Study Skills

Study Skills & Revision

Academic success is not just about effort – it is about how students study. Developing strong study skills helps students manage their attention, reduce overload, and remember learning more effectively over time.

There are natural limits to how much information anyone can hold in their working memory at one time. When learning is disorganised or revision relies solely on rereading notes, cognitive load quickly becomes too high and learning is less secure. Effective study habits help students focus on what matters most and move knowledge into their long term memory.

Research shows these are among the most powerful ways to revise:

• Retrieval practice: actively recalling information strengthens memory far more than passive revision. Techniques such as blurting, look–cover–check–repeat, quizzing, and exam questions help students identify gaps and deepen understanding.
• Regular low-stakes practice: frequent quizzing, flashcards and online platforms such as Seneca and Sparx allow students to revisit learning little and often, which improves retention and confidence.
• Structured note-taking: methods such as Cornell Notes help reduce cognitive overload by organising information, highlighting key ideas, and encouraging students to summarise learning in their own words.

All PP&R (Practice, Preparation and Retrieval) set at Priestnall is designed to support these evidence based strategies. Tasks focus on practising skills, preparing for lessons or assessments, and retrieving key knowledge to support long term learning rather than short term cramming.

The videos below are short explanations of some effective Study Skills in action:

Students can access additional support through their House Team, who are more than happy to support students with designing their revision timetables and selecting the best methods of revision.

Please email [email protected] and mark it for the attention of the House Team if you have any further questions or wish to request specific support for your child.