I thought it would be a great idea to post a few hints and tips regarding study skills for undergraduate / postgraduate students here on our Blog page at www.pharmascholar.co.uk to help and support others.
We are all fully aware of the pressures students face these days when trying to obtain a healthcare (i.e. Pharmacy, Medicine or Nursing) qualification and the negative impact such pressures can have on overall happiness in life and more importantly mental health.
So, here are a few ideas that we would advocate at www.pharmascholar.co.uk in order to ease the pressures associated with studying at the Higher Education level.
Information Retrieval and Repetition:
Successful exam performance relies on your capacity to retrieve information from your long-term memory. You can practice this by spacing out revision of topics over several weeks ahead of the exam. Ahead of looking at your study notes, try to recount as much as you can about the topic of interest. You can apply practice questions and flashcards to help you.
Concept Detailing:
Take the time to describe topics or concepts in detail. Expand on what you have learnt over the weeks prior to the exam. Use firm examples, such as key drug names, to bolster your understanding. An additional approach is that of combining visual images and key words so you can mentally refer to these as you sit your exam.
Interweaving
During a pre-planned block of study you should mix different subjects together to help contextualise the material at hand. The connections made within your mind will help to reinforce ideas and thereby promote long-term retention of the information.
Create a Study Timetable
Plan exactly what you are going to study and when. Reflect on the pattern of your module assessments and ensure adequate time is provided for each ahead of time. You may wish to devote more time to the area that is most challenging to you. Remember to divide your schedule into 20-30 minute segments with plenty of time for food / hydration and exercise. A good idea would be to revise difficult topics in the morning when you are fresh from sleeping.
Refer to Past Papers
By familiarising yourself with the format and types of questions that you will come across in your exams your confidence will grow. Here, you will be able to see the standard structure of the questions and related mark allocation. This will help you work out how much to talk about for each part of the question.
Consider your Health and Lifestyle
As we have previously mentioned, it is important to eat well and exercise regularly. You should also ensure you have regular, restful sleep to place you in the best frame of mind for the next day for study and/or exam sitting. Good approaches to your lifestyle will enhance your capabilities to pass the exam(s) in hand.
Understand how you Learn
Self-awareness is key for exam success! Take some time to reflect on how you learnt in the most effective way (i.e. in terms of deep learning and time taken). Experiment with different techniques, for instance visual aids, group study and self-quizzing) to find what is best for you.
Keep Up-to-Date
Make sure you factor in time to remain fully aware of the latest developments in the field of healthcare. You can easily incorporate new developments in a particular field of healthcare within your exam answer and by doing so you may impress the marker! Here, you may get extra marks for new material that really underscores you are a top student.
Overall, a consistent approach is crucial. You need to plan what you will do and when to ensure your learning and development are balanced. Reference to different information sources will help make sure the material is blended and of the style you will see when you come to practise in the clinical space.
If you need help and support please feel free to reach out to Dr Davies at www.pharmascholar.co.uk where an appointment can be organised to suit your bespoke needs. We offer examination preparation and assignment support amongst other services here at www.pharmascholar.co.uk. Please get in touch via ‘Contact Us’ today and take the stress away from your studies.
Use code ‘EXAM15' to receive 15% discount on the hourly rate as per our website. Only applicable to the undergraduate study hourly rate.