A key part of revision is research. Whether you’re actively seeking out new papers or just brushing up on material from the module, finding and reading the right information will be central to your revision.
Typically, we’d associate revision and research with going to the library. While we are not yet back to pre-COVID normality on campus, the Library is still available as a place of study for those who take solace among the books, provided COVID safety restrictions are adhered to. A key one of the restrictions is pre-booking your study desk before attending the Library, as we are still operating at reduced seating capacity. You will also need to abide by social distancing of two meters and wear a face covering throughout your stay at the Library.
The Library offers more than just a quiet space for study, though, as it also provides you with access to the resources that your lecturers recommend you read for your module. Most lecturers use our Resource List platform to organise the reading for a module. Revisiting this list should be on your revision agenda, making sure you haven’t skipped over anything important and supplementing your course notes with evidence you can cite in exams.
To learn more about the library and resource lists, watch the recording of our Lightning Session. Then, keep scrolling to read our Top Tips for making the most of your revision time!
Top Tips for Research
Before beginning to research, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. The questions below will help you identify how much reading you need to do and how to focus on key sources.
- How many sources you will realistically need to cite or refer to during your exam? This will vary depending on your exam format and your tutor’s instructions.
- What sources are key to the module and would be expected to be referred to in an exam answer? For example, is there a key theorist or expert in that area, or a core text your lecturer used?
- What are the key points you can distil from an article and how do these fit into the learning objectives of the module?
- Do you have any gaps in your knowledge? The recommended or further reading suggestions in the Resource List might held fill these!
- Will you be expected to format references in a certain way during an exam? Having references prepared and ready to copy and paste into an answer will save time and avoid stress!
- Organising and cross-referencing your sources by topic in your notes can also help you to structure your exam answers and find the information you need under time pressure.
Top Tips for Reading
If you’ve suddenly discovered you have far more reading to do than you thought, never fear! In that case, try some of these efficient reading tips:
- Read the introduction and conclusion first to judge if it’s worth committing to reading the whole source.
- Look for landmarks such as subheadings to get to the most relevant sections.
- Make notes as you read to highlight key points and to reflect on how this might apply to an exam question.
If you have any difficulties accessing a resource recommended on a Resource List, have a question about using the Library for study, or want advice on referencing a source please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Library.
This blog post was written by Kayleigh McGarry, Digital Skills Librarian.