Today marks the start of the main assessment season for most universities across the UK and as everyone is aware with the current climate and coronavirus alternative assessments have been put in place to replace university-based exams and other forms of practical assessments. I want to also take this opportunity to go through some of the common policies that universities have put in place to help you achieve the best grade in these unprecedented times.
Exams can be a daunting time as it is when you know the process that you're going through and you're familiar with the environment you'll be working under strict conditions in. So to face such a large upheaval to the system has put many students under a huge amount of unforeseen stress. In many cases, universities have pushed for exams to still go-ahead but to take place online with an extended amount of time to complete, in order to cater for any WiFi issues or anything that may be disruptive.However taking these exams at home, whether you're still at uni or back in your hometown can mean that you struggle to focus. Try and ensure that you've got a quiet space to work for the duration of your exam, it would be beneficial to try and talk to the people you live with letting them know you have an exam that day. Many people have said that since libraries and study rooms closing, they've found it harder to work at home, mainly due to distractions and the inability to differentiate from the place of work and the place of rest. Here's my list of tips to help beat exam stress...
- Get a good sleep each night: failing to get a good nights sleep can set your mind back the next day, a healthy mind is fuelled by eating well, staying hydrated and giving it the rest it needs. Aim for around 8 hours per night to make sure you're refreshed for the next day.
- Fuel yourself effectively: try and avoid eating loads of junk food in the run-up to your exams, not only will this make you feel sluggish, it doesn't provide your brain with the nutrients it needs to get you through these next few weeks.
- Taking care of your mind and body: physical exercise has been proven to release endorphins that make you feel better, getting outside for your single daily exercise can make the world of difference when returning home to revise. Mindfulness is often overlooked in this category, but I would highly recommend the app 'Headspace' which gives you all the digital tools to become mindfully savvy.
- Avoid negative vibes: surrounding yourself with the best people during these stressful times can be one of the biggest positives, physically being together at the moment is difficult but it's always worth having a digital support network of people that are going through the same thing.
- Schedule in a treat: treating yourself at the end of each examination milestone can be a great way to keep you motivated especially during lockdown. Even if it is something as simple as baking some cakes or having a pamper evening with a facemask and your favourite movie.
As mentioned in my intro, I want to take this opportunity to include some information on the policies put in place by universities across the UK during this unprecedented time...
- No Detriment/Safety Net Policy - means that any assessment or exam taken during this period will not be detrimental to your current average grade prior to lockdown. It is commonly referred to as the Safety Net policy to ensure that students are not disadvantaged by the current circumstances
- Top 90 Policy - will assess final year undergraduates grades based on the best 90 credits out of the 120. It is important to note that you still need at 90 credits to graduate.
Best of luck to anyone taking part in exams, whether you're a final year student getting ready for postgrad or the world of employment or first or second year progressing onto the next stage of your degree!
STAY POSITIVE - IT'LL BE WORTH IT IN THE END! 💗
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