Has it been years since you last sat an exam? No idea where to start with helping your child revise? We've compiled five simple revision tips to help get you started and feel more confident supporting them through exams.
Start planning early
Help your child create a revision plan early on (this will make you aware of their exam dates too), making sure it is realistic and achievable so they don't lose motivation or get stressed. Make a list of key exam dates and plan back from those to allow sufficient preparation before each exam, you could use the 2357 method. Planning early will also help them avoid stressful cramming sessions further down the line. Encourage them to use a weekly planner so they are accountable for their work. Don’t micro-manage but provide extra support if they need or ask for it.
Create a good environment
The environment that we study in can directly affect memory, retention and focus. But your study space doesn't need to be elaborate - quiet, calm spaces are the most effective. Plus, it's a good excuse to put off the hoovering for an hour or two! It's a good idea to check that your child has the stationery and equipment they need for their sessions - pens, pencils, highlighters, post-its and notepads are a good place to start. They could also use a small whiteboard if they're going to be using the blurting method.
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Encourage regular breaks
It's important to find the balance between exam prep and downtime. Make sure your child is scheduling breaks between their topics and also maintaining some social activities so that they can let off steam.
Make it manageable
Everyone's concentration spans are getting shorter and shorter. To help you child avoid burnout or getting distracted suggest the use of a timer, as well as regularly changing revision subject, to avoid getting stuck in a rut. Check out our Pomodoro video as it's a really simple way for students to manage their time effectively.
Watch for signs of frustration
It’s important that your child is in the right frame of mind for revising. If they are struggling with something in particular, it may be best to park it for a while, reassess the next day and break it down into manageable chunks. If they are getting stressed, suggest some methods for dealing with exam stress. Look out for stress and worry over exams that have been and gone. Be sure to ask them how their exam went, then shift their focus to what’s coming up next and encourage them to say in a positive mindset.
Looking for more revision and exam guidance?
We've pulled together lots of the best ways to revise, tips for planning revision time effectively and dealing with stress. If your child is anxious about the outcome of their exams we've also compiled some guidance on how to manage this, and other options if they don't get the results they expected.
