Exam periods can be busy and stressful but there is lots of information available to help you prepare for and cope with the pressure.
Essential information regarding Exams can be found here. Don't forget, it's your responsibility to ensure that you make yourself aware of all of the information that is contained on these web pages before you sit your exams.
Take a look and try out a few of our top tips below to get you through this exam season.
Prepare
via GIPHY
Preparation is key, make a clear revision plan in plenty of time and stick to it.
Vary How You Revise
via GIPHY
Work out how you learn best but try not to stick to just one method. Reading books, although useful will become dull very quickly, You could try using mind maps, revising with a friend, practising previous questions or making up songs or poems to help you remember. Keep it fresh and interesting.
Take Care of Yourself
via GIPHY
Take regular breaks when you are revising, have plenty of sleep, do some exercise, do not take too much caffeine intake at night time and eat healthily. You want to keep up your energy levels and concentration and it's hard to do that if you are “running on empty”.
Don’t Panic
via GIPHY
When you get into the exam room take a few minutes to compose yourself, read the questions a few times and then allocate time to each. Making short notes on questions at the beginning may help jog your memory and reassure you. If you do not think that, you can do a question, put it out of your mind and tackle it last.
Afterwards, Move On
via GIPHY
After you finish an exam put it behind you. Analysing answers with your friends and worrying about how you did will increase stress, which could affect your performance in other exams.
Keep Things In Perspective
via GIPHY
Doing badly in an exam can be upsetting but it is important not to put too much pressure on yourself. Stressing and worrying uses up energy meaning that you will not be able to work as effectively.
Seek help if you need it
via GIPHY
If exam stress is getting too much for you and you do not feel like you can cope then talk to somebody about it. The Student Services team offer counselling, health and wellbeing or chaplaincy support to all University of Plymouth students.
Your SU Advice Centre
We are here to support you through your time at University, we provide free advice on a range of issues. As a member of the Students' Union you have free access to your SU Advice Centre that can support you with a variety of issues. Our Advice Centre is located on the first floor of the Students' Union building directly across from the Library entrance. Our team of friendly advisors have experience in dealing with all types of student enquiries so you can be rest assured that you will get the right information.
Most importantly the Advice Centre is not part of the University, we can therefore provide free, independent and confidential advice, so you can talk to us in confidence, knowing that nothing will be shared with anyone if you don’t want it to be.
Extenuating Circumstances
If things in your personal life are affecting your exam performance, it's important to tell the University as soon as possible. It is risky to go ahead with sitting an assessment if you know that you are not well, either physically or mentally. If you do not feel well enough to take an exam, you can apply for Extenuating Circumstances. Details of how you access the EC policy can be found here.