Surrey Love is your Union's campaign to support you through exams. We know that exam periods can be stressful for students so we are here for you, to help you achieve your full potential through exams. Running free wellbeing sessions, revision tips and top tips for exam success, our Surrey Love provides students with practical advice and guidance through January exams, Summer exams and Late Summer Assessments. 

Our academic advice team are also on hand to provide advice and guidance on Extenuating Circumstances. You can find out more here or, check below for our EC drop-in times! Our advisers can help support you in your EC and advise on if you have grounds and, which EC to apply for! 

Top Tips on avoiding Academic Misconduct or plagiarism: Avoiding Exam Misconduct (ussu.co.uk)

Send a #SurreyLove email

Think someone is great and want to brighten their day? Send an anonymous email to them to celebrate how wonderful they are and spread some #SurreyLove HERE

Revision Planner:

Download your May 2021 Revision Planner here: Surrey Love Exam Planner May 2021.pdf

Revision Events 17th - 11th June 2021

Our academic advice team are running EC Drop Ins through January to support students in their EC applications. If you have any questions or queries, then get in touch by attending a drop in or emailing ussu.advice@surrey.ac.uk 

You can find more information on ECs here 

If you are a Care Leaver or an Estranged Student:

During the exam period The University is providing Care Leavers and Estranged students with exam care packs! The packs are full of fun items which will put a smile on your face and help you relax!

Please fill out this form to indicate if you are a Care Leaver or an Estranged Student and would like a care pack.

If you express an interest a member of The Student Success Team will reach out to you with further details!

Extenuating circumstances drop in: 

Drop ins through January 2021 will run on Zoom and you can find the link on the @Surreyunion Instagram stories the morning of the drop in. Cant find it? Email ussu.advice@surrey.ac.uk 

Every Tuesday and Thursday throughout January (From 4th Jan - 30th January 2021) from 10.30am - 12pm 

Join the Zoom waiting room here: https://surrey-ac.zoom.us/j/95113077102 

Chat with an academic advisor for independent advice and guidance on your ECs. 

Student Minds Study Group: Virtual Event on Teams

Tea, Toast and Talk: Now Online!

Don't you know breakfast is the most important meal of the day?

Join Aaron and the Sabbs at breakfast time to kick-start your day right - you are sure to get your revision off to a great start with us. We will be in the Hive at 9.30 giving away FREE Breakfast, Teas, Coffees, Hot chocolate, fruit and everything you need to kickstart your day!

Grab some toast, a cup of coffee or a tea and join us online for a friendly informal chat, to get you going for your day ahead.

Wednesday 13th and 20th January, 9.30am - 10.30am in the Hive. 

Due to national lockdown restrictions, we will only be allowed four students at a time collecting their breakfast.

Support available throughout exams:  

• Contact ussu.advice@surrey.ac.uk if in doubt about ECs or academic regulations
  
• Contact your Personal Tutor or Senior Personal Tutor
  
• Togetherall (togetherall.com) - Previously known as Big White Wall
  
• Nightline Email is available (log into ussu.co.uk and visit the Nightline page)
  
• Centre for Wellbeing (01483689498, centreforwellbeing@surrey.ac.uk)
  
• Student Minds Charity (www.studentminds.org.uk)
  
• Samaritans (Call 116 123, this service is 24/7 and free)
  

How to take a break during exams:

• Schedule regular breaks
  - Recommendation of taking a 15-minute break every 50-90 minutes of work
  - Use a timer to stick to a schedule and break time
  
• Try to avoid using Social Media until your designated break time. Have you thought about turning your phone off?
  
• Coordinate breaks to catch up with friends (give them a call!)
  
• Ensure the time allocated to working is used effectively and efficiently 
  
• In order to get the most out of your revision time, make sure that you take allocated breaks for food and sleep - without proper nutrients and a chance for your brain to rest, your revision will not be efficient
  

Here are some recommended links  

https://www.topuniversities.com/blog/how-have-productive-study-break  
https://www.brainscape.com/blog/2011/06/how-to-take-a-study-break/ 

https://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Break-from-Studying 

What to do on a break?

• Exercise - this helps to increase memory and cognitive performance
  
• Tidy your workspace - having a clear workspace gives you a clear head and means your revision time is effective
  
• Have a conversation with someone
  
• Grab something to eat
  
• Take a shower
  
• Practice meditating - here are some links for you to follow:

  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw71zanwMnY
  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JslvBcIVtDg 

• Do some stretches - here is a link for you to follow:
  - https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Z8C4vfIeho8

How to minimise procrastination?

Changing your outlook:

• Don't punish yourself for procrastinating, instead, try and reward yourself for getting a task done
  
• Make a task list
  - Break tasks into smaller activities
  
• Don't dwell on perfection at first take, aim to get it done - you can always improve on something but you can't improve on nothing
  
• Self-talk motivation ('Aaron, you've got this')
  
• Do the hardest task first (then the rest of your day will be a breeze)
  
• Set a 15-minute timer to get started on something, once the 15 minutes has passed you will likely feel less inclined to stop
  

Exams during Coronavirus:

General:

• Choose your location
• Remember you have bibliU for your textbooks
  - Check you have access to material beforehand
  - Let the library know (library-enquiries@surrey.ac.uk) if you don't have access
• Breathe and take your time
• Take a break every question or so if you need to or can
  - In most cases you have 24 hours to complete your exam, so use them
• Don't feel guilty about sleeping. You can always read over work the next morning with a fresh pair of eyes

Location: At The Library:

• Bring food and drink to the last day
  
• Wear your mask
  
• Bring plenty of layers or a blanket (the Library can get cold due to ventilation)
  
• Get there with plenty of time
• Clean the area down
  

• Book your seat (https://my.surrey.ac.uk/news/new-library-booking-system)
  

Location: At Home:

• Choose your location (your room, a study, dining room...)
  
• Declutter the chosen space
  
• Communicate to the other members in your household of the times that you will be having an exam