Some students at university are being asked to submit their final exams online, after having spent 17 years in formal education. This comes on top a pandemic already affecting their mental health.
There are many upsides. Remote exams offer flexibility, are more considerate of students' needs and are more understanding of the pressures students are facing. Here are some ways students may tailor their revision to take advantage of online assessment.
Set up a revision plan
First, determine the topics that will be covered and what level of knowledge or learning is required for the exam. These topics can be covered by tutors. Past papers and sample solutions are also available.
Once you have your exam timetable, divide it by how many topics to create a study calendar. Delroy Hall is a senior counsellor and wellbeing specialist at Sheffield Hallam University. He says it is particularly important to integrate routine into your revision. "Covid-19 and pandemics have disrupted every aspect of our routine, so we must be more intentional about how to manage our lives."
Hall recommends also the Pomodoro strategy: 25 minutes study followed immediately by a five-minute rest, then continue. This is helpful for those who feel overwhelmed by revision and struggle to stay focused.
Learning concepts is more than just learning words
You can start reviewing course notes and marked essays as well as lecture videos and important sources. Hall states, "learn concepts but not memorize a lot." Open book exams are designed to let you demonstrate your ability to apply learning rather than what you can recall. Although this is a relief, the task of finding sources can be stressful.
A summary sheet with key ideas and quotes can help you to organize your thoughts. Active revision makes it easier to remember and comprehend information.
You want to get started with revision as soon as possible. Use existing notes to review and not learn new material. Hall states that we are under more stress than usual and that it is important to get rid of this stress.
You don't need to panic if you leave it too late. It's okay to have a plan. But, prioritize your topics according the time. Hall's "worry list" technique can help. To help you get the vaccine ready, fold one sheet of paper in half. Concentrate on the things you can manage and let the rest of the world take care.
Exam anxiety:
You can sit alone online and take exams during a pandemic. It's okay to be anxious or mad about this. There are many ways to cope with the anxiety. Avoid stress by having an exam room that is not connected to your revision zone.
Make sure you check if your university offers exam walkthroughs online. These demonstrate the entire process, from logging on to uploading responses. It is a good idea to download any recommended software, log into it and then practice using it. You can also ask your university to lend you a laptop or dongle if you are worried about missing the internet connection for the exam.
Try a dry-run of the 24-hour and 48 hour exams if they are new to your mind. It isn't about being at work for several days. Your performance will improve if you have a balanced schedule that includes working on answers and time for eating, sleeping, and relaxation.
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