How I revise
I’m sorry this has been the first post in ages (this year in fact) but I have been working so hard that I really haven’t had the time to even write a blog post.
With your exams coming up, you may be fretting about revision. Believe me, I am, that is why I’m so busy. For the next couple of months there is nothing more important than your future so put everything else to one side, it doesn’t matter any more.
I can’t tell you how you should revise; all I can tell you is how I like to revise. I’m not that smart (what? you thought I was? I’m flattered) but I generally do well because I put my absolute all into it. I can’t possibly do well if I don’t put absolutely 100% in 100% of the time.
So here goes; tips and methods that I have found useful:
Do something
You are not a sponge and information won’t soak into you. You have to work at it and pump it rather than expecting osmosis to do it for you.
Work hard
The more you think you’re going to fail, the more work you have to do. There are effective ways of revising that minimise the time, but there is no way of instantly revising everything.
Don’t overdose
Take breaks from revising every-so-often. If you tied for time and don’t think you can afford to take breaks then mix it up; while having a break from one subject, revise for a completely different one.
Sleep
Once your brain has gone, you’ve had it. Go to sleep, rest and make sure you aren’t tired during your exam.
How I revise
I download the syllabus and go through it, addressing each point in detail, then I make a note of how to do every skill I need to know—be those equations, methods or essay structures—I then make note of every ‘key definition’; going through the whole syllabus before moving on. This will end up being absolutely huge and completely the opposite of what everyone says is good practice (condensing down to a side of A4) but what you are doing is not making notes to then revise off, you are compiling a comprehensive list of everything you need to know and in the process are going through the entire syllabus a number of times. If you want quick references that is fine, assess where you need to work on and take out what you are already rock-solid on, leaving only the bits you struggle with.
For other methods of revising (for example ‘mind maps’ which I find stupidly chaotic and I can’t revise from but I know they are popular right now), just take a google. I had planned to detail a few here but there are just so many that it isn’t worth it.
So how do you revise? Please share ’cause you might help someone else.