Plan your time and set the pace

Learning Matters is continuing this half term and we have been looking at a range of different activities in tutorial to support you with this over the last couple of weeks. You will have been discussing things like effective learning and study skills, exam preparation and/or using study spaces through your tutorial lessons in the last couple of weeks but, as we have said, the key to doing any of this successfully is in planning your time and setting your own pace.  

On top of what we have already covered this half term here is some more advice and guidance on how do this effectively to help yourself be more effective:  

Plan your time 

The best way to plan and carry out your revision is to design your revision 'schedules'. A revision schedule is a specific amount of time in which you revise for a subject. Evidence suggests that you should revise on one topic or subject for no longer than 45 minutes at a time before having a break and doing something completely different. A schedule could be shorter than this, for example, 30 minutes or even 20 minutes, depending on the subject and your attention span. Each chunk should also include a range of revision techniques. This will help add variety to your revision and keep you stimulated. You should plan your revision schedules for each subject, as you may choose different approaches for each one. 

Set your pace 

Think quality not quantity. It’s not the amount of time you spend studying that counts, it’s how you use it. Don’t waste time pretending to revise. Give yourself specific tasks to complete. This way, you’ll have a sense of the progress you are making. Gradually introduce timed revision sessions to help you adapt to working under pressure and in timed conditions. For example, you could give yourself 10 minutes to plan and note down key information you would expect to write in an answer. Once you’ve mastered this, gradually reduce it down to 8 minutes, then 6, then 4 minutes. This will help you identify how fluent and confident you are with a subject matter. 

Some important bits to remember 

• No more than 45 minutes non-stop revision at a time. Don't overdo it! Revising solidly for hours will exhaust you and your brain. A tired brain can't learn! 
• Make sure you get plenty of sleep and have a proper break for meals. 
• Take a ten minute break in between sessions; get a drink, stretch your legs and give your brain a break. 

• Spread your subjects out. Don't choose to revise all three sciences one after the other on the same day. 
• Use a variety of techniques. Do some note taking for one subject, some mind mapping for another and maybe try some past paper questions out for the next subject after that. 
• Think quality not quantity. It’s not the amount of time you spend studying that counts, it’s how you use it. Don’t waste time pretending to revise. 
• Lastly, don't panic! Lots of regular revision, slotted into your normal routine, is a hundred times better than trying to squeeze it in the day before the exam! 

Freebie Friday is back again this week! Get down to the Plaza early to bag your Freebie to help yourself plan your time and set your pace. Learning matters, and we are here to help.  If you need help with getting assessment ready, you can see our ILC team, our ALS or your tutor.