I realise this is slightly off track from the original request for
online resources but I'm in the mood for sharing some thoughts ... 

The thing I've discovered from doing a number of revision workshops (not
at NTU as yet - I'm new here) is that the method of revision depends on
the students' individual preferences and the nature of subject being
revised e.g. whether it's about remembering facts and formulae, or
whether it's about theory and concepts and tackling essay questions.  My
workshops often become a facilitated discussion about the different ways
to approach revision and I find that the students help each other with
new / different strategies - and I learn new things, too! This seems to
be reassuring; particularly for those who feel that they aren't revising
'properly', in the 'correct way' or for long enough. Only they can
discover the way that works for them and bringing it into awareness is
half the battle and relieves some of the anxiety.

My sessions usually start with me giving a few examples of different
ways to revise and asking students to rate them in terms of which they
feel is the most effective and why.  Their answers are always different
which gives an excellent lead into the pros and cons of each method.  At
the end of the session we revisit the original examples and, invariably,
students change their stance or write a new, personalised revision
strategy.  

I use a very simple exercise to stimulate discussion around exam stress.
I ask students to write on a small piece of paper what their main
worries are about exams and then they post it anonymously into my 'mood
box'.  We then open the 'mood box' and each student picks out a piece of
paper and reads what's on it (so they're usually reading what someone
else has written unless they happen to have picked out their own piece).
I can't tell you what a relief it is to students when they realise that
everyone has written more or less the same thing - a simple but
effective way of normalising exam stress.  I use the same technique for
pre-presentation anxiety.  Obviously, that's not all I do but it's a
great start to a session and puts everyone more at ease.

Anyway, I'm no expert - I haven't revised for an exam for well over 20
years  - I can't tell students what's best for them but I can,
hopefully, help them to discover it for themselves. 

Ruth Coward

Learner Development Coordinator

School of Art and Design

Nottingham Trent University

-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alison Green
Sent: 12 March 2009 09:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Revision methods

I notice that within the resources from Hull referred to in Cathy's
email, is advice to revise for 30 mins, take a 10 min break, revise a
bit more, take another break & so on. Is this approach common to that
which others are advising? Personally, I find this disjointed and feel
that the 10 minute break is problematic for most students i.e. 10
becomes 20 etc. In our revision workshops, we discuss the length of
average periods of concentration & how these might be incorporated into
longer periods of revision. Accordingly, we suggest a two hour revision
period wherein one topic is revised using a number of different
approaches which change every half an hour or so e.g. half an hour
reading, half an hour reducing notes, half an hour writing essay plans
from past papers and so on and so forth. The rationale is that, after
two hours, quite a lot has been accomplished and the student can then
have a 'proper' break or carry on with some other part of their life. By
the way, I'm using the royal 'we' here as there's just me. I'd be
interested to read what others are advising

Best, Alison

Alison Green
Study Support Tutor
Fellow of Learning & Teaching
Room D172
Bournemouth University
Ext: 65286


-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Malone, Cathy
Sent: 11 March 2009 16:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Resources for overcoming exam anxiety


I have had some good feedback from students who I have directed to the
Hull site

http://www.hull.ac.uk/disability/dyslexia/semester1/organisation.html

There's quite a lot in there.

I have also seen students who were stressed because the Staying Calm
workshop didn't work for them. & I think in some ways their anxiety is a
perfectly appropriate response to being unprepared for an exam.

There's also
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html

I have asked students to have a look at these resources before meeting
up for an appointment and it generally moves the conversation on.

Hope this is of some use.

Regards

Cathy Malone
Sheffield Hallam


-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kim Shahabudin
Sent: 11 March 2009 16:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Resources for overcoming exam anxiety

Thanks for this David (and others who have replied to me directly).

I probably wasn't as clear as I should have been in the original email
(end of term soggy brain). We do already offer various resources to
support students in preparing for exams (including workshops, study
guides, relaxation exercises etc). What we lack (and I don't currently
have time to produce) is resources on things that students can actively
do to help themselves - preferably online so that I can provide a link
on our website and they can access it at the time when they're anxious
rather than waiting until we have a free appointment for a one-to-one
session.

So, what I should have asked is, can anyone recommend any online
resources to help students overcome exam anxiety?

Thanks again,

Kim


________________________________

Dr Kim Shahabudin, Study Adviser & LearnHigher Research Officer Room
107, Carrington Building, Whiteknights, University of Reading, RG6 6UA|
( 0118 378 4218|
: www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice : www.learnhigher.ac.uk
<http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk/>

________________________________

From: PARKES David J [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wed 11/03/2009 15:49
To: Kim Shahabudin; [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Resources for overcoming exam anxiety



Hi Kim, we introduced relaxation classes (brought someone in), she
produced a podcast etc and we allowed her to sell CDs - they were very
well received. We also ran how to perform workshops, time management,
understanding the question etc

Best wishes
David


David Parkes
Associate Director for Learning, Technology and Information Services
Information Services Staffordshire University College Road, Stoke on
Trent, Staffs ST4 2XS
Tel: +44 (0)1782 294369
Mob: 07917721684
Fax: +44 (0)1782 295799
E-mail: [log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kim Shahabudin
Sent: 11 March 2009 14:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Resources for overcoming exam anxiety

Hi folks,

Quick question - can anyone suggest resources for students on overcoming
exam anxiety - preferably including activities e.g. exercises?

Thanks in advance,

Kim


________________________________

Dr Kim Shahabudin, Study Adviser & LearnHigher Research Officer Room
107, Carrington Building, Whiteknights, University of Reading, RG6
6UA| ( 0118 378 4218|
: www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice : www.learnhigher.ac.uk
<http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk/>


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