Exam season is upon us and, in case you missed the revision tips and techniques workshop in December, I’m here to provide you with some helpful tips for revision.

The key thing about finding your perfect revision strategy is not what technique to use, but how to use it. Students often *trick* themselves into thinking that they’re revising but, truthfully, the revision technique is not working for them. Finding