HOW TO REVISE (WHEN YOU DON’T WANT TO)

The main thing to take away when you’re revising: YOU are the main character. Romanticise your life in EVERY way possible! P.S. I’m writing this during February HalfTerm, so hopefully these top ten techniques have paid off in my mocks!

1.Why bother?

Why do you want those grades? Is it to get into university, to get a job or an apprenticeship? Which doors will they open for you? Find reasons to revise, and reasons that topics you ‘don’t like’ or ‘ aren’t good at’ are interesting Enjoy the learning process for what it is

2. Your body is a temple

You are a plant. If you don’t look after yourself, you will wilt on your desk and die So invest in a laptop-stand for your back, go to bed at a reasonable time, eat colourfully, drink green tea (crediting Mr Gent for that tip!) and do some exercise outside each day

3. Learn to love timetables

To avoid racing around like a headless chicken, make a daily timetable (including rest-time), and be disciplined enough to stick to it Don’t schedule more than 4-5 hours per day, or you’ll burn out on Day 1.

By Polly Symes

The school timetable is a good place to start:

8.35-9.30 - Revision slot 1 9.35-10.30 - Revision slot 2 1030-11 - BREAK

11 - 11.55 - Revision slot 3

12 - 12.55 - Revision slot 4

2-2.45 - Revision slot 5

4. To-do list your way through life

Leading up to the holidays, jot down a few tasks for each subject, basing your list off the subject specification (which you find online by searching your subject and exam board) Remember that you don’t have to complete all the tasks: they are just there to inspire you

5. Your teachers know what they’re talking about

Your teachers do know what they’re doing!

If they’ve suggested revision tasks, do them.

6. Farewell, phone!

Put your phone on Do Not Disturb and Silent Mode so that you aren’t checking messages every minute Give it to a parent or Hsm whilst you revise, putting it in a different room, and temporarily delete Snapchat, Instagram and Tiktok

7. Mix up those techniques

Time for some real talk: passively writing notes and never doing anything else will eventually become very boring!

Try the following:

Make (and then study) a Quizlet set

Write essay plans

Do practise papers/questions (test yourself), and then mark them

Make posters and stick them where you can’t avoid them

Make mind-maps

Make flashcards

Blurting (find out what this is online)

Watch a YouTube video on the topic

8. Make it look pretty

Equip yourself with fun stationary, and make your work satisfying to look at That way, you ’ re more more likely to want to revisit it!

Start with:

3 different highlighter colours

3 different biro colours

Colourful Post-its

9. Enter the land of the living

If sitting at your desk sounds reeeeeaally dull, revise in a library or cafe with your drink of choice (remember - you are the main character) Listen to music that will motivate you, not distract you, by looking up ready-made study playlists on Spotify.

10. Go on a date ;)

CHOOSE WISELY! Pick a study buddy who you know is motivated and revise together to share the sense of accomplishment.

BONUS TIP - You’re an icon

Whether or not you get the mark you want DOES NOT CHANGE YOUR VALUE AS A PERSON You are revising for YOU, not for your parents/teachers (who may or may not be bribing you!) If you fail, you fail It’s not about being the best, it’s about trying your best To end with the great Maya Angelou:

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated”