How to study/ revise for History!
This is an overview of 8 different methods of revision and studying for history assessments. (It can also be used for other humanities based subjects too.)
It is also a basic outline of revision/ study methods, however I shall make more posts on different assessment types and how I do them.
This is based on how I learn. I(Feel free to change them to suit your needs!) If you have any questions, or I have missed a method, please feel free to message or ask me!
I can guarantee that next to nobody up until now has heard of this method before, mainly because I made this one up when I was 14 … It’s slightly unconventional and can only work for certain time periods, but this method works wonders for me (and I still use it at university too). I’m quite sad because no one uses this method, so please tell me if you like this or would (or do) use it!! :D
What you need: An analogue/ digital clock… Anything that tells the time. You may also want post-it notes to go around the clock, although I personally don’t do this.
When to use: As soon as you have learnt dates, the clock is your trigger.
Method:
1- Looking at the clock, tell the time.
2-If it reads, say, 19:15 try and recall all the events and dates for that year (that’s in your syllabus!). So, in 1915 the film ‘Birth of a Nation’ is released; and the British Women’s Institute is founded, etc. 3- Where possible, try and remember entire dates ie. In 1915 on the 1st January X happened…
4- If you have more than one event that you have to remember for that year try and recall all of them as quickly as possible when its ‘year’ comes up.
5- This method is more of a spot-check method. So, when you’re studying for other topics and go to tell the time, use it then. J
Advantages: Quick recall. If you keep this method up you’ll find that it’s easier to recall dates quicker, which can be good as the more precise you are in exams, the higher marks you tend to get. You also begin to do this automatically after a while, which I find very handy.
Disadvantages: Can only go up to years that end in ~~59.. However I tend to do a running commentary in my head of events after years ending in ~~59.
2 – Word Vomit
This method is more-or-less what is says on the tin.
What you need: Pen/ Pencils; Paper. (A timer if you want to test yourself)
When to use: Before, during and after studying for a test/ exam/ assessment. Depending on how big your exam is, start 1 month – 1 week before exam(s) (or at the advice of your tutor).
Method:
1- With or without timing yourself write as much about the exam topic you are going to answer, and that you can remember. DO NOT LOOK AT YOUR NOTES WHEN DOING THIS!
2-If you have a big topic coming up ie. You’re looking at Russia from 1897-1945, look at things either chronologically so split things up into reasonable chunks, and write about it; or do it thematically. (Chunk things regarding how you’re meant to answer the exam/ assessment where possible.)
3-Try not to learn things thematically when you’re asked to respond to the question(s) chronologically and visa versa.
Advantages: Ensures you can cover a lot of material. See your weak points before the exam as you have no notes in front of you when you do this, so you know where to put in extra effort.
Disadvantages: Can be frustrating when you can’t remember something.
Word Vomit Part Two / Free Writing:
This method can also be used for assessments such as course work/ presentations too if you’re struggling to make a start. Just free write.
When to use: During and after the planning stages of writing a plan.
Method: Free write your ideas for your assessment and see where they take you, especially if the assessment is stubborn and you don’t know where to start. Write your ideas down and watch them take form into sentences.
Advantages: The assessment is finally getting written.
Disadvantages: Tends to need heavy editing.
What you need: Paper (I tend to use A3); Pens (coloured); Pencils (coloured); Ruler; Post-its.
When to use: Revision for test/ Order events for an assessment.
Method:
1- Draw a line across the middle of the paper. The end on the left-hand side is the earliest date of your assessment, the end on the right-hand side should have the latest date needed.
2- Chunk the line into time segments ie. days/ weeks/years/ decades/ centuries – whatever is the most suitable for your needs.
3- If you are a visual learner (like me!): Have 2+ coloured pens/ pencils and assign them a meaning. For example: Dates relating to people = blue; events = red; legislation = green etc. Try not to have more than 10 colours.
4- Depending on the needs of your assessment, also have key quotes around the edge of the timeline. (This way you’re killing two birds with one stone)
5- If you want to, add pictures.
Advantages: You can get all the important dates/ time written down; other people can test you on it; looks pretty; able to put it on your wall/ door so you can see it.
Disadvantages: Limited space.
Okay, so with this one, I find that it tends to be up to the nature of the assessment on whether or not I use this method of revision or how I use it. I used them a lot when I did A-Level Law because it helped me learn the practical elements, whilst I use posters now for exams which include source analysis.
What you need: Pens/ pencils (coloured); paper (coloured or plain); ruler
When to use: As revision for an assessment. These can either be an on-going project ie. If you’ve got 30 sources to learn for a source analysis so you do them as you learn about the sources; or before assessments.
Method:
1- Split subject matter into smaller quantities. I find this method best if done thematically, or if I have split my exam into the chunks in which I know it’s going to appear.
2- Find out all the important information for the test.
3- Fold or segment the piece of paper into reasonable parts for each section.
4- Assign meanings to your colours! Write the information for each section on the paper, use your notes.
5- Write out all the key terms and main points.
6- Try to be concise in your work, but I make one poster per theme / source.
6- Stick them on walls/ cupboards/ doors and test yourself.
Advantages: Can be used to test yourself with; able to condense important information. If you write it for another person with limited knowledge on the topic, shows good ability in expressing information. They are great for when you have to apply work ie. For Law, or source analysis.
Disadvantages: Upsetting when you run out of space (just stick another piece of paper next to it), or when you try to draw and can’t…
5- Brain Storming/ Mind Maps
Brain Storms/ Mind Maps are so useful. I use these for both revision and for assessments and find them super helpful for organising paragraphs for coursework.
