Author Archives: Hannah Brazier

man using laptop sitting down

Staying calm on the day of an exam

Before the exam

  1. Accept that you’ve done the best that you can

You can only do your best, so try not to put pressure on yourself to do more than that. You’ve spent time revising and know more than you think.

  1. Eat a healthy meal

It’s easy to forget to eat when feeling nervous. Eating a healthy meal before your exam will help you stay alert and focused during your exam.

  1. If you have time, refresh your memory with your revision notes

It’s too late to try and cover new topics, but going over revision notes will help focus your mind on your exam topic.

  1. Practise mindfulness

Mindfulness encourages relaxation and positive thinking. Visualise yourself calmly sitting the exam, answering questions and feeling in control.

The Mindfulness Society hold online Zoom mindfulness sessions that are open to all students. Sign up to an online session.

During the exam

  1. Read the exam paper carefully

Take time at the beginning of the exam to make sure you understand what needs to be done. Throughout the exam, ensure you read the questions correctly.

  1. Stay positive

Try to avoid negative thoughts. Instead of thinking, “I’m going to fail” try and think “I’ll do my best and that’s all I can do.” Don’t think about what you should have done, pay attention to what you can do now.

  1. Relax yourself

If you feel yourself starting to panic, take a moment to relax. Concentrate on your breathing for a minute, and then return to your exam paper.

  1. Stay focused

Keep focused on yourself and your own exam. Don’t worry about how other people might be doing, or any other thoughts that might creep into your mind.

 

More exam support:

Person holding a pen writing on a notebook in front of a laptop and a cup of coffee

What’s on this week: 24-30 May 2021 

We hope your exams are going well!

This week take a break from revision and go along to an outdoor cinema screening, try out our food festival on campus or relax in our Oasis Garden.

Get your free home testing kit now

You can now pick up free COVID-19 home testing kits from the Sibson Building. You just need your student ID card to collect.

Be kind, be quiet

Lockdown is easing but please be kind and considerate when meeting with friends. Many students have exams this term and need a quiet space to study and sit online exams.

Find out how to support one another this exam season

Events for you to try this week: 

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Let us know what you think of these updates by emailing communications@kent.ac.uk

Paris Postgraduate Festival poster

Paris Postgraduate Festival 2021

Students at the University of Kent Paris School of Arts and Culture are excited to present this year’s edition of our postgraduate festival, taking place virtually from 1-5 June 2021.

This year the theme is Escapism and you can find a taster of what is planned below. You can also see the full programme on the festival website. Please note that all times are Paris local time (CEST) and are free to attend, although advance registration is required.

If you have any questions, you are welcome to get in touch with the festival team at parisfestival@kent.ac.uk

woman typing on laptop

Canterbury Nightline available seven nights a week

Any problem, no matter how serious or small, Nightline is there for you.

Canterbury Nightline is a student-run non-judgmental listening and information service supporting students throughout the night. Run by trained student volunteers, all communication is confidential and anonymous, so there is no need to provide your name or any contact details. The content of your conversation never leaves Nightline and is not shared with anyone.

Due to Covid-19, Canterbury Nightline are unable to take any phone calls; however, they are providing a remote service with instant messaging and email.

Canterbury Nightline is available seven nights a week, 20.00 – midnight.

Email: listening@canterbury.nightline.ac.uk or instant message canterburynightline.org/

 

Darren Weir holding his award

COVID Hero Award for Darren Weir

Kent Law School Director of Lawyering Skills, Darren Weir, has been honoured with a ‘COVID Hero Award’ by Kent Law Society. The award was presented in recognition of Darren’s work on the Law School’s Lawyering Skills Programme.

The honour was one of a number awards made by Kent Law Society in recognition of legal professionals across the county “who have gone above and beyond over the last 12 months”. Award winners were announced by Stephanie Boyce, President of The Law Society, at an online ceremony held on Friday 7 May.

Darren was recognised for his work in directing the innovative Lawyering Skills Programme at Kent. He said: ‘This programme, which had to largely move virtually, would not have been possible without the help and assistance of the very many legal practitioners and judges (too many to mention). Thank you to them and thank you to the hundreds of students who have been coping with all their studies this year and taking part in the programme. What a great evening arranged by Alexandra Gordon TEP CTA and her team and sponsors. So many worthy winners.’

Darren was called to the Bar in 1998. For 12 years he specialised in criminal and regulatory law and practised from Stour Chambers in Canterbury following his London pupillage. Darren prosecuted and defended an array of offences from motoring to murder and appeared in all level of court including the Court of Appeal. He was the ‘go to’ local counsel for the Crown Prosecution Service at the time in cases of fraud and sexual offences. He was formally a member of the Criminal Bar Association and is a member of Middle Temple. Having previously been a pupil supervisor, he is undertaking further training to train pupil barristers in advocacy.

student studing on laptop

What’s on: 10-14 May

It’s the first week of the Summer Term, so this week’s update includes exams advice and support. Read up on revision tips from current students, double-check the online exams guidance and see our Exam Calm webpages.

Wishing you the best of luck with your exams!

Keeping you and your friends safe during Covid-19

Whether you’re on campus or at home, it’s important to follow Government guidelines to stay safe during Covid-19. Simple steps such as sticking to the rule of six/two households outdoors, no mixing with other households indoors and wearing a face covering make a difference. Visit our Covid-19 website to find out more.

Also, from today, symptom-free Covid-19 testing on the Canterbury campus is in the Sibson building and there is no need to book in advance.

Events for you to try this week:

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Let us know what you think of these updates by emailing communications@kent.ac.uk

students at Medway campus

‘Medway Your Way’ online survey

Medway Council are reaching out to young people, up to the age of 25, to find out more about what it feels like to be a young person in Medway by completing an anonymous online survey.

They hope to get young people more involved in shaping the future of Medway, and having a meaningful say in decisions and services.

Take the online survey here.

The survey closes on Sunday 23 May. For more information about Medway Your Way, please visit Medway Council’s website.

laptop set up

What’s on: 4–9 May

The Summer Term starts next week – so with exams getting closer, check out our Exam Calm webpages and catch up on Kent Union’s Instagram Live Q&A session about online exams with your Kent Union Officers. Also, don’t forget to vote in the Kent County Council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections taking place on Thursday 6 May.

It’s time to apply for student finance!

Student Finance England and EU full-time undergraduate applications are now open for the 2021/2022 academic year. Continuing students should apply before Friday 25 June.

Apply now to make sure you have your student finance sorted for the start of your course.

Postgraduate and part-time undergraduate student finance applications will open in the summer.

Events for you to try this week:

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Let us know what you think of these updates by emailing communications@kent.ac.uk

Man volunteering at food bank

Log your volunteering hours by Tuesday 18 May

The Kent Volunteering Scheme (KVS) is designed to recognise and support your volunteering achievements. There are various levels of awards, depending on how many volunteering hours you record.

By logging hours on the Kent Volunteering Scheme webpage, students can accumulate hours and progress through the scheme to receive guidance and support from the Careers and Employability Service.

When achieving certain levels of volunteering hours, students will receive support from staff; outlining how their volunteering experience has enhanced their employability skills, developed their Graduate Attributes and how to use this to your advantage when talking to employers.

For more information and to log your volunteering hours, please visit the Kent Volunteering Scheme webpage. The deadline to submit your volunteering hours is midnight on Tuesday 18 May.

If you have any queries, please email studentvolunteering@kent.ac.uk