Students may have already had their fill of advice this assessment season, both in revision sessions and from the university centrally. From general exam guidance to the past paper archive, there are a lot of resources on the university website to help you as you navigate take-home exams. In light of this deluge of information, we reached out to our colleagues across the department, seasoned exam markers (and sitters!) all, for more personal advice. Keep reading for our top tips on planning revision, approaching questions, and looking after yourselves this term.
Many lecturers offered guidance on how to prepare for your exams. Jacqui Turner stressed both breadth and depth in revision, encouraging students to hone in on particular topics to study closely:
‘Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that you cannot revise an entire module and retain it all in your head in a few weeks! Instead, make sure you understand and are comfortable the themes that run throughout the topics you have covered and how they often overlap or inform one another. Only then choose your favourite topics to revise in detail.’
Abbie Tibbott cautioned against the temptation to slack off – be disciplined!
‘Set yourself a daily goal if you’re heading to the library. Don’t waste the day on Netflix or talking to your mates – other people looking for a seat will give you a death glare, and you will have wasted an entire day!’
Rachel Foxley emphasised the importance of reading widely as you prepare for your exams:
‘Don’t just revise from your notes – make time to go back and read some articles or chapters by historians from your reading list too. That way you will really get a feel for how historians write and think about the topic, and that will feed into how you write, too.’
Her advice was echoed by Liz Barnes, who also cautioned against the use of search engines:
‘Remember that we want you to reflect on the issues we’ve discussed together. We’re not trying to catch you out or throw you off, so focus on revisiting your notes from lectures and seminars, and refamiliarising yourself with key readings and the wider reading list. I know it’s tempting, but avoid simply Googling the question – you’ll get a lot of irrelevant information!’
Others offered advice for when you are confronted with the exam paper. Mara Oliva encouraged students to remain calm rather than rushing into an answer:
‘Take time to read and understand the question being asked before you start writing’
Jeremy Burchardt also stressed that students shouldn’t be anxious, but instead focus on clear points they are prepared to write about. We’re not expecting the world, just sensible, evidenced answers:
‘You don’t need to make lots of clever points – a few very simple points, relevant to the question, arranged in a sensible order and backed up with lots of evidence is all you need for a first.’
As well as doing your best in your exams, it’s also important to remember to look after yourself this term. Jantinder Mann had some important advice about rest and productivity:
‘Make sure that you take regular short breaks! It will help avoid burnout and you will find that you are more productive.’
Dina Rezk also emphasised the power of breaks, suggesting a technique that she has found productive in her own work:
‘A focussed 15 minutes of reading, writing or making notes can be much more useful than long stretches of interrupted time. Then perhaps find some related audio content and listen whilst on a walk to let the material ferment, a technique called ‘walking work’.’
A final note of caution from Matt Worley about the dangers of premature partying (and the joy of celebrating when you’ve earned it):
‘Drink after, never before.’
Good luck everyone! If you have any concerns about your exams this term, get in touch with the module convenor. If you are worried about exams more broadly, reach out to your personal tutor for advice or make use of wellbeing services.
The library can get very busy this time of year – remember that we have a dedicated study space for students in EM 142. Parts of Edith Morley are closed off for exams, so use the entrance opposite Minghella Studios for the most direct route.
READING HISTORY 