2. Student Learning Development Student Counselling Service Trinity College Dublin student.learning@tcd.ie http://student-learning.tcd.ie Your Personal Best Examination Performance Get Ready – Exams are Coming

3. Learning Objectives Explore ways to prepare for exams Review active revision strategies Build self confidence Establish exam prep plan

4. Examinations as Events Sporting performance Content –Physical skills - basic to advanced Fitness –Health –Strength –Stamina –Flexibility Event –Performance rehearsal Academic performance Content –Knowledge - basic to advanced Fitness –Health –Revision –Workload –Tolerance of ambiguity Event –Performance rehearsal

5. Know Yourself What are your exam concerns? Why do you have these concerns? What do you do well? What could you do better? Have friends developed strategies that you can use? How do you manage your stress?

6. Get Organised The keys to your personal best is preparation and control Focus on the subjects you are sitting Remove distractions Make a study program and timetable Revision checklists

7. Learn from the past Get detailed information about what your exam paper looks like Identify and revise topics you do not know well Course handbook and marking criteria

8. Where is my exam timetable and my past exam papers?

9. Active Revision Strategies Condense your notes –Chunk –Memorable –Concept maps, grids, etc. Focus Answer past papers & problems Flash cards for memorisation Test yourself

10. Develop a Structure for Your Answers Understand what is being asked Only answer the QUESTION Do not include material that is irrelevant to the QUESTION Understand the format in which your answers are required Practice and practice answering previous exam questions using the required format

11. More Active Revision Make revision fun –Use revision strategies where you move around –Draw pictures, maps, cartoons, diagrams, etc –Put key points around your walls –Teach “someone” else and ask them key questions (answer the questions yourself) –Listen to tapes or view video/DVD versions of the material Make exam preparation a social occasion

12. Play to your strengths www.vark-learn.com

13. Learning and recall Two processes not one Recall is triggered by physical situations and emotional states Material learned in one physical situation or emotional state will not necessarily be easily accessible in another physical situation or emotional state unless revised in that state Conclusion?

14. Personal Exam Prep Plan 1. 2. 3. 4.

15. Building Self Confidence Your objective is to do your personal best Think of exams as an opportunity for you to show what you know Get familiar with the examination space Exam outcomes are proportionate to the effort you put in Set learning targets and rewards for yourself Compare what you know now with what you knew at the beginning of the year

16. Managing Stress Read up on stress and time management on http://student-learning.tcd.ie Establish habits that support concentration and examination preparation Go to the new Sports Hall and get involved in stress management physical activity

17. Summary: The Keys to Your Personal Best Preparation –Organisation –Intelligence/information –Active revision –Stay focused –Structure and content Control –Manage your emotional and physical responses –Think positively For all your study skills needs: http://student-learning.tcd.ie