UKM Student Nat shares her top tips for exam success.

Be realistic about what you can achieve

One of the big stresses about exam season can be overthinking how much you’ve got to do, and then putting it off until the last-minute, and then stressing again about how much you’ve got to do!

Get out of this vicious circle by planning ahead. We’ve still got around a month to go until exams, so make sure you start planning what you need to do by when NOW. Be realistic about how much stuff you’re going to do each day over the holidays until the temptation to binge on Netflix becomes too strong. Make a plan day-by-day and stick to it. You’ll feel so much better for it, and having everything you need to do written down in front of you is sure to clear your head.

Tidy room tidy mind

One of the key things at the top of my revision to-do list isn’t even revision related. Before I start any revision – and indeed before I start any essay work for those of you still working towards those end of term deadlines – I tidy my house. I make sure that my room is a nice place to sit for hours on end, and I make sure all my dishes are cleaned so a) I’m not tempted to procrastinate by doing them later, and b) I’m not adding to my housemates’ stress by leaving the communal areas in a state.

Get a cracking revision playlist sorted

Another of my key procrastination before revision go-tos is to make a revision playlist on Spotify. Thankfully for you guys, I’ve already done this for you, so you’ve got no excuse to procrastinate by making your own. After all, who can improve upon perfection?!

Check out my revision Spotify playlist.

Organise your notes

This tip kind of ties into the tidying your room tip, but seriously, the amount of stress that will clear just by organising that pile of crumpled handouts in the corner of your room into something that you can easily pick and choose bits from is amazing. Getting organised will also help you to prioritise what you need to go over first, and you might also be reminded of things you’d completely forgotten about, which you need to go back over.

Make time to socialise

I think the biggest revision tip I can give you is that if you socialise and make time to see your friends, you’ll feel so much better. Now, I don’t mean have study dates (although this can work too), I mean get out of the house, go for a run with a mate, or have a barbecue now the weather has got a bit nicer, and relax. Yes I know your head will be swimming with all that stuff you’ve been reading all day, but just remember that your friends are in the same boat, and you can help each other through this. Why not get together and all cook a meal? Or you could each cook part of something and take it round to one of your houses. Here’s an idea for a great quick meal to make during exam time, which takes very little time, but is full of the nutrition you need to keep your brain going.

Brain food recipe – Spicy Chicken and Veg Pasta (serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 4 tomatoes, diced
• 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
• 1 vegetable oxo cube
• 2 tsp of dried oregano
• 2 tsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 red chillis, sliced with seeds removed
• 2 tsp of smoked paprika
• 2 tsp of ground cumin
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 orange bell pepper, diced
• 1 leek, sliced
• 1 tsp of olive oil
• Salt and pepper for seasoning
• 150ml of red wine (optional)
• Pasta shapes of your choice

Method:

1. Boil the pasta for 10-15 minutes until just cooked (al dente).
2. Put the oil in a large frying pan and wait for it to heat.
3. Add the onion, leek and garlic, and cook on a low heat until soft.
4. Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned.
5. Add the paprika and cumin, and stir to coat the chicken and vegetables.
6. Add the fresh tomatoes and peppers.
7. Add the chopped tomatoes and the red wine, as well as the oxo stock cube. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer.
8. Add the sliced red chilli and the fresh parsley, and continue to simmer until the liquid has reduced and the spices have infused.
9. Drain the pasta and mix into the chicken and vegetable sauce.

Serving suggestion: Top with grated cheese (cheddar or parmesan are my favourites for this) and serve with garlic bread.

For all the University’s revision support see the exams webpage in the Student Guide.

Please note that the information for managers on the Management Referral process has been updated on the Occupational Health website. Read updated form and guidance notes.

Kent Business Start-Up Journey (BSUJ) came to a climactic finish on Wednesday 30 March as eight students pitched their business ideas to a panel of School directors, local entrepreneurs and university benefactors.

Panel members included Paul Dyer (Towergate Co-founder and university benefactor), Adam Baker (Santander Universities Brand Relationship Manager), David Williamson (KBS’ Director of External Services), Martin Meyer (School Director) and Kent alumnus, Bal Sandher (Founder, Hectic Lifestyles).

BSUJ is a new programme of events, workshops and start-up acceleration activities that was successfully piloted during the 15-16 academic year and involved approximately 200 students.
Business Administration student Amit Madnani and Computing student Mate Tukacs impressed the panel with their strong pitches, winning joint first place and £500 for their respective businesses.

Mate, who pitched nightlife business ‘Playlate’ said:
“I think the Business Start-up Journey is an amazing experience and was a well-structured programme. I liked how there was an open day at the very beginning with an amazing speaker that talked to us with passion. The amount of help and guidance mentors gave throughout the Journey was great; KBS brought in some really influential people who devoted their own time to students and gave back to the school.”

Further congratulations go to Brenda Okandju who took 2nd place and received £300 and Romane Maire who pitched her way to 3rd place and received £200.

