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 Studies: 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 Studies: Marketing, 3rd March 25 minutes
Business Studies: Marketing, 5th March 15 minutes
Business Studies: Marketing, 3rd April 15 minutes
... and then at monthly intervals.

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