The Lighthouse

Revision can be overwhelming! So, to make it more approachable break it down into smaller tasks. Here is one way to break it down:

i. Plan

Make a weekly timetable and revise it weekly. Don’t just write revise in your plan! Write in specific tasks (such as look at past exam papers or memorise mind map).

ii. Collate your study materials

Look at some past exam papers and determine which topics/subjects are most likely to come up in the exam. Revisit your study materials (lecture notes, notes on readings, assignments etc.) and collect all the materials on those topics/subjects.

iii. Condense your study materials

Pick out the key points in your study materials (e.g. key criticisms of a theory, examples) and condense them.

There are many was to condense notes. One popular option is mind maps.  There are some other examples at http://owll.massey.ac.nz/pdf/preparation_makes_perfect.pdf.

It doesn’t matter how you organise your condensed notes. The key is to actively think about the topic (e.g. how it relates to your prior knowledge or other parts of the topic) and organise it in a way that makes sense to you.

iv. Learn your condensed study materials

Experiment with some different techniques – there are examples at http://owll.massey.ac.nz/pdf/preparation_makes_perfect.pdf

Also see:

• http://owll.massey.ac.nz/pdf/exam-survival-guide-latest.pdf
• http://owll.massey.ac.nz/main/tests-and-exams.php
• http://owll.massey.ac.nz/pdf/preparation_makes_perfect.pdf
• http://owll.massey.ac.nz/pdf/Surviving%20the%20exam_for%20OWLL.pdf