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Can AI Help me Revise?

This guest post was written by Emma Duke-Williams (CTIL)

Revising, as all students know, can be challenging. It’s difficult to re-read notes, while making sure you understand what they mean, as staff rarely ask you to just regurgitate facts, they want you to show that you understand the content.

So, could Artificial Intelligence tools help you?

Hopefully you’ve seen the Use of Generative AI for Students published in September. This guidance summarises many points about Generative AI (GAI), including a list of (some) potential uses and some points to be aware of.

I’ll start with a few things you should know:

  • Generative AI does not know facts; it simply generates content based on existing content. It can’t validate the accuracy of its information.
  • Some sites require you to sign up and supply an email or phone number, which you may not be comfortable doing.
  • There are concerns about various ethical practices of these tools.

If you’re doing coursework or any graded assessments the University’s position is that you must NOT use GenAI unless its use has been specifically authorised by your lecturer in the assessment brief. This includes remote online exams (i.e. when you’re not invigilated on campus).

However, today we’re looking at your revision. Alongside your highlighter pen and flip cards, could GAI be another tool in your revision kit?

Let’s take some of the ideas for potential use of GAI and think about them in context of your revision.

If you’d rather not share your phone number with external bodies, then we suggest going to Bing.com, signing into it with your University Account and using Microsoft CoPilot. You may, of course, already have an account on ChatGPT, Bard, Claude, etc., in which case you can use that instead.

Once you’ve logged in to your GAI of choice, here are a few potential ways it can help you with your revision.

Summarising

GAI can summarise longer texts and documents to help you check your own understanding of the key messages and concepts presented.

There are a number of ways to do this, but I’d recommend following Nathan Beel’s advice. He reminds you to check what is generated, and make sure not to use it for your coursework. He also talks about using GAI to generate some multiple choice questions; perhaps you and a friend could both generate sets of questions from two different papers you should have read, and then swap.

There are other tools that will summarise pdfs, such as ResearchRabbit. You’ll have to create an account, and the free accounts are limited to 3 uploads a day.

Debating

GAI can act as a conversational or debating partner to develop your ideas and thinking. GAI is very good at answering questions you pose it. If you’re not sure about something, why not start a discussion with an AI?

Martin Compton has made a useful video demonstrating GAI discussions. You might also like a previous video of his looking at enhancing any lecture notes you might have made.

Understanding

GAI can help you understand tricky concepts. Hopefully, at this stage of the semester, you have covered the basics, and you do understand them! However, if you are very unsure of some of the content, then a quick question about some of the basics could help you. Remember, GAI can make errors, so perhaps using what it’s generated to “spot the ‘deliberate’ mistakes” could act as a useful tutor for you.

What other ways have you found to use GAI in your revision? Do you think it was useful, or do you have other ways you have found more useful?

Finally, remember, revision is critical; GAI can help you, but it shouldn’t be the only way you revise. You don’t have to use it at all, and if you choose to, it’s most effective alongside a range of strategies.  

Good luck with your exams!

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How do I Manage my Time in Exams?

When we talk about exams, we often explore strategies for effective revision, such as active learning or making a revision plan. It’s true that strong revision techniques are the best way to do well in exams, but there are also strategies that can improve our performance once we’re actually in the exam itself.

In this blog, we’ll explore seven top tips that will help you do your best in your upcoming exams.

  • Read the Instructions: Before diving into the questions, take a moment to carefully read all instructions provided by the examiners. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what you need to do in each section. For instance, do you need to answer all questions in a section, or just choose one or two? Are your markers looking for lengthy answers, or just a full bullet points? Getting clear on these points before you start writing will save time later on.
  • Skim the Questions: Begin by quickly scanning through the entire exam paper. Identify questions that you find relatively easy and can answer quickly. Getting an overview of the whole exam helps you mentally prepare and boosts your confidence by reminding you how much you know!
  • Create a Time Budget: Break down the exam into manageable segments, considering how much time you have for each section. Prioritize your tasks based on the point value of each question. A common mistake is to spend too much time on a single question, meaning you run out of time to answer the others. For example, if a two-hour exam has four questions, all worth 25%, then you should spend approximately 30 minutes on each of them. It may help to write a little timeline for yourself, then keep an eye on a clock throughout the exam to make sure you stick to your schedule.
  • Start with What You Know: Once you’ve scanned the exam, start with the questions you are most familiar with or find easiest. This strategic approach work for two reasons: first, it helps build confidence as you work on a familiar topic; second, it makes sure you don’t spend all your time working on difficult problems while you run out of time to put down the information you already know.
  • Stay Calm: Exams can be a stressful experience, but staying focussed will help you do your best work. Try taking a few deep breaths to calm your nerves, or close your eyes and meditate for a minute. If you can’t think of what to write, pull out some spare paper or open a new document and try writing down whatever comes to mind, in any order. An ideas dump at the beginning of an exam can help you get important facts out of your head, then you can structure them into full answers later.
  • Flag and Return: Don’t let yourself get stuck on difficult questions. When you find something you can’t answer right away, flag it and move forward. Returning to challenging questions after completing the rest of the exam ensures that you make the most efficient use of your time. As you answer other questions, the your mind will be working on the original problem in the background. When you come back to it at the end, you may even find the answer has already come to you!
  • Review Your Work: If you have time, save a few minutes at the end to review your answers. Pay attention to areas where you might have made errors or could provide more detail. A thorough review not only helps catch mistakes but also allows you to refine or add material that can make your answers even better.

