VUB students are not on their own during the study and exam period. Study Guidance offers students different kinds of help and advice. In December there are several exam workshops scheduled. During these sessions students learn how to tackle an exam and how to make a study schedule. Of course it is also possible to make an appointment with a study guidance counselor or a student psychologist for individual guidance. Especially when you’re experiencing stress or anxiety, talking to a study psychologist can be a relief. Furthermore, students are always welcome at the Meeting Point.
Ready to start your exams? Check off this checklist of Study Guidance and you are well prepared. Isa Lemaitre, who finished her second Master’s programme at the VUB last academic year, can confirm this. Read about her experiences with the checklist and exam periods.
Administration and gathering study material
First of all, it is important to check whether you’ve registered all your courses. You can only participate in an exam if you’re registered. Furthermore, you should register for oral exams via PointCarré. Check the dates of oral exams registrations, because the desired exam moments are limited.
Gathering study material should definitely be on your to do list in December. Have you bought all your books? Extra study material can be found on PointCarré. Make sure you collect your notes from classes, because these often contain valuable information.
“It was always nice to discover in my notes that there was a little part of the study material that we didn’t have to memorize.” explains Isa.
Gather information about your exams
For starters, check the exam requirements. These can be different for each course.
“I remember we once had an exam where we could use our course material for some of the questions. A few students had forgotten their books. This kind of stress does not help you to successfully finish your exam”, says Isa.
Make sure to also go to the last class, because professors tend to give tips and tricks for the exams during this session.
Study planning
Creating a time schedule is one golden tip to get through the study and exam period and pass your exams. Moreover, ticking off exams on your schedule is very motivating. Study Guidance offers these tips:
Balance between studying and relaxing
Breaks are essential if you want to keep studying efficiently throughout the study and exam period. Therefore, try to keep a balance between studying and relaxing.
Analyse your exam schedule
The exam schedule is your guide when creating a time schedule for studying. Don’t forget the last exam in your schedule!
Buffers
Studying might not always happen according to plan. Make sure to plan buffers to respond to unforeseen circumstances.
Daily routine
No matter how boring it is, try to keep the same daily routine throughout the study and exam period. For example, don’t suddenly change your sleeping patterns. Also try to take physically active breaks to reload your energy levels.
Studying or celebrating?
You don’t want to study at Christmas or New Year(’s Eve)? You don’t have to! Just make sure you plan these breaks and enjoy them to the fullest!
“I’ve always celebrated Christmas and New Year during my studies. Relaxing during these holidays really helped me charging my energy and spirit!”, says Isa.
Preparing your study material
The basics to a good study method are understanding, structuring and repetition. In December, make sure you understand everything. Furthermore, it is useful to structure your study material before you start memorizing. For some difficult courses, which require a lot of memorizing, repetition is essential. Therefore, start in time.
Setting priorities in December is also important. Assignments with deadlines before the study period need to be finished before you start studying for exams. Of course, try to finish them as soon as possible, so you can start studying.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel wishes all students good luck with their exams!