Have you had some results back that you weren’t expecting? While assessments can be stressful, resits and retakes bring a new element of anxiety to sitting exams, especially if you need to pass. It can be a knock to your confidence and feelings of worry and self-doubt may creep in. What is important to remember is that you are not alone. We’ve pulled together a collection of resources, services and handy tips to help you prepare to resit any assessment calmly and with the confidence to pass.
Firstly, get in the zone
To help set yourself up for success, you may need to put some healthy habits in place to help keep your mind and body in a good place.
- Recognise this will be a stressful period. Although unpleasant, it is completely normal to feel nervous during this time. You won’t feel like this forever.
- Setting up a routine will work wonders for your mental and physical health. Plan out your days and make sure you’re giving yourself enough time to have breaks, eat proper meals and get a good night’s sleep.
- If you feel you are able, try and move your body or exercise, whatever that looks like for you. Research shows that moving your body alongside study is great for improving memory retention, relieving stress, boosting energy and strengthening focus.
Start to prepare
- Set up a revision plan. It’s a bit boring and feels like it’s taking up precious time, but seeing what to focus on and when will help you plan your workload a bit better and avoid any last-minute cramming. The Student Success Coaches are great at helping with this. We’ll talk about them more in the study support section!
- You might be tempted to immerse yourself in work at the moment, but rest and breaks are key to absorbing information. Try and plan in chunks of work punctuated with breaks away from what you are doing. Go for a walk around campus, get some sun on your face or grab lunch with a friend. Fresh air and new environments are your brain’s friends right now.
- Go over your feedback. If you can pinpoint what didn’t go to plan in your first assessment, you can make sure you don’t make the same mistakes again. Set up a meeting with your personal tutor or programme/module leader to help understand how to improve. Alternatively, check out this web page to help you learn from your feedback.
- Try a new approach to study. If you revised with one technique last time, why not try a new one? Try not to just passively read over stuff – make flash cards, colour code information, record yourself, draw diagrams or get a friend to test you. Check out this reel for more inspiration on study techniques.
We got you!
It’s our job to help you, so make the most of what’s on offer to make this resit period a little bit easier.
- Our wonderful team of Student Success Coaches are specifically trained to help you through assessments and resits. Amongst other things, they can help you create a revision plan, learn from feedback, boost confidence, help with time management and be a non-judgmental listening ear to any issues you may have. You can meet with a coach face-to-face or set up a call, whatever suits you.
- If you need to brush up on referencing or academic writing skills, our study skills page will be able to help. We also have college-specific study support, tailored for your subject.
- If you are disabled or neurodiverse, this page details all the support you are entitled to including assistive technology and applying for reasonable adjustments.
- The library run a huge variety of study workshops to help with assessments and resits, as well as support with assessing databases, learning materials and e-books. If you have a question, you can always Ask a Librarian on our 24/7 live chat service.
- Remember to make use of your academic personal tutors, module leaders or programme leaders if you want to talk through anything or if you have a question.
Need someone to speak to?
If you are struggling, you are not alone. We have a huge range of resources to give you the help you need. This includes our Drugs and Alcohol service, The University’s Chaplaincy Team, the University Information Point and much more. We also have a 24/7 live chat through our Wisdom App which can connect you with trained counsellors.
And finally, remember, this is an opportunity give your assessment another shot. Learn from your mistakes but try not to dwell on them. Unlike the first time, you’ve been here before, so you know what to expect this time round. Keep your goal in mind and visualise yourself getting the result you want. Believe in yourself, look after your body and mind, and reach out for support if you need it. You’ve got this!