» Revision Advice

Revision Advice

Revision Advice

Revision must be ‘active’: it requires pupils to engage with the information they must learn. Likewise, any computer-based activity is better supported with handwritten activity also, e.g. writing a summary of a podcast or handwritten flashcards

What doesn’t work:

Being passive: just reading over your classwork will not help. You must engage with what you read and turn it into revision content. Even just highlighting information is too passive.
Looking at things once: cognitive (memory) science proves that if you want knowledge to move to your long-term memory, you must regularly revisit it over time – that’s why chunking revision matters
Spending ages on one subject or topic: you should organise and vary the topics you revise and chunk this information into 30minute sessions and space them out over time. This is called interleaving and is modelled well here by the Pomodoro effect:

A Summary of the How Our Memory Works

To stop information falling from our memory, we must make it ‘stick’ so it can make its way safely to the long-term memory. This is achieved by retrieving information and revising it regularly over time until it cannot be forgotten:

Wellbeing

It is important that pupils chunk and organise their revision: we recommend between 1.5 and 2 hours each evening ahead of examination periods. A useful method to adopt is the Pomodoro methods where pupils revise for 25 minutes then have 5minute breaks and then repeating this:

Use your breaks well:

Exercise boosts brain activity, reduces stress and improves concentration!
Your brain uses most of the glucose in your body so breaks help!
Outside of revision, make sure you eat and sleep well, socialise and take time for yourself too!

Creating the Right Environment:

Find a quiet place to study – this should be away from younger siblings, pets and other distractions at home.
Turn off the TV and your music, put your phone in another room so you are not tempted to pick it up every time you get a message or social media alert!
Find a flat surface you can work on (this could be a desk or the kitchen table), find a chair to sit in that supports your back.
Have the following items to hand: revision timetables, Knowledge Organisers, subject revision guides linked in the subject pages here (or other subject-specific materials), exercise books for the subject, the necessary stationery, lined paper and a drink.
Go to the toilet before you start.
Be disciplined with yourself – it can be hard not to get distracted sometimes but just remember how great it will feel when you prove what you are capable of.

Remember:

If you require a space at School to help you revise, then remember the LRC is available at 8am, break, lunch and after-school too.
Spare flashcards are available from Miss Hitchens if you require any but they are easily-purchased in stationery shops and online.
Please do speak to your tutor, teachers, or Miss Hitchens if we can assist with any stationery or resources

KS3 Revision Timetable Template

KS4 and 5 Timetable Template

Our Top Three Strategies for Retrieving Factual Knowledge

A complete revision approach will of course involve lots of different activities; however, here are our favourites for factual knowledge retrieval and revision:

Flashcards

Flashcards are a great way to:

Engage actively with information
Complete quick revision, e.g. key terms and vocabulary
Complete independent revision or involve your friends and family
Organise your knowledge into what has stuck in your long-term memory and what still needs some work

Cornell Notes

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErSjc1PEGKE

Cornell notes are good for several things, especially if you’re looking to improve how you take notes and summarise information. Here are some of the benefits:

Organisation: Cornell notes have a structured format that keeps your notes neat and easy to follow. This can be helpful for any subject, but it’s particularly useful for complex topics with a lot of information.
Active learning: Cornell notes encourage you to actively engage with the material you’re learning. By taking the time to summarise key points and reflect on the information, you’re more likely to remember it than if you were just passively copying everything down.
Review: The format of Cornell notes makes them perfect for reviewing. The cues and summary at the bottom of the page help you jog your memory and quickly grasp the main points of a lecture or reading.
Versatility: Cornell notes can be used for pretty much any subject. Whether you’re in history, science, or English class, this method can help you organise your thoughts and key information.

Cornell Notes Pages

Mind-Mapping

Pupil-Friendly Mind Mapping Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y1HJMuqAPY

Mind mapping is helpful for a variety of reasons, both in terms of how it works with the brain and the practical benefits it offers. Here’s a breakdown of its strengths:

Mirrors the Brain: Mind maps mimic the way our brains naturally process information. The non-linear structure allows for connections and associations to be formed more easily, similar to how the brain links ideas together
Boosts Memory: By using visuals, colours, and keywords, mind maps trigger various parts of the brain for memory and recall. Studies have shown that mind mapping can improve memory by up to 32%
Enhances Creativity: Mind maps encourage brainstorming and free-flowing thought. They allow you to jump around and explore different ideas without getting stuck in a linear format, fostering creative problem-solving
Improves Organization: Mind maps help you organise information visually. The branching structure makes it clear how ideas relate to each other, making complex topics easier to understand and navigate
Increases Productivity: By providing a clear overview of your project or topic, mind maps can save time and effort. They can help you identify gaps in your knowledge and prioritize tasks more efficiently.

Other Resources

Learning Walkthrus

This book support pupils and parents with advice about different approaches to learning and revision. Wellington School subscribes to the Walkthrus platform for teachers.

This book is available from all good retailers: