Hi, I’m Tim from the Student Learning Advisory Service, here with a few hints and tips as you prepare to resit one or more of your exams.

Firstly, stay motivated. The satisfaction of successfully passing your exams awaits you, so stay highly-focussed on reaching this important goal over the coming weeks, and free up as much time as you can to ensure success, perhaps by rescheduling some less important activities.

Consider any feedback that you may have received on your previous exams. What did you not do well enough first time that you can focus on improving for the resit? Perhaps it was your depth of knowledge around a particular topic, or perhaps it was that you failed to include key ingredients in your answer. Identify and use feedback to help you steer your preparation.

Reflect on how you managed the previous exam. Perhaps it was not your lack of knowledge that was problematic, but your exam technique. Perhaps you lost track of time so that you failed to answer all the questions. Perhaps you forgot to plan before writing and ended up getting lost halfway through an answer. Identify and make a note of any potential improvements to your exam technique that you can remember to do, or even practise, for your resit.

Plan and use your time most efficiently between now and your resit. Having identified gaps in your knowledge or aspects of your exam technique that require improvement, draw up a schedule that will address all of these issues in time for the resit. Plot what you need to do on a time planner leading up to the exam. Break each day into one or two hour chunks of study time, each allocated to an achievable goal – be that revising from your notes on a specific topic, practising writing an essay under timed conditions, or committing important facts, formulas or theories to memory.

Remember, too, that your exam is a performance. Although you will want to work very hard between now and your resit to achieve the best possible result, stay fit and well as you do so. Establish a routine that balances your revision with enough sleep, regular breaks, good food and fresh air to keep you in good shape for when you resit the exam.

We also offer a range of events for resitters to help you feel more prepared.

Finally, if you would like a 1-1 with a student learning adviser to discuss revision skills, exam techniques or any of these topics before you resit your exam just book an appointment with an adviser on our Student Learning Advisory Service website, where you will also find printable time planners to help you plot your course to success.

Good luck with your resit.

This month’s Kent Stars are the Postgraduate Network, who have organised events to build a strong postgraduate community, persevering to ensure the postgraduate student voice is heard at all levels.

Maureen – “My name is Maureen Bungei, a PG student pursuing an MA in International Relations with International Law. I have been the Postgraduate Network Chair during the academic year 2022/2023 and handed over to Miquel Santos at the end of my term in April 2023. I was also supporting the College and Community Life team as a Resident Life Assistant in creating a community and sense of belonging for students on campus. As a member of the Kent Model UN Society, I have attended several conferences in London and the World Harvard MUN, a global event in Paris, France.”

Miguel – “I am Miguel Santos, a Master’s by Research student in English. I’m the de facto Chair of the Postgraduate Network, taking over from Maureen Bungei. My research focuses on 20^th century Anglo-American experimental poetry. I am also a PGR Student Rep for English; the editor-in-chief of the university’s postgraduate, peer reviewed literary journal Litterae Mentis; and a committee member of the Research Salon. I have contributed to the Templeman Library’s ‘100 Years: T.S. Eliot and The Waste Land’ exhibition. I did my undergraduate at Kent as well, where I was involved as Environment Officer and in the Turing College Committee.”

Tell us about the Postgraduate Network and how you are making sure the postgraduate voice is represented at Kent.

Miguel – “The Postgraduate Network is led by postgraduate volunteers and aims to ensure that postgraduates get the most of their time here. We create campaigns and events, representing the voice of the postgraduate community to the university and Kent Union. 

Our committee members include Megan Brown and Nteteawan Bassey-Duke. We’re proud to have a mix of taught and research students, as well as Ntete acting as our Medway representative.  

Our aim is to ensure that the postgraduate experience is as thriving and vibrant as possible. Kent has an incredible postgraduate community who has shown so much support and kindness to me.  

Students enjoying a PG Network event

To support the postgraduate voice, we sit at boards and meetings to represent student feedback. In the autumn term, there was a proposed restructuring of Kent Union’s Officer Team. We organised a student feedback session at Jarman Plaza to gather the views of postgraduates. Because the PG community felt this was a step in the wrong direction, we were able to successfully push Kent Union to drop this proposal in January.

We have hosted events, both in Canterbury and Medway, including socials, study meetings, and a hustings session for the Kent Union elections. With the GRC, we co-organise monthly coffee mornings with guests, including Ben Bradley (Kent Union’s VP Postgraduate Experience), Mark Bass (Careers and Employability Service), and Professor Gordon Lynch (Graduate and Researcher College Director).

On a personal note, I’m indebted to the phenomenal work of postgraduates when I was an undergraduate here, particularly Rowena Bicknell and Tom Ritchie, who inspired me to care about the postgraduate community. I hope that our contributions will ensure that people feel part of the community in the same way Rowena and Tom made me feel.”

