Four steps to successful revision
Step 1: Understand
- Study the topic to be learned slowly. Make sure you understand the logic or important concepts
- Mark up the text if necessary - underline, highlight and make notes
- Re-read each paragraph slowly.
Step 2: Summarise
- Now make your own revision note summary:
- What is the main idea, theme or concept to be learned?
- What are the main points? How does the logic develop?
- Ask questions: Why? How? What next?
- Use bullet points, mind maps, patterned notes
- Link ideas with mnemonics, mind maps, crazy stories
- Note the title and date of the revision notes
(e.g. Business: Marketing, 3rd March)
- Organise your notes carefully and keep them in a file.
This is now in short term memory. You will forget 80% of it if you do not go to Step 3.
GO TO STEP 3, but first take a 10 minute break.
Step 3: Memorise
- Take 25 minute learning ‘bites' with 5 minute breaks
- After each 5 minute break test yourself:
- Cover the original revision note summary
- Write down the main points
- Speak out loud (record on tape)
- Tell someone else
- Repeat many times.
- The material is well on its way to long term memory.
You will forget 40% if you do not do step 4. GO TO STEP 4
Step 4: Track/Review
- Create a Revision Diary (one A4 page per day)
- Make a revision plan for the topic, e.g. 1 day later, 1 week later, 1 month later.
- Record your revision in your Revision Diary,
e.g. Business: Marketing, 3rd March 25 minutes
Business: Marketing, 5th March 15 minutes
Business: Marketing, 3rd April 15 minutes
... and then at monthly intervals.