Overview
Hey everyone,
Are you revising for upcoming exams?
Check out these three DO’s and DON’Ts to maximise your revision time!
Overview:
#1 DON’T Re-Read or Highlight Your Notes DO Practice Questions and Exams
#2 DON’T Try and Learn Everything DO Focus on High Yield Topics
#3 DON’T Worry About How Other’s Revise DO Use Your Own Revision Timetable
Introduction
It’s SWOTVAC / STUVAC / Exam Revision time again.
It’s easy to get caught up in the stress and flurry of exam preparation and revision.
You feel like everyone is studying 24/7 around you and there is SO MUCH content to cram into your brain before exam day.
Today’s article focuses on how you can maximise your revision with these 3 DO’s and DON’T’s of Exam Revision!
Here goes!
DON’T Re-Read or Highlight Your Notes
DO Practice Questions and Exams
When it comes to revision, the idea is to retrieve information you have already learnt.
Whilst re-reading notes or highlighting text does have it’s merits whilst learning content for the first time, numerous studies have shown that this is an ineffective way to retain and retrieve information.
However, studies have shown that practicing active recall, whereby you are forcing your brain to locate, retrieve and apply information you have previously learnt, is a much better way to cement your understanding of a topic or concept.
Completing practice questions and exams is an excellent way to practice active recall. Not only does it prepare you for exam day but it can also solidify your understanding of a topic.
DON’T Try and Learn Everything
DO Focus on High Yield Topics / Difficult Concepts
When you’re a student, it can be difficult to ascertain what you should and should not know for an exam. Many of us (especially medical students and doctors), fall into the trap of trying to learn everything.
Not only is this method very overwhelming, it is also incredibly time consuming and resource intensive.
Instead, focus on high yield topics that you’re course has emphasised (e.g. think Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease in medical school) instead of trying to learn about all the minutiae.
In addition, there is very little to be gained with constantly revising a topic you are already well versed in. Make sure you also focus on topics you find difficult and dedicate more time to these.
DON’T Worry About How Others Revise
DO Use Your Own Revision Timetable
When you’re preparing for exams it can be easy to focus on what everyone else is doing. How they’re studying, what resources they’re using, how many hours they are putting in etc. This can make you doubt your own methods of study and revision.
The important thing to remember is that everyone revises differently.
Some people prefer to study alone, others study better in groups. Some people study well at night whereas others prefer to wake up early.
The point is it doesn’t matter.
Work out what works well for you and stick to it. I would recommend making a revision timetable that focuses on what you have to cover before exam day. You’re focus should be on achieving the goals set out in your timetable (and not anyone else’s).
Final Thoughts
Revising content can seem overwhelming. By following these three tips, you can help to maximise your revision process. Make sure you do plenty of revision questions, focus on high-yield topics, make a revision timetable and stick to it! By running your own race, you’ll be ready in time for exam day!
If you have any more tips or tricks you’d like to share, send me an email at askdoctornisha@gmail.com.
Share this post!
