missed, you can use them to test yourself

Latest

Trending

Articles for you

What happens if you miss the grades for your university offer?

How to revise for GCSE Design Technology exams: AQA explains what to do

Try out the app

Continue on web

Wiki Help Needed - Study tips and revision articles

Related discussions

Articles for you