Top 10 revision tips!
#CambTweet is a popular initiative run by the Cambridge Students’ Union on Twitter where current undergraduates tweet about their daily life. It’s a great insight into studying at a top university and gives prospective applicants the chance to ask students questions directly.
Recently, Sam decided to ask the #CambTweet-ers for their own revision and study tips ahead of the upcoming GCSE and A Level exams. Here’s what they had to say…
Calling all #CambTweet people: any revision tips for GCSE and A Level students? @cambtweetcusu
— Discover Downing (@DiscoverDowning) April 21, 2015
1. Looking at past papers is a top bit of advice…
@DiscoverDowning @cambtweetcusu I found doing past papers so helpful – start off doing them with notes, then cut them down til you use none — Cambridge MML (@cambtweetmml) April 21, 2015
@DiscoverDowning @cambtweetcusu Past papers all the way! Look to see what sorts of topic have come up recently and in what form #CambTweet
— Cambridge Law (@cambtweetlaw) April 21, 2015
2. … as is trying to ‘teach’ the material to someone else (or a pet!).
@DiscoverDowning Best way to learn something: teach it to someone else! Your friends, your parents, your mirror, your cat… #CambTweet — Cambridge HSPS (@cambtweethsps) April 21, 2015
@cambtweethsps @DiscoverDowning Yes this! Explaining things to someone else often clarifies what you do/don’t know #CambTweet
— Cambridge Law (@cambtweetlaw) April 21, 2015
@cambtweetlaw @cambtweethsps Agreed! I often suggest applicants prepare for interviews by talking about their subject, starting with pets… — Discover Downing (@DiscoverDowning) April 21, 2015
3. Definitely read the course spec.
@DiscoverDowning Use the specifications! they are what you need to know and learn what explain, define etc means you need to say #cambtweet
— Cambridge Medicine (@cambtweetmedic) April 21, 2015
@DiscoverDowning … and of course make the specification your bible! #CambTweet — Cambridge Geography (@cambtweetgeog) April 21, 2015
4. Think about visual stimulation to help you learn!
@DiscoverDowning @cambtweetcusu I also find colours work for me, so I enjoy writing facts and figures out in felt tip pen! #CambTweet
— Cambridge Law (@cambtweetlaw) April 21, 2015
@cambtweetlaw @DiscoverDowning Agreed! I remember colours and pictures best. Find strategies that work for you – flashcards, mindmaps… — CambTweet (@cambtweetcusu) April 21, 2015
@DiscoverDowning …write down qu’s as you make/read notes (key words/definitions) to test yourself when done. Helps info stick! #CambTweet
— CambTweet (@cambtweetcusu) April 21, 2015
5. Some subject-specific advice for Maths-y exams…
@DiscoverDowning @cambtweetcusu For maths, practice, but also understand the concepts well enough to reconstruct everything from scratch. — Cambridge Maths (@cambtweetmaths) April 21, 2015
@DiscoverDowning with more maths based subjects I found talking through methods for past paper qs without necessarily answering them useful
— Cambridge PhysNatSci (@cambtweetphys) April 21, 2015
6. … and for those of you doing more essay-based subjects.
@DiscoverDowning I get stuck on essay intros so practise b4 exam & work out gd phrases. Make sure still flexible! Answering q most important — Helena Blair (@cusuaccess) April 21, 2015
@DiscoverDowning esp in humanities go just a tiny bit beyond the syllabus – read a good newspaper, practice the language you’re learning…
— Cambridge Geography (@cambtweetgeog) April 21, 2015
7. Be sure to organise your time.
@DiscoverDowning I find it useful to always have an updated revision timetable, so I feel on track and never aimless. — CambridgePhilosopher (@cambtweetphil) April 21, 2015
8. Pick a nice place to work!
@DiscoverDowning @cambtweetcusu I think it is important to study somewhere nice..I like the garden. It makes work more enjoyable #CambTweet
— Cambridge Engineer (@cambtweetengine) April 21, 2015
9. Maybe warn the neighbours beforehand.
. @DiscoverDowning @BeCambridge @cambtweetcusu go over revision notes by singing them at the top of your voice #cambtweet — Caitlin Saunders (@C_Saund) April 21, 2015
10. And finally, remember to take breaks and reward yourself.
@DiscoverDowning Make sure you still take time to have fun! Studying all day will just get you down and stressed… #CambTweet
— Cambridge BioNatSci (@cambtweetbio) April 21, 2015
Have you got any other suggestions to add?