Revision Resources: A How-To Guide
By the Library Student Team
This Exam Extra, we’ve carefully picked out some resources that will make your revision a little bit easier. And to give you an extra helping hand, we’ve explained why and how you should use them!. If you haven’t got your hands on these handouts or want to print out more of something, then we’ve attached the originals, so you can download and use them to your heart’s content!
Do you have what you need?
Click here to download the ‘Do you have what you need?’ handout
Why is it useful?
This resource is the perfect checklist for exam success! It will help you organise your study time and material effectively. This will also help ensure that you don’t miss out on any key steps in the revision process.
How can I use it?
Use this step-by-step guide to plan out your revision before you start. For example, start by making a revision schedule that fits you, but keep in mind to not make it too monotonous!
Now organise and gather your notes for each topic that you will be revising and make mind maps, diagrams and so on to organise the information better.
Lastly, make sure to practice questions to make sure that you’ve revised successfully and have understood everything. By the end of this process, you’re sure to be on your way to acing all your exams!
KWL (Know, Want to Know, Learned)
Click here to download the KWL handout
Why is it useful?
KWL is a fantastic resource to aid you to be efficient and find and learn information that you need. It’s great if you’re revising for a specific topic or preparing to answer a practise paper question. This method allows you to target the information that you need to know so you don’t waste time on things that aren’t helpful.
How do I use it?
In the KNOW column, write the knowledge that you already have on whatever topic you’re revising; you already know this stuff, so you can spend less time revising it. In the WANT TO KNOW section, write questions you need to be able to answer to understand the topic properly. This gets you to think actively before getting started. Once you know what information you need to target, you can start reading or revising. If questions occur to you later, you can always add them to this column. Finally, when you’ve finished your research, use the LEARNED column to summarise what you’ve just learned. Putting it in your own words will help you to remember the information; if you find you’re not sure how to explain something, then you’ll know you need to revisit it before you move on.
Cornell Note Taking
Click here to download the Cornell Notes handout
Why is it useful?
This resource is great if you have a tendency to write too much when you’re taking notes. By dividing the page into three parts, it forces you to think about what is actually important. The summary section at the bottom of the page is a great way to check that you’re actually learning the information, not just copying. This will also be very useful while preparing for closed book exams!
How do I use it?
Have this resource at hand whilst revisiting a lecture or reading an article. Write the key points in the key points section; there isn’t much space, so decide what is most important, for example, names of theories, dates or key authors. In the details section, you can expand on the key points (make sure you’re not just copying information down though!). Finally, try covering up the top of the page and writing a summary in the summary section; this forces you to put the information in your own words, so you can check you actually understand it. Explaining a topic out loud to someone else has the same effect.
Questioning Matrix
Click here to download the Questioning Matrix handout
Why is it useful?
This resource helps to break down the key elements of an assignment, essay question, or exam question. It’s great for people who struggle to structure an answer to an exam question. You can use it to plan answers to past papers or when you’re in an exam, it will help you think about what you need to include in your answer.
How do I use it?
Write the question being addressed in the top box. In the required boxes, enter the elements of the question that need addressing. In the component boxes at the top of the columns, enter three features of the question that support the information in the required boxes. A good example is given here. You can then think about what information should go in what box; grouping information together will help you structure your paragraphs.
Structure Outline for Essays
Click here to download the Essay Structure handout
Why is it useful?
Simply put, it is a resource that helps you structure essays. It breaks down the different sections of a typical essay and reminds you which elements need including in each section. It’s especially useful if you struggle to structure your answers to essay questions.
How do I use it?
The document is split into three sections: the introduction, the body of the essay and the conclusion. Start at the top of the document and work your way down. You can use the handout like a checklist, to make sure you’ve included everything in the right order. Why not use it when you do practice questions from past papers? It will help you get into the habit of structuring your answers in an easy-to-remember way, so when you’re under pressure in the exam, you won’t waste time trying to remember what should be included in an introduction.
Code
Click here to download the Code handout
Why is it useful?
This resource helps you plan your exam question answers, by splitting the process into four sections.
How do I use it?
This step-by-step guide offers a great way of planning your answers to past paper exam questions and open book exam questions. Start by checking the question, and working out what you know about the topic. Plan the key sections of your answer and then what points you will cover in each section. Finally, elaborate the sections into full points, so that you have your answer!
We hope you found this article useful! Here’s a link to all the resources mentioned above if you’d like a copy. Good luck with your exams, we know you’ll do amazing!
By the Student Team
