Studying for Science exams is not just about grades, it also helps students to:
– develop an inquiring mind
– increase their curiosity about the subject
– acquire knowledge and skills to solve problems
– learn how to make informed decisions with conceptual understanding
Revision is more than just memorising keywords and doing past papers. There are ways to make it more interesting, enjoyable and effective.
1. Know what type of learner you are
Be aware of what type of learners you are. Understanding which type of learner you are, you will be able to learn better.
If you are a musical person, create a song or music to relate to what you learn.
If you are a visual learner, use flashcards with Scientific keywords or draw out symbols, charts, mindmap, or even make use of graphics or diagrams, etc to help you in learning.
If you are an auditory learner (learning best through listening) then listen to tutorials, or record yourself reading, so that you can listen to it later.
If you can’t sit still to learn, schedule frequent breaks or study in a group. You can even walk around.
One awesome way of studying is to try out different scientific experiments to support and validate what you are revising. Hands-on learning is always the best!
2. Schedule a routine
When are you most alert? Find a time that suits you best and set it as a routine. Once a routine is set and you consistently follow it, your brain and body will register it. You’ll know each day that it’s time for revision and you are less likely to procrastinate.
3. Watch Science tutorials on YouTube
Having a hard time understanding a Science topic? YouTube will be your best friend when it comes to watching Science experiments or discovery when you can’t do it at home. Furthermore, certain Science topics can be difficult to explain and understand. YouTube videos will come in handy to demonstrate that. The only thing is you need to be disciplined not to get distracted by other videos temptation that is not related to what you are studying. PS: I know it can be hard.
4. Have post-it notes everywhere!
I always love post-it notes no matter if it’s for revision or for studying a new subject/topic. Writing down the keywords and paste it anywhere visible is a great reminder to self whenever you see it. It can also be rearranged in a sequence that allows you to remember better too.
Guess what? You can even use post-it notes to create a mindmap!
5. Practice past year papers
Now that you have revised all the Scientific keywords and concepts but do you know how and when to apply them?
That’s where past year papers will come into the picture. Past year papers can be downloaded and printed from the websites that provide it. It will provide exam papers from different schools hence you can practice the papers in order to identify the style of exam questions and spot which topics/concepts are often being tested.
Science revision is all about practising that allows you to assess your strengths and weaknesses.
6. Have a break
Is common to try to squeeze as much as we can into our brain but overloading or overworking the brain can backfire. Gauge how long you can focus on revising and take a break whenever your mind started to drift.
Once you know how long you can stay focus, set frequent breaks at the interval when you set up your routine for your daily Science revision.
7. Reward yourself
Give yourself a little reward whenever you have successfully completed a chapter or scored well in a past year paper that you did. By rewarding yourself allows you to affirmed yourself that you did well and completing a task you have set out to do. This way, you will keep yourself motivated and stay positive!
Conclusion
Is common for many students to feel stuck when it comes to Science revision. With so many topics, concepts and keywords to remember, students may even feel overwhelmed. Therefore, it will be great if parents are able to provide support for their children. Parental involvement greatly improves their attitudes towards study.
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P.P.S.: Have more tips? Share with us by commenting on this post.
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