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1. Effective Revision Angela Koch
Student Learning Advisory Service
2. 2 Agenda What, When, Where, How, …to revise ?
Planning
Revision process
Concentration & Memory
3. 3 Putting Exams into Perspective
To know what you are up against
To plan strategically
To reduce stress
4. 4 You should know Number of exams
Exam dates/times
Type of exams – e.g. essays/multiple choice/ problem questions/ exercises/
Duration of exams
Exam/coursework weighting
Credits
Your coursework performance so far
Your understanding of the topic
5. 5 Overview (example) Module Credits Exam Coursework weighting average
SO300 30 50% 68 (34% of module mark)
EC302 30 80% 61 (12.2% of module mark)
SA301 15 50% 34 (17% of module mark)
LS301 30 80% 52 (10.4 % of module mark)
>>Fill out your own table
6. 6 Calculating your mark
7. 7 Planning Next 2-3 months are ‘special’
>> Revision Planner
- planned/ unavoidable activities?
- negotiable activities ?
- date of exams
>> Week Planner
- manageable time slots
- ‘the unexpected’
8. 8 WEEK PLANNER
9. 9 When to revise ? When you are ‘receptive’ and ‘productive’
> “cream - milk - water time”
Start on time
Plan realistic study block
Move on at agreed times
Have a clear target e.g. write a sample answer
But if it flows, let it flow !
Regularly ( 9 - 5 plus) ?
10. 10 Where to revise? Same place – home or library ?
(good light, good temperature, good seat & desk, clutter free)
Away from:
- people
- noise/conversation
- Internet/ email
- phone
- ‘favourite toy’
11. 11 What to revise?Start by looking at: - course outline/syllabus (learning outcomes)
- recommended reading lists
- essay & assignment topics/ in-class test / exercises/ seminar questions
- topics emphasised by lecturers/tutors
- past papers (online/library catalogue)
http://library.kent.ac.uk/library/exampapers/
12. 12 What to revise (cont.)? List core issues/topics of module
e.g. for 15 credit module > 10-12 topics
Identify ‘strong’ & ‘weak’ topics
e.g. 6 okay, 2 really good , 3 not okay
Identify amount of background/ study material available on each topic
13. 13 How much to to revise? For Essay questions (choice)
Focus on about 60 > 8 topics
(depending on exam format)
For short answers/ exercises
All but look at exam format (choice ?)
For multiple choice
All areas/ topics
14. 14 How to revise? Divide topic/ material into manageable chunks
Identify core issues in each topic
Work with the material by making:
- lists, flow-charts, tables, cue-cards, bullet points,
Vary activities
- receptive and productive
Have clear target
Take breaks
Move on when really stuck
Form a revision group
15. 15 We remember… according to Flanagan (1997)
20% of what we read
30% of what we hear
40% of what we see
50% of what we say
60% of what we do
90% of what we see, hear, say and do!
16. 16 How to memorise ? Depends on individual
Depends on subject or topic
(names of most important authors, dates in history, steps in a process, formulae, links, cases, data, sequence …)
> Use as many different ways as possible
17. 17 Use your left brain Logical thinking style: Sequences, logic, analysis, numbers, language, names sense of time.
Write info by hand
Turn info into lists
Number items clearly
Use headings
Break up info into categories
Convert info into a flow diagram
18. 18 Use your right brain Gestalt thinking style: Seeing the whole, metaphor, synthesis, image, colour, tune, rhythm, intuition, emotion, imagination.
Draw diagram or picture to show links
Use shape/colour to highlight or organise info
Personalise info – make it relevant to you
Use different colours for different subjects
Sing information/ talk to yourself
Move about, study in different locations Move about:
Different place for different info e.g. armchair for French Revolution, bed for war theories …
Use clothes as memory triggers, e.g. each button represents a different position/step
Use your body: each hand an essay topic 5 finger = 5 main points (juvenile delinquency)Move about:
Different place for different info e.g. armchair for French Revolution, bed for war theories …
Use clothes as memory triggers, e.g. each button represents a different position/step
Use your body: each hand an essay topic 5 finger = 5 main points (juvenile delinquency)
19. 19 Other Memory Aids Mnemonics-Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain: colours of the rainbow
Speak aloud
Tape yourself reciting key facts etc.
Work in pairs testing each other
Rhymes/raps http://users.rcn.com/fvirzi/kar.shtml
Post-it notes in your room GROUP WORK:
In what ways have your past revision strategies and your approach to exams helped or hindered your exam success?
What can you change or improve for your next set of exams?GROUP WORK:
In what ways have your past revision strategies and your approach to exams helped or hindered your exam success?
What can you change or improve for your next set of exams?
20. 20 Check your TEACUPS Theories
Evidence/ examples
Authorities/ representatives
Connections
Understanding
Position/ argument
Sign posting/ structure
21. 21 Example: bowline knot The rabbit leaves its hole, hops around the tree, gets scared and disappears in the hole again.