How To Make A Revision Timetable
In this blogpost, I am going to talk about why you should have a revision timetable, how to create a revision timetable, how to use it and supply a free RK Tutors revision timetable excel template.
Why create a revision timetable?
I bet your teachers have mentioned a number of times about how important a revision timetable is in helping you achieve results. However, I also bet nobody has ever explained why creating a revision timetable and sticking to it supports good results. It is simple:
ACTION PLUS INTENTION EQUALS MANIFESTATION
Let's look at this. If you put in the work, do the time and revise you are more likely to improve your results. This is the action part. Also, if you plan how you are going to perform the action part and psyche yourself up for learning this makes more effective use of your time and you are more likely to perform the action part. This is the intention aspect.
Just as you can do the action without the intention (are you one of those people who like to jump right in?), you can also perform the intention without the action (maybe you’re one of those people who like to think and plan how they are going to perform an action - do you like creating timetables and never stick to them?)
You need both action and intention in order to achieve a goal more effectively. The revision timetable falls under the intention part but then you must act on it in order to achieve better results.
You may get results without a timetable or just by revising but the chances of improving your result by implementing both action and intention equals greater manifestation, greater results. We (generally) all want the highest grades possible!
How to create a revision timetable?
Follow my steps below to create a revision timetable.
Step 1
Download RK Tutors free revision template (click here).
You will notice I have pre-made some categories for you but you can also add your own.
The increments for the day are in 30 minute slots. This is because you should be revising between 20 minutes and 45 minutes with a 10-15 minute break. It has been proven that most people struggle to concentrate past 45 minutes but every person is different. Some people work best with short study times. I recommend experimenting a little to find what works best for you. The 30 minute slots enable 20 or 45 minute study slots with the 10-15 minute break included.
Step 2
You are now going to make a timetable that fits around your life.
Block in everything that is essential and you need to do or attend for the next week.
This includes:
Sleeping - your body needs rest and people who are well rested tend to do better on exams - see Surrey University's Sleep Tips
Eating - you need time to eat. Eating healthily keeps you in tip top form for exams and revision - see my blogpost on "Coping with Exam Stress".
School/college - You have to attend school so this is a commitment that should be included in your timetable. You never know you may learn something which could help you pass your exams!
Homework - You need to program in time for homework otherwise you can spend to much time or too little time on it and not find enough time for revision. Remember it’s all about planning. You can be flexible and still plan.
Exercise - you need time to keep fit to promote your health
Other commitments - Maybe you do clubs or extra activities. Maybe you want to spend time with your friends. Maybe you have a job or do volunteering. Hopefully you have a tutor. Get all this in your timetable - block it out.
Travel times - if you need to travel there is no point putting study time down here if you have nowhere to revise. Taking a book/notes during these times is obviously an option but I wouldn’t rely on this.
Organisation/cleaning times - you need time to stay organised. This includes planning and actually organising. You also need time to clean.
Step 3
You are now left with all the potential times you could revise.
In the subject key you will notice I have included a list of subjects. Add or delete subjects in the key that apply to you.
Now decide their priority order. Which subjects do you feel need more work? Which subjects do you not need to revise for as much? Number them then sort. Next write in the box next to each subject how long you’d like to spend revising for each. Remember the blank slots on the timetable are times you have available. You can’t magic time out of thin air nor is there any point wasting time. Be realistic.
Add the subjects for revision to your calendar when ready.
Step 4
You could also mark on a calendar when your exam is and count the days till the dreaded day. You could add this to your timetable updating this daily.
Step 5
Decide what you need to know for each subject. Start revising trickier work first and leave easier topics towards the end of your revision. Add a comment to each revision session writing in what you want to achieve during that session. This can include testing your knowledge, creating revision sheets or just learning something.
Step 6
Put into action your plan and then at the end of the week revisit your timetable and change anything that needs adapting for next week. Remember sometimes being flexible is key.
Hope this helps! For more tips, resources or tutoring check out RK Tutors website.