Exam Preparation 2 Teaching and Learning Education Centre

Today We Will Cover: Answering the Question  Entering The Exam  During The Exam  Answering Questions Stress Management  Result of Stress  Combating Stress  In-Class Stress Reliever

Stress Management

Stress Can Lead To: Burnout Increased Procrastination Health Issues Forgetfulness Concentration Problems Sleep Disruption Ask yourself: Is it worth it?

Combat Stress By: Taking time out for exercise Eating a well-balanced diet Avoid excessive stimulants (too much caffeine) Sleep well Before going to bed, get ready for the day ahead If stress is keeping you from sleeping, keep a journal and write down stresses, close your journal and go to bed. Sometimes just acknowledging stress can alleviate it Identify triggers Schedule leisure time with friends Learn to say ‘NO’

ALWAYS REMEMBER! Affirmations (Worksheet) Take time out to relax without stimulants such as television by scheduling time for controlled breathing exercises (In-Class Exercise) DO NOT STRESS ABOUT STRESS! PUT YOUR STRESSES INTO PERSPECTIVE REMIND YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE IN CONTROL AND TAKE IT BACK REMEMBER THAT TIME WILL PASS AND YOUR STRESSES WILL TOO ASK FOR HELP!

Question Answering

Entering The Exam Maintain a good diet during the study and exam period Double-check times and locations of exams Rest and recap the night before Organise all items the night before Have some breakfast. Some bread can settle an anxious stomach Arrive in good time Avoid comparing study notes with other students

During The Exam Arrive early and take your seat Read through the paper thoroughly Decide on questions to answer Take the easiest question first to build confidence

Account for time at the beginning and end to read questions, tidy and re-read answers Jot down a quick plan Not sure about a question? DO NOT PANIC, leave it aside and continue with other questions Leave space at the end of each question to accommodate this

Answering Questions Avoid taking one key term and writing down everything you know about it Interpret the question! (see common directives on Moodle under Essay Writing) If you run out of time, create a skeleton answer and move on

Step One: Deconstruct The Question First step should be to look at the question and deconstruct then write down what you do know and find out what you don’t, research then begin writing your essay

Planning Create a skeleton or framework Identify main points/ arguments and use as headings with development as sub headings Each section should link back to the main/ overarching point

ALWAYS! State - Define and link to question/ main point Illustrate - Provide examples/ sources/ case studies Argue - Argue by critically analysing point (see Critical Thinking notes on Moodle)