Revision! Where DO you start? Seems to be endless information for each subject, piles of exercise books, study books. No wonder GCSE and A-Level students struggle to revise.
Have you ever tried flashcards? We LOVE them! They are small cards with a question or prompt on one side, and a bite-sized answer or information on the back.
Simple, but brilliant when you want to boost your memory!
How to Make Flashcards
A flashcard is basically an opportunity to condense, simplify or summarise a topic. Of course, you can still use mind maps or flow charts etc for more complicated topics.
The main thing is to move away from pages and pages of dense information to help separate it all out.
- Arm yourself with packs of index cards, or you can get blank flashcards online too. You can even buy different coloured cards to colour-code each subject. Smart idea if you want a cracking revision system.
- For each subject, write a list of key topics and keywords. This can be done over time, not last minute.
- With a specific topic, write a question/prompt on one side. On the other side, you can bullet point information, and even include picture associations to help jog your memory.
- Stick to one key point per card. Don’t cram loads of information into a card. Separate it out into clear sections with plenty of white space.
Just How Useful are Flashcards?
Chunking down firstly makes it easier to remember key information. Secondly, it can kickstart revision when you’re stuck.
- Flashcards are a great way to test yourself
- Use them to spot gaps in your knowledge
- They are ideal for learning dates, language vocabulary, formulae, definitions
- Because they are small, they’re transportable. Flick through them on the bus home, take them to a mates if having a study sesh, go through subject ones before a test to jog your memory
A Flashcard Revision System That Works
If using an index box with cards – or even a DIY box – you could separate cards as you are going along into different sections:
- A: NAILED
- B: MOSTLY KNOW
- C: LESS CONFIDENT
- D: DIFFICULT
The advantage to this is that you can identify which topics need more time spent on them, and then move the cards into another section once you’ve mastered them.
Clearly, anything in the C and D boxes can be re-visted often. Daily or every couple of days for the D section. Weekly or twice monthly for Nailed – just to reinforce your knowledge.
What a nifty way to make better use of your time!
General Revision Support
If you keep hitting a brick wall when revising, call our tuition team for expert support.
With GCSE and A Level tutors available across Manchester and Cheshire – or online if you prefer – we can get you back on track in no time. Here’s how to get in touch!
*Photo courtesy of TES
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