Making Review Days Engaging: Fall Edition

By October, students often hit that mid-semester wall—and review days can easily slip into worksheet mode. But fall is a wonderful opportunity to refresh your approach and make review feel new again.

Here are four simple ways to re-energize your review sessions:

1. Add a Seasonal Spin

Students are more engaged when the content feels connected to the world around them. Try Pumpkin Patch Patients Vital Signs Case Studies for a clinical reasoning warm-up or Falling for Fluids Medical Math to turn IV calculations into a festive challenge.

2. Make Review Interactive

Instead of silent worksheets, use color-coded challenges like the Fall Health Science & Nursing Activities: Color by Number Medical Math to get students collaborating and checking their work in real time.

3. Encourage Reflection

After each activity, have students identify one “aha” moment or skill they feel more confident in. This deepens retention and builds self-awareness.

4. Celebrate Small Wins

Pair review days with encouraging feedback, a themed classroom playlist, or a quick discussion on progress. You might also revisit ideas from my post Creating a Positive Classroom Culture that lasts all semester to sustain motivation.

When learning feels both productive and playful, your students retain more—and your classroom becomes a place they’re excited to walk into.