Easter revision - the calm before the storm (or study skills can prevent panic!)

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Brandon Learning Centre is normally a haven of tranquility in the maelstrom of Causeway Bay. Students discuss literature in measured tones, small children give engaging presentations and even science experiments take place in an atmosphere of studious calm. Not this week though. Oh no. Easter revision is upon us and everywhere we see teenagers frantically leafing through files of notes, prep school boys trying to cram vocabulary into over-stuffed heads and teachers desperately printing revision sheets.

So how do you avoid being swept into last minute panic?

1: Plan a timetable allocating time to each subject. Work out how much work you have to cover and allocate periods to each block. Make it realistic; look at the time you have allowed and double it! Build in rest periods and any other activities (tennis?) you know that you will do. There is no point creating a work of fiction!

2: "Chunk" your work. Don't try to cover too much in one session.

3: Test yourself after each work block. Or rope in parents/friends/random passer bys and try to reteach the topic to them.

4: Make notes. Use colours, concept maps, post-it notes and highlighters.

5: Create flashcards that you can refer back to before the exam.

Most importantly.. eat well, be kind to yourself and allow yourself time to relax and recuperate.

Good luck!

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