Study Guidance and Tips

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 Study Guidance and Tips

Table of Contents
Welcome to Study Guidance and Tips .............................................. 3
Your Qualification .................................................................................. 4
How do you learn? .................................................................................. 5
Study skills ................................................................................................ 6
Planning your studies ............................................................................ 7
Using time productively ...................................................................... 10
Active learning ....................................................................................... 11
Mind maps .............................................................................................. 12
Tips for sitting your exam .................................................................. 13
Tips for written exams......................................................................... 15
Tips for exam with multiple-choice questions ............................. 17
Tips for coursework ............................................................................. 19
Referencing your work........................................................................ 21
Summary ................................................................................................. 22

Table of Figures

Figure 1 .............................................................................................................. 5
Figure 2.............................................................................................................. 6
Figure 3.............................................................................................................. 8
Figure 4 ............................................................................................................. 8
Figure 5............................................................................................................ 10
Figure 6 ............................................................................................................ 11
Figure 7 ............................................................................................................ 14
Figure 8 ........................................................................................................... 20
Figure 9 ........................................................................................................... 22

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 Study Guidance and Tips

Welcome to Study Guidance and Tips

We have all, at one point or another, had to study for a course.

We often don’t know where to start and it can make things seem more challenging than they
actually are.

This guide is here to help you.

We will look at various ways to help you study, manage your time and successfully complete your
qualification.

“Never do tomorrow what could be done

today. Procrastination is the thief of time.”
Anon

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 Study Guidance and Tips

Your Qualification
The first step to study success is to know what you are studying, what you will gain from each unit/
module and how this is going to benefit you. Below are important documents to help you start your
studying.

 Qualification specification
 Student handbook
 Study timetables (dependent on qualification)
 Study planners

All these documents are provided by us, for you, to help aid you in your journey to success.

How will this help me?

These documents tell you about:

 the learning objectives of your course
 how many units you will study
 how the course will be delivered
 how it will be assessed
 how to book exams
 how get help and who can support you

Now that you have all the above information, you can start to look at developing your study
techniques.

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How do you learn?

This might seem like a silly question, but actually it plays a big factor in how you should create your
study plan. We all learn in different ways; Figure 1 summarises the four main learning styles.

Figure 1

Visual

Physical
How do Aural
I learn?

Verbal

 Visual – you prefer using pictures, images and spatial understanding

 Aural - you prefer using sound, audio and music
 Verbal - you prefer using words, both speech and writing
 Physical (Kinaesthetic) - you prefer using your body, hands and sense of
touch
Maybe you already know how you learn best, but if you aren’t sure, you can take a test. There are
lots of different tests available online – why don’t you try out one or two? You might find you learn
best in a way you had not expected. It’s really useful to spend some time exploring your learning
style because you will be more productive if you study in the way that suits you best.

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Study skills
Once you know how you learn best, you can use this insight to help you with your studies.

Some of the suggestions might not work for you; others might suit you really well. You might find
that you can adapt a tip we have given and combine it with your own ideas. It really does depend on
you as an individual.

There is no right or wrong way, only your way.

Figure 2

Note taking,
Practising the
Study timetables mind maps,
skills learnt
diagrams

Getting
Recording notes
someone to test
to play back
your knowledge

Depending on the qualification you are studying, we also have webinars and
forums to support you. You can find out more about these from your student
handbook or from your course site. Your course site also provides a range of
other resources including quizzes, web links to further information and
specimen papers (again, the exact content depends on the course you are
studying).

You can also use is KnowledgeBank which can be found on your MyLIBF page -
www.MyLIBF.com. This provides many useful resources – for example,
resources to help you to understand more about how we learn and personal
development, and information on studying and learning effectively to help
pass.

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Planning your studies

Planning your studies helps you to stop putting off the inevitable!

Your exams will be here before you know it.

So don’t put it off any longer: decide when, where and how you want to study and create a study
timetable. You might have more than one subject to study, coursework that has to be completed
before your final exam, or work deadlines that clash with your exam preparation. Creating a study
timetable is a great way of managing your time.

Be realistic when you create your timetable. You need to try to stick to it, so make sure you aren’t
overloading yourself, and build in some flexibility, to allow for the unexpected. Use the study
planner on your course site as a guide to how long you might need to spend on each topic. The study
planners are based on the average time it takes a typical person to complete the course but don’t
worry if you are taking a little longer or need to put in more hours than suggested. Everyone learns
at a different rate.

Make sure your timetable allows time for you to do things other than studying, such as going to the
gym or getting out for a walk to clear your head. It’s important to take breaks between study
sessions.

