Revision Strategies for Effective Studying

Getting Started

• Revision is crucial for exam success, and involves more than just memorization.
• It enhances skills in analysis, situation assessment, and expressing oneself.
• The book emphasizes effective use of knowledge, deeper understanding, and practice during revision.
• Learning, when done strategically (as suggested by the guide), builds upon existing knowledge.
• Recognizing learning style and effective revision techniques is key to improvement.
• Understanding different exam formats (and the questions asked) is fundamental.

Smarter Learning

• Memorization and learning are crucial preparation steps when nearing exams.
• Different types of exams need varying skills.
• Making plans, identifying patterns and connections, and extracting essentials boosts learning.
• Revision time does not need to be separate from learning time; integrate actively.
• The fourteen days prior to exams are a critical period for effective learning.

How to Use This Book

• Success in exams hinges on how effectively you use your knowledge, not just possessing it.
• A planned, active approach to revision is vital for better results.
• Using a combination of revision methods, like hard copy and electronic forms, might be useful.
• Active recall, through writing and reflecting on material, is better than mere memorization.
• Varying information-retrieval methods for different topics may be helpful.

Day 1

• Sample exam papers or online practice tests provide a sense of the subject matter's scope and style
• Understand course-work assignment weights and mark structure to prepare accordingly
• Organise your materials into sections according to the complexity and amounts required for success
• Allocate sufficient time to each section for effective revision without burnout

How Your Learning Style Can Help You

• Visual learners benefit from using images and visuals to plan.
• Auditory learners succeed with speaking aloud, recording key ideas, or audio reviews of the material.
• Verbal learners excel at silent revision, using words more than images.
• Kinesthetic learners thrive with active participation and movement during revision
• Logical learners benefit from flowcharts and systems of understanding to consolidate the concepts.

Types of Exam

• Multiple-choice exams require identifying correct answers from a list.
• Short-answer exams demand concise, precise answers.
• Essay exams highlight knowledge and analytical ability, with fewer facts required.
• Blended exams require abilities from multiple exam types.

Day 2

• Divide up your study materials into eight sections.
• Focus on rapid-pace work and making concise revision notes in the initial stage
• Only seek out missing or unclear concepts; focus on known topics.
• Consider taking a break for cognitive-mind rest.

Testing Yourself Early

• Test your comprehension of the material by drafting practice exam answers.
• Focus on the "essentials," capturing key information and ideas.
• Prioritize understanding; highlight sections you know well.
• Identify and reduce material that is redundant.
• Visualize material as rocks on a beach, focus on significant ideas (rocks) and discard redundant points.

What is Essential Information?

• Seek out ideas that really stick out, providing insights into a topic
• Short sentences, or first sentence from lectures can help build understanding.
• Visualize material as rocks on a beach: focus on significant concepts.

Memory Techniques

• Learning styles can be of use when remembering.
• Different memory techniques may be more helpful depending on personality type.
• Techniques for visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or logical learners may exist; consult relevant resources.

Memory Techniques: Loci, Mnemonics

• The Method of Loci is a classical visualization technique that uses familiar places to remember things.
• Mnemonics are a technique for remembering information using short, memorable phrases or sentences.
• Techniques tailored to visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or logical thinkers exist.

Memory Techniques: Whole-Body Learning, Verbal Learning

• Whole-body learning emphasizes movement and action to enhance recall for those with kinesthetic needs.
• The principle of recording and repeating material allows for effective consolidation for verbal learners.

Memory Techniques: Logical Learning

• Logical learners may benefit from systems and flowcharts.
• Using systems, flowcharts, colours, or symbols can help organize and recall information.

Secondary Sources: Internet

• The internet can be a great source of information
• Focus solely on relevant materials; avoid distractions.
• Use online resources very selectively and effectively, noting source and time of last update.

Day 3

• Reduce existing revision notes to concise cards for Section One
• Focus on the essentials; avoid extraneous material.
• Work on Section Two using the similar approach to condense into notes.

The Rhythm of Your Revision

• Time management is essential for optimal performance during revision and not burning yourself out.
• Set realistic timeframes for each session, and create scheduled breaks for yourself.

Day 4

• Reduce Section Two of materials to revision cards.
• Reduce Section Three of materials to revision notes
• Keep actively reducing the material, in manageable portions, to revision cards.
• Secondary sources should be used sparingly; concentrate on core materials and your notes to avoid distraction.

