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By Mary Agapides
The first step to making a good ATAR revision timetable is by working out what you need to do and how much time you have to do it. Identify how many days, weeks or months you want to schedule revision for, then choose the specific times you can study.
You may be free to study after school, during study periods, on the weekend or in school holidays. It is simple and easy to start assigning a specific subject to the time you have available. For example, you might choose Monday afternoon to revise Maths and spend Tuesday revision periods studying Biology.
Some students find they need more focus on their revision planning. If this is you, it might help to timetable in specific tasks. These may include revising a particular dot point on the syllabus, completing practice essay questions or a specific set of maths exercises.
It is often tempting to start your revision session with something easy and enjoyable. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as you’re still ticking off your revision targets. Some students do find that halfway through a day of study, their brain is already tired and tackling something difficult just doesn’t work.
A great way to work around this is to try tackling something challenging first thing in the morning, or at the beginning of your study session.
Take advantage of a clear mindset and feel the satisfaction of crossing something difficult of your study list. If this works for you, incorporate this concept in the design of your study timetable.
Creating a revision timetable is helpful for balancing out your subjects. It can be tempting to only focus on the topics you find easy or interesting.
Be mindful that balancing your subjects may not mean every subject needs the same amount of time. You may feel confident in some topic areas, whereas others need a lot of work.
Also, be careful that a very difficult subject doesn’t take a lot of time away from other important subjects. It is important to do your best across as many of your subjects as possible, to maximise your ATAR.
Many students want to make the most of their waking hours by studying as much as possible. It is very difficult to be productive and make the most of your revision time without taking some breaks!
If you are making a revision timetable, make sure you schedule in time for yourself too. Finding time to exercise is a great way to break up your study sessions and actually helps you think more clearly and enhance your memory. It is also a good idea to timetable in a fun activity or time with friends after some solid study.
Some students feel guilty or stressed about taking breaks, but they’re actually an important part of your study schedule. They help your mind to feel refreshed and renewed, ready to tackle challenging material and remember important facts.
We are all fond of the last-minute cram but starting early can help minimise your stress levels and help you to succeed. There is often lots to revise and practice in preparation for exams, which can take up a lot of time.
Try making your study timetable early and spread out the tasks you need to do before an exam. By doing a little bit of revision each week, you will build up your knowledge and skills gradually.
Don’t be worried if you find it hard to keep up with revision, while also focusing on new content being taught at school that you need to learn too. Lots of students feel this way as there is a lot to stay on top off!
Try your best to stay organised and keep up to date with what is happening in class, as this will also make your revision much easier. Learning is a gradual process and every small step counts towards reaching your study goals!
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