Tried and Tested Revision Techniques

In today’s email:

• Why students struggle with revision

• How parents like you can help

• Places you can go to find extra support and guidance

Key Question

❓Why is it harder than ever to study?

We all know that studying can be challenging for some students. We have all experienced the immense struggle of hitting the books and attempting to absorb seemingly endless amounts of information, only to find ourselves staring at a blank page or feeling completely lost in the midst of studying.

However, for some students, this challenge reaches an entirely new level of difficulty.

These individuals may find themselves constantly battling distractions, battling inner turmoil and self-doubt, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of material to cover. They may struggle to stay focused and motivated, or they may find themselves struggling to grasp concepts and retain information despite putting in hours of dedicated studying. Regardless of the specific challenge, it is safe to say that studying is no easy feat for these students.

In a world with so much information and our fingertips and the constant distraction of social media our teens are fighting a bigger battle than we parents ever faced.

So what is the solution?

How can I help as a parent?

There are many things you can do as a parent. Some are more effective than others. We have a full guide on this here but for now here are our top tips that you can start helping your child with straight away.

Study Techniques and Tips 😊

1. Create a study schedule: Setting up a structured study plan is key to maximising productivity and avoiding last-minute cramming. Help your child design a schedule that includes dedicated time slots for each subject, breaks, and ample revision time before exams. Consistency is the key to success!

2. Utilise active learning: Learning actively engages your child's mind and enhances their understanding of topics. Encourage them to use flashcards, engage in group discussions, and even teach concepts to others. This interactive approach will strengthen their grasp on the subject matter and make studying more enjoyable.

3. Practice past papers: Regularly completing past exam papers is a fantastic way to familiarise your child with the exam format and boost their confidence. It helps them become accustomed to the types of questions they may encounter and enables them to refine their exam technique. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Revision Resources 📚

4. Online learning platforms: Explore a wide range of interactive platforms that offer subject-specific courses, practice quizzes, and educational videos. These platforms provide an immersive learning experience and allow your child to grasp complex concepts more effectively.

At National Tutors we offer Affordable online tuition by trained and DBS checked teachers with FULL COURSES starting from £40, where as most face to face GCSE tutoring delivered by qualified teachers will cost around £40 a week.

To learn more about National Tutors read this blog post or visit www.nationaltutors.com to see all our GCSE and A-level course.

5. Revision guides and textbooks: Recommend reliable study materials that cover the GCSE syllabus and provide concise explanations. These guides and textbooks are designed to simplify complex topics, ensuring your child has a solid understanding of the subjects they're studying. A great place to start is on Amazon but you can also ask your child’s teacher or tutor what books your child needs as they will often have suggestions or resources they can share.

6. Studying with peers: Some students just can't get motivated on their own. Studying with peers can be a highly effective method for some students who struggle to get motivated when studying on their own. In a group setting, individuals have the opportunity to bounce ideas off of one another, engage in stimulating discussions, and hold each other accountable for staying on track.

This collaborative approach can also help to break down complex concepts and make them more manageable, as multiple perspectives and approaches are shared. Additionally, studying with peers can provide a sense of camaraderie and support, as students work together to achieve their academic goals.

Key Takeaways 🔑

With these effective study techniques, your child will be well-prepared and ready to conquer their GCSE exams. For our full guide with more tips, tools and ideas just click here

These tips are an excellent start but what you will also need is key information about exam boards and assessments. If you are unsure about how to find these or who to ask don’t panic, we will be covering these in our next newsletter.

In the meantime if you have any questions about studying tips or tutoring or need advice on how to best support your child just reply to this email and one of our team will get back to you

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more tips and resources in our upcoming newsletters!