Hi, I am doing my GCSE's next year and I was just wondering when would be the best time to actually start making revision notes to revise with next year? I'm unsure on when to actually start making notes. Thanks! :))
I would highly recommend getting your end of unit notes done over the summer. Your aim should be to slowly increase your daily workload as otherwise you will burn out. Think of yourself as an athlete and your brain as a muscle. Many students, especially for GCSEs, have the idea that they will be able to revise 8 hours a day for a few months, right before the exams start. This is unrealistic. It is like thinking that, if you train really, really hard for a few weeks, you will be able to run a marathon.
Pace yourself, but start now. Also, when you start Year 11, treat every test - no matter how small - as if it contributed to your GCSEs. Not only will this increase your confidence, your predicted grades, but it will also familiarise you with the type of questions that the exam will ask.
Use these tests to find out what revision you need to do. But, you must have prepared for these tests fully as otherwise this will end up being every topic. Focus most of your energy on the topics that you struggle. Do, however, spend time consolidating your strongest topics as you don't want to forget these! The aim of the game is to study smart not hard. Reading over your notes for 8 hours is far less effective than really focusing on answering past-paper questions for 4 hours.
Finally, revision methods are unique to you. I, personally, just write out loads and loads of notes. I then use these notes and pretend that I am 'teaching aloud' to a class - this sounds crazy but it really helps me to remember content through explaining it. Other people use mind maps. Other people make flash cards. There is no correct method of revision as long as it is NOT passive. Passive revision is when you are just sitting there and reading notes. This is such a huge waste of time. You might as well be on your phone.
Don't focus on how long you spend revising but on the quality of the revision. Find a quiet place (preferably not your bedroom), turn off your phone, and just try to fully engage in learning through writing notes or explaining it aloud.
@Hassan Bajwa explained it all perfectly.
I would highly recommend getting your end of unit notes done over the summer. Your aim should be to slowly increase your daily workload as otherwise you will burn out. Think of yourself as an athlete and your brain as a muscle. Many students, especially for GCSEs, have the idea that they will be able to revise 8 hours a day for a few months, right before the exams start. This is unrealistic. It is like thinking that, if you train really, really hard for a few weeks, you will be able to run a marathon.
Pace yourself, but start now. Also, when you start Year 11, treat every test - no matter how small - as if it contributed to your GCSEs. Not only will this increase your confidence, your predicted grades, but it will also familiarise you with the type of questions that the exam will ask.
Use these tests to find out what revision you need to do. But, you must have prepared for these tests fully as otherwise this will end up being every topic. Focus most of your energy on the topics that you struggle. Do, however, spend time consolidating your strongest topics as you don't want to forget these! The aim of the game is to study smart not hard. Reading over your notes for 8 hours is far less effective than really focusing on answering past-paper questions for 4 hours.
Finally, revision methods are unique to you. I, personally, just write out loads and loads of notes. I then use these notes and pretend that I am 'teaching aloud' to a class - this sounds crazy but it really helps me to remember content through explaining it. Other people use mind maps. Other people make flash cards. There is no correct method of revision as long as it is NOT passive. Passive revision is when you are just sitting there and reading notes. This is such a huge waste of time. You might as well be on your phone.
Don't focus on how long you spend revising but on the quality of the revision. Find a quiet place (preferably not your bedroom), turn off your phone, and just try to fully engage in learning through writing notes or explaining it aloud.
Hope this helps! :)