Secondary Sources: The Internet

• Use the internet for quick research and finding specific facts.
• Beware of distractions; be ruthless about only using the information you require.

Day 5

• Reduce Section Three of your revision material into revision cards
• Reduce Section Four of material into revision notes
• Use revision cards to test yourself on the topic.
• Organize, review, and reduce any unused or redundant material to flashcards; focus on the essentials and use a range of memorization techniques.

Essay Planning

• Begin by creating a brief overview of the topic to aid in the planning process
• Essay plans are valuable for consolidating knowledge even if exams have other formats.

Creating a Brainstorm

• Brainstorming is a technique to gather relevant ideas and key thoughts without a detailed direction.

Using a Spider Chart

• A visual representation of ideas, linking relevant concepts
• Useful for mapping connections, and making links.

Creating a Flowchart

• A graphic that shows step-by-step processes and their logical relations
• Excellent for illustrating sequential processes.

Creating a Mind Map

• Method uses a central idea to branch out with visual connections of other ideas.

Day 6

• Reduce revision notes for Section 4 to cards.
• Reduce Section 5 to revision notes.
• Continue reducing piles of cards (gradually).
• Start working on essay plans for the examination.
• Practice incorporating materials from multiple sections into the essay plans.

Day 7

• Rest day to allow assimilation of the material covered in the previous sessions.
• Break from revision activities; prioritize relaxation and refreshment to consolidate learning.

Day 8

• Reduce Section 5 of your revision material into cards
• Reduce Section 6 of your revision material to notes
• Continuously reduce the stack of revision cards
• Practice creating plans in relation to past papers
• Practice writing answers; consider a trial run of a mock exam.

Day 9

• Reduce notes for Section Six to flashcards.
• Reduce notes for Section Seven to revision notes.
• Keep reducing the pile of revision cards (as many as you have time for).
• Examine and review prior essays for inspiration.

How to Tackle a Seen Exam and Open Book Exam

• For a seen exam, create an outline and only note critical areas of the material.
• Prioritize understanding the content over rote memorization.
• For open-book exams, use sources to guide your responses and emphasize a clear plan.

Day 10

• Reduce notes for Section Seven to cards;
• Reduce notes for Section 8 to notes.
• Reduce revision cards (as time permits).
• Practice a mock exam.

How to Give Yourself a Mock Essay Exam

• Allocate correct time; disable distractions.
• Discard revision materials during the mock exam
• Answer exam questions within the time limit
• Use mock exam time to practice the process and identify ways to improve time management.

Day 11

• Reduce notes of Section Eight to cards
• Clean up your workspace.
• Stop for the day; rest your mind and body.

Day 12

• Make a final check on your revision cards, focusing specifically on those made yesterday.
• Keep reducing your piles of revision cards.
• Make a final "last minute" card for each section.
• Take stock of your preparation.

How to Know How Much You Know: Sorting the Cards

• Divide up your flashcards for each section into three separate groups: those known, those needing extra work, and those that are not crucial for the exam.
• Focus on the pile of cards you are less familiar with. Review each one and consider its importance.
• Discard any cards that aren't essential; create a "last minute" consolidation.

How to Know How Much You Know: Mastering the Cards

• Each section has three piles of cards: already known, less familiar, and extra or secondary.
• The first pile requires little review; the second pile warrants additional focus; the third pile is not necessary to memorize thoroughly.

Openings and Endings

• Effective introductions and conclusions are essential for exam answers.
• Plan your openings and endings in advance for consistent presentation
• Aim for 15-20 minutes max for planned introductions/endings.
• Practice with timed exercises.

Day 14: Exam Day

• Eat a healthy snack or light meal before the exam.
• Arrive at the exam center sufficiently in advance.
• Review your summaries and flashcards before the exam
• Follow your exam strategy; be prepared to adjust based on questions.
• Use the time effectively, avoid distractions and adjust approach as appropriate.

What is Procrastination?

• Discusses procrastination and ways to mitigate procrastination with a clear plan

Anti-Procrastination Checklist

• Methods to limit time-wasting tendencies & stick to revision plan

What Not to Do

• Avoid excessive food/alcohol consumption the night before
• Limit social interactions, to help maintain focus
• Control your distractions and maintain detachment from anxieties

Taking Stock

• Review the work you've complete to build confidence
• Confirm your knowledge and understanding to help keep calm during the exam

Day 13

• Final check on exam details (time, location).
• Review key points and past exam answers
• Plan for the exact flow of the exam process
• Have high-energy snacks and plan a time to decompress