You came to Uni with a folder for each module and they’re all colour coded
You have every course textbook and others just in case
Your highlighters encompass more than just primary colours
So do your post-its
Everything that’s yours in the fridge has your name on it, complete with an optional smiley face to avoid passive aggression
The Geek’s Guide to University
You’ve probably been prepared for University for ages if you’re a true Uni Geek: accommodation sorted, student loan application done and bags packed. Before you know it you’ll have forgotten about home and be enjoying all that Freshers has to offer. Being a geek is great as you’re already ahead of most students and you’re well motivated, but here we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you keep on top of your grades, along with some top money making ideas just to give you that extra helping hand. Just remember that socialising is also a very important aspect of University; even though you don’t have an exam on it.
The Geek’s Best App
iStudiez Pro
This app allows you to expertly organise your timetable and your assignments, setting deadlines and allowing push notifications to remind you regularly. The app is also a godsend for it’s ease of use and the way all the additional organisation slots into your timetable is great for the super organised geek.
How to Succeed Academically:
Play by the rules
Avoid losing crucial marks by always reading the rubric at the front of the exam paper, or the essay question in full. Whilst most schools allow for a 10% tolerance on the word count, it’s a good idea to keep to the word limit just in case.
Get some sleep
It goes without saying that you will be more alert and able to recall key facts and figures if you have had a decent night’s sleep. If your exam is in the morning there is the added risk that you may oversleep and miss it completely, which happens more often than you may think. Set an alarm and don’t just keep hitting the snooze button. Also, try not to rely on your housemates to wake you up for an exam or deadline.
Proofread , then proofread again.
Losing marks for spelling and grammatical errors is so easily avoided; as long as you devote ten minutes to proofreading once you’ve finished your essay. Ideally, leave a gap between finishing the piece of work and proofing it, as you’re more likely to spot mistakes and pick up a few easy marks.
Verify your Sources
Always check your sources can be verified – Wikipedia in particular. If you cite Wikipedia in an essay you leave yourself open for ridicule and lost marks. Don’t just use internet sources either – utilising the library will make markers take your essay a lot more seriously, plus you’ll learn more flicking through the pages than you will surfing Wikipedia.
Plan and stay two steps ahead
Make a timetable for the year and invest in a calendar to clearly display deadlines and exams. This will help mentally prepare you for your assessments and you’ll avoid the stress and panic of that last minute essay dash if you’ve planned correctly.
Lectures
Make sure you attend lectures after a good night’s sleep so that you actually take some of the information on board. Also consider investing in a Dictaphone so that you can jog your memory come revision time.
Plagiarism
It’s essential to reference correctly in order to avoid claims of plagiarism. There are hundreds of useful referencing guides available free online which are only a quick search away and it’s worth familiarising yourself with these guides. Check with your department and tutors on the recommended methods of referencing (the Harvard and Numeric styles are the most common) and run draft bibliographies past your tutors before formally submitting your first assignments.
Eat to Succeed
Your diet affects your concentration levels and the amount of energy you have on any given day, so it's hugely important that you feed yourself correctly so that your mind and body are working to their maximum during exam season. Here are some tips for keeping your brain in order with a good diet during exams:
DO:
- Have breakfast with fruit juice – eating in the morning is essential.
- Have snack breaks, as a short break will improve concentration, but make sure it’s a healthy snack such as fruit or nuts as opposed to calorific chocolate or crisps.
- Keep hydrated, as your body needs at least 1 and 1/2 litres of water a day, although you can count tea and coffee within that amount.
DON’T:
- Have too much coffee, fizzy drinks or high caffeine drinks – they’re only setting you up for a crash later on.
- Snack at your desk.
- Finish every revision day with a self congratulatory drink at the pub.
- Eat too fast, or massive meals - you'll feel sleepy and struggle to study.
Not quite the Geek?
Are you
a)
The Boss
b)
The Dodger
c)
The Party Animal
^ Terms and conditions apply to Bonus Accelerator:
1. No claims discount will be earned providing no claims have been made (excluding windscreen claims or claims where all costs have been recovered).
2. 1 year no claims discount is not transferrable to another insurer at the first 6 month renewal.
3. If you cease to be a student, but have not made any other changes to your policy then we will continue this offer with the same insurer, provided your new occupation remains acceptable.
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