Page 5 - The Regent Digest Volume 12 Issue 26

From The Principal’s Desk

Why do we need to revise? When Revising: • Explain key ideas to someone who hasn’t
studied the topic so they understand it
Your child needs the right mental attitude to Students should:
• Makeup memory aides e.g., mnemonics,
be successful at revision. Some things to re- • Plan to revise specific topics in each subject,
etc.
member are: - not everything at once.
• Do short tests and practice using past
• They need to believe that revision will • Break the material into chunks.
exam papers
make a difference (it will!). • Many students think revising is simply read-
• Use the mark schemes from exam papers
• They need to believe they can be success- ing notes or a text book see the pyramid di-
to give you feedback on the details of the
ful. agram! Only reading the textbook is not a
right answers.
• They must start somewhere and actually good revision!
get started. • Break the 40 – 45 mins up into revision ac-
• They need encouragement to keep going tivity (30 mins) and test what you have Further Tips:

even if it seems hard. learned (10 – 15 mins).
Some basic tips to ensure that your son/
• They need to know they are not alone in this • Checking your work correctly gives you
daughter revises well: -
task and can get help from their teachers FEEDBACK and feedback is another key fac-
• Show an interest in what they are doing –
and friends and support from you. tor for success.
you don’t need to understand it!
Robert Franklin • Revise for short periods e.g., 40 - 45 mins • Support your child with revision
Principal with a 5–10-minute break. • Make sure your son/daughter gets enough
Planning Revision: • Stay focused, hours can be easily wasted on
sleep, especially the night before exams.
social networks and mobile phones.
Your child should produce a revision plan. • Is eating sensibly - especially breakfast on
Dear Parents, Lots of people find planning difficult. It is a • In the evenings, plan to revise one or two exam days.

high-level skill. subjects for one to two hours. • Has all the equipment required e.g., pens
• Leave some time for relaxation very evening.
s we have come to the end of the and sharp pencils, an eraser, a ruler, a pro-
However, sometimes the planning process tractor, and a calculator (mobile phones
week before the start of the End
is misunderstood. A plan is not a strait-jack- Revision Activities: are not allowed in the exams)
A of Term Examinations. Next week
et that you need to slavishly follow. A revision • Use a subject ‘Knowledge Organiser’ to re- • Has a suitable place to work at home (not
all lessons are suspended and students
plan is your child’s way of organising his/her vise the knowledge content for the exam in front of the TV).
will be busy writing their examinations. I
time over a long period and coordinating this • Do something with the notes from your book • Encourage them to start revising now
thought this would be a good time to give
revision with other important events e.g., revi- or text for each topic e.g., make your brief • Ask them to explain something they have
parents some advice about helping their
sion classes and exams so that everything is notes for that topic just revised
son/daughter to revise.
done at the right time. • Make a mind map to see how the ideas and • Help your child create a revision timetable
Why do we need to revise? knowledge fit together
• Use flashcards to help remember key infor- Studies show that high levels of parental sup-
It is impossible to retain all the information
mation port are linked with better exam results than
necessary to be successful in an examina-
• Put revision resources e.g., cards and sheets for children whose parents show no interest.
tion without revising the content and skills
up on the walls at home
needed in each subject.
• Get someone else to test you

THE REGENT SECONDARY SCHOOL 4 4 THE REGENT SECONDARY SCHOOL 5