Studying effectively in sixth form requires going beyond just attending classes and doing homework. Students must take responsibility for building on lessons during study periods to be successful. Some effective ways to use study periods include rewriting notes using color; summarizing and organizing key points; researching topics more in depth; creating mind maps; forming study groups; using study periods to do homework; reading textbooks; and using revision websites and creating a live revision guide to add to after each lesson. The document emphasizes that taught lessons are just the starting point and students must be proactive during study periods to cement their knowledge for exams.

1. Using study periods
effectively
http://headof6thform.blogspot.co.uk

2. Study periods are key
• If you go to all classes
and do all homework
– that’s good BUT you
are only half way
there!
• To be successful in
the Sixth form you
MUST take things
further

3. Only the start!
Taught lessons are only the starting point.
You have to take responsibility yourself to
build upon these lessons if you are to be
successful

4. How?
So how can you make sure that you use
your study periods effectively to increase
your chances of success at exam time?

5. Rewrite it
• Go through your work from previous
lessons and re-write them
• Use colour to highlight key points
• Use pictures and cartoons to help you
remember important information

6. Summarise
• Go over the work you
have done in previous
lessons and pick out
the key points
• Bullet point your work
• Pick out key elements
and put in different
coloured boxes to
organise them

7. Extend
• Use the internet to
extend your
knowledge and
understanding of a
current unit or topic
• Pick an area you
have been taught
and find out more

8. Mind map it
• Create a mind map
for each unit in
each subject
• After each lesson,
add the content to
your mind map –
building up as you
move through a unit
of work

9. Revision partnership
• Form a revision
partnership or revision
team with others in a
subject
• Create questions for
each other to answer
using lesson notes
• Swap and test each
other after each
lesson

10. Homework
• Homework
doesn’t have to
be done at
home!
• Use study periods
to free up time
out of Sixth form

11. Read all about it!
• Use textbooks to
read around the
subject. What else
can you find out
about the unit you
are studying?
• If you’ve not done so
already, buy
textbooks. Invest in
your future

12. Revision websites
• Use revision websites to cement your
knowledge and understanding as you go.
Examples:
• http://s-cool.co.uk
• http://revisionworld.co.uk/a2-level-level-revision
• http://getrevising.co.uk/resources/level/a_ib
• http://abbeyfieldhumanities.blogspot.com
• Search online: ‘A level revision website’

13. Create a ‘live’ revision guide
• Create your own revision
guide which you add to
after each lesson
• You could use an exercise
book – ask for one from
your teachers
• Creating something
yourself will help you learn
the content. Be an active
learner not a passive one

14. Remember!
• It is time to take responsibility
• Use your time effectively
• There is no easy way to good grades
• Be proactive – opt into supervised study periods
Which do you want in the Summer?