By CPA Denis. M. Mugo
What You Need to Know
During the study period, a learner is expected to remain focused on every aspect that ultimately determines his results during his course work.
The listed tips /elements are the epitome of studies that need to be engaged by a learner at all times. They act as a step-by-step guide that, once considered/practiced, helps a learner have an unsupervised revision strategy.
- Make a realistic revision schedule (study plan)-start early.
- Find a revision style that suits you.
- Customize your notes to make them more personal.
- Make sure you are at least understanding everything learnt.
- Look for past examination papers.
- Organize study groups with your study mates.
- Take regular short breaks.
- Snack on brain food or invest in stress management.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Understand your learning style
- Teach the subject to others.
- Eat healthy.
Examination Revision
Refers to preparing to tackle the examination at the scheduled time. It is not just reading through the study materials to pass the exam but also knowing how to answer the questions during the examination. Examination revision fosters the student’s preparedness to face and tackle the examination to achieve a pass. It entails the listed aspects that, when applied, help a learner to be fully prepared for the exams at the end of the term/semester.
A. Make a realistic revision Schedule/Time Plan for Revision
It entails strategies that one will adopt during the period of examination revision. It requires creating a well-focused plan at the start of every week that incorporates the subjects to be revised and the time and break periods. The timetable plays a significant role as it reminds learners of the planned plan they should adopt. It is essential to have at least six (6) hours a day to follow the timetable, and it should be when you do not have class work.
While progressing, one can be ready to keep adjusting the revision schedule to incorporate more time for the subject(s) that require much time and attention.
How to make a Revision Timetable
A Timetable refers to a properly drawn plan for study that indicates the day, time, duration, and subject to be handled at a particular time/period of the day.
It provides control over the time a student will spend on handling a particular subject/ topic or matter at hand.
Days
The days are usually weekdays. These are the days one is mostly engaged in lessons or other study engagements. The student will take charge of the days and prepare a timetable, considering his availability and engagement on those days.
Time
This is the clock hours that one allocates for study in his timetable. The learner/student will allocate the subject and the expected time that is enough to cover a particular subject/topic to enable them to tackle and pass the examination. The time allocated must cover a specific area /topic under study.
Weekend
These are days of the week, usually Saturdays and Sundays. On these days, one has quiet free time and does not have much class work with the lecturer/teacher.
During these two days, one can optimally plan for the time available to utilize that free time properly.
When allocating time for study, one needs to allocate convenient time and create break periods for resting and relaxation, during which one may take some refreshments.
Preparation for Examination
This is a period during which a learner or student is expected to know that after the end of study, term, or semester, he/she will be measured on how well he/she has understood what he/she has learnt.
The examination preparation period starts on the first day of the term/semester, the first day a teacher/lecturer starts lessons. The learner is expected to be present and keen on what is taught and try to understand every aspect of the topic.
After the lesson, a learner is expected to have free time to review what the teacher/lecturer taught in the previous lesson. Doing this develops an in-depth understanding of what was just taught, which will keep his/her mind up to date during subsequent lessons or periods of study.
The student is expected to prepare a convenient student routine to review what the teacher/lecturer has previously taught in the lessons.
As the term/semester progresses, one is expected to prepare a study rooster that will guide him/her during the period of study. A student/learner is expected to follow this guideline in order to achieve his goal, which is ultimately to pass the examination.
- Make a realistic revision schedule/timetable
-Explained in A, previously discussed.
- Customize your Notes to make them more personal
From the class notes, one is expected to try to simplify the notes provided by the teacher/lecturer by either; –
- Making the notes statements shorter.
- Creating abbreviations from the note’s statements.
This is done by developing your own study book that you note down your key points during the revision/study time.
The points created in your study book are usually short and easy to study/revise. The learner can quickly skim through or make a reference during revision or nearing the scheduled examination time.
- Find a revision style that suits you
Revision style refers to a method adopted by a learner to make sure that he/she covers all the details he/she is required to understand in the most convenient way possible, it too entails understanding the language of your subject and principles that one is required to understand in every subject understudy.
The following are the commonly adopted revision techniques: –
- Intensive reading and understanding of class work notes.
