Four Revision Rules to Share With Your Students by @RichardJARogers

Rule #4: Use the internet

There are lots of great websites out there that have good quality notes, tests and interactive activities to learn from. My three favorites are:

BBC Bitesize: Perfect for GCSE and ‘A’ – Levels, but there’s lots of crossover with IBDP and the American SATs too
S-cool: This site has been going for around 20 years and it’s brilliant. The videos are particularly good.
UKEdChat: Tons of great resources for revision here. Check it out.

Addressing the ‘How’

Students need to know ‘how’ to revise, as well as what to revise.

We must pass on these fundamental tips to our learners:

Revise in small sections: 30-40 mins per session with a 5-10 minute break in-between
Revise for around 7 hours per day: Some may not like this, but the students who’ll get the top grades will be putting in this much time every day. Former headmaster of Harrow School, Barnaby Lenon, made headlines this week by stating that “All topics should be revised at least three times before the exam; studies should start at 9am and finish by 6pm with regular 30-minute breaks and a good night’s sleep at the end. Good exam results are made in the Easter holidays,” (Quote courtesy of The Guardian newspaper). I have to admit that Barnaby’s advice does reflect the truth of the situation – students who want the top grades have to work this hard. It really is that simple (albeit not easy to accept).
Use a variety of methods to get the information to sink in: Record yourself reciting your revision notes and listen to the audio for an hour in bed before you sleep. Make revision notes. Use concept maps, Complete past-paper questions. Use flashcards.
Exercise every day: A nice walk in the morning, or a light jog each day, will get the blood flowing and will boost alertness. You’ll also feel good too (because of endorphin release) which will make your revision more productive.
Revise in groups: Get together with friends for a revision session. BEWARE: Make sure you meet to revise, not to chat and play around.
Get up early every day – no sleeping in!: It’s up early, exercise, shower, breakfast and start revising. This self-discipline is necessary to achieve top grades.