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When creating your timetable you may also want to think about breaking up the study sessions into
smaller sections, over a series of weeks. Figure 3 is an example of a study timetable

Figure 3

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Morning Meet Jo to Summarise Morning

Revise topic Work coffee with discuss topic started coffee and
xxx friends research yest relax

Lunch break
Research Do weekly Type up
- Read text Work
work shop coursework
Go for a XXX
walk

Work Lunch Work Gym Read text xx

Summerise
revised work
from A.M Meets
Gym Walk Dinner Research friends for
catch up

Mind map
Meet friends Relax with Takeaway
info from New topic Party
TV night
text

You can see that this example includes plenty of breaks and time for fun, as well as studying. This is
just an example of what your timetable could look like – it needs to fit your needs.

If you are trying to fit in studying alongside full-time work, you might be thinking to yourself, ‘I don’t
have the time’. However, if you plan your time effectively, you might be pleasantly surprised by how
much study time you can fit in. Figure 4 gives you an example of how you might fit in study or
research while travelling to work. Our study materials are available online so you can access them
via your smartphone or tablet.

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Figure 4

Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun

7:30 Train to work - read Read novel Train to work - read Lie in Lie in
text Topic 1 text Topic 2

9:00 Test Write

Work knowledge key
with friend points
cards
12:30 Weekly Family
Lunch shop roast &
games

13:30 Gym
Work

17:30 Train home - use mobile to research Read Coffee

novel with
friends

20:00 Dinner Test on Write up Write up Drinks Takeaway Revise

with Topic 1 Topic 1 c/w with a night with with
friends friend family notes

Again, everyone’s needs are different, so adapt the example here to fit you. We are simply showing
you that even an odd half hour here and there can be used productively, and they all add up.
Studying alongside work can help you to become really effective at time management and this
valuable skill will serve you well throughout your career.

Think about where you are going to study as well as when. Will you be studying at home, with a
friend, at the library, or on the bus or train? Make sure that your main study space is clear and tidy,
and that any resources you need are at hand. If you plan to use your phone or tablet to study while
travelling, make sure that you’ve downloaded the content you need (or have access to wifi), that
your devices are charged and you have headphones to block out distractions.

Again this is different for everyone, so adapt it to fit you. We are simply showing you that you can
find the time, even if it’s the odd half hour here or there, it all adds up. This will serve you well when
it comes to being successful with your qualification.

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Using time productively

Now you have your timetable, make sure you use your time productively; you might be surprised by
how much you can do in a short period of time. Here are some ideas for how to use your time
effectively.

Figure 5

Record descriptions
Carry 'Key Points'
to listen to in the car / Use sticky notes
cards to read when
use your mobile when around the house
you get the chance
on train for research

Practise answering Create your own Create a song/poem

questions that you glossary terms to remember key
previously prepared facts

There are many other things you could do. Create something like a mood board but base it on the
topic you are studying; if you travel by public transport, take a book to read on your journey to work,
even if you only have time to bookmark information you need for your study session later.

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Active learning
Active learning means working with the materials rather than simply reading it and trying to take in
every bit of information. Making notes involves picking out the key points. You might want to ask
yourself key questions when studying and use the notes you have made as triggers.

Figure 6 provides a selection of sample questions you might ask, which you can relate to your
qualification where possible.

Figure 6

What is the impact of this concept or theory on the topic

studied?

What examples from my own experiences illustrate this

point?

Do I agree with the point being made?

What are the key points from this paragraph or section?

How does what I have just read build on the argument put
forward in the previous parapgraph or section?

After you have studied and taken a break, read through your notes and ask yourself if you
understand the content. Colour-coding information might help, depending on your preferred
learning style. Remember that recalling information gets easier with practice. Use your own words
when writing your notes. Link ideas together so that when you remember a key word you remember
other points.

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Mind maps

Mind maps are diagrams that link ideas between different areas. They are an effective way to plan
out coursework, revision and project work.

To create a mind map, put the topic in the centre. Then consider different aspects of the topic that
are related. You can use detailed comments, colours, pictures or simply key words, from which you
can lead into further ideas or points with more detail. This approach is useful for identifying further
links or organising and structuring your ideas.

Mind maps might not work for everybody, but if you learn by visual aids then give them a try. You
can add to them as you study.

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Tips for sitting your exam

You’ve followed our advice on getting to grips with your course and planning your studies, you’ve
studied hard, done your revision – and now it’s time to sit your exam! So let’s take a look at how
you can make sitting the exam as successful as possible.

Booking your exam

It is recommended that you book your exam eight weeks in advance to ensure that you are able to
secure a space. For further information on how to book your test please see the student handbook,
this can be found on your course site.

