Study Skills

Key Tips Students Parents Create a revision timetable, share at home and try to stick to it. Don’t forget it is not set in stone, if it does not work, change it. Don’t forget to include your exam dates! Don’t stop going to, or working in, lessons you find hard or dislike – find a solution. Agree to the revision schedule and allow students' time to revise but also give them time to have a work life balance. Consider using a reward structure (not bribery). Rewards do not have to be big or cost money. E.g. an extra night out with friends, a later bedtime, being let off the chores.

Get yourself organised! Students Parents Organise your work into different folders for each exam and keep any revision notes in the folder. Start revision early. The sooner you start, the less you will have to do each day and the less stressed out you will be. Have a start and finish time and stick to it. Don’t finish revising and go straight to bed. Your brain needs time to relax. Encourage your child to empty their bags and keep their notes tidy. Take an interest in what your child is revising and when their exams are. Praise when your child sticks to their revision, try not to be negative if things are not going to plan.

Make your life easier! Students Parents If you are feeling frustrated the STOP and take a break – remember your teacher are here to help you. Keep hydrated Eat ‘brain food’ – avoid sugar Talk to your child about how you can support them – what would they find helpful? Ensure as much as possible the house is quiet during student time.

Good revision techniques What you can do Do something with the revision materials Don’t leave the difficult bits to the end. Break the work down into ‘do-able’ chunks. Produce notes - making them shorter each time you revise, until you can get it on a page. Spider diagrams Use pictures Make 10 key points about the topic Read a page, shut the book at right down what you can remember Highlight key points in your work. Get someone to test your knowledge.

Good revision techniques Tick off the topic on a list when you are confident, so you can see progress. Build in short breaks.