Notes on Approaches to Revision

MELANIE's 7 POINT STUDY PROGRAMME

Designed for tutors to use with learners from GCSE level upwards

What are you studying / revising from?

own books……………………………….
library books……………………………….
class notes……………………………….
handouts……………………………….
friends’ notes……………………………….
taped and video/TV materials…………………………………..
internet sites………………………………

 NOW circle the bullets next to what applies to you

2. How do you learn best?

By repeating information aloud?

By listening carefully?

By visualising the situation?

By jotting notes or diagrams?

By doodling as you study?

By moving around as you learn?

While listening to music?

(by playing certain sorts of music while revising certain topics, you may be able to recall the info by recalling the music)

Other ways ……………………………………………………

 NOW tick what fits with you

OPTION: look at a Learning Styles sheet. Which style suits you?

Visual (seeing info)? Auditory (hearing it)? Physical (active learning )?

3. Revising

Prepare your notes as you go along

DO NOT leave it till the week before the exam!

Go through old notes and make them ‘user-friendly’…e.g:

put notes into visual form e.g. flow charts, diagrams, spidergrams or 'mindmaps'. Try ‘Inspiration’ software (see NOTES at bottom of page)
colour code or highlight vital parts of notes and handouts
put key words / terms onto file index cards
when tackling difficult info, try and 'link' it to something else that sounds the same (the whackier, the better). When you recall the trigger, you also recall the info

Always say info ALOUD to memorise it- this really does help it stick.

 now tick your preferences

4. Remaining on task

How long is your attention span?

………………………minutes

IMPORTANT

Never push your attention span (this is waste of time)

Take a break, so you return to study at the start of a new attention span

 NOW fill in the average length of your attention span

 FINALLY return to section 1 and fill in (on the dotted lines) how you plan to tackle the different types of study materials.

NOTES

1)Mindmapping involves colour, images, association, flexibility & FUN! It's like a huge spidergram. See Video Get Ahead from The Buzan Centre, Tel 01202 533 593

2)'Inspiration’ (Mindmapping on the computer)and many other software and hardware products are available from iANSYST Tel 0800 018 0045 /

3)Do you need dictation or readback software? Phone iANSYST to discuss your needs.

5. PREPARATION FOR STUDY

Before studying be aware of the following factors:

Your energy level

Hunger / thirst (do you need a snack?)

The light level (too dim / too bright? )

Noise levels / distractions

Attention span (set a timer)

6. APPROACH TO READING & READING RECALL : SQ3R

Use chapter summaries, index, key words to locate the correct section/s

SURVEY what you already know about this topic

QUESTION (formulate the ? that the reading will answer)

READ the section

RECALL IT (i.e. summarise with the book closed)

REVIEW IT check back later

This way, you should retain what you read.

7. MEMORISING TECHNIQUE

a)read a section ALOUD / close the book / recall and jot down key phrases / check back with the book / move on to the next chunk /

b)review your key phrases THEN, without looking combine several sections.

c)go through it later the same day and again within 24 hours,

d)go through it all again orally or by making notes at a later date.

PRACTISE THESE TECHNIQUES …. GET ON TOP OF YOUR STUDIES!