Doing well in exams is mostly about good revision, so make sure you check out our other resources on revision techniques! Once you’ve got those down, though, the strategies here will make sure you do your best in your exams and truly demonstrate everything you’ve learned.

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Recovering After Exams

After weeks of revision, spending countless hours packing a whole semester’s worth of material into our brains, exams are finally over. Instead of spending our days in the library, we can finally relax and do whatever we want. Instead of staring at our screens, we might finally get the chance for a little “me time.”

Except, recovering after a stressful exam season is harder than it sounds. It can be hard to relax properly and stop feeling stressed all the time. It might be difficult to know what to do with our time now that we’ve lost the structure of uni. And, on top of all this, it’s quite likely we’ll come down with a cold or other post-stress illness.

So, how do we recover well after exams? Read on for our three top tips!

Recognise the Let-Down Effect

We’ve all heard that stress can make us ill, but the reality is that stress can actually boost our immune system— for a little while. Moderate amounts of stress make us less likely to get sick during stressful times, but when the stress is removed (e.g., after exams are done) our immunity drops. It’s so common to get a cold after exams that this even has a name: the Let-Down Effect.

All the strategies in this blog post will help combat the Let-Down Effect to some extent, but the best thing you can do is to keep up some level of activity. Instead of staying in bed all day binging Netflix, make sure to get up and go for a walk/run. Alternatively, give your brain something to keep it busy, like a good book or a puzzle game. Short bursts of moderate physical and mental activity can soften the Let-Down Effect and prevent us from getting ill.

Reconnect with Your Subject

Chances are, you probably didn’t find exam time much fun. One of the sad parts of being a student is that sometimes all the hard work can crowd out our love for our subject. Once exams are done, however, you have time to explore things you’re genuinely interested in without any pressure.

Over the holidays, take time to enjoy your subject. If you study English, read a book just for fun. If you’re into languages, watch a foreign film. A geographer could go walking in the hills, or a chemist might follow the news to learn about recent breakthroughs in the field. Whatever it was that got you into the subject in the first place, try doing that thing again. Don’t worry about any of this being useful or related to your modules; the only criteria is it should be interesting to you.

Rebalance Your Life

We talk a lot about the importance of Work-Life Balance during busy times of year, but what about during quiet times? It can be hard to know what to do with ourselves once the busyness of semester is over. In this case, it’s important to remember two things. Firstly: it’s okay to rest sometimes! You don’t always have to be doing things, because our value as human beings is not defined by our productivity. And secondly: good rest often looks like intentionally doing something restful. Instead of scrolling social media, try taking a walk or having tea with a friend or watching a favourite TV show. You’ll feel much better rested if you intentionally do something you enjoy, rather than sitting around doing nothing.

Of course, for many of us, the uni holidays may not be quiet at all. We may have caring responsibilities, or a job, or other obligations at home. If the holidays are a stressful time for you, it’s important to incorporate small elements of rest and celebration after exams. Have a special dinner one night to recognise your achievement, or plan a quick get-together with your peers. You can also try micro-breaks, like a five-minute meditation while you make tea or a short walk just before bed. It doesn’t have to take long, but even small pieces of rest and celebration can signal to your body that the stressful exam season is at an end.

Conclusion

Although settling into life post-exams has its challenges, it can also be a wonderful time to rest and recharge. It’s important to recognise some potential difficulties, such as the Let-Down Effect, and to plan to use our time well. If we’re intentional about staying healthy, rekindling our love for our subject, and celebrating out wins, then the weeks after exams can be a really enjoyable time to relax and reset our work-life balance.

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Managing Exam Stress

During exam time, it’s natural to feel stressed. The pressure to perform well, the overwhelming amount of information to absorb, and the fear of failure can all contribute to increased stress levels. However, managing stress during this crucial period is essential for maintaining a healthy state of mind and optimizing academic performance. In this blog post, we’ll explore four strategies that can help you navigate exam-related stress and cultivate a more balanced approach to your studies.

Make a Plan

Creating a study plan is an excellent way to regain a sense of control over your workload. Break down your study materials into manageable chunks and be realistic about how much you can accomplish. A well-structured plan will not only help you stay organized but also provide a clear roadmap, reducing anxiety and increasing productivity.

Make Space for Rest

Incorporating restful activities into your daily routine can have a profound impact on stress reduction. Take short breaks to practice deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga. Getting outdoors can also reduce stress by lowing your cortisol levels. All these activities help calm the mind, increase focus, and restore a sense of balance amidst the busyness of exams.

Stay Healthy

During exam time, it’s crucial to prioritize self-care. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well-balanced meals, and staying hydrated. Adequate rest and nourishment provide the foundation for improved cognitive function, memory retention, and overall well-being. Regular physical exercise, even in the form of a brisk walk, can also boost your energy levels and reduce stress.

Connect with Others

Remember that you don’t have to face exam stress alone. While it’s usually good to revise by yourself, it can also be helpful to occasionally study in groups. Similarly, save time to spend with family and friends, even when you’re busy. Spending time with others gives you a place to share worries and receive support. You can also get help from teachers, tutors, or academic advisors who can offer valuable insights and resources to aid your studies.

Conclusion

Managing stress during exam time is essential for maintaining both mental and physical well-being. By implementing these strategies you can navigate the exam period with greater ease and achieve optimal results. Remember, it’s not just about acing the exams; it’s about fostering a balanced approach to studying that promotes long-term success and personal growth.