So, on Monday…I had my very first test of the year. While it wasn’t worth that much, there was an extra aura of heaviness around because not only was it the first test of the year, it was also probably everyone’s first university test ever. So, here’s some handy tips for your first test!

A FEW DAYS BEFORE

CHOOSE A STUDY SPACE. If you have one space that is dedicated to studying, you will be less likely to get distracted! Here are five places, all of which are within the City Campus:

  1. The General Library: Several floors with separated desks which is ideal for individual studying. Hard to get distracted in here because it is generally quiet and everyone else around you is studying too!
  2. Kate Edgar Information Commons: Level 0 of Kate Edgar has a common study space with lots of tables – can talk freely and do whatever. Also, the other levels of Kate Edgar have computer labs, where you can use the internet/print/photocopy to your delight.
  3. Owen G Glenn Building: The higher up floors have lots of little enclosed rooms (‘break-out rooms’) which could each fit a bunch of people – perfect for private group study sessions.
  4. The Science Centre: Lots of sofas and tables. Not exactly quiet as it is just another building of the Uni with students coming in and out for lectures and labs.
  5. Hall of Residence Study Rooms: If you’re any of the University hall of residences like I am, there will be at least one study room with computers, a printer, and lots of desks. The fact that it is literally in the building where you are living makes it so easy to get there.

MAKE STUDY GROUPS. It helps to understand the content even better, if you teach it to somebody else. It also gives you motivation to get stuff done, as you can work through papers together, share notes and quiz each other! #whatfriendsarefor

MAKE USE OF YOUR RESOURCES. The test was a pretty similar style to previous years, so make use of past papers but also the course guide, lecture recordings, online activities, and all that good stuff.

THE DAY BEFORE

BE ORGANISED. Make sure you know where your exam room is! It may be in a totally different faculty or building that you’ve never ventured in before, so a good idea would be to find out where it is the day before, to save you worrying on the day.

DE-STRESS. Take breaks. Clear your mind. I’ve been going to the Yoga classes run by the Auckland Uni Rec Centre. If yoga’s not your thing, there’s heaps of other group fitness classes available which you can check out here. Because I’m staying at a Hall of residence, I have free gym membership for the year (perks), but even if you’re not intending to stay at a hall, the Uni gym is really affordable (works out to around less than a $1 per day!).

SLEEP. All our mid-semester tests are evening tests which start at 6:30pm, so make sure you get a good night’s sleep the night before (no all-nighters!). Maybe even a nap in the afternoon on the day, if you need it. 

ON THE DAY

EAT. Like I said, 6:30pm exams. So, it’s important you’re fueled up with food to attack those questions. If you’re at a hall, all your food is fully-catered so you don’t have to think about this at all (more perks).

THE TEST.

  1. Reading Time. On top of your test time (eg my test was 1 hour), most Uni exams will have an extra 10 minutes of reading time at the start of your exam. During this time, you can flick through the entire test, but aren’t allowed to write or answer anything. Bless whoever invented reading time!
  2. Multi-choice. In Uni, a lot of tests are half multi-choice questions or even full MCQ. Chances are if you’re like me, the last time you did a multi-choice exam, was one of those ICAS ones many years ago…best tip would be to make sure you read ALL the answers before choosing.
  3. Time. Keep track of time. An hour goes by quicker than you would think!

 

THE DAY AFTER

RELAX. Treat yo self. You deserve it 🙂

Hard to believe but we’re nearly one quarter of the way through uni. Mid-semester break starts end of this week and I will be basking in the glory of 2 full weeks of no lectures/labs/tutorials/anything!