I tend to do one mind map per exam topic, or one mind map for one essay, but this is up to you.
When I use mind maps for I only have one colour for all dates/ people/ events etc. whilst my friend gives the centre one colour, the first branch a second colour, the second branch another colour etc.
If you prefer lists over brain storming, write the list. It’s the same concept but a different layout.
What you need: Pens/ Pencils; Paper
When to use: Start of writing an assessment; studying for an exam.
Method:
(You should already have the resources at this point, this is a way to organise your essay plan or research, unless you’re making it whilst doing research)
1- Write the essay question/ subject topic into the middle of the paper and draw a bubble/ box around it.
2- Decide how many branches you need from the mind map, and how much weight they all need. You can either write these subheadings down on a separate piece of paper and write them in when you come to the next point, or give each point an educated guess as to how much room you’ll need. 3- Don’t forget the introduction/ conclusion.
4- Go round filling each branch of the brainstorm – include people of note/ events/ important years/ important works etc.
5- You can also use this as a form of revision too, if you’re using it for essay plans for an exam. Write the question or subject topic in the middle, and then fill out the mind map without looking at your notes.
Advantages: Able to organise thoughts; can get in lots of information; add information;
Disadvantages: If revising with other people, they may not understand it; can’t incorporate large chunks of text.
These are one of my favourite forms of revision, because they can fit anywhere and they’re handy for commuting to university.
Like mind maps I associate 1 colour per topic/ subject. I keep my colour codes across all revision pieces.
What you need: Flash cards (If you don’t want to buy them/ can’t afford them fold a piece of A4 into 4 and then cut on the folds); pens/ pencils; highlighters; rubber bands (or hair bobbles); treasury tags and a hole puncher (optional). Depending on how you learn best, have different coloured flash cards so you can make better associations.
When to use: Between 1-2 months – 1 week before the exam (I say 2 months because I find flash cards exhausting and time consuming to make…)
Method:
1- Admire beauty of flash cards.
1- Go through your notes and find suitable headings for the flash cards, and mark which notes should go onto what card.
2- Write notes onto flash cards – use your colour for key points/ dates/ people etc.
3- Test yourself, or get others to test with you.
4- Whilst you’re making your flash cards label them. They will get dropped and you’ll forget what order they go in.. I tend to order mine in the top right corner. The number is what order number the card is, and the letter is the subject. So my first flash card on topic one is ordered 1A, so my 10th card on my 6th exam topic would be 10F.
5- Restart the numbering for each exam; or module. (This one is up to you).
6- If you have more than 26 modules/topics swap the ‘1’ and the ‘A’ round.
- How to use as revision
7- You can self-test or give it to someone to ask you about the material on the card. I find it easier to study with my course friends as they phrase questions about the material a lot better than people who aren’t on the course.
8- You can also use flash cards for essay plans – aim for one flash card for one paragraph.
Advantages: Organised notes; portable; effective when used.
Disadvantages: Can cost lots of money; notes may only make sense to you. (I tend to write in abbreviations, or put it information that wasn’t taught)
I have changed how I use mock tests over the years. And this is good. Depending on your level depends on how you use them. I have found that questions at university are easier because they’re not trick questions and as long as we bridge the introduction right we can talk about whatever we want (within reason), so I only use mock exams as elaborate essay plans.
Mock exams are best used AFTER or DURING doing other forms of revision. Do not do it before hand because you won’t get very far, unless it’s a multi-choice question… Then I hate you (kidding) because there should be more of those on this side of education…
What you need: Pens/ Pencils; Paper; Mock papers (and answer booklet/ criteria). (Depending on what level, a nice teacher who will mark your mock papers and give constructive criticism)
When to use: At university, I tend to use these a week before the exam (because that’s when I start to heavily focus on exams). When I did my GCSE’s and A-Level my teachers did mock exams throughout the year, but I focused on mock exams a month before the actual exam.
Method:
1- For your first early mock exams, give yourself extra time and have your notes (or at least an essay plan) For your extra time – if it’s 30 minutes, give yourself 40-45 to complete. If it’s a 45 minute question, give yourself 60 minutes. Then decrease the time as you do more essays.
2- Once you’re feeling confident, take away your notes/ essay plans/ aids (unless you’re allowed them in the exam), and do a couple of mocks.
3- Take 5-10 minutes planning. Even if you don’t get to the end of the exam, if the marker can see your essay plan they may be more lenient. It also saves you repeating yourself when you’re writing, which may detract points.
4- If you don’t want to write out essay after essay, write detailed essay plans on the question, using the same timing method. Start with your notes, so you have a ‘perfect’ essay; then take away your notes and write the essay plan.
Advantages: You know your weak points; you know what you’re facing when you enter the exam; you also have a rough idea about how much you can write in the time period given.
Disadvantages: Time consuming;
8- With friends/ family/ your plant or pillow or pet
I think that this method is great when you know some / most of the topic material as you can see exactly where your strong and weak points are.
What you need: Notes on your topic; a person to speak to; sweets
When to use: 1 week before the exam
Method:
1- Find someone to talk to.
2- Give them your revision/ study materials.
3- Get them to question you on all the material you’ve written.
4- If you get a question right, have a sweetie.
5- I’ve found that this method works best with people doing the same exam as you as you can discuss things in more depth.
6- With someone or something that can’t speak.
7- Have your material with you
8- Write a brief prompt – what are you going to discuss?
9- Explain and teach them/ it what’s on the exam.
10- Look at notes if you get stuck.
Advantages: Teaching other people your material is one of the best ways to learn and retain information.
Disadvantages: Can get very frustrating with people who just read the information when you don’t know an answer rather than prompting you.
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