1 End of Term 2 Review Wednesday 20 March 2013 Please note the workshop on the day may be delivered in a different format Adam Sandelson LSE Student Counselling Service

2 Aims Revision strategies Practical tips To review stress management skills

3 Revision Strategies

4 Best use of time Complete and practise exam tasks, using texts / lecture notes etc. as you get stuck Look to produce answers that Show you can think (answer the question) Show you’ve done the reading (references / context) Show expertise (detailed knowledge, real world context or use, locate the debate etc.)

5 Revising Topics – 2n + 2 Look for repeated questions on same topic Find links, key ideas – see the whole Pareto Principle – 20% gets 80% of marks Reduce each week to a single page Pare down further as you get closer New material if necessary and interesting Find work you enjoy – motivation is key

6 Resources Each other – read each others essays, try the same questions and talk through the solutions (good end of day task) Revision sessions – examiner’s mindset, marking preferences etc. Office hours – take answers / plans rather than questions of detail

7 Practical tips

8 Practical approaches Time management skills Set realistic and achievable goals Plan short term targets and longer term strategies Recognise your achievements Talk to others Concentrate on the task, not the outcome

9 Focussing on the task Monitor perfectionism Remember past successes Recognise you are likely to pass Be methodical, and allow time for breaks and space to breathe and think Use mind maps, scribble ideas Go for a walk, talk out loud

10 Procrastination top tips 10 minute rule –at least make a start! Time scheduling – SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timetabled (by when) Utilise when you work best Self esteem/ confidence-building exercises (positive self-statements) Practicing imperfection – aim for 80% or even 60% Good self care – breaks, relaxation, time off without guilt, sleep, exercise, diet, fun

11 Procrastination top tips Trust your unconscious to work it out Imagine looking back on this task in 3 months, 1 year Talk to others/ check out if your fears are reasonable – can help get a sense of perspective Look after your physical environment. Last minute works well for some people

12 Perfectionism Perfectionism can reduce achievement Trying to be perfect can reduce your satisfaction and make you achieve far less It’s an undesirable illusion Experiment with your standards for success Try for 80% or even 60% Focus on the process of doing an activity not just the end result. Evaluate the outcome - what did you achieve? Did you enjoy the task?

13 Underlying dynamics The family / historic context for your success Wanting to be the best Trying to please others Setting yourself impossible targets Re-enacting anxiety, fear of failure …

14 Dynamics of study Past relationships Relationship with LSE or course of study or tutor or … Current relationships

15 Stress Management Skills

16 Stress Management Skills Physical, behavioural, cognitive Regularly switch off with some kind of physical activity Good self care – sleep, diet, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine Allow yourself time out without guilt Acknowledge anxiety, rather than denying it. Ask if your negative thoughts are realistic

17 Challenging negative thoughts Apply ‘Socratic reasoning’ or imagine this being tested in a Court of Law Identify the negative thought Eg, I am going to fail the Course Ascertain the evidence For and Against Ask if you are making a ‘thinking error’ Propose a more reasonable alternative thought

18 Thinking errors All or nothing thinking Discounting the positive Believing a catastrophe will happen Emotional Reasoning If I feel it then it must be true Overgeneralizing Because something bad happened in the past it is certain to happen again

19 LSE Student Counselling Service Free and confidential Mainly offers short term counselling Appointments need to be booked in advance Drop in sessions – each day at 3.00 Stress management handout Relaxation MP3’s Links to self help resources on a wide range of student issues, including study – related and personal difficulties