Study

Revision

“Later”, “tomorrow”, “after this show” – all things you may find yourself saying when you know you have some revising to get on with. It’s a common opinion that revision is not a particularly fun activity to spend your time on but unfortunately it is a vital activity if passing exams is the desired result of studying at university.

Revision is one of those things that tends to be far less painful than you might think once you get into it. In fact, you will probably find that you will cause yourself more grief by not doing revision than if you do it in the first place.

“That’s easy for you to say” I can hear you think; well, yes it is but I also know how easy it is to put revision off and I also know how it feels the night before the exam in which you have no idea what to expect.

Revision doesn’t have to be an arduous chore. Believe it or not, revision can be the key to a happier and more fun university life. Below are a few ways in which you can make revision seem less daunting and how you can manage your time effectively:

Break-up

Don’t worry, we’re not talking about breaking up with you loved one here; when we say break-up, we mean break-up your revision. There’s nothing more scary and daunting than a huge pile of paper, books and notes. The more revision you can physically see, the less you are inclined to do it.

So, get your priorities straight. Write out some bullet points of all of the revision you need to get through and rearrange them from the most important at the top and the least important at the bottom (or another way to look at it; the subject you know the least about at the top and the subject you are most confident with at the bottom).

By breaking your revision up into manageable chunks, you can be realistic about how much you can actually get done within a certain time period. By being more confident with how much you can get done in any particular amount of time, you can manage your time more effectively.

Energy

It sounds obvious but try and tackle your revision when you have the most energy. Some people are perkier in the mornings and some in the middle of the night; whichever you are, take advantage of it.

Workspace

Does lying under your duvet with piles of books at your feet and paper screwed up on the floor next to you sound like a familiar scenario? Working like this is not productive, can lead to frustration and inevitably end with you watching a re-run of Friends on television.

Set your desk up to do its purpose; clear it of clutter, arrange your pens, switch the lamp on and while you’re at it, why not get a nice oxygen producing plant! A clear work place creates a clear and focussed mind.

Notes

When you’re sat in a classroom, half asleep and thinking of the person you were chatting up the night before, the last thing you want to be doing is taking good, clear notes. However, try and force yourself into this habit, as it will help to relieve some stress further down the line.

Distractions

Put your television at the bottom of your wardrobe and switch your mobile phone off. It is all too easy to become distracted by the things around you. The more you defy these distractions, the more revision you will get done.

Problems

University is not always a fun place for everyone. Unfortunately, everyday there are people suffering from stress, bullying, personal problems and much more while studying at university. Obviously suffering from stress or personal problems will affect your studies and ultimately your grades. It’s not always easy to know what to do when you have concerns but it is important to address the issues before they get out of hand.

Below are a few common problems that you may come across while studying at university:

Need more time?

Your tutors are no strangers to receiving late assignments. We’ve all done it; you get an assignment and think to yourself that you have plenty of time to complete it. The time passes by like beer through your neck and before you know it, it’s the night before deadline. Obviously it’s advisable to keep on top of your assignments and organise yourself to avoid missing deadlines. However, sometimes things happen that are out of your control. If you are suffering from serious personal problems such as a death in the family or a personal illness then it is important that you approach your tutors and explain your situation. Whatever you may think, your tutors are people too and the chances are, if you are honest with them, they will understand. By being honest, you should be able to work out a strategy with your tutor on how you can complete your work – this may include getting an extension on your assignment deadline.

Failing

The first year of university tends to be a bit of a taster and it also serves as a time to pick up on any major issues concerning your work before the grades really start to count. However, if you get into your second and third year and realise that your grades aren’t up to scratch, you need to do something about it. The worst thing you can do is to pretend that there isn’t a problem. Talking to your tutors about where you are going wrong can help you to organise yourself onto the road to recovery. Universities really do not want their students to fail and therefore will invest time to help you through any issues and concerns. Tutors are often happy to give extra coaching and advice if you think you are struggling…just be honest!

Wrong Course?

It seemed like a great idea at the time, you’ve discussed it with your parents and you friends think it’s a great idea; yep, free-range chicken farming is the course for you. But wait, one of your new university friends is studying Italian history and if only someone had mentioned it before, you would have instantly said “yes, that’s the course for me!” If you would like to change your course you should firstly think carefully about your decision. If you decide that you are definitely ready for the move then you need to speak to your tutor to find out if it is possible. Explain your reasons for wanting to change to your tutor and they should be able to help you with what it is that you need to do next.

Other problems

University has not got a force field around it and problems are just as likely to occur inside the university walls as outside them. As a student, you have a responsibility to follow rules and regulations that the university has put in place. If you break these rules, the chances are you will find yourself in a disciplinary meeting or even walking out of the gates waiving goodbye to your friends.

So, if you get complaints made against you either from a tutor or a fellow student, make sure you understand the seriousness of the situation and act accordingly. Even if you have done something wrong, there will always be someone at university who can advise you and help you through the disciplinary process. The more honest you are and the more you seek advice, the more chance you have of staying at university and getting back on the straight and narrow.

Of course, it’s not always the case that the student has done anything wrong. Unfortunately sometimes tutors and people who are placed in a position of trust at the universities abuse their trust. If you are suffering from any form of bullying, abuse (whether it be sexual, physical or emotional) then it is important that you tell someone as soon as possible. Pretending that it isn’t happening will not make the problem go away – in fact, it will probably only get worse. Talk to another of your tutors and explain what you have been going through – you’re not alone!

Useful Links

The Student Room - The Student Room is where students share academic and social knowledge and experience.

Revision-Notes - This site offers notes and resources to help you during your course and during exam preparation time.

University Advice – Help and advice on what course to choose at which university.

Lazy Student - This a-levels site has plenty of links. Choosing which A-levels to take? How will it affect the degree you can take, or the career you can choose?

Student Books – Free student book auction site.