Many students have difficulties at school, not because they’re not studious, but because they don’t revise in the right way.
In this article, we’ll give you some advice on how to optimize your child’s revision.
There are two main types of memory: visual and auditory. To begin with, it’s important to determine which type of memory best suits your child. Depending on this, different revision methods are recommended:
create cards for each part of the course to summarize the main information (key words, dates, formulas, definitions, diagrams, mind-maps). This makes it possible to integrate the course by rewriting some of its content, and to make it easier to re-read and learn using the cards.
place yourself in a calm, quiet space, read the lesson aloud, will help you for certain dates, formulas, key words, record yourself on your phone so you can listen to the lesson again while doing activities that don’t require concentration (showering, running, etc.).
There’s no precise rule about the optimum revision time, as it depends on the individual student. However, one thing is certain: it’s a big mistake to leave it until the last minute! In fact, the sooner the better, as it gives you time, if you don’t understand a point in the course, and gives your mind more time to assimilate all aspects of the course.
It is therefore advisable to plan ahead as soon as you are aware of the assessment date. Drawing up a revision schedule is a good way to get organized and avoid the lack of time. For example: plan one chapter per day, one major topic per week, or even one subject per day in the case of more substantial exams.
As we saw in the previous paragraph, anticipation is essential for successful revision. Another important aspect, which is only possible if you have the time to learn regularly. Revising your course several times, leaving a few days between revision sessions, is a very good way of assimilating knowledge over the long term.
In fact, with each re-reading, the student will stimulate his short-term memory to retrieve the knowledge he has recently learned. In this way, these memories will become engraved in the student’s memory, making it easier to recall them for the test and for future years.
This can be done during revision, but also beforehand. Paying attention in class and taking part can account for 50% of the memorization work. Reading the day’s lesson every evening will also make revision much easier when it’s needed. It is therefore possible to divide the work into two parts: memorization on a day-to-day basis by being attentive and reading the course, and then understanding and applying it by practicing during revision (exercises, mock tests, exams, etc.).
Although it’s impossible to know how the situation will evolve in the near future, we’ve noticed that, over time, most teachers are managing to adapt their courses, materials and teaching formats. A large number of schools have also reopened their doors in a hybrid way: half-groups, larger rooms, etc.
As mentioned above, some students have also been able to adapt and take advantage of the situation, holding work sessions with friends using applications such as Zoom or Google Meet.
Moreover, one of the lessons learned from this situation is that everyone needs to be able to adapt and work independently.
We’ve looked at a number of different ways of improving revision, but every student is different, and it’s important to listen to your child’s feelings and preferences so as to guide him or her in the best possible way.
If your child is experiencing particular difficulties in a particular subject, or more generally at school, don’t hesitate to contact us or consult our tutoring programs.