Exam stress
Study tips, better blags than “the dog ate my essay”, results day and moving on to uni - here’s our quick guide to finding your way from A Levels or equivalent to university.
Exam hell
If you’re having nightmares where you’re sitting at a desk, turning over a test paper that might as well be written in double Dutch for all the sense it makes to you, chances are your exams are just around the corner. Instead of skiving
off with your mates, get your head down – it’ll be worth it in the long run.
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First – make a plan. Figure out which exam you’ve got first, how much time you’ve got and which subjects you need to put more work into. Make your timetable realistic and flexible
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Find yourself a quiet area with a table and chair
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Turn your mobile to silent or off so you won’t keep being distracted
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Work when you’ve got energy – 3am is probably not the best time to start memorising maths equations
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Use highlighters, sketch mind maps, draw diagrams and make up rhymes – anything that will help you remember this stuff
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Balance boring and interesting subjects
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Take regular exercise and try and get some decent sleep and food – this will help you function better
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Take a few breaks but not so much that your brain’s too fried to work the next day – save the partying until after the exams are finished
Off course
“The dog ate my essay” really doesn’t cut it as a good blag. Honesty really is your best policy here. If you’ve just been landed in dumpsville by your now ex-beloved, you’ve been ill or you’re just being lame, own up and get your tutor to help you work out a coping strategy.
Results day
When you’ve fired the computer up or got the envelope in your hand, don’t panic! If you’ve made the grade, you’re into your first choice university. Not done as well as you’d hoped? Ring the admissions department as you could still be offered a place or you may have done enough to get your second choice. You may be thinking about going straight out to work career or need an alternative option – ring our Information and Advice Team on 01252 71 69 88 or come in and have a chat with them or our Careers Team.
Useful web links
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/advice/factfile_az/exams_stress
http://revisionworld.co.uk/a2-level-level-revision/exam-tips-and-advice/top-10-tips-avoiding-exam-stress
http://www.getrevising.co.uk/
http://www.thesite.org/workandstudy/studying/exams/revisiontips?gclid=CN3RgvnDrK8CFcwTfAodhSKvmQ
http://www.edexcel.com/iwantto/Pages/tips-students.aspx