What advice would you give to other students?

Miguel – “I would encourage anyone to get involved with co-curricular activities, volunteering or representation. Be optimistic that every action you take and every discussion you have will inform your personal development.

I should also highlight the mental health challenges postgraduates face; as such, it is important to remember you are part of a supportive community here.

Finally, while being nominated for a Kent Star means a lot to me, being part of the postgraduate community at Kent means even more. Although awards and recognition are lovely, we care about the postgraduate community simply because it is the right thing to do.”

PG Summer Coffee Morning.

Maureen – “You have the best time now to take part in co-curricular activities alongside your studies. The university has over 250 clubs and societies where you can take part and nurture your soft skills or sports fitness at your comfort. There are exciting opportunities like student representatives, student ambassadors, and Kent Union Network chairs that will give you an exciting experience that will give you an edge in your CV or interview not forgetting the employability points. Please take them up.

Your health and well-being is the most important aspect of your student experience here at Kent. The university provides academic and wellbeing support services that you are free to utilise and enhance your stay at the university.”

What are your plans for the next year?

Miguel – “The entire Postgraduate Network committee will finish our courses in September; we believe we’ve set a strong foundation for next year’s committee to work closely with the Graduate and Researcher College and Kent Union’s Ben Bradley. The GRC Team and Ben are our biggest supporters!

For myself, I hope to have a job prior to applying for a PhD. I would love to work in higher education in a professional/academic-adjacent role. I’m so grateful for my time at Kent and for all the people who have supported me; I can only hope that my involvement has helped make a difference.”

Students sat together at PG Network event

Maureen – “As I look forward to graduating this July, sadly I might not be here at Kent to oversee the network, but I strongly believe that we as the network committee (Miguel, Ntete, Megan  and I) have done our best and created a sense of belonging for PG community. We hope the next network chair/committee sustains the vibrant community as they will be lucky to work with Ben Bradley who actively supported us during our tenure. Personally, I would be considering doing my PhD sometime later, and the University of Kent definitely has a spot in the top 3.”

Do you know an inspirational student or student group? Let us know.

Learn more about the Kent Stars campaign.

The Careers and Employability services are dedicated to empowering students and graduates on their career paths, providing you with the tools and guidance necessary to realise your ambitions. Recent events included a 3-day career-boosting workshop, and there are lots more opportunities to follow during the summer and beyond.

Destination Success Bootcamp: Empowering students for a bright future

The recent Destination Success Bootcamp, hosted by Study Plus, provided a three-day training program to enhance students’ employability skills. With 45 participants from diverse university divisions, the bootcamp focused on collaboration, self-awareness, and practical guidance in areas such as CV writing and job interviews.

Participants engaged in thought-provoking sessions on CV writing, job searching, and interview techniques, gaining valuable insights and refining their employability skills.

Missed the bootcamp? Don’t worry!

Study Plus will be offering similar sessions next term, alongside virtual opportunities like the FDM Career Match and bite-sized video workshops.

In the meantime, throughout the summer break the Careers and Employability Service will provide support through virtual or in-person appointments, including Quick Advice and longer Career sessions. Additionally, a range of workshops will be available to support your career development. Log on to the careers portal with your Kent ID to find out more.

Continued support for graduates

Even after graduation, the careers portal remains accessible for up to three years with an alumni account. Find out more about careers support after you graduate.

24/7 career advice

In addition to appointments and workshops, the Careers and Employability Service webpages offer online resources for CV writing, cover letters, and career development advice which you can access any time.

By Susannah Gilbert, Employability Advisor, 12.06.23

Starting 20 June 2023 Kent Sport will be introducing womxn and non-binary only hours in the gym!  

In collaboration with Kent Union, Kent Sport are supporting the initiative to remove barriers for womxn looking to use the gym and create a non-judgemental space which will motivate and empower womxn to be physically active, giving them the confidence to go into the gym and exercise on their own. 

These sessions start on Tuesday 20 June 2023 and will run weekly at the following times; 

• Tuesdays between 10:00-12:00 
• Thursdays between 17:00-19:00

These sessions will be open to all who self-define as women, including those with complex gender identities which include ‘woman’, and those who experience oppression as women. We believe that self-definition is at the sole discretion of the individual in question and as such Kent Sport will inform all members of the detail above and therefore will not challenge those entering the gym during this time. 

These sessions are for access to all areas of the gym at the Sports Centre including the ground floor weights and functional zone, and the cardio area on the first floor. All other facilities including exercise classes and changing areas will remain open and accessible to all during these times.  

*Womxn is an intersectional term intended to signal the inclusion of those who have traditionally been excluded from white feminist discourse: Black women, women of colour, and trans women.