Friday 30 November 2012

Exam De-stress - Reflexology / Indian Head Massage


Reflexology / Indian Head Massage
With Helena Hennigan, Dip Reflexology, Dip Indian Head Massage

Reflexology is natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears and their referral areas within zone related areas, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes without the use of tools, crèmes or lotions, the feet being the primary area of application, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body. The benefits may include feelings of relaxation, calmness, revitalizing and rejuvenating.

Indian Head Massage is the ideal stress-busting treatment for anyone who is suffering from aching shoulders, a tight neck, tension headache, eye strain, insomnia, or poor concentration. It is a safe, simple yet effective therapy renowned for relieving symptoms of stress. It is done fully clothed and is noninvasive.

Where: Wellness Centre at the back of the Hub
When: Every Friday until 14thDecember
Price: Staff: 25 Euro / Students: 10 Euro
Booking required. Email: destressbooking@nuigalway.ie

Thursday 29 November 2012

Exam De-stress - Hypnotherapy



Hypnotherapy with Michael Mullen, MICHP, D.HP, ADV DHP, Hypnotherapist

Are you worried about exams? Do you suffer with anxiety problems or go weak with the thought of doing a presentation? Then may-be hypnosis can help you to feel more relaxed and in control. Feel more confident and allow the words to flow out as you write an essay or deliver presentations. After your treatment you will get a CD that you can use at home, to enhance the effectiveness  of the session. Booking required.

Where: Wednesdays & Thursdays in Wellness Centre until 13th December
Price: Staff: 25 Euro / Students: 10 Euro
Booking required. Email: destressbooking@nuigalway.ie
For more see Exam De-stressProgramme

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Exam De-stress programme - Acupuncture


Acupuncture /  Ear Acupuncture

The ancient practice of Acupuncture is a holistic approach to health care that is based on the principle that energy circulates through pathways in our body. When this energy is blocked or depleted, imbalance results in disharmony, which can cause lack of energy, pain, lowered immune system or illness.  The insertion of very fine acupuncture needles in selected points along the meridians can correct the imbalance and promote wellbeing. 
Booking required.

Ear Acupuncture is limited to the external ear area. It has been shown to release endorphins, or ‘feel good’ chemicals in our bodies, relieving stress and promoting deep relaxation.  No booking required—Drop-in.  

Acupuncture is available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays until 14th December. For details on times and prices check out the online 
 Exam De-stressProgramme

Thursday 15 November 2012

Exam Skills - Quick Tips for Better Performance

Time is running out and my brain feels like it’s going to burst!
What can I do to get the information out of my brain & onto the exam paper?
Revise actively  Think up questions about the material before you start and seek answers as you study. Turn statements into questions, and think about how the material relates to what you already know.
Reason: Real understanding comes not when we stuff information in, but when we draw it out. Exams require this same ‘drawing out’ of information. Learning occurs when new short-term memory material connects or integrates with what you already know (material in your long-term memory).

That sounds easy enough. Is there anything else that might help?
Organise Look at the subject matter in terms of facts (what do I need to learn?), principles and concepts (what do I need to know?), and applications (what must I be able to do with these facts and concepts to show that I understand them?).  
Reason: Packaging, labelling and linking information gives us a set of cues so we can more easily recognise and retrieve information from our memory store.

It’s one thing to be able to do this at home, but it’s another thing to be able to do it in the exam hall!
Rehearse the exam format. Set your own exam, based on past papers.* Similar questions tend to come up again and again. Practise answering a full exam question in the allotted time.
Reason: A memory crammed with facts, but with no idea of how to write an examination answer is doomed to failure. Practising the exam techniques will also reduce anxiety and save time in the exam hall.

How am I going to keep functioning at peak level until exams are over?
Get appropriate rest, exercise and nutrition. Get at least 6-7 hours of sleep a night, eat a balanced diet and avoid alcohol or too much caffeine.
Reason: Your mind and body are connected. These things matter and will affect your performance. Just ask any athlete.

I’m still worried that the stress will get to be too much.
Prepare a mental refuge. This only takes seconds. Imagine a scene that is a safe, warm, secure and peaceful refuge, to be used as an emotional air-raid shelter when stress threatens. Imagine this scene as vividly as possible, including sounds, sensations, tastes and smells. Once you have chosen your mental refuge, remember it and practise recalling it when you are not under pressure so that you will be able to conjure it up instantly when you are.
Reason: Stress can appear in one or more forms at exam time, but you can keep it at a healthy level and survive the worst attacks if you prepare a method of dealing with it beforehand.

Only a few days to go and I have loads to do!
Avoid cramming. Start as soon as possible. Review what you know rather than trying to learn lots of new material at the last minute. And start earlier next term!
Reason: Short-term memory hasn’t enough space for all you need to know. Also, cramming stupefies long-term memory (where well-learned material lives) and can set you up for panic and “blanking.”

