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.
Honestly, the best time to start is really as early as possible. For example, you might want to start making some notes on your year 10 work this summer to get ahead of the competition. Alternatively, you could start your note-making process towards the Christmas holidays. Generally, most people suggest you don't push yourself too much until next year in terms of revision, so if you do decide to start working now, I'd recommend just writing notes every couple of days. Make sure you have a good break this summer because next year will be difficult.
As you get closer to the exams, you should increase your workload (of course no further than you feel comfortable with) from maybe 1 hour a day for 4 days a week this summer to 5 hours a day for 6 days a week in the final stretch. In other words, don't stress about it too much now, but doing a little work now could give you a real advantage later on, as you can focus on learning notes that you already wrote, rather than having to do both, which I personally found difficult.
In terms of the nature of your revision, it really depends on you and how you learn best. Think about what you find easy to learn, and work from there - for example, I somehow learn scripts quite quickly if I just speak them out to myself, so sometimes I speak out any notes to learn them better. However, all my colleagues learn through different methods, and you have to find what works for you and I suppose now is as good a time as any.
All the same, once you have got past the learning stage, everyone suggests that you focus on putting into practice. The best way to do this is through past papers - I didn't do enough of these, and it showed. I can't recommend them enough, they'll make a massive difference. Your general process should look something like:
- Make notes
- Learn notes
- Familiarise yourself with exam technique and exam format
- Do questions and past papers
The reason I say both questions and past papers is that it often helps to use topic-specific questions to identify weaknesses in your knowledge, and then past papers to test your ability overall, and identify weaknesses in exam technique.
In any case, in answer to your question, I'd recommend doing a little work this summer on your notes to get ahead, but if not you'll find most people starting their revision process towards Christmas.
Hope I helped! Feel free to ask any questions about what I said here if I was unclear. We also know plenty of resources that could help you in certain subjects, so if you think you might need any help for a subject, do ask. 😁
Thank you so much guys. This advice really helps!
@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! :)
Hey Sheyda,
Thanks for the question.
Honestly, the best time to start is really as early as possible. For example, you might want to start making some notes on your year 10 work this summer to get ahead of the competition. Alternatively, you could start your note-making process towards the Christmas holidays. Generally, most people suggest you don't push yourself too much until next year in terms of revision, so if you do decide to start working now, I'd recommend just writing notes every couple of days. Make sure you have a good break this summer because next year will be difficult.
As you get closer to the exams, you should increase your workload (of course no further than you feel comfortable with) from maybe 1 hour a day for 4 days a week this summer to 5 hours a day for 6 days a week in the final stretch. In other words, don't stress about it too much now, but doing a little work now could give you a real advantage later on, as you can focus on learning notes that you already wrote, rather than having to do both, which I personally found difficult.
In terms of the nature of your revision, it really depends on you and how you learn best. Think about what you find easy to learn, and work from there - for example, I somehow learn scripts quite quickly if I just speak them out to myself, so sometimes I speak out any notes to learn them better. However, all my colleagues learn through different methods, and you have to find what works for you and I suppose now is as good a time as any.
All the same, once you have got past the learning stage, everyone suggests that you focus on putting into practice. The best way to do this is through past papers - I didn't do enough of these, and it showed. I can't recommend them enough, they'll make a massive difference. Your general process should look something like:
- Make notes
- Learn notes
- Familiarise yourself with exam technique and exam format
- Do questions and past papers
The reason I say both questions and past papers is that it often helps to use topic-specific questions to identify weaknesses in your knowledge, and then past papers to test your ability overall, and identify weaknesses in exam technique.
In any case, in answer to your question, I'd recommend doing a little work this summer on your notes to get ahead, but if not you'll find most people starting their revision process towards Christmas.
Hope I helped! Feel free to ask any questions about what I said here if I was unclear. We also know plenty of resources that could help you in certain subjects, so if you think you might need any help for a subject, do ask. 😁
Also what would be the best way to revise?