I know this is a strange request. Don’t worry I don’t mean literally, hopefully, you aren’t rolling on the floor right now! I’m working at home currently creating content and new materials which means I get to spend a lot of quality time with my miniature dachshund Pepper.
Pepper is a typical sausage dog in that they are bottomless pits when it comes to eating. Food is her number one priority and she will do anything to get extra treats. I’ve been recording some new content for our Facebook group, and YouTube channel this week, so Pepper has had to amuse herself downstairs. The only time I get nervous is when she is quiet, it usually means that she is up to mischief!
I head downstairs to find her and see that she’s snuffling on the rug with something that looks like a treat bag. I quickly realise she has jumped from the sofa, onto the table (quite a feat with her tiny legs) to get the bag of treats. She has eaten the entire bag! I shout her name and tell her she’s a bad girl and her response is what she always does when she knows she has done something wrong, she rolls over on her back and shows me her belly. It’s so cute, I find it hard not to laugh and stay mad with her. She then starts whining at me until I scratch her belly and tell her she’s a good girl. (Yes I know I am a terrible disciplinarian!)
Thinking about this though, it is very similar to what students do when they haven’t put in enough work. There is the sheepish look, and a request for me to make it better for them in any way (I draw the line at scratching bellies!). Unfortunately, you are not as cute as Pepper so you will not get away with this technique – and there is only so much I can do, I cannot sit your exam for you, however much you might like that!
I suggest that you take certain steps to ensure you don’t get my disappointed face (no one wants this let me promise you) and get the best results in your exam
- Take accountability, you are doing this for yourself, and your career. From this create a learning routine and stick to it. Make a plan and work backwards to the exam, when are you going to start, and what times are you going to study during the week and weekends? Make sure this is little and often.
- Try and stick to the same times wherever possible, this makes it more of a habit that becomes ingrained. Use time blocking to help you.
- Finally, plan time for completing assignments or testing yourself with a multiple choice quiz. This active learning can help performance in the exam.
No excuses, you can do this!
