Welcome to the live examination preparation broadcast Conducted by - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Welcome to the live examination preparation broadcast Conducted by the STUDENT RETENTION UNIT (SRU) in collaboration with the DIRECTORATE FOR CAREER AND COUNSELLING DEVELOPMENT (DCCD) As part of the FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE (FYE) 02 May 2018 1

Broadcast overview  Who are we?  The First-year experience (FYE)  Introducing our presenter  Exam revision and preparation  Q&A  Was this broadcast useful survey 2

Who are we? Student Retention Unit (SRU) The Student Retention Unit (SRU) is situated within the portfolio of the Department of Tuition Support and Facilitation of Learning (DTSFL). The SRU is responsible for the implementation and coordination of the First Year Experience (FYE) programme at the institution. The First-Year Experience @ Unisa

The First-Year Experience @ Unisa We'd like to partner with you during your first-year experience (FYE) as a Unisa student… The FYE aims to assist first-time entering students to successfully transition into Unisa 4

The Mission of the FYE  Providing extended support for students entering ODeL for the first time for the duration of their first year at Unisa  Providing support that takes cognisance of the unique profile of Unisa First Year students and designing support accordingly  Integrating the broad range of support services to ensure timely and relevant support for students during their first year of study  Supporting collaboration efforts between Unisa departments and directorates to ensure effective service delivery within the programme  Ensuring that consistent monitoring and evaluation takes place throughout the programme duration.

Examination preparation @ Unisa Dr Kodisang: Directorate for • Provide career , academic and personal guidance and counselling to prospective Counselling and Career and registered students by e-mail, in person Development (DCCD) or by telephone • The counselling and career development http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/de website contain a number of e-resources to fault/About/Service- support your career decision-making, how departments/Counselling-and-Career- Development/Downloads-and-podcasts you can learn and how to deal with personal challenges

What do you need to bring along? Check your Check the exam timetable Your Unisa Your Before Pens and venue and to confirm you Bring… student Identification times for your have been pencils anything respective document card admitted to the exams exams Some exam dates, venues and times may have Students without these items will not be changed , so it is very important that you check this permitted to enter the examination venue information carefully on my Unisa. Please note that no changes to examination venues can be processed at this stage.

You must be SEATED in the examination venue 15 minutes prior to the commencement time. For examination instructions http://www.unisa.ac.za/static/corporate_web/Content/Current%20Students/ documents/toele.pdf

Dr Tshifhiwa Kodisang Directorate: Counselling and Career Development

How do you prepare for exams?

Prepare for exams  Make a study plan and commit to it.  Read and understand content of study material.  Prepare and submit assignments.  Make notes when studying.  Highlight sections that you experience challenges.  Understand exam guidelines and format.

When can you start with exam prep? Immediately after receiving your study material by:  Studying.  Making notes.  Preparing and submitting assignments.  Contact lectures or fellow students when experiencing challenges.

Which resources do you have and use to prepare for the examination?

Resources for exam preparation  Tutorial letters.  Study guides and prescribed books.  Assignments and previous question papers.  Fellow students and lectures.  My studies @ Unisa book (study skills).

When to start with exam revision?  After receiving your assignment feedback  Month prior to exams

Resources for exam revision  Assignment feedback  Previous exam papers  Fellow students and lectures  Study notes  Study guide outcomes

Effective exam revision  Avoid procrastinating  Avoid distractions  Stick to your study table  Prepare mock exams and write them  Exercise, eat enough and get sufficient rest  Identify demotivators and  Reward yourself

Study motivation: Why are you studying?  Have clear and specific goals  Break tasks into smaller tasks  Focus more on what you have achieved (vs on what you have not done)  Know where you stand – do a self-assessment based on feedback you receive for assignments/ previous exams  Talk to someone you trust about your challenges

How to manage when demotivated  Make commitments to yourself and think about results of your goals, e.g. getting employment, buying a car or house  Focus on the here and now – not on the past or future.  Choose to spend time with people and activities that contribute to your studies

Demotivators and Unexpected events: Examples  Your family / work environment is not very supportive  Financial crisis  An illness or injury  A crisis involving family members or loved ones  Stress related to frequently feeling (e.g., you don’t have enough time)  Stress related to relationship problems

How to manage those events  Analyse the problem to consider all possible solutions.  Seek help from: peers, family, academics, counselling (depending on the kind of help you need).

Revision  Draft a timetable – be specific about which modules you will revise and when  Problem-solving modules (e.g. Accounting, Mathematics) – do as many types of problems as possible to practice  Set and write your own mock exams  Check that you have read through all your tutorial letters for exam guidelines  Revise your assignments and any feedback  Look after yourself – get enough sleep and exercise; eat healthily

Exam anxiety Signs before the exam: Signs during an exam:  Sleeplessness  Confusion  Panic  Decreased/ increased appetite  Inability to concentrate  Guilt  Boredom  Anger

Exam anxiety  What is “normal” anxiety for you (stress that will help you perform better)  How will you handle exam anxiety, when it is out of the “normal” range?

Some parting thoughts…  The exam is only an exam - it is not a reflection of your self worth nor does it predict your future success. If the worst happened and you failed an exam you are still a worthwhile person who will live to enjoy another day.  You have had previous successes in exams - you have survived exams and received good results for them - otherwise you would not have gained entry to University.

Study skills resources Visit the Counselling and Career Development website for more study skills resources: http://www.unisa.ac.za/counselling

Contact us  counselling@unisa.ac.za  Tel: +27 12 441 5388  Website: http://www.unisa.ac.za/counselling  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UniversityofSouthAfrica  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/unisa

Remember… Check your Check the exam timetable Your Unisa Your Before Pens and venue and to confirm you Bring… student Identification times for your have been pencils anything respective document card admitted to the exams exams Some exam dates, venues and times may have Students without these items will not be changed , so it is very important that you check this permitted to enter the examination venue information carefully on my Unisa. Please note that no changes to examination venues can be processed at this stage.

Don’t forget to look after yourself • Get enough sleep • Drink enough water • Stand up and stretch • Run on the spot before you sit down • Breathe The Student Retention Unit wishes you all the best with your exams!

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