Study Skills

I have enough time to make a real difference

I CAN do it

I WILL do it

THERE IS NO SUCH THING

AS A BAD MEMORY

How often should I revise?

10mins 1day 1 week 3 weeks

Time

Recall

100%

75%

50%

25% no review

Review times are crucial

10 mins

1 day

1 week

3 weeks

Review times are:

10 minutes1 day

1 week

3 weeks

The most important points about revision are that it must:

•OCCUR OFTEN

•BE REPEATED AT THE RIGHT INTERVALS

Methods of revision

Actually DO something ACTIVELY

Eight methods:

Find the one(s) that work for

you

do

hear

read

say

see

We remember20 % of what we read

30 % of what we hear40 % of what we see50 % of what we say60 % of what we do AND

90 % of what we read, see, hear, say & do

1. Use a highlighter pen on your notes

a) highlight the main points

THEN

b) recite the main ideas

AND

c) write out formulae, definitions, vocabulary

2. Make a list of the major points of each topic

This helps youa) Break the work into smaller chunksb) focus more on the main points you have to remember

Make lists of the major points using the following methods:

a) numbering

For example, for the forces topic in Physics

1. Velocity = distancetime

in m/s

2. Distance-time graphs;

t

d

constantvelocity

stood still

t

d

3. Gradient of a d-t graph is the velocity

4. Thinking distance=dist. travelled whilst thinking about stopping

b) Spider diagrams (sometimes called Mind Maps)

FORCES

stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance

a=change in vel.

time

in m/s/s

acc. due to gravityis 10 m/s/s

v-t graphs:

t

vconst. acc.

v

t

const. vel.

v = d in m/st

Work (in J) =

Force x distance

Weight = mass x force of gravity(W=mg in N)

Weight is a forceg = 10 N/Kg

how to draw spider diagrams:

(i) Start in the middle of the page, with page sideways(this gives your brain maximum room for its thoughts)

(ii) Draw a small picture/symbol FIRST(a picture is worth 1000 words to the brain)

(iii) Try to use at least 3 colours(you remember more when it is in colour)

(iv) Keep adding more facts and detail to the branches

Always read a mind map from the CENTRE outwards

you should use mind maps for:

• Taking notes from books

• Brainstorming (when you are recalling info.)

• Planning essays (then number the branches so youknow the order you will use them in)

• Solving problems (it helps you recall, when your mind goes blank)

3. Really learn MAPS

GRAPHSt

d

DIAGRAMS

WHY?• it makes ideas clearer• it saves a lot of words!

The most important points about revision are that it must:

• OCCUR OFTEN

• BE REPEATED AT THE RIGHT INTERVALS

4. Group things together, and LEARN THEM THAT WAYLEARN THEM THAT WAY

e.g. Parts of the eye are:

cornea lens retina optic nerve brain

in that order, as light goes through.

Other parts can then fit logically into your group,

like iris (to control amount of light)pupil (to let light in)

ciliary muscle (to change size of lens)

5. Get good at making up mnemonics

e.g.

cornea lens retina optic nerve brain

Can Lame Ravens Open Bags??

6. Study cards are great:

carry them with you and use them any spare moment you have

Series circuits Parallel circuits•one light out, rest stay on

•all lamps same brightness

•current increases as add more lamps

•resistance decreases as add more resistors

•one light out, all go out

•get dimmer with more lamps

•current same all way around

•resistance increases as add more resistors

•lamps share p.d. •lamps get same p.d. as battery

You can put questions on the front of study cards,

with answers on the back!

The most important points about revision are that it must:

•OCCUR OFTEN

•BE REPEATED AT THE RIGHT INTERVALS

THERE IS NO SUCH THING

AS A BAD MEMORY

7. When you have a lot of notes, or a wordy text:

7 steps to success

Step 1: Scan (i.e. “quick read”) for 10 minutes

Step 2 : Scan again, but now write down the main points or highlight them

Step 3 : Now carefully read each section, adding to your main points

Step 4: Try to recall the important points from memory, reciting them to yourself

Step 5: Go over things you cannot recall

Step 6: Repeat steps 3,4 and 5 until you are sure you KNOW IT

Step 7: Make a list of things you have difficulty with, and ask your teacher for help

IF YOU CANNOT RECALL THE

IMPORTANT POINTS YOU HAVE NOT LEARNED THE

MATERIAL

•Say things out loud to help you REMEMBER•Record things on tape, and play it back when you are at home, in the car etc.

•Don’t avoid the hard stuff; it won’t go away!

•Don’t kid yourself that you know something. REALLY knowing it means you can recall it anytime

GOLDEN RULES

•Don’t study with music on- you need QUIET in order to CONCENTRATE

•REAL revision MAKES YOUR BRAIN HURT

THERE IS NO SUCH THING

AS A BAD MEMORY

8 . Find a “study buddy”

•They can makes notes on one topic, whilst you do another; you then share the work

•Swap study cards

•Test each other

•Your friend might understand something you don’t, and vice versa

8 methods, 8 keys to success:

1. Use a highlighter pen

2. Number things, and use mind maps3. Really learn maps, graphs, diagrams

4. Group things in logical order

5. Get good at making up mnemonics6. Make “study cards”

7. Use the “7 steps” method for wordy texts

8. Find a “study buddy”

I have enough time to make a real difference

I CAN do it

I WILL do it