Planning is an essential part of the study process. It ensures that maximum impact from study sessions can be achieved. It is important because the revision process is more than just a short sprint. It involves the successful transfer of information from working- to long-term memory with consistent retrievals, at specific times.

Planning for success therefore involves the preparation of an appropriate study space, for which we have included a checklist here. It requires students to complete a reality check on how they spend their time on a weekly basis. Planning also requires students to have the big picture in mind. This will ensure that they know how many days they have until assessments/exams and that they can allocate these, evenly, across all of their subjects. We look at Crunching the Numbers later. 

First is a Study Zone checklist which can be used to assess the suitability of a study space. After completing this, a student might conclude that a different space is needed.

The Study Space

Having an organised study space is a top priority. Not only does it impact students’ ability to concentrate and be relaxed – the state of relaxed alertness is our objective here – but it can also kickstart or impair the individual sense-making activity that is studying.

The space should involve a comfortable desk and chair, possibly a study wall, and even a bean bag or other comfortable area (for relaxation and self-testing). Importantly, it should be a quiet space away from any distractions, be they digital or human. 

One of the main distractions is likely to be a mobile phone. If nearby, students’ ‘want conflict’ will be initiated to check notifications. If students want to maximise their productivity, then remove the phone from the study space altogether. This requires discipline – but it will be worth it. Or, if they find this particularly difficult, think about using those technologies that lock them out of various apps that generate interruptions. Productivity is the main aim during study. If students enjoy studying in their bedrooms (and they are productive there) then by all means continue to use that space. But think too about other options which offer variety – another available room in the house, the local library or school (many schools offer after school study). The bedroom can then become a sanctuary at certain times, offering valuable headspace and downtime. Or if a bedroom is shared with a sibling, then it’s vital to agree some ground rules to include times when each sibling has the shared space to themselves.

Planning also means ‘Kitting Up’

‘Kitting Up’ means that the student has all the necessary resources and equipment needed by them: relevant notes and textbooks, files, pens, maths equipment etc. They should take time to organise these notes and carry out topic list checks to establish if there are any gaps between what has been covered by the teacher and the content of the student’s notes. 

‘Kit up’ the Study Space strategically. Use ready-punched paper, which can be easily moved between files. Keep all of the notes in one place, filed in subject or order, numbered or colour-coded, so that they can be easily arranged and accessed. 

A few more Study Space tips …

Here are a few more things to prepare for study, psychologically and physically. Over time, they become good habits that enable a productive study schedule:

• Prior to the study session, ensure the student is ready and has a clear head. A short walk or a tidy-up is good. 
• Put a ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ sign on the door;
• Make sure the student is hydrated and fed;
• Have a study timer ready (which is not on the phone) and identify study topics in advance, and;
• Ensure the space is clear and prepped with the next set of book/notes.

Now, let’s focus on a revision planning strategy. Generating a big picture of the revision process and how to allocate time, evenly, across all subjects/topics can be a very useful activity

Crunch the Numbers 

The purpose of the Revision Number Cruncher is to enable students to calculate the number of days until exams begin, the total number of revision sessions available to them, and to then allocate revision sessions to each subject. This will help them to allocate time, fairly evenly, across all subjects. 

We recommend that this activity be completed when there are 140 days or less until the first exam. Most students use the 100-day mark as a guide, but the more time set aside for revision, the better. 

First, write in the names of the months for this revision period. Then, identify today’s date – or the date when first completing the Number Cruncher (mark this date with an X). Then, identify the day of the first exam (mark this date with a Y). Count the number of days between X and Y and put this number in the first box. In the second box write in the number of subjects the student is being examined on. 

Next, identify weekends, where we recommend that a one-day break is always built in. Also identify any other days between X and Y that are not available for revision, let’s say because of the combination of school, part-time work or sports. Also highlight school holidays. These days are important because, unlike a typical school day, the student is likely to have more time to set aside for revision on a school holiday or less time on a particularly busy day. Overall, in a typical revision week, students should have the potential to revise on five or six days, allowing for breaks and for heavier and lighter study loads on a day-by-day basis. 

Then, being realistic and honest, the student will work out how many revision sessions are feasible on each of the available revision days. One session might be a power hour: 45mins work, 10min break and 5min retrieval activity. Remember that school days will be different to weekends or to days where the timetable is less restricted. Therefore, on weekdays revision sessions may range from one to three per day, whereas at the weekend this might increase this to four on an allocated revision day. Write in the number of available revision sessions into each date and add up the total for the entire period Put this number in box three. 

Then, divide the total number of revision sessions by the number of subjects. This will establish how many sessions are available for each subject. You might wonder whether it is appropriate to assign an equal number of revision sessions per subject, let’s say because one subject is more content-heavy than another, which involves a practical examination prior to the first exam date on our Number Cruncher. In those cases, the student’s own knowledge of the level of content in each subject will help them decide whether to increase the available number of revision sessions for one subject. 

Number One: Total number of days until exams

Number Two: Number of subjects

Number Three: Total number of revision sessions available

Number Four: Total number of revision sessions for each subject

Once the student is happy with all of the number crunching then it’s time to review the Big Picture. Is it realistic in terms of potential daily revision sessions, is it balanced between the demands of each subject, and does it include regular and much-needed downtime?

Completing the Revision Number Cruncher is an important step for every student: from the person who struggles to find the time to revise, to the procrastinator and even the student who wants to start revision early. Next month, we take a deep dive into notetaking. Can’t wait for this? In the meantime, you can check out our Study Skills Guide, available in Eason, because it’s the go-to resource to kickstart and support the revision process.