How to work in lectures:
This is a new experience for almost everyone. Some people like to write everything the lecturer says, others don’t write a thing; a few even like to catch a few Z’s. My recommendation is to use a combination of your coursebooks and your common sense. Have an idea of what the lecture is about before it starts (there are usually a few minutes between lectures to do this).
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If the lecturer provides handouts annotate round what you’ve already been given. You’ll gain a lot more from listening to what is being said and following it rather than writing on autopilot at top speed to keep up without actually taking anything in. Having said this, some lecturers don’t provide a handout of any form and you may need to try and write it down so you can look back over it.
If a lecturer puts loads of info on the screen that you want to copy down then its worth seeing if the person next to you is writing it too - if so, start copying from about half way down and then swap with your neighbour after so you both only have to write half. Most lectures will be available to view on Moodle so don't worry about writing every single piece of information down during the lecture.
Revising for exams
Let’s face it, nobody likes having to study for exams. No matter how interesting your course, it is never fun to have to sit down and focus your attention on the tiniest aspects of the least interesting bits. However, we all have to do it, and we all have our own ways of getting it done... There are several tricks of the trade, and one of them (surprising as it may seem) is working consistently throughout the year. Try and do a little bit of private work each day and when it comes to exams you’ll realise that it all adds up!
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Difficulties with Studying:
If you realise you are having difficulties with the workload early on in the course then seek help sooner rather than later. You could try your personal tutor, or if the problem is with a specific part of the course you can see tutor in charge of that section. More generally you could try me (Vice President) or one of our counsellors, especially if you have other problems which are affecting your ability to study.
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Failing Exams:
Many of those entering medical school have never failed anything in their life. Most were top of their class at school. Suddenly all the tops of all the classes are lumped together and where once you shone, now you are no more than Joe average. The sheer volume of work you are expected to amass in your first year alone is quite astronomical in comparison to A-levels. Most people rapidly drop their standards from A’s as par for the course to ‘if I can just get the pass mark’.
Not surprisingly with many of us teetering on the pass-fail margin for most of the time, a fair few will inevitably tip the wrong way. For some, this is mere bad luck or a bad case of exam jitters. You may have been working in the wrong way, failed to grasp until too late that they actually do not want you to know about the exact number of CAG repeats for symptomatic Huntingtons Chorea, or simply panicked and been unable to concentrate as a result. Don’t forget though that there are always people to support you through it.
Would you like help with your writing skills?
Do you need some guidance and support in the writing of your essay, article, dissertation or report? Would you like to communicate more clearly in your writing?
Novelist and short story writer Peter Hobbs is the Royal Literary Fund’s Writing Fellow based at SGUL for 2009/10. He is available to advise undergraduates, postgraduates and staff on writing skills for anything from essays and SSCs to journal articles, theses and letters of application.
Peter can be found in Student Support Services on Hunter 2 (the room next to Counselling Services), on Mondays and Tuesdays during term time. He offers free one-to-one sessions of up to 45 minutes, by appointment. As he is independent of the university, any work you do with him will remain confidential.
Peter will be delighted to help you with:
- structure and logical flow
- clarity
- style
- general improvement of your writing skills
- other concerns you may have about writing
However, his job is not to edit, rewrite or proofread your work, or to offer English language tuition.
If you would like Peter’s help with your writing skills, please book one of the appointment slots available on MOODLE. You can access the booking form by going to https://moodle.sgul.ac.uk/mod/scheduler/view.php?id=14877. Log in and click the button by the appointment day/time you would like, then click ‘Save My Choice’ (at the bottom of the page).
To get the most out of your time, it is very useful if the Writing Fellow can take a look at a piece of your work beforehand. If you wish them to do this, please don’t submit by email, but leave it in the Fellow’s pigeonhole in the Students’ Union, Hunter 2, by 10am on the day of your appointment.
For more information on Peter, go to:
He looks forward to seeing you!
A FEW POINTERS TO HELP YOU KEEP ON TRACK
- Start revising early, but don’t burn out too soon!
- Invest in a giant packet of biscuits and some strong coffee.
- Learn what you need to know — use the learning objectives!
- Assess your progress on what you know, not on how many hours of revision you or your next door neighbour is doing...
- Avoid Facebook like the plague...
TEN TOP TIPS FOR REVISING
- DO NOT PANIC!
- Attend lectures, especially revision/ mock exam sessions!
- Find a way of revising that suits YOU. Just because your housemate likes to mind-map, doesn’t mean the technique is right for you.
- Aim to cover all the topics with some time left over at the end to go over material that needs it - making a revision timetable can help you with this!
- Carry notes/books round with you to test yourself during spare moments, between lectures, on public transport etc. It doesn’t hurt to stick some notes on the back of the toilet door either...
- Pick a topic and try to satisfy the learning objectives without notes or books. This will indicate what you still have to learn. Then use books and notes to answer the objectives; then do it again without. Repeat until you can satisfy the learning objectives without notes.
- Use mnemonics. Some are provided for you (“Oh Oh Oh, To Touch And Feel...”), but you can also make up your own.
- Team together with other students, do past exam papers and test each other. Other students (we call them friends) are also very useful for clinical exams!
- Be sure to take regular breaks in revision and get enough sleep. You can’t learn anything with a fuzzy head...
- DO NOT PANIC (so important I think it needs saying twice)!
EXAMINATIONS & RESULTS
As unfair as it may seem, not everyone will pass every exam, or module, that comes their way. If you do fail at any stage please speak to as many people as possible, so you that can reach the right decisions about what to do and where to go next.
Having to repeat a year is not easy or fun. Come and talk to me, the counsellor, the President, your tutors and other academic staff.