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Wednesday 10 April 2013

Keep Calm and We Will Get Through These Exams!!!


Hey Guys,

It seems like ages ago I last spoke to you, but I hope you have all been well and you had a nice relaxing Easter break, some of you like me have another week off yay. During the holidays I went to Colchester zoo and got to feed giraffes and elephants- that was defiantly one to tick off the bucket list!


Today and over some of my next few blogs I will be providing you with some hints and tips for various aspects of exams and how to get through them in the least stressful way possible. Today I am talking REVISING these tips can be used by all the students taking exams, however some may just be focussed on Psychology so if you aren’t studying the subject, obviously ignore those ones, I will put a ** next to them so you know which ones are more specific to my course J
  1. So first things first DON’T PANIC, remember almost every student at this uni and those all over the country are in the same position as you.
  2. I know now is about the time we all look at our notes and realise there are some things that are a blur but it’s perfectly normal, the key here is to look over the notes briefly ASAP so you can determine as quickly as possible where the parts that aren’t so clear are and ask the lecturers or fellow students to help.
  3. Revision Timetable Рit may sound clich̩ and obvious but it is surprising how much making one of these works, especially if you have different modules/courses to revise for. It is also a way to see that your time gets divided equally focussing on each part.
  4. It is easy to get stressed from thinking about all the exams coming up and panicking but it is a good idea to take things one step at a time, think about each course individually and not all of them together, that way it seems like less of a mountain to climb.
  5. ** For the open book exams (mainly statistics- but I know some of the other courses are holding them too) remember it is only one book you get to take with you, so get a notebook or something similar and make sure your notes/lectures slides are organised well and in a way that you will be able to find what you need quickly. Although we have the book there to support us, we don’t want to be spending all our time flipping through the pages thinking ‘I know it’s in here somewhere’ **
  6. Make notes colourful and important parts stand out. Use flash cards, record yourself, make spider diagrams etc. No one knows you better than yourself, only you can know what revision techniques work best for you and what ways work to help information stay in your head longer J If you have no idea what way you learn best then here is an interactive test to help you determine whether visual, auditory or kinaesthetic revision techniques are best for you. http://www.ldpride.net/learning-style-test.html
  7. Spend time revising with others on the course, sounds simple and easy but by spending even a little time doing this not only makes revision more bearable but also helps you get other opinions, revision techniques and methods – just make sure you do revise and not chat about other things, which is a big trap with this technique ha-ha.
  8. ** Anyone studying psychology, the statistics lecturers will be there to help with our revision. Josh will be holding sessions for the first years which he will be letting you know about and Damian is holding drop in sessions for the second years, of which you have to book with him in advance via his email, these drop ins will be held on the 25th April and 2nd May and will only be on particular aspects you are having trouble with and not whole lectures/topics. This is a definite for first and second years, for third years I’m not 100% so best to check with Trevor or Ian to find out if they are holding any J **


So guys, those are just a few tips in terms of revision, if you want to ask me anything just leave a comment and I will try and get back to you. But I know we will get through this together. Don’t give up, I will be back soon to talk to you more about exams and some stress relieving techniques.

Good Luck Guys,

Xoxo
Laura

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