Herts &amp; Beds

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-at-computer-working-jeshoots-com-2vD8lIhdnw-unsplash-1000x667.jpg" alt="Girl working at laptop" class="wp-image-75183" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-at-computer-working-jeshoots-com-2vD8lIhdnw-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-at-computer-working-jeshoots-com-2vD8lIhdnw-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-at-computer-working-jeshoots-com-2vD8lIhdnw-unsplash-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-at-computer-working-jeshoots-com-2vD8lIhdnw-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Eek, GCSEs and A-Levels are looming and the house is about to be filled with groans from grumpy teens procrastinating over their revision. It can be difficult as a parent to find the balance between supporting your child and making sure they&#8217;re on top of their revision, especially as exams can really add to their mental load (with hormones, relationships, and social lives to add to the mix). But these exam results can be crucial in helping to shape their future, whether as a stepping stone to higher education or a means to kick starting their career. We asked the experts at revision course providers, <a href="https://www.justincraig.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Justin Craig Education</a>, for their tips on how to minimise stress and make the most of revision time, to help your child achieve the best possible results. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-organised">Get organised</h2>



Print out the exam timetable 



You&#8217;ll find timetables on most exam board websites which will help your child plan their time effectively. Having a visual guide for when and where each exam will be taking place can help them to allocate revision time properly. And this can be a great way to keep on top of your child’s schedule, should they need a gentle nudge.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-writing-in-diary-pexels-karolina-grabowska-4497762-1000x667.jpg" alt="Girl writing in diary" class="wp-image-75184" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-writing-in-diary-pexels-karolina-grabowska-4497762-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-writing-in-diary-pexels-karolina-grabowska-4497762-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-writing-in-diary-pexels-karolina-grabowska-4497762-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-writing-in-diary-pexels-karolina-grabowska-4497762.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Plan a revision schedule 



Sit down together to work this out. Be realistic &#8211; the timetable must be easy enough to stick to, so allow for regular breaks and milestone rewards. This is an opportunity for students to prioritise and organise their own workload – a key life skill.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Get timing</h2>



Don&#8217;t overdo it



The length of individual revision sessions can vary depending on the student. We recommend spending no more than two hours per session on a particular subject. Shorter sessions with breaks in between can be just as effective. We would also recommend focusing on no more than two subjects per school night, and 4-6 subjects over a weekend. This allows for&nbsp;optimum revision.



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Start early



The earlier your child starts, the more time they&#8217;ll have to revise. Setting a revision schedule and agreeing timescales nice and early is setting them up for success. If they leave it all too late, trying to fit everything in becomes an impossible task which only adds anxiety to an already stressful time in their life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Get personal</h2>



Set boundaries



Although it is a natural concern as a parent, it can be totally detrimental to a student’s learning if there are constant questions around their revision. That said, there is often a certain level of supervision required to make sure they&#8217;re sticking to their plan. Ask gently, tread carefully but show some trust and give them responsibility. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Boy-studying-at-desk-pexels-julia-m-cameron-4144101_Fotor-1000x750.jpg" alt="teenage boy at desk" class="wp-image-75186" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Boy-studying-at-desk-pexels-julia-m-cameron-4144101_Fotor-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Boy-studying-at-desk-pexels-julia-m-cameron-4144101_Fotor-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Boy-studying-at-desk-pexels-julia-m-cameron-4144101_Fotor-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Boy-studying-at-desk-pexels-julia-m-cameron-4144101_Fotor.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Establish a workspace



Set up a dedicated, comfortable workspace where your teen can study in peace. Having a specific area to work in, away from distractions of other family members and things going on at home, will help to improve and maintain their concentration for longer. 



Keep them healthy



Studying is mentally and emotionally draining so make sure your child is looking after themself. They should be eating healthily and getting some exercise every day, as movement and fresh air each day dramatically improves concentration levels. It doesn’t matter what they do &#8211; just a short walk between revision sessions can do the trick. And if they&#8217;re into fitness, encourage them to plan a workout a few hours after a study session as they&#8217;ll be more likely to retain the information that they just learnt. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="759" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-sleeping-in-bed-vladislav-muslakov-CwIU33KGToc-unsplash-1000x759.jpg" alt="teenage girl sleeping " class="wp-image-75187" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-sleeping-in-bed-vladislav-muslakov-CwIU33KGToc-unsplash-1000x759.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-sleeping-in-bed-vladislav-muslakov-CwIU33KGToc-unsplash-800x607.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-sleeping-in-bed-vladislav-muslakov-CwIU33KGToc-unsplash-692x525.jpg 692w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/girl-sleeping-in-bed-vladislav-muslakov-CwIU33KGToc-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Most importantly, ensure they&#8217;re getting some sleep. Good sleep patterns are key to effective learning, so setting regular bedtimes and keeping phones and other distractions out of the bedroom during these crucial months will pay dividends. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Get focused</h2>



Find their style



Every student is different when it comes to revising. Help them to establish what works and what doesn’t work for them. For example &#8211; do they work better with background music playing or do they find it distracting? (Note: it is actulally proven that students recall more when studying in a quiet environment); Do they respond well to flash cards or prefer memory techniques?; Would it help them to talk through what they&#8217;ve studied with you once they&#8217;ve finished?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/sticky-notes-jason-goodman-m2TU2gfqSeE-unsplash_Fotor-1000x750.jpg" alt="Sticky notes on the wall" class="wp-image-75188" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/sticky-notes-jason-goodman-m2TU2gfqSeE-unsplash_Fotor-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/sticky-notes-jason-goodman-m2TU2gfqSeE-unsplash_Fotor-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/sticky-notes-jason-goodman-m2TU2gfqSeE-unsplash_Fotor-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/sticky-notes-jason-goodman-m2TU2gfqSeE-unsplash_Fotor.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Practise, practise, practise!



There is a wealth of resources available so make sure your child is using them! In particular, any past papers or exam-style questions can be really helpful for them to plan their time and structure their answers. 



Justin Craig Education provides small group, one-to-one and online revision courses and has centres in Herts, Bucks, Berks, London, Derbyshire, Manchester and Yorkshire. <a href="https://www.justincraig.ac.uk/revision-centres/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">S</a><a href="https://www.justincraig.ac.uk/revision-centres/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earch for a revision centre near you here</a> or email <a href="https://www.justincraig.ac.uk/contact-us/">enquiries@justincraig.ac.uk</a> for more information.

How to help your kids nail their exam revision

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