How to make a revision plan
Have you ever been in the situation where your to-do list is getting longer and longer, your exams are just around the corner, yet you can't stop avoiding and putting off important tasks, like revision? Instead of spending all day at your desk doing homework or studying, would you rather meet up with friends or spend your time doing other stuff? If that sounds familiar, it'd be a good idea to create a revision plan so you can avoid stress during exam time when the pressure is on.
In this article, you will find out about the benefits of creating a revision plan and how you can make the most of your time.
Firstly, your plan needs to be tailored to your learning method or technique. Find out what fits best for you. Do you prefer learning with the Pomodoro Technique or have you developed your own style? Depending on the type of student you are, you can personalise and adapt your plan.
Secondly, it's useful to think about your study habits. What time of day are you most productive? Are you able to focus immediately after getting up in the morning, or are you a night owl who can work at full speed at night? Once you've figured it out, you'll know the best time of day to revise the most important and difficult topics, because that's when you can focus and motivate yourself best.
Finally, before you start creating your revision plan, you should get an overview of your life, your goals and what you need to study. What dates, deadlines and appointments do you have coming up, e.g. school, doctor's appointments, tests or homework assignments? Create a balance between your life and your school work and try to separate what's important from what's not so that you can prioritise and learn effectively.
The following six points show you how to create a revision plan:
Remember, no revision plan is perfect from the start. No matter how many times you have created a plan, when you create a new one you will have to adapt it over time.
A short break should last between 5 and 10 minutes. During these mini-breaks, it's a good idea to stand up, walk around or even go outside for some fresh air. This stimulates your circulation, enriching your blood with fresh air and making you feel more energetic and ready for the next study session.
Long breaks are whole blocks of time which should be kept free. You can fill this time doing sports, resting or socialising. These longer breaks, which can last from just an hour or two to a whole day (depending on your revision plan), can help you to switch off, relax and clear your head. This way, whenever you resume studying you will be refreshed and ready to take in new information.
In addition to breaks, sleep should not be neglected. While you sleep, your brain processes the information it has received during the day, internalises the connections and consolidates what it has learned. If you struggle to sleep when you're stressed or have exams, check out this article to get some tips for sleeping well during exam periods.
Tip: Just get started by creating a rough or simple study plan. It doesn't have to be perfect, because it can be adjusted at any time. Don't waste time thinking about structure or form unnecessarily, just get going!
In this article, you will find out about the benefits of creating a revision plan and how you can make the most of your time.
Before you create a plan
Before you create a revision plan, there are a few factors you should consider.Firstly, your plan needs to be tailored to your learning method or technique. Find out what fits best for you. Do you prefer learning with the Pomodoro Technique or have you developed your own style? Depending on the type of student you are, you can personalise and adapt your plan.
Secondly, it's useful to think about your study habits. What time of day are you most productive? Are you able to focus immediately after getting up in the morning, or are you a night owl who can work at full speed at night? Once you've figured it out, you'll know the best time of day to revise the most important and difficult topics, because that's when you can focus and motivate yourself best.
Finally, before you start creating your revision plan, you should get an overview of your life, your goals and what you need to study. What dates, deadlines and appointments do you have coming up, e.g. school, doctor's appointments, tests or homework assignments? Create a balance between your life and your school work and try to separate what's important from what's not so that you can prioritise and learn effectively.
Create a revision plan
You can find various templates on the internet, or you can design your own revision plan. The key to creating a personal plan is to be honest with yourself. Be honest about how quickly you learn, your progress and your motivation because only then you can plan and learn successfully.The following six points show you how to create a revision plan:
- First, enter all the important dates from your school timetable into the plan. This should include any deadlines for pieces of homework and important exam dates.
- Divide the material you need to revise into small units so that you have a better overview of what you need to study and can more easily check certain areas as completed. This will strengthen your motivation as you go.
- Organise your time! How much time do you plan to spend studying? How much time do you need for breaks or free time?
- Set priorities. Which subjects take priority because you haven't fully understood them yet or because they are extremely important
- Make time for repetition.
- Plan a margin for the unexpected.
Remember, no revision plan is perfect from the start. No matter how many times you have created a plan, when you create a new one you will have to adapt it over time.
Breaks and free time
To protect yourself and maintain your focus and motivation, taking breaks to do fun activities is essential. No one can spend all day studying or revising. Having a balanced routine is just as important the revision itself, because only when you have a good work-life balance will you have enough energy and to stay focused and motivated.A short break should last between 5 and 10 minutes. During these mini-breaks, it's a good idea to stand up, walk around or even go outside for some fresh air. This stimulates your circulation, enriching your blood with fresh air and making you feel more energetic and ready for the next study session.
Long breaks are whole blocks of time which should be kept free. You can fill this time doing sports, resting or socialising. These longer breaks, which can last from just an hour or two to a whole day (depending on your revision plan), can help you to switch off, relax and clear your head. This way, whenever you resume studying you will be refreshed and ready to take in new information.
In addition to breaks, sleep should not be neglected. While you sleep, your brain processes the information it has received during the day, internalises the connections and consolidates what it has learned. If you struggle to sleep when you're stressed or have exams, check out this article to get some tips for sleeping well during exam periods.
Tip: Just get started by creating a rough or simple study plan. It doesn't have to be perfect, because it can be adjusted at any time. Don't waste time thinking about structure or form unnecessarily, just get going!