Tips to avoid student syndrome

Are you one of those students who leave studying to the last minute and end up cramming everything in the night before an exam? Well, fear not, because you’re not alone. This phenomenon is known as “student syndrome,” and it’s a classic example of procrastination at its finest. In fact, cramming for a CIPS exam is a lot like rushing to get on an airplane or theatre – let me explain.

You know that feeling when you’re running late for your flight and you’re frantically trying to pack your bags, print your boarding pass, and get to the airport on time? Well, that’s exactly how it feels when you’re cramming for an exam. You’re trying to cram as much information as possible into your brain, hoping that it will all magically stick by the time you take the test. It’s a lot like trying to shove your oversized luggage into the overhead compartment while other passengers impatiently wait behind you – it’s not pretty, but you do what you gotta do to get the job done.

Similarly, when you’re rushing to get to your seat in a theatre before the show starts, you’re in a frantic state of mind. You’re trying to navigate through the crowds, find your seat, and settle in before the lights go down. It’s a lot like trying to memorize an entire module’s worth of information in one night. You’re trying to make sense of it all, organize it in your brain, and hope that you can recall it when it matters most.

But here’s the thing – just like rushing to catch a flight or get to your seat in time, cramming for an exam is not ideal. Sure, you might get through the exam and pass, but you’re not doing yourself any favours in the long run. You’re not truly absorbing the information or retaining it for future use. You’re just trying to get through the moment like a sprinter rushing to the finish line.  Remember that the CIPS advanced certificate right through to the CIPS professional diploma is constantly building on information, so you may be making life harder for yourself for the next module

So, what can you do to avoid cramming? Well, for starters, try to study in advance and break up your studying into manageable chunks. Review your notes regularly, ask questions when you don’t understand something, and don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it. And if you do find yourself in a cramming situation, take breaks in between your study sessions and try to stay calm. Panicking won’t do you any good – just like freaking out about missing your flight won’t get you to your destination any faster.

In conclusion, dear readers, cramming for an exam is a lot like rushing to catch a flight or get to your seat in a theatre. It’s a frantic, stressful experience that’s not ideal for anyone involved. So take a deep breath, plan ahead, and avoid the last-minute scramble. Your brain will thank you.

If you need help with your exam technique, we have a free download available here for CR exams and here for OR exams – totally free so don’t miss out!

Level 3 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1
3
2nd Oct, 16th Oct, 30th Oct
March 2024
M2 & M3
6
15th Jan, 29th Jan, 5th Feb, 19th Feb, 26th Feb, 4th Mar
May 2024
M4
3
15th Apr, 22nd Apr, 29th Apr
July 2024
M5
3
3rd June, 10th June, 24th June

Level 6 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1
3
5th Oct, 19th Oct, 9th November
March 2024
M2 & M5
5
25th Jan, 1st Feb, 8th Feb, 22nd Feb, 29th Feb
May 2024
M4 & M7
4
18th April, 25th April, 2nd May, 9th May
July 2024
M3 & M8
5
30th May, 13th June,20th June, 27th June, 4th July

Level 5 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1 & M2
4
4th Oct, 11th Oct, 18th Oct, 25th Oct, 1st Nov, 8th Nov
March 2024
M5, M15 & M9
4
31st Jan, 7th Feb, 21st Feb, 28th Feb, 6th March
May 2024
M3 & M8
4
10th April, 17th April, 24th April, 1st May
July 2024
M4
3
5th June, 12th June, 26th June

Level 4 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1 & M2
5
3rd Oct, 10th Oct, 17th Oct, 24th Oct, 7th Nov
March 2024
M3, M5, M7
6
23rd Jan, 30th Jan, 6th Feb, 20th Feb, 27th Feb, 5th March
May 2024
M4 & M6
4
9th April, 16th April, 23rd April, 30th April
July 2024
M8
3
4th June, 18th June, 2nd July