Revision tips...

[Ki3r]

I've got a driving course coming up at the end of the month, I'm extremely lucky to be offered it and don't want to fail it. But I'm really struggling with the revision side of things. I've been given the Highway Code to read and also Roadcraft along with some other bits and pieces (force policies etc).

I'm reading it but it just isn't going in or making any sense to me. It doesn't help that I hate reading and struggle with lots of it (got dyslexia), so tried breaking it down to a chapter a day. We have a test in the middle of the course that we need to pass. Its a mixture of Highway code questions and ones from Roadcraft. Highway code I'm OK with (downloaded the app and do mock tests multiple times a day).

I've started highlighting parts of the book and writing it up in notes to read as and when I can.

The practical side I'm not worried about. I've always been one to learn by being shown/told how to do it and then doing it (give me a Haynes manual and I won't have a clue, a video or showing me and I'll be able to do it).

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

[randlemarcus]

Try writing it out, or writing up detailed notes, rather than bullet points, as those are not sinking in. Maybe draw pictures alongside, or try acting out the concepts. Everyone learns in different ways, and rote learning might not be yours.

[Name of user]

Take 3-4 key bits of info that you want to know. Shorten them to 10 words or less.
Write these on the back of one hand first thing in the morning, and keep reading through them throughout your day. Then try and recite them without looking at them. As the day goes on, it will rub off more- forcing you to remember it. (Do this almost every day with different facts)

Obviously this only works for some people

[Ki3r]

randlemarcus said:

Try writing it out, or writing up detailed notes, rather than bullet points, as those are not sinking in. Maybe draw pictures alongside, or try acting out the concepts. Everyone learns in different ways, and rote learning might not be yours.

I should have worded it better...thats pretty much what I'm doing at the moment. Reading it (out loud) and then going back to write it up and highlighting the important bits in the book and on my notes.

Found out when I read things silently I don't really take it in, but when I read out loud I do.

I don't think it's helping how much pressure I'm putting on myself...ive had to take three weeks off my paid job and there are around five others out of 150ish who have this course so really privileged to get it.

[CubanPete]

Copy it out, leave out what you know until there is nothing to copy. Rewriting it forces you to process it, similar to reading it out loud.

Set your targets in your plan as tasks (this evening I will learn xxxx) rather than time (this evening I will spend 5 hour tidying my desk...)


Try not to think about anything else, don't be distracted by time off work, cost etc. Work out which time of day you find easiest to learn. Don't eat a big meal before you study, but don't go hungry.

[Ki3r]

Thought I would give a bit of an update in case it helps anyone. I decided to make my own notes on flash cards. These had a keyring through and I took them everywhere. If I had five minutes spare I would have a read through them. It started to sink in nicely.

I've also got to read the highway code and know it all (I thought I did...). I've found a audio book of it online so found listening to it is a lot better than reading it.