By Community Correspondent Eleanor Roberts.

So it’s nearly the Easter holidays and it’s time to begin that dreaded revision (if you haven’t already, of course). Whether you’re revising for your end of year exams, GCSE’s, AS or A levels, there is a different technique for everyone. Often it is impossible, as I know it is for me, to identify which method will best suit you but it’s always worth planning your revision and making sure you create a good study environment. I.e. Minimise noise and distractions and ensure you have enough space to begin your work.

The top tip for successful revision, I would suggest, is to make a plan of what you are going to do and when. I would begin by listing all your subjects and allocating a certain amount of time for each subject (it is likely that some subjects will need more time allowance than others!) Draw up a revision time table and do your best to stick to it! This way you will be sure you have done enough or too little.

There is no ‘right way’ to revise but it is important that you find a way which will enable you to gain a solid grasp of key facts and consolidate your knowledge. In practice, most students find that mixing techniques suits the varied nature of the subjects being revised. Here are some common methods which work for many people; hopefully one of these will work for you!

Visual Methods - Many people find it most useful to revise through visual methods whether it is by posters or drawings it is often useful to use a lot of colour, patterns or symbols to lodge key ideas in your memory. Posters are often useful to embolden key points or topics so these trigger sub-points in your memory when you glance at these headings. If you’re a scientist or a sportswoman, diagrams may be useful to draw out because if you remember a diagram in an exam, you are likely to remember the key ideas it is representing. Notes or revision cards are also a good visual way of revising as they consolidate what you have already learnt.

Audio - Recording your notes and then listening to them on an Ipod or CD can be useful if you are an audio learner. The process of reading notes out can also be helpful. Teaching a topic to a fellow student, friend or member of your family can be of great use because it allows you to show understanding when teaching it as everything has to be thoroughly explained. Or would you rather study with a friend and test each other’s knowledge? This can be very constructive but remember you are meeting to revise rather than to chat! If drama’s something that interests you, when with your friend why not act things out or make a song which may help you to remember key ideas when in the exam.

Study Guides and Past Papers - I know this is a very useful for me because past papers allow all your revision to be put to the test and with constant practice and repetition when doing questions you are bound to start remember key things. Often with more essay based subjects it is good to do timed essays so you get a feeling of the structure and timing that needs to be put into practice into the exam itself. When choosing study guides make sure to ask your teachers which one they recommend so you get the best quality guide for your money!

Whatever revision technique you decide to utilize in this up coming holiday ensure that you constantly reinforce the revision in your memory and review key points. Remember also that the more tired you are, the less effectively you’ll work so make sure you take lots of breaks to relax and equally don’t over-revise by doing too much too soon! Good luck!