Doing Well in Exams

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Doing Well in Exams

• Four Keys to Success

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Spiritual
Mind
The Whole Person
Social
Physical
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Physical

• Exams and revision are hard work
• FUEL the body!
• Eat sensibly
• Avoid too much caffeine. Coffee, Red Bull, Coke,
  etc can make stress worse.
• Healthy food is better. The effects of a banana
  or some nuts last longer than chocolate, even
  though chocolate tastes better.

• Regular exercise
• Sleep You dont revise well if you are tired.
• Revision is best done earlier in the day rather
  than late at night.
• Encourage relaxation, socialising as well as
  work.

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Social

• Study works best when everyone supports each
  other.
• The support of family friends makes a big
  difference.
• You want your children to do well, that is why
  you are here.
• Have realistic expectations.

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What you can do

• Have a copy of their timetable
• Add perspective to their life.
• Help plan revision, but only if they want you to.
• DONT PANIC

• Encourage without pressure
• Be interested in your childs revision
• Drinks, snacks, surprises, treats to break up
  revision.

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Priorities

• There is always something more fun to do than
  study.
• We have enough time to study, we just have to
  make it a priority.
• Study should not be your only priority, but it
  should be a key one at this time of the year.
• Good friends and family will support you.

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If your child is studying..

• Help them out by doing something similar.

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MIND

• Exams are a Mental Marathon

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Memory

• This graph shows your ability to remember

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Concentration

• This graph shows the situation which is likely to
  arise in your ability to concentrate over a
  period of time.

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What does this show?

• The more often we study the better we do.
• Regular, frequent practise is best.
• It is better to concentrate hard for 20 - 30
  minutes, then have a rest.

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Planning Revision

• Organise notes, revision guides, resources to
  make sure that nothing is missing.
• Write a revision timetable.
• Short bursts are more effective 20-30 minutes
  with 5-10 minute breaks.
• Make sure you study the subjects and topics you
  dont like, as well as the subjects you do.

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A Possible Timetable
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Revision Ideas

• Index Cards
• Main points of revision as memory triggers
• Made as you review notes
• Can use colour to help
• Post-Its
• Key ideas posted around the house, in the
  bedroom, hallway, even in the loo!
• Posters
• Visual displays of facts.

• Review to Music
• Can aid memory but music choice important.
• A Manager
• Someone to test you, listen to you.
• Could be a parent, but student in control.
• Highlighters
• To pick out main points in documents such as a
  History book or English Reading.

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Revision Ideas continued

• Games
• Against the clock how many questions can you
  answer in a certain time
• Rewards
• Negotiate rewards for reaching a certain target
  such as marks in a test or time spent revising
• Put Notes onto a Tape
• Plan what goes on the tape, then listen to it.
• Revision Buddies
• Have some sessions with a friend and work
  together as support.

• Walkabout
• Arrange your Post-It notes in different rooms so
  that you can move around to revise.
• Diagrams Flow Charts
• Use past papers to test your knowledge
• Poems
• Make the subject matter into a rhythmical poem.
• Remember the rhythm, remember the facts.
• Use CD-Roms, computer programs and web-sites.

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Exam Taking Ways to Stay Calm!

• Before the Exam
• Get a good nights sleep.
• Give yourself enough time in the morning to do
  your regular routine.
• Eat a good, nutritious breakfast.
• Give yourself positive, reassuring statements
  throughout the day (such as "you can do it" or
  "you know the material, so relax").
• Quit studying at least half-an-hour before the
  exam and do something relaxing.
• Avoid getting to class too early. (The time right
  before the exam is usually spent worrying about
  the test.)

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Summing Up

• Let us help if you become worried or need
  resources
• Tutorials
• Careers and Guidance
• Let parents help
• They will then understand your stress.
• Dont cheat yourself.

• Effective revision will increase your chances of
  success.
• You need to plan study to make it effective.
• A little and often is usually the most
  effective revision strategy

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Spiritual
Mind
The Whole Person
Social
Physical