Why Revise?
Before we consider what revision is and some ideas on how to revise, it is useful to take a moment to consider why we should revise.
Students sometimes ask me “why bother revising?”
My simple answer is “So you can do the best you possibly can, and if you did do your best, nobody can complain or say you did not try.”
Students sometimes ask, “Why do I need GCSE’s anyway?”. When I chat to them about this, we usually come to the idea that GCSE’s are the gateway to lots of exciting possibilities. This can be summarised by my list of ideas below.
- Feel good at doing well.
- Better GCSE’s, better job prospects.
- Get onto courses of your choice at college not what is left because you did poorly in your exams.
- Get into sixth form to study A levels before going to university.
- Access to apprenticeships.
- Make mum and dad happy!
- Reach your long term goal.
- Do well, then never have to study the ones you didn’t like again!
How Can Parents Help?
First and foremost, parents who engage with their child’s revision can help to dramatically improve exam grades in the long term. Don’t forget, you are not going to be examined or tested, and even better you don’t need to know anything about physics if you use this GCSE science revision guide.
“Using this revision guide was incredibly useful as equations are “walked through” in easy steps, and realistic exam questions are asked and again with easy step by step instructions how to answer them. This made my mocks a breeze!” (5*) Charlie Nicholls
“I found physics by example very helpful when I was revising because of all the examples are accurate and it is split up into easy chunks. I would recommend this book for other students as it is very effective.” (5*) Alistair Atkins
What Actually Is Revision?
Before I say anything else, Revision is NOT just copying out your notes again. Revision should focus upon doing questions from past papers and then doing lots of short activities like the kinds in this GCSE science revision guide. Revisit topics over and over again, until they become second nature. This is where family members will come into their own. Revision should,
1) Reinforce what you have learnt and studied.
2) Highlight areas of weakness and strength.
3) Give you confidence.
Lastly as the old saying says,
“Fail to plan, plan to fail.”
Be organised and start revising as soon as possible. Make sure you start to revise for your mock exams in November (now called PPE’s or walking talking mocks).
To purchase your copy of the Physics by Example GCSE science revision guide, please visit the shop here.
What Can You Actually Do?
Help to keep stress levels down and improve confidence through constant positive reinforcement and comments.
Help to design revision timetables and organise time effectively.
Help by using materials in this pack and hopefully have some fun doing it!
Work together to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Try and organise revision sessions in short blocks for each subject. I have found 30 minutes to be a good length of time. Have a short break then do another 30 minutes.
Testimonials
“I really liked Physics by example"...
“I really liked Physics by example as it is very clearly laid out and breaks down each physics equation so I could understand them.”
"Brilliant examples of questions"...
“Physics by example gives brilliant examples of questions I have seen in practice exams and is a cracking resource. Clearly laid out and easy to understand. Brilliant.”
“Physics by example is a great book"...
“Physics by example is a great book which contains realistic practice questions which helped me apply my knowledge and helped me learn for my exams.”
“Easy to understand"...
“Easy to understand, explains the topics well.”
“I enjoyed the easy to follow examples and where topics are broken down" and explained....
“I enjoyed the easy to follow examples and where topics are broken down and explained. It gives concise knowledge which was easy to find.”
“Very nice!"...
“Very nice! Easy to follow and helped me a lot with revision.”
“Physics by example is incredibly useful"...
“Physics by example is incredibly useful and effective resource which helped my understanding. A brilliant idea that helped me with my exams.”
“Physics by example helped me achieve my best ever grade"...
“Physics by example helped me achieve my best ever grade in physics in this years mock exams.”