Success To Revision? It`s A Matter Of The Senses

Many people have wondered what the best way to revise is: reading, mind-maps, diagrams etc. And the answer is really dependant on you. Some of us are naturally visual learners, whilst others learn great through sounds. Have you ever thought 'I can never remember the lyrics to songs,' or 'I can never remember what that guy looks like'? Then these are the first clues on what to avoid for revising. For the readers leaning towards the audio side, try recording yourself saying all your notes out loud. And then play it back to yourself when you're out and about. If you're feeling a bit creative, why not create a song. It may sounds a bit cheesy, but it can work beautifully. Talking to yourself can helpful too, you look a bit weird, but you'll do well in your exams. Visual learners have plenty of resources as well. There are various layouts of mind-maps that can work great. Don't forget bright vivid colours are easier to remember. If you often confuse two concepts, try associating them with two very contrasting colours. Flashcards can be a big asset too. Ensure you use plenty of highlighters and underline all the key points. However, our eyes and ears aren't the only ways of learning. Hands on learning can be extremely effective. Relating abstract concepts to physical, everyday objects lets you get a grasp of these ideas much easier than otherwise. Doing an experiment allows you to really see what's actually going on; acting out a historic moment with friends will most likely be more memorable than reading it out of a book. Some of us are doers, and And let's not forget about taste and smell. Now you may ask how these two can be of any use. The answer is very simple. A hungry student is not a happy student. It's very hard to concentrate on anything when you're hungry. Always keep a few snacks nearby when having a long revision session. Personally though, I find a mixture of all types of learning is the best method. Being a very visual learner, I often spend my revision time reading, watching videos and picturing things. But reading out loud to myself or listening to lectures has really worked for me. But the key to this is to try it out yourself. You'll soon realise what's best for you. But don't forget to mix it up.