- Use of past papers/practice questions.
- Mind maps and other notes.
- Group work.
- Intensive reading and understanding of class work notes
As previously discussed, a learner is expected to grasp/understand varied aspects of what has been taught in the class, coupled with personal studies, one is able to comprehend basic concepts of the subject under study. By this you ultimately develop a deeper understanding of the subject /topic.
- Use of past papers/practice questions
This entails finding questions related to the subject(s)/topic(s)covered and gauging your ability to answer them based on your understanding. Here the learner will answer the questions in his own created examination situation, considering the points to include as the answer and the marks to be awarded. The learner will provide answers required to the best of his understanding based on the concepts acquired from the study materials /techniques applied.
© Mind maps and other notes
This refers to creation of mind branches from the information read in the notes, the learner creates facts and figures out of what he/she has read that he can easily remember after his studies.
(d)Group work
This is a method by which a learner /student joins a class study group or colleagues during study/revision time where one is able to share his/her ideas. During group discussion one is able to think critically in order to share his accurate idea to the other group members, by so doing the concept discussed by the group sticks in the mind of the learner where it cannot easily be forgotten.
This technique of revision is useful on questions that requires carrying out individual studies/research on a matter under study and latter sharing it out during group discussion sessions.
(iv)Make sure you understand everything
This entails a process of perfecting on various aspects of your area of study. This will encompass having a detailed revision strategy i.e. reading notes, making short notes during study and reviewing past papers for questions that relates to the area you have studied.
By doing so one will develop an all-around understanding of major concepts of the subject/topic being studied and be able to tackle examination questions the best way possible.
(v)Drink plenty of water
When one is well hydrated the body has an increased level of ability to recall information, stay focused on the task at hand and to remain alert that boosts one’s mood. All the above importance of drinking water helps in controlling one’s body pressure especially during study and revision for examination (masento, el,2014).
(vi)Understand your learning style
As discussed above, there are different revision styles that can be adopted for study and for exam preparation. A candidate will use a study style that best suits him/her, especially during exam days.
Having adequately done your study, one can adopt a skimming through your short notes and also find past examination to help gauge your level of understanding of various concepts.
After a learner has appreciated his method of study, she is able to plan how to study applying his most efficient method of reading and understanding the subject/course understudy.
By doing so, one is able to have firsthand concepts and materials necessary to handle examination questions.
A candidate will have confidence in facing in him/herself and consequently be able to tackle the examination adequately.
(vii) Teach the subject to others
This entails sharing your understanding with your fellow colleagues, this would be applicable in the following instances: –
(1). Answering questions in the class.
(2). Asking questions in the class.
(3) Teaching /showing through a question to your fellow colleague.
(4) Forming/Joining study Groups.
5. Eat Healthy
Healthy food during studies is very important as it helps to recover lost energy that is applied during studies. It is very crucial to choose meals and snacks that emphasizes on protein over carbohydrates.
Protein rich meals and snacks increase lost energy hence very important for consumption during studies.
It should be emphasized that eating the right food during studies helps in maintaining focus and information retention that is very crucial for a learner.
Management Of Stress During Studies at The End of Term/Semester
Stress refers to a state of worry or mental tension that is occasioned by a difficult situation. Stress usually develops due to certain situation at hand. The human responses to this situation lead to change in behavior of an individual.
In this situation, a learner needs to understand and be able to manage this period of study and especially towards the end of semester/term.
In order to reduce stress occasioned by your studies, a learner is expected to practice the following; –
-Eat well.
-Get enough sleep, at least 8 hrs.
-Remain physically active /intermittent walks.
-Reduce/cut down consumption of alcohol/don’t rely on stimulant.
-Find time to relax /short breaks.
-Set realistic goals.
-Avoid procrastination.
By applying all the above, a learner will remain relaxed and alert during his studies and times of examination. The learner is expected to keep in mind that his focus is on reading, understanding and passing the examination at the end of semester/term.
Denis. M. Mugo Works in the State Department for Correctional Services, He is Graduate of KCA University with Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and a member of ICPAK. He has also written Job interview guide book, Job Interview Fundamentals.
denis.muchangi@yahoo.com
