S-cool Revision Newsletter
Revise on the move with GCSE podcast special offers
At a loose end with revision? There are so many ways to spice up your methods, such as giving presentations to pets or revising as you take a jog.
Let us help you out with discounts on GCSE Science podcasts - offer courtesy of Letts Revise on the Move.
Bust stress and boost chilled out feelings - we've come up with our favourite things to do in revision breaks to make us feel cool, calm and unwound.
We're also giving you the chance to win some free revision podcasts, thanks to Revise on the Move. Check out the competition here!
Revising on the Go and Other Alternative Methods
Revise on the go:
Gone are the days when revising meant sitting in a stuffy room with the world outside passing you by. Record yourself reading your notes and play it back, or download one of the many revision podcasts available online, and make the world your desk.
Rhymes and pictures:
Learning aids - or mnemonics if you want to be clever - are invaluable for people who need a little more than plain old text to get their memory in gear and prompt recall. Write a poem about the periodic table; make an illustrated brainstorm on the role of women in Othello; create a ten foot collage of shiny paper representing the way standard deviation makes you feel (ok...it's gone too far now).
Do a presentation to your cat:
Or dog/goldfish/teddy bear. This is particularly good for those that are doers rather than just readers - the kinetic learners among us who find themselves climbing the walls in anguish at the thought of having to sit tight in a chair and take notes for weeks on end. Start by giving the presentation using your notes, and then take the notes away to see how much you've digested.
Have a revision party
An excellent option if the thought of cutting out your social life for the revision period brings you out in a cold sweat. Make a date, get everyone to bring some snacks, and sit around on pillows and comfy chairs. Then have an afternoon of filling the gaps in your knowledge, trying out new learning styles and discussing areas you find tricky - a really good way to mix things up and stop you feeling isolated.
From Stressed Out to Chilled Out: Take a Break from Revision
Having trouble steering your mind away from revision? As tempting as it might be to spend those precious breaks lying face down on the floor in exasperation, there are far more satisfying ways to chill out in your revision breaks. We've come up with 5 things that help us unwind; hopefully they'll help you too!
Get Active:
Swim, dance, jog, bounce on a trampoline - whatever. Just do something to get your heart rate going and you'll soon find that a rush of endorphins (i.e. happy chemicals) will raise your spirits, focus your mind and wake you up.
A barrel of laughs:
Laughter reduces levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. It also boosts the immune system, countering the damage done by anxiety which can run you down. Get more of this universal stress-beater by tuning in to comedy on the TV and radio, joking with a friend, or even just fake it until it comes - which apparently works, at the expense of making you look like a maniac (we won't judge you now).
Music to your ears:
It's the food of love, God's gift to man, and without it life would be a mistake (extra points if you identify the quotes). It's also a powerful tool for winding down, so sit back and relax to your favourite tunes, or check out Student TV on the homepage for music videos by your top artists and bands.
Chat to your mates:
There's nothing like a pal to take your mind of things and remind you that the world won't come to a bitter end if you fail A-level Spanish. The parents may be sceptical, but let them know it's better for your revision in the long run if you pencil friends in to your revision timetable.
And finally...different strokes for different folks:
We thought it was quite cool how teens all over the world cope differently to stress, a.k.a what an MTV report calls 'the invisible global constant that affects youth of all ages'. Apparently you guys are the most likely to eat junk food (40%) - big tap on the hand for that one! Check out how the rest of the world copes on http://www.ypulse.com/the-top-12-ways-young-people-relieve-stress.
Competition:
This week's competition...
This week you can win one of 10 free revision podcasts courtesy of Revise on the Move. To enter, simply send an email to competition@s-cool.co.uk with "PODCAST" as the title.
To see an example of the Revise on the Move podcasts, check out the sample video at the top of the newsletter.
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