Blog: Your guide to finding the best revision technique

Written by Hannah Cheung

Revising for exams has never been easy but finding a revision method that suits your learning style can make the process easier. Every person has a different revision technique that works best for them and there are so many types of revision methods out there for you to try out. 

Hi, my name is Hannah. I’m a second-year law student and one of your Student Content Shapers. I’m here to talk about types of revision methods which you could use during exam season, ranging from well-known to inventive, so you can gain the confidence to tackle any exam or assignment.

Pomodoro Timer

The Pomodoro Timer is a great study method if you’re feeling overwhelmed with your workload or if you become distracted easily whilst revising.  

The traditional method involves setting a timer for 25 minutes to complete one task. After the 25 minutes is over, you can take a break for 5 minutes before restarting the 25-minute timer again and repeating the cycle. This is a popular study method as it allows you to customise the time allotted for revision/breaks and gives you a short rest in the middle of intense studying.  

Personally, I have found 50-minute revision sessions and 10-minute breaks most beneficial for me. For me, 25 minutes is too short to finish one task and I prefer having a slightly longer break. However, you can customise the timings to whatever you like! There are lots of useful websites such as Pomofocus that help students follow the Pomodoro technique so make sure to check them out. 

Flashcards 

Flashcards are another great way of revising which involves testing your memory. All you have to do is write a question down on one side of a piece of paper and write the answer that you would like to memorise on the other side. Flashcards are especially effective if combined with spaced repetition which is when you periodically review the flashcards over a long course of time.  

I often like to use flashcards for revision as I feel that I retain the information better from writing the information down. They are also handy to use on the go, whether travelling or revising at home, and many apps such as Quizlet are available to help students do their best in exams.

Mind Maps

Mind maps are a visual way to present and organise information in a creative way. The idea is to put the title of a big topic in the centre of a piece of paper and then draw lines from the central theme to link to different subtopics. The key is to only write the most important points on the page so you’re able to fit in as many subtopics as possible. I think the best way to use mind maps is to be creative. That can mean colour-coding the information or drawing diagrams or tables to make revising more fun.  

When I finish creating mind maps, I like to stick them on my wall so I’m able to memorise the information from seeing it consistently every day. You can try this revision method out and stick the mind map wherever you want, whether on the shower door, wardrobe or mirror.  

Recording your voice 

Recording yourself explaining a topic may also be beneficial for you when studying. It sounds unusual but trust me, it really works! This revision technique involves recording yourself speaking about a topic on your phone and listening the video or voice recording over again. This way you can see where you may have gaps in your knowledge if you’re unsure about how to explain a concept. This technique also allows you to speak about the topic in your own words and is especially useful to prepare for oral presentations or speeches.

Trying out different study methods is a great way to help you finish that essay or ace that exam. It may take some trial and error to find the one that’s perfect for you, but it will be well worth it in the end. I hope this may encourage you to try out different study methods and I wish you the best of luck with exams!

For more student advice, assessment resources and information on study spaces, check out our UoBe Ready page.