If you have worked all term but now have three exams in five days so only an evening to review already learned material –
v Write out a course summary. Reviewing the basic course structure will help you remember, comprehend and retain the material.
v Go over study questions, main points of notes and assignments, skim read texts, drawing out the information from your memory rather that trying to cram more in.
v Stay calm, confident and focussed. Take breaks in your studying, get 6 to 8 hours sleep, and remind yourself that working hard all term really will pay off.

If you have slacked off and are now justifiably worried –
v Gather information about what is likely to be on the exam. Find out principle themes, sub-topics and major illustrations. Memorise them!
v Use every trick you can, such as word association, rhymes, enumeration and sentences from acronyms.
v BE SELECTIVE! Memorise major themes, then decide what supporting material to concentrate on. Remember, examiners actually want you to do well. The idea that they are plotting trick questions to catch you out is nonsense. They want to give you a chance to show how good you are.
v Rehearse your mental refuge. Try to be kind to yourself. Get at least 6 hours sleep.

~MOST IMPORTANT TIP~
Make the most of your time in the exam and answer the question that you have been asked.
Reason: Poor performance can usually be put down to two things – poor time management, and not reading the question correctly.   Take note of key verbs, such as, “discuss,”  “compare,” or “explain.”  Plan out your time, leaving a little time at the end to check over your answers.

For more info see:



 

Exam Time - Building Resilience

Sleep Well: Get 6 to 8 hours, at least on most nights, and you will be able to concentrate better, recall information, and keep up your energy levels

Eat Well: Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast. Eat 5 or 6 smaller meals instead of 3 bigger ones. Pack a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts, or some cheese and crackers as a healthy snack. For more info see: Food for exam studies

Drink Water: Staying hydrated helps to keep you alert. Avoid too many energy drinks or other caffeine- laced beverages, as caffeine impairs your study ability.

Take Rest Breaks: Taking rest breaks during times of high mental stress enhances your energy levels and your ability to concentrate and retain vital
information. Get up, stretch your body, walk around, go outside to re-oxygenate yourself and grab a drink.

Move Your Body: Exercise is vital at any time, but especially during exams. Just 15 minutes of physical activity will help to keep you alert, calm and focused.

Learn relaxation techniques: Find a technique you like and practice it before the exams so you will be able to use it if needed during an exam. For more info see: Exam relaxation techniques

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Top Tips for Exam Revision - Three

Here are the last Top Tips for Exam Revision, originally put together by Fife & Tayside Wider Access Forum.

SEVEN: PRACTISE  PLANNING  ANSWERS
Working out plans for potential questions is a good revision tactic. It not only helps you to work out logical connections between the points of an argument or the sequence of operations you might need to perform in the exam. But it also helps you to do this quickly and efficiently in the exam. Sometimes you will receive a mark or two for the plan if you have been unable to finish an answer but seem to be have been writing on the write lines.

EIGHT: WORK OUT TIMINGS
Before the exam, work out exactly how much time that you will have to answer each question, ensuring that you take into account time needed for reading the question, doing a brief plan, writing your answer and checking it afterwards.

NINE: Practice Writing Answers
Many students find that they have difficulty writing to a time limit, and so it is worthwhile trying to write your answer against the clock. You need to discipline yourself not to write beyond the allotted span of time as you won’t be able to overrun beyond the end of the allocated time on the day.

TEN: Specialists Terms
While marks may not be deducted for mis-spelling of general vocabulary, you may find that penalties are imposed if you mis-spell subject specific words. For examples, a politics student would be expected to know how to spell ‘government’ or a biology student would be expected to know how to spell ‘mitochondrion’.

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Tuesday 13 November 2012

Top Tips For Exam Revision - Two



This week riskybizzness is posting up Top Tips for Exam Revision, originally put together by Fife & Tayside Wider Access Forum.

FOUR: REVISING
For some people revision is a chore that quickly becomes boring and unproductive. To ensure that you are engaged with what you are trying to learn, you might think about reducing your lecture notes, handouts and other material to short notes. Alternatively, you might think of recording your notes and listening to these as you travel or do other things when you are not studying. Much of this will depend on your favoured natural learning style.

FIVE: THINK ABOUT ‘DOUBLE’ QUESTIONS
Sometimes exam questions draw on more than one topic from the lecture course, so it is important to think about logical connections, comparisons or contrasts that just might ask you to cover two topics in a single question. For example, a question such as ‘Consider whether Napoleon’s contribution to the French legal system outweighed his contribution to France’s international power’ requires an understanding of both the legal code and the international policies.



SIX: INVOLVE OTHERS

Some people find that discussing the topics with friends doing the same course by quizzing each other can be a useful way of imprinting the ideas in their minds. Family members act as oral examiners. Voicing your answers can provide a rehearsal for the exam and this kind of activity also makes those around you feel less distanced from your activities.
 



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