Creating your Calendar
A calendar is essential because it shows how much time you have to revise before the examination. This will help you focus, motivate, and guide you through the revision process.
There is a calendar example and template further down this page, or you can download one from the internet and start creating your Revision Calendar.
First, you must add the following:
- Your exam dates
- Any personal commitments that will stop you from revising
- Enable you to plan your revision around your other commitments effectively
You don't have to add the location of the exam, but it's good to know it now so there are no surprises on the exam day.
Next, check that you have all your:
- Classroom and/or lecture notes
- Revision guides
- Exam specifications that are required to pass the exam
If you have any gaps, contact your tutor or (if available) download them from Moodle. Make sure you have all the information required to pass the exam.
You can also visit the library for revision guides. It is best to talk to your tutor or a librarian to ensure you have the correct ones.
You must now consider the topics you must revise, plan accordingly, and add them to your calendar.
Do a stock check of your understanding
Which subjects did you understand and remember the most? Or, more importantly, which subjects did you struggle with the most? Or areas that you didn’t do so well in your practice exams?
If so, you may need to spend more time on these topics and allocate more time to them — add this extra time to your calendar.
However, you still need to revise the areas you are good at too.
Your calendar will:
Roughly plan what you must do over your whole revision period, covering what subject you will revise each day.
It will not break down each topic you will be revising - this is the job of your Day Planner.
Now, create your Day Planner. Your Day Planner/s will:
Schedule the time you start revising, the topics you are revising, the time you have a break, and then the time you need to start revising again.
Both don’t have to be overly detailed, but make sure you cover all the topics you need to revise and add them to the calendar, this is so you don’t forget a topic.
However, the amount of detail depends on you, how many topics you need to revise, and how much structure you need in your schedule to complete things.
However, if you are in-doubt, more detail is better than too little detail.
Both your calendar and day planner/s need to be personalised to your needs.
How you revise and retain information is very personal; you only know how long your attention span is and when your peak energy levels are. This personalisation empowers you, giving you control over your study process.
If you lose concentration after 30 or 40 minutes, schedule your break every 30 or 40 minutes. However, you probably shouldn’t revise any longer than an hour at a time. This should be followed by a break of 10 to 30 minutes.
Consider your energy and concentration levels
if you get tired as the day goes on, you may need to alter your break schedule. Also, if you are a morning person, revise early or start slightly later if you are not. Ensure you revise when you are at your peak and your energy levels are high.
You could also do a Weekly Planner. This may be too much for some, but more suitable for those who like structure in their life. Scroll down and click on the tab for an example.