Revision - Day 1

Now that I'm actually about a week into the process, here are some tips...

Revision Procedure

Step 1:

Despite having spent the previous eight months studying and completing assignments, you don't recognise a single thing in any of the past exam papers and so double-check that you didn't buy ones for a different course by mistake.

Step 2:

Nope - they're definitely the right ones. Oh dear. Start by reading through the course glossary. Get very excited because, in the eleven pages of it, you managed to get two definitions right... sort of. All hope may not be lost.

Step 3:

Start working through the notes you meticulously prepared throughout the course as a comprehensive but concise, easy-to-follow and organised revision aid. At this point (if applicable) it is worth reminding your children that their other parent is perfectly capable of getting them a drink/making a sandwich/building Lego/fixing the Xbox.

Step 4:

Realise that your notes do not contain enough detail of concepts your brain has convinced you that you've never heard of before. Abandon revision notes.

Step 5:

Open Course Book (previously put away as presumed no longer needed) and read from start to finish, making notes and working through calculations as necessary, accompanied by swear-words of your choice. Ensure that by Page 5 you have posted your first stupid question on the course Exam Revision forum. You should continue to post stupid questions as often as possible (this is also helpful to other students as it builds their confidence when they realise that there is actually another student who knows less than them).

Step 6:

Take another tentative peek at a few past paper questions. Get very excited as YOU CAN NOW ANSWER ONE! So, with a theoretical 3 marks out of 100 'in the bag', move on to the online course materials that you'd previously completely ignored during the course. At this point, severe panic should set in but by now you should have perfected the art of complaining to your spouse/partner at every available opportunity. This is a very useful study skill as it prevents you from a) burning your course book and b) smashing your computer (NB. Shouting can often prove more effective than simply complaining).

Step 7:

Take time out to write these 'Revision Procedure' notes, check out Facebook and post blip of cute baby squirrel seen at Wakehurst... then KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!