Exam season as a computer science student

1. Moodle

• Moodle is an excellent way to revise and is one of the best resources to utilise while revising for computer science.
• Computer science is made up of many different modules. So having all of the lecture notes, the slides, recordings and useful websites and links available on Moodle helps you understand the different aspects of the course.
• Moodle also provides the opportunity for you to be able to view previously taught content. Usually in the ‘course introduction’ presentation - situated at the top of the moodle page - there is information on the lecturers/tutors that you can go to for support and guidance when needed.

2. Practicals 

• As part of the course, there are very regular practical sessions in order to incorporate and consolidate the content taught in the lectures. Attending practicals and asking the teachers for help is one of the best things to do to revise.
• This is very important during exam season, as the practicals are also usually carried out in very small groups. So, if needed, this allows you to ask the lecturer/tutor questions face-to-face. Since the group is small and the practicals usually run for 1 to 2 hours, there is more time to ask specific questions.
• You can usually use the labs outside of timetabled sessions - make sure to check if there will be a class in there before doing so. This can be made easier by using the ‘UOP room-check’ online tool. This is crucial as for specific modules, you may need access to a computer laboratory with computers that run Linux.

Regular Notes keeping and re-reading 

• Computer science is very content-heavy. For this reason, it's important to stay on top of the notes both during and after lectures. This is vital during exam season.
• In exam season, it is important to read over the notes that you made about the course over the year as end-of-year exams will take content from all over the course. So to stay prepared, it is important to cultivate this routine.
• Also, organising your time efficiently will help prevent any potential ‘burnout’. It is never too late to get started. If exam season is creeping up, ensure that you make these notes as soon as possible in order to stay prepared and ready once exam season officially begins. 

Are you preparing for an exam? Read our advice on revision and exams.

Asking lecturers questions via email / in- person 

• Technology has helped make asking for help easier. On Moodle, the names of the lecturers for each module will be provided as well as their email addresses. If you feel like you may require extra clarification or you have any further queries be sure to contact the lecturer.
• Alternatively, if you feel quite apprehensive about this and prefer an in-person conversation, after a lecture there is usually a 5-10 minute window for you to talk to your lecturer. This allows you to ask a question in the lecture hall, one to one, to the lecturer. However, do be mindful that there might only be a short time window available.

Take regular breaks  

• Whether you take a 5-minute or a 30-minute break, they're key during exam season - especially for computer science. The nature of the course means that for a majority of the time you are looking at a computer screen. Although this is expected, too much regular exposure to a computer screen for long periods of time can have side effects such as eye strain and headaches.
• So, whether you like to go outside for some fresh air or completely turn off the computer during your study break period, this will help improve your health over the long run.
• Being able to disconnect from the screen for a few minutes will also give you a mental break. Your energy, productivity and ability to focus will increase. It is scientifically proven that when studying the brain is more active than usual, which leads to an increase in glucose usage which will make you feel more hungry than usual. So, taking a quick break, and having a snack will help to fuel you for the rest of your studying.