Before the exam

The night before the exam, make sure you have:

 Checked the time and place of your exam, how to get there and travel times, printed maps, etc.
 Packed all your exam essentials, ie pens, pencil, ruler, calculator (if applicable).
 Read through your notes one last time.
 A good dinner and a good night’s sleep.

On the day of the exam

 Eat a healthy breakfast.

 Double-check you have everything you’ll need for the day.
 Avoid drinks that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea or cola, as these are diuretics and could
make you need to use the toilet more often.
 Don’t keep going over your notes – you’ve done all the studying you can now. Go in with a fresh
head.
 Arrive early at the examination centre.

After the exam

 Try to avoid talking to your fellow students about the exam, as this can cause you to panic
and question yourself.
 Don’t judge yourself on what others have done.
 Remember that you’ve worked hard and revised thoroughly; you have tried your best.
 Take a little time to relax! Have a treat – get a takeaway, go out with friends, etc. Then you
can start to focus on what you need to do next.

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Exams also require time management; we have shown we are good at this through sharing our time
between studying and everyday tasks. So how do we do this in exams?

There are different types of exam: multiple-choice questions, written exams and coursework,
depending on the course you are studying. We will look at these over the next few pages. One thing
they all have in common is that you need to manage your time well to do well. The experience
you’ve gained from planning your time for study will help you here.

Figure 7 shows how to make sure you get through all of your exam questions, whatever type of
exam you are taking.

Figure 7

If you don't know the

If you know the
answer: do these
questions first, this
will build up your response but try to go
confidence and get
them out the way!
If you are a little
correct answer or
unsure but almost
think it may take
certain; give a
longer; flag these and
move onto the next
back to review at the
question, save time to
end!
relook at the end!

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Tips for written exams

Written exams can sound very daunting, but don’t panic. You can approach them in a similar way to
any other type of exam.

Written exams are different for

each qualification. For some, you
will be given pre-released
information (see panel); for
others, you will not get any
documents in advance.
Pre-release of information
Depending on your qualification, you may receive
information prior to your exam. This material is
important as it will help you with your exam
questions.

Make sure you read over it and understand the

information provided. If you have a tutor and the
rules of the exam permit it, you could ask your tutor
for help with anything you don’t understand.

You don’t have to memorise the pre-released

information, as you will be given a fresh copy in your
exam

The exam

The first thing to do is read through the whole exam paper and make sure you know exactly what it
is asking of you. For example, do you have to answer all questions or a specific number of questions
from different sections?

Having established how many questions to answer, you need to allocate time to each one; you want
to allow yourself time to answer all of them. Some questions may require longer answers than
others. The marks on the question are a good clue as to what is expected.

So where do I start?

Once you have established the questions you need to/will answer, you need to plan your answers.
Mind maps, which we looked at earlier, are a good way to do this, or you might prefer to create a
flow chart or simply a list.

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Planning your answer is important because it allows you to think through the points you need to
include and create an order in which to include them. Most written exam questions will need an
introduction, a middle section of discussion, and a conclusion. In your examination pack you will
have blank pages that you can use for notes; if you run out of these, and then just ask for some
more. Simply put your hand up and someone will come to you.

Once you start writing up your answers, make sure you stay focused on the subject. Keep an eye on
the time throughout to make sure you are allowing yourself enough time to answer all the
questions. Keep calm - don’t let yourself panic.

Once you have completed your write up, it is really important to reread the question and your
answer. We are all human and make mistakes; rereading will allow you to check that you have
answered the question clearly. If you see mistakes, simply put a line through the error and continue
writing.

There are some common mistakes that people make in exams; take care to avoid them!

Common mistakes made in written exams;

 Not reading the question properly

 Writing the exam you want to write, not the one you’ve been set
 Not writing an essay plan
 Leaving the easiest questions until last
 Running out of time
 Leaving the exam room early
 Poor spelling and grammar or illegible writing

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Tips for exam with multiple-choice

questions

The requirements and format of exams with multiple-choice questions may vary, depending on the
qualification. Some questions may need only one answer; for others you may need two. The single
most important thing to do is read the question and be clear about what it is asking you. Answer the
questions you are confident about first and leave the harder ones until the end.

Below are some more tips to help you.

 Read every word carefully – a single word can change the whole
meaning of the question.
 Be aware of any negatives in either the question or the answers - if you
find one, read even more carefully.
 Always read all the options before choosing, you may find two options
are very similar, but one is correct and the other is not. So make sure
you read every option before selecting your answers.
 Check the time throughout the exam to see how much time you have
left so you can prioritise.
 Make sure you answer every question; if all else fails, give an educated
guess. It is better to give an answer than to not answer the question.
Points are not deducted for wrong answers so it’s worth giving it a go.

