Revision and Study Skills Learning objective: To plan and prepare for Y7-9 Assessment Week (9-13 May 2011)

Topics covered Introduction Preparing a study space Preparing a study routine Good study habits and time management Note taking, mind mapping and preparation Revision timetable Physical wellbeing Exam stress

Introduction This year’s Assessment Week is May 9-13 Assessments are internal and will form part of your individual subject report grade Your subject teachers will inform you about the details of each assessment The next few PSCHE sessions will help you prepare for Assessment Week It is also YOUR responsibility to prepare yourself

Preparing a study space!

Preparing a study space Discuss the most suitable study space with your family Be honest – Some like to study in the living room, others find the TV (or siblings) distracting. You might like to study outside, but could that be an excuse to get up and "smell the roses? Studying in your room seems obvious, but might you be tempted to play video games? There is no perfect study place for everyone -- but there is a perfect study place for you. Find it and make it yours!

Making it comfortable Your study space should be your space. Adjust your desk/chair to the correct height. You will need plenty of light to prevent eye strain and tiredness – no midnight study sessions by torchlight! Clear the clutter – get rid of last year’s bus tickets, old books and rubbish. You should have a clear desk space to spread out books.

Getting the right equipment Make sure your books and notes for each subject are kept in separate folders – colour coded is easiest If you need paper, pens, sticky notes, highlighters, blu-tack, get them ready beforehand! You might also need some wall space or a notice board. Now you should be ready to start studying!

Preparing a study routine It may sound tedious but creating a set study routine will also improve your ability to study effectively. Have a clear aim for each study session – which pages/facts/questions do you want to cover and how are you going to do it? Think about times in your day when you can’t study – don’t forget music lessons, CCAs and sports! Be honest – if you always watch a certain TV programme or have a family event you should plan your study time around it. Plan regular breaks and give yourself a reward for accomplishing your task! Finish early enough to relax before bed – going to bed stressed will make it hard for you to sleep properly. Share your study rules and habits with your family – they need to know when you need quiet time, and that you’re not slacking if you’re taking a break!

Good study habits and time management Little and often is better than all at the last minute Prioritise your work Evaluate what you have done in each session – talk about it with family and friends Identify the things you need to work extra hard on, and practice a little each day

Note taking and study aids The most common way to revise is by reading through (and re-reading!) what you have learned in class. Study aids will help you be more active while reading. Create your own study aids. 1.Make an outline from your notes of just the main ideas. 2.Make a timeline of important dates or the order of events. 3.Make flashcards for studying vocabulary or events and important dates. 4.Make up your own quiz or test based on your notes and have a friend, parent or sibling test you.

Study skills techniques Flash cards with key words, points or diagrams Index cards (or sticky notes) with short summaries Spider diagrams and mind maps Mnemonics to help remember a series of prompts

Mind-mapping Can help you to organise your thoughts for many subjects!

Studying in a Group Experts say that studying in a group can be more effective than studying alone. Students say it can be more fun, too, but it does require more monitoring than independent study. Here are a few tips for organizing a study group. 1.It works best to have three to five people in a study group. This makes sure each person gets the chance to talk and check that they understand the material. 2.Schedule a few study sessions. A few short sessions are much more useful than one long "cram" session. 3.Nominate a group leader. The main goal of the leader is to keep everyone focused on studying so that things don't become too social. 4.Be prepared! A study group is a place to share your understanding of a subject. The other people in the group aren't there to teach you facts you should already know. The more you can offer the group, the more you'll get out of it.

Revision Timetable A revision timetable will help you to plan your time. It will help organise your thoughts about what is to be studied, and when you are able to do so. It is very easy to make a pretty, colour-coded timetable, and then ignore it. Make several copies – put one on the wall, give one to your parents and keep one in your school diary. Create your own revision timetable PDF here:

Physical wellbeing Don’t stay cooped up indoors all day long – plan a walk or some exercise at different points in the day. Eat healthily, drink lots of water and have regular snacks to keep you going. Don’t just play on the laptop or watch TV during breaks. Leave at least 30 mins of relaxation time before bed – and don’t cram late into the night. Avoid caffeine drinks in the evening, and get a good night’s sleep.

Exam stress People deal with exam stress in different ways. Your way of coping may be different to your friends’. Try not to talk about how easy or difficult a test might be, or was. Your friends may feel differently, and this will cause anxiety. Make time for yourself. Relax – try your best and be proud of your own achievements. Other people’s grades are not your business. If they don’t want to tell you, respect that.

Good luck! If you have prepared and planned then you do not need to feel worried. Ask a teacher if you need more help or advice.