It’s a myth that as you get older you need less sleep. 7 hours a night is still ideal for young adults. With the learning grid, and now the library being open 24/7 during the summer term, the temptation to sleep in during the day and study at night may seem quite appealing. However it’s not the best plan – it means you’ll miss out on natural light, which replenishes important vitamins in your body. It’s so important that you get enough sleep, and that it’s good quality – see the tips below to make sure you do!

Turn. Facebook. Off. That really adorable picture of the cat will still be on the internet later.

Plan your revision: break up each module into units, and start with the ones you don’t know as well. Give the more difficult sections a bit more time.

Don’t revise for more than 8 hours a day. You’re only human and your brain can only absorb so much.

Take regular short breaks – eg. work for 45-60 minutes and then take 10 minutes off. In this time stretch your legs, drink some water and get some fresh air.

If you want to revise in a group, pick a topic and quiz each other on it. Do not use the time to gossip as surprisingly, gossip will not be on the exam paper.

Once you’ve revised a topic, get hold of some past exam papers and practice – time yourself and get your friends to look over your work afterwards. [Search “past papers” on insite or ask your seminar tutor]

If you’re revising at home, don’t revise on your bed. Clear space on your desk and make that your work zone. When you take a break leave the room rather than sitting at the desk.

If you’re revising on campus, don’t use a computer space unless you need to. If you’re leaving the library for longer than 30 minutes, take your things with you – it’s not fair that someone else may be prevented from revising because your things are taking up space.

If you’re unsure about anything, make sure you go and see your tutor – no shame in asking for help!

Don’t rely on Wikipedia.

Checklist For the exam: University card, Pens in a clear pencil case Double check: Where the exam is, and that your books don’t have notes written on them. Leave behind: Your phone, other belongings. Before the exam: Eat, show up early, go to the toilet. If you were ill… - Tell your department immediately - You will need to provide medical evidence such as a doctor’s note or hospital transcript (ie. sleeping in is not a valid excuse) - Your department will let you know whether or not you will be able to resit the exam and when

If you were late or failed to show up… - Your exam will most likely be awarded a fail grade of 0 - Your department will let you know whether or not you will be able to resit the exam and when

Important things to remember When you get your results you should be told if you have the option of re-sitting any failed exam. If you think there has been procedural error by the examiners (eg. if the exam paper contained mistakes), or if you want new evidence of personal / extenuating circumstances to be taken into account, you are entitled to appeal the results. If you are submitting new evidence you will be asked to explain why you did not provide this earlier. Appealing a result because you think your work deserved a better mark will be unsuccessful.

studentadvice centre

www.warwicksu.com/feelgood

SLEEPY TIMES TIPS FOR STRESS FREEAND EFFICIENT REVISION

EXAM TIME!

As mentioned in the revision support section, make sure your bed is a no-work zone. That way when you finally get into it your body will naturally slip out of work mode.

Sounds silly – but make sure you make your bed in the morning. It’s much nicer to go to sleep in a tidy bed.

Before you get into bed, stretch – reach up to the ceiling, then bend at the waist and reach out in front of you, and finally bend down and touch your toes. Repeat 2 more times, and stretch anything else that is tense.

To relax and de-stress before sleep, lie in your bed and take a deep breath, inhaling through your nose. Hold for ten seconds and then exhale sloooooooooooowly through your nose or mouth. Repeat 9 more times – more if needed.

Don’t watch tv or listen to loud music for at least half an hour before going to sleep – this keeps your brain active rather than letting it gradually and gently go into sleep mode.

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When you’re studying intensively it’s really easy to forget about not just getting your five-a-day, but about the other foods that can increase your health and well-being.

Follow our golden rules, check out the information online and you’ll be in the peak of health!

It’s crucial that you don’t spend all day cooped up in the library or elsewhere studying – fresh air and exercise are key to feeling good, improving your mental health and making your revision and studying more effective. You don’t have to be a gym guru to get the exercise you need.

Check out http://warwicksport.warwick.ac.uk/ for more information.

INTRO GOOD MENTAL HEALTH YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT EXERCISEHere’s the thing about mental health: everyone has it.

10 golden rules1. Plan your meals

2. Carry a bottle of water with you – try to get through at least 2 litres a day.

3. Try to eat regular meals and to take a break whilst you’re eating

4. Try not to eat your evening meal after 8pm – you won’t sleep as well.

5. Don’t use food as an incentive (eg. a chocolate bar for every 1000 words). This is a bad habit to get into.

6. Try to cook fresh food at least once a day

7. Get your five a day

8. Avoid sugary drinks, energy drinks, and limit tea/coffee to a max of 3 cups a day (check out the Feel Good website for more information about the downfalls of caffeine!)

9. Try to eat with friends every few days – sharing food is a great mood booster

10. Keep an eye out for the Feel Good logo in the SU outlets – there will be specific healthy options available!

You can also try...Walking – Campus is beautiful in the summer term – enjoy it! Go explore Tocil Woods or the fields up by Lakeside & Heronbank. Go with someone – it’s safer and a lot more fun. You can always jog these routes as well.

Cycling – Borrow a friend’s bike if you don’t have one or consider renting one. If you’re riding on the roads be careful and obey the Highway Code.

Frisbee – so much fun, a Frisbee doesn’t cost that much and you don’t have to have mad sporty skillz to play.

Skipping – get yourself a skipping rope, find yourself a nice quiet corner of campus and skip away. Don’t do it in your room unless you’re on the ground floor…

Tag / water fight – great to play with your hallmates. Water guns optional for warmer days.

The Students’ Union The Welfare Officer Student E. welfare@warwicksu.com T. 02476 572 778 The Education Officer E. education@warwicksu.com T. 02476 572 779 Nightline E. nightline@warwick.ac.uk T. 02476 417 668 The SU Advice Centre E. advice@warwicksu.com T. 02476 572 824

The University The Careers Service E. careers@warwick.ac.uk T. 02476 524748 The Counselling Service E. counselling@warwick.ac.uk T. 02476 523 761 Support Services E. studentsupport@warwick.ac.uk T. 02476 575 570 The Health Centre E. www.uwhc.org.uk T. 02476 524 888

Write down five things you do each day to make yourself feel happy (eg. singing in the shower, seeing friends, listening to music) – and then do them! Looking after your emotional self is key to feeling good.

The following websites have lots of useful information on mental health, as well as providing support in times of crisis:

Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad. There’s absolutely no shame in feeling anxious, stressed or depressed – and there’s no shame in seeking help or support. There’s loads more resources on the website around improving your mental health - you can start here by filling out, cutting out and keeping the below section.

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The Chaplaincy E. chaplaincy@warwick.ac.uk T. 02476 523519

Available Support

Welcome to Feel Good 2012! Feel Good is an annual campaign that was set up in 2008 by the Welfare Officer of the SU. It grew out of the fact that, although students do experience stress and anxiety around exams and coursework year-round, there is a concentration of academic pressure with finals in the Summer term – which means that more students need more support more frequently. This year Feel Good has its own dedicated webpage on the SU website – but just so you can have some advice to stick on your wall or carry around with you, we produced this paper guide. It contains nuggets of useful information, tips and resources to make sure that this term is as stress-free as possible. We hope you like it!