For lots of us, exams are looming. You might be stressed with how much work you have but find little motivation to actually sit down and begin to tackle this mountain. For some, this can make pre-exam stress worse. By ‘some’, let me tell you, I am also included.
As an avid career crammer, I’ve come to the realisation that my Legal Practice Course exams are not going to sit themselves. For the most part, my cramming bows down to a serial lack of motivation and for those of you like me, the urge to procrastinate is incredibly enticing.
So, let me give you some pointers on how to keep the flow and manage those periods of ‘meh’.
- Chose a method that works for you. Be it flash cards, mind-maps, lists, thought clouds, or memory games. By experimenting with different ways to study, you will find a way to encourage yourself to revise. For me, I settled on mind-maps. They’re easy to make, you can include as little or as much information as possible, you can add pictures, colour, and make important information pop in a way that’s attractive to you! I will definitely be sharing my notes with you guys to help anyone who needs them. Just head to the Gallery.
- Reward yourself! Given that most aspiring solicitors don’t qualify until the ripe ole’ age of 29, we can often feel like it’s a distant achievement that can’t and won’t bother us now. Well…that’s not the case. By treating yourself often; with a good book, your favourite movie, taking a long hot bubble bath – you get the picture – we can settle our need for automatic gratification. You put in a few solid hours, you get a snack reward. You have a dedicated week, take Sunday off and put your feet up. You’e more likely to get back on the horse if you know there’s some sort of appreciation for the effort in the here and now!
- Treat yourself often. That is sometimes something we forget to do in the thick of it. We do deserve to relax and appreciate life. Working too long and too hard without respite can cause metal fatigue or burn-out! Keep a look out for further information on how to avoid burn-out and what to do if you suspect that you’re spent. You always deserve that cup of tea.
- If you’re struggling reach out to others. Take some time to appreciate where you are and what steps you can take to get back on track. Most university professors can be found at the end of an email. Trust me. Just ask for help. They aren’t here to berrate you or make you feel useless, their job is to teach you. Don’t waste this precious resource. Likewise, it might be wise, if you haven’t already, to set up a class group chat over social media! You might feel more comfortable asking questions this way because they’re your peers.
- Don’t be hard on yourself. Nothing knocks confidence like self doubt and feelings of inadequacy. If you’ve not passed a test or didn’t achieve the score you wanted, take it easy. Most universities offer the chance to resit (with or without a fee). There’s no shame in needing a second chance. Nobody is perfect. Yes, even that one person in your class who seems to know everything and is always prepared.
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