More studying secrets

With mocks coming up, everybody's thoughts are turning to revision.

Effective study

To be effective, study must be:

• Active - always work with a pen and paper, look for key points, test yourself. Never just sit down and read for a set period. Focus on tasks, not time.
• Organised - always ask yourself at the start of a study session "what do I want to have completed in this session?" Have a plan for what you want to cover this week and this month. Have an overview of the priority areas in each subject.
• Aimed at Understanding - always look to build material into patterns and associations that make sense to you. Link new information with your existing knowledge of a subject. Make use of graphic examples and illustrations. When you understand something, you will have little difficulty in remembering it.

Using the SMART method of revising, you should be able to revise effectively.

S is for SPECIFIC:
Don't have as your target: "Study Science for an hour". Instead have as your target, "Revise electricity on the Physics course" and sketch an answer to an exam question on energy in circuits".

M is for MEASURABLE:
Measure your progress towards your goal. Use a revision checklist for each subject and tick off each topic as you study it. You'll literally see your progress.

A is for ACTION-RELATED:
Break down your study goal into a set of specific tasks, such as background reading of research material, draw up essay plan, complete writing of essay. Base each study session on tasks, not time.

R is for REALISTIC:
Don't set goals you are unlikely to achieve. Make realistic demands on yourself, in consultation with teachers and guidance counsellors. Otherwise, you will quickly lose heart and lose interest.

T is for TIME-BASED:
Avoid panic before a deadline. Always time your study tasks, working back from the deadline. If you have a test in three weeks time, set blocks of revision work for each of the three weeks.

The quantity of time that you allocate to study over the coming weeks is important - you do need a realistic yet demanding weekly schedule if you are to succeed in your exams. But 'putting in the time' is no guarantee of success - you must ensure that the quality of work is good, that your revision is active, organised that it is focused on the right areas.

Questions of Concentration

Where?
Find a fixed place to study (a particular desk/room at home, a spot in the library, etc.) that becomes firmly associated in your mind with productive work. All the equipment and materials you need should be within reach, and the room should be well lit and ventilated, but not too comfortable!

What?
Remember that it's all about being active and focused on tasks, not time! Know at the start of a session what you want to have completed by the end of the period. Make the tasks specific and realistic, not vague and large.

How?
Always work with a pen and paper at the ready. Getting started is often the most difficult bit, so start by 'doing'. Tackle a homework question or the writing up of class notes at the start of a session. It usually helps to begin with a subject you like, move on to other less favoured areas, and then finish up with a favoured topic to maintain the interest.

When?
Try to schedule your study for times when you are more mentally alert. Most people find their ability to focus deteriorates towards the end of the day. Getting revision done earlier in the day aids efficiency and also offers the reward of having time to relax after the work is done.

Why?
Test your progress at the end of a study session. Ask yourself "what have I just learned?" Review the material covered in school that day, even briefly, as it will aid retention and make the next day's classes more productive. Merely recognising material isn't enough - you must be able to reproduce it without the aid of the book or notes.