Following its success, the programme will continue to run in following academic years to build on its achievements. Kent Business School will be recruiting students from both Canterbury and Medway Campuses in autumn 2016 to embark on their own business start-up journeys.

For more information, contact ASPIRE Project Officer, Jack McDonnell on 01227 816492 or jm773@kent.ac.uk

From today (1 April), you can purchase a one-month membership which will allow you to enjoy a wide range of activities and facilities at Kent Sport. A one-month membership is half-price, with Gold adult £33.50, and Gold junior (16 to 18 years) £26. Under 16s pay £3.90 per activity. Membership is available to use from 9 April.

The spring membership offer provides unlimited access to modern sports facilities including the fitness suite, squash courts, all outdoor facilities and entry to all fitness and dance classes.

To purchase your membership, visit the Sports Centre or Pavilion receptions from 1 April (for use from 9 April). Membership is available to purchase and use until 8 May only. For further details and terms and conditions, please visit our website.

*Please note that anyone in full-time education is entitled to the junior rate. To apply for the junior rate please bring with you proof of full-time education (student card etc.)

To stay up to date with Kent Sport news, events and special offers, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter UniKentSports.

Occupational Health is taking part in The Stroke Association’s ‘Know Your Blood Pressure’ campaign, on Friday 22 April.

As part of this, members of staff can register for an appointment time to have their blood pressure measured in a confidential setting. It only takes 10 minutes so won’t take too much time out of your day.

To book an appointment contact Pat Armstrong, OH Technician:

• Email: occupationalhealth@kent.ac.uk
• Telephone: extn 4691
• Popping into Occupational Health, Keynes College

We are hoping to arrange a similar promotion at Medway Campus on Tuesday 26 April 2016. This depends on adequate numbers and access to accommodation. Please use contact details as above to register interest.

Due to popular demand, applications for the University of Kent’s Innovation Awards have been extended.

If you are an academic or member of professional services who has recently worked on a successful business project or collaboration, you have until Monday 18 April 2016 to submit an application.

The awards, organised by Kent Innovation & Enterprise will recognise and celebrate excellence in innovation and enterprise at the University of Kent and showcase our successful collaborations with partner businesses and organisations.

We will be accepting applications for six categories:

• Early Career Researcher Enterprise Award
• Impact Through Knowledge Exchange Award
• ICE (Innovation, Creativity & Enterprise) Award
• Most Innovative Staff Award
• External Innovation Champion(s)
• Student Knowledge Exchange

Closing date is Monday 18 April 2016 before midnight. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to the ICE Showcase Event on Thursday 28 April 2016 at Woolf College on Canterbury Campus where the awards ceremony will take place.

Winners will be announced and presented with prizes by Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Innovation & Research, Professor Philippe De Wilde.

For more information and to download an application form, please visit the Innovation Awards webpage.

For any questions or queries please contact Nerissa on 01227 816032 or email enterprise@kent.ac.uk.

A talk on ‘The Medieval Library of Rochester Cathedral Priory: Survivors and Their Significance’ will take place in the Templeman Library Lecture Theatre, on Wednesday 13 April, from 13.30-14.30.

Professor James Carley will talk about Rochester Cathedral Library’s “hidden collection” and reveal the fascinating stories behind the medieval manuscripts and books. He will delve into the medieval catalogues of the Priory Library to discover what they tell us about the collection in the Middle Ages, and bring to light the fascinating stories and subsequent fates of many of the Rochester manuscripts.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the hidden treasures of Rochester Cathedral and what they tell us about the medieval world.

The Library has been collaborating with Rochester Cathedral as part of an Heritage Lottery Fund project to catalogue the Cathedral’s Library materials and support engagement with the academic community at the University.

Hanami is the Japanese festival dedicated to cherry blossom, when families and friends gather to picnic under the cherry trees.

You can celebrate Hanami in Kent by visiting Brogdale, which has the largest collection of fruit trees in the UK.

The Hanami Festival Day is on 16 April, or you can book a picnic under the trees between 6-30 April.

Please see the Brogdale website for details and to book a place.

Comic Potential, by Alan Ayckbourn, is being staged by the University of Kent Players at the Gulbenkian from Thursday 14 to Saturday 16 April.

Neil Hornsey, Senior Building Surveyor at the University, is directing and acting in the production, which he describes  ‘as one of the funniest and most inventive plays by Britain’s grand master of comedy.’

The Kent Players were founded by Neil Hornsey in August 2013 and is made up mostly of staff at the University. One of the Kent Players’ aims is to donate a proportion of profits  to charity and, over the past two years, they have raised £3,750 for The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, Age UK and Changing Lives.

Comic Potential is being staged in support of the Kent Association for the Blind (KAB), a local charity supporting visually impaired people and those with dual sensory loss.

KAB Fundraising Manager Chrissie Brown said: ‘Much of our work can only continue thanks to donations and fundraising. We are especially grateful to the University of Kent Players for choosing to support KAB. The money raised will make a real difference to the lives of visually impaired people in the local area.’

Tickets for Comic Potential are on sale now from the Gulbenkian box office.