A guest blog from Carol Lee, Academic Advisor, from the USSU Advice Centre

Do you get stressed at the thought of an examination? Does the idea of revision fill you with dread?

Then you may have already begun to plan ahead – creating a timetable for revision and brushing up on your examination techniques! If so, well done! The earlier you start the better as semester 1 exams begin the week of the 11^th January 2016.

It is very likely that you will rely on what has worked well for you in the past, but there is always room for improvement! See http://www.salford.ac.uk/skills-for-learning/home/assessment-revision-and-exams for some useful tips.

Experts suggest testing yourself and spreading your revision over a period of time helps. Testing helps to retrieve material from your memory and although cramming may help you to pass an exam, revision over a longer period, helps to retain and build on existing material.

Time to relax - eat and sleep well

Make time during your revision to cook good healthy meals and have plenty of rest. It’s quite easy to worry about exams but a good night’s sleep will recharge the brain. Sitting an exam on an empty stomach is not a good idea. Eat before the exam and resist reaching for that cup of coffee/wine the night before! See http://www.askus.salford.ac.uk/page/beatyourbest for more tips and advice.

Personal Mitigating Circumstances

If you are unable to attend an exam or submit coursework because of personal mitigating circumstances (PMC) then it might be in your interest to complete a PMC form online at https://sss.salford.ac.uk

Ensure you submit evidence in support of your case.

Support services

Both the Students’ Union and University have support services that can help you cope with the different pressures of exams.

• Students’ Union Advice Centre : 0161 351 5400 – advice on personal mitigating circumstances, reassessments and retakes
• Disability Services 0161 295 9000 / disability@salford.ac.uk - provide support and advice for disabled students. They can make recommendations to the University about exam arrangements.
• Nightline: listening service from 8pm till 8am. Phone number is at the back of your student card
• Your School – it is important to let your department know if you are experiencing any difficulties.

Finally, it’s quite easy to become distracted by the festivities and frenzied activities around Christmas. You’ll have to make a concerted effort to find a quiet space and not to procrastinate once you’ve set aside time for revision!