It is really important that you follow the above tips; you don’t want to lose marks because you didn’t
read the question and answers properly.

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When you have been through all the questions you are confident about,
go back and do the following:

 Revisit the questions you are almost sure of and answer these.
 Revisit the questions that you are unsure about or do not know. Now
you can spend some time thinking about these. Some of the answers
might become clear on reflection, or you might find you are almost sure
about them and can give an answer.
 Revisit the questions you don’t know at all, eliminate the options that
you feel are wrong and decide between the remaining options.
 Check over all your answers at the end if you have time.

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Tips for coursework

Coursework can be an important part of your qualification (depending on the qualification you are
taking). The problem with coursework is that it doesn’t do it itself! So if you want to complete your
qualification and complete it well, you have to get down to it.

The first thing is to know your deadline and understand what is being asked of you; you wouldn’t
want to put in all that hard work and either miss your deadline or be completely off-topic. Such a
mistake could have a serious impact on your marks. Once you know what you have to do and by
when, you can start planning your time. We have already looked at how to plan your study timetable
earlier in this guide, and you can apply the same techniques to planning time for your coursework.

Once you have been set the assignment, it’s a good idea to make a start that day while the topic is
still fresh in your mind. If you can’t start it right away, at least write up a plan for tackling it. There is
nothing worse than getting to the week before your coursework is due and panicking because you
don’t know where to start or what resources you need and have forgotten important information.

It’s a good idea to complete your coursework over several short sessions, rather than trying to get
through it all in one go. At the beginning of each session, reread what you have written previously to
check it makes sense and is on-topic before continuing.

Structuring your coursework

• Introduction – explore the question; indicate what direction you will be taking.

• Discussion – develop a logical argument with various points and support it where
needed.

• Conclusion – draw together your ideas and summarise your argument and how this
has answered the question.

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Your first copy should not be your final copy. You want your coursework to be focussed; there is
always room to improve in everything. So now you have completed your first copy you will want to
check through your work and ask yourself these questions:

Figure 8

Does my conclusion
reglect the points I set out
in my discussion/ if not
have I explained why?
Have I answered the
question?
Is there any thing I am
missing to support the
Do I have an introduction,
answer?
a discussion and a
conclusion?

Does it make sense?

Does the essay flow?
(language, grammar,
(should it be rearranged)
punctuation)

You might want to get a fellow student or a friend/family member to read through your coursework.
Does it make sense to them? They may be able to give you feedback that might make you think of
something you could explain better or something you may have missed.

Never be tempted to copy someone else’s coursework. You can get into serious trouble for copying
the work of someone else and passing it off as your own. The person who let you do this might also
get into trouble. Coursework submissions are checked electronically and it is very likely you will be
caught. The same applies to copying from the internet too. If you do use information from the
internet, make sure that you reference correctly; we will talk more about this later.

Once you have gathered any notes or ideas from your first draft, you are ready to write up your final
copy. Again, always read through it and check you have included everything. If you need to include
references, make sure you have put in your reference page at the end of the document. In the next
section, we will talk about this and how to present it.

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Referencing your work

Sometimes you might want to quote material from other authors in your assignments. Paraphrasing
or using quotes can help to underpin your arguments. However, it’s important to keep quotations
short, as the idea of writing assignments is to explore the topic in your own words.

Whenever you quote the work of another author (this includes information on websites), you must
use double inverted commas (“like these”) at the beginning and end of the quotation. If you
paraphrase information that you have taken from somewhere else (eg the internet, a textbook, a TV
programme), you must make it clear that you have done this. If you don’t do this, you may be
investigated for plagiarism. It could lead to your mark being capped, or you might receive no mark at
all.

Our students have to use the Harvard referencing system. Basically, this involves putting the name of
the author and the publication date in brackets after the quotation or the section that you have
paraphrased. You then put full details about the source of your information in a reference list at the
end of your assignment.

There is lots of information about how to reference properly on KnowledgeBank. You must always
use references in your assignment if you quote or paraphrase work that has been created by
someone else.

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Summary
A summary of our guidance and tips:

Figure 9

Know your
qualification
structure/ learning
outcomes

Read all the

Plan your studies and information given to
Look at how you learn
time well you to make sure you
are on track.

Allow enough time to

Make sure you book
complete your work/ Check your work and
your exam! Don't
make sure you allow then re-check
leave it too late.
for you time as well

Make sure you make

Reference your work
the most of the
(if needed)
resources provided

Want to find out more? Have a look at our video resources on study skills on your course site!

Good Luck

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