Our Guide to A* Revision Habits – Study

Our Guide to A* Revision Habits – Study Objectives and Motivation

In our continuing blog series on revision habits to get you the best grades, this edition covers study objectives and motivation to help keep you on track for those A* grades.

Step 2: Define your study objectives

Revising effectively is about targets, and this is one way your revision timetable can help you. Where do you want to be at the end of each day? Set yourself achievable and measurable targets and make sure your timetable is set up accordingly.

Maybe on one day you want to create three mind maps for a particular physics paper. Maybe you want to have remembered 50 French words on a particular vocab topic. Whatever it is, as you reach each target, tick it off. Nice: now you’re buzzing with a little sense of achievement.

Review your targets at the end of the day (don’t be tempted to skip this bit). You want to give yourself a little test on each one – that way you’ll be reinforcing it in your mind. If you haven’t nailed something, don’t beat yourself up about it – just use it as an opportunity to revisit the topic the next day.

Step 3: Get your study motivation

Let’s not pretend you’re going to skip with joy to your desk each day; we really can’t promise that. But if you’ve got an end goal in mind then you’re less likely to slope off for an hour of telly when you’re meant to be studying Of Mice and Men.

Ask yourself: why are you doing this? Perhaps you need your grades to get into a particular college or university. Perhaps you need them to get into a specific career. Maybe it’s just a sense of personal accomplishment that you’re looking for. Do some useful procrastination and spend 10 minutes writing this goal up on a massive sheet of paper, with lots of colours and elaborate doodling. Then stick it up above your study space.

Lean on people you know to support you, both when you’re feeling stressed and when you just need a hand. Get them to test you on what you’re learning. Parents are ideal for this sort of thing – they love it because it makes them feel helpful. Try going to a friend’s house to study – having a revision partner will keep both your motivation levels up (and you’re less likely to let each other skive). Remember: revising doesn’t have to be a lonely pursuit.

And – guess what? One day, these exams will actually be over. Plan something nice for when your exams are finished and keep the thought in mind to help you stay motivated.

View other Blog series on Our Guide to A* Revision Habits here:

Our Guide to A* Revision Habits – Introduction and Step 1

Our Guide to A* Revision Habits – Notes

Through the next few weeks Oxford Learning College will be running a series on revision hints and tips to help all students get the best grades possible. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to get alerts on when they are available.