10 Revision Tips from Oxford Sixth Form College

Start revising early and on a regular, weekly schedule. Draw up a study timetable and place it in front of your work area or somewhere you will see it regularly. Allow time in your timetable for breaks and interaction with others (and obviously school/college!) and ensure that it covers all the areas you need to revise. Your schedule is likely to change and intensify as you commence your study leave and as the exam dates draw nearer, so it is worth planning ahead and adapting it as you go.

Set up a quiet place to study, such as at home or the library, and avoid distractions (turn off your phone!). Some students find it helpful to listen to gentle background music, if they don’t like complete silence. Ensure you are comfortable, with good light and a good surface to study on. Keep water close by – staying hydrated will keep you alert and able to study much more effectively.

Take notes in class then summarise them into key points later. Make sure you use your time in class to ask any questions and clarify any points you’re not sure on. This will make things much easier when you come to look over your notes.

Highlight key ideas and terms to look over later. Rather than trying to memorise entire paragraphs, this method allows you to break down the topics into digestible chunks, which will make your revision seem much less daunting.

Keep your notes safe and well organised. Every student will have their own method of doing this, but it might include using separate folders and files or colour coding. If you’re storing your notes on a computer, ensure they are in easily identifiable folders and are backed up somewhere else, such as on a USB stick or in cloud storage.

Change revision topics regularly to avoid boredom. If you spend too long studying one area, your brain will stop taking in the information, so keep things fresh and interesting. It’s also helpful to change your method of revision regularly – switch from taking notes to drawing mind maps or infographics. Give yourself short tests on the topics you’ve studied and and reward yourself with a treat or a break. Ask a friend or a family member to quiz you with flash cards, etc.

Practise past questions and papers to eliminate the possibility of surprise on exam day. There are plenty of these available from all the exam boards – ask your teacher for their recommendations. Make sure you time yourself properly and sit these papers under exam conditions so that you are fully prepared for the real thing.

Talk about the material you are revising with others – sometimes it is easier to remember and your understanding of the material will increase the more you speak about it. Discuss the material with your peers, or keep your family up to date on the topics you’re studying so that they can talk to you about it. There are plenty of study forums online for you to discuss the material with – you’ll probably find there are students with exactly the same worries as you!

Give more time to your weaker areas – it will be harder work, but in end it will be worth the effort. The temptation will always be to focus on the topics that you know or those you enjoy more, but the chances are that you will be already be quite strong in these areas. Talk to your teachers about the topics they think you need to work on and start from there. Don’t neglect your stronger subjects entirely, though!

If you’ve achieved tips 1-9, factor in time in your schedule to relax closer to the exam date. Don’t be tempted to try and cram in lots more information the day before the exam. Instead, find time to socialise with friends, watch a couple of episodes of something, take the dog for a walk, whatever you enjoy doing! Make sure you get a good night’s sleep and eat a decent breakfast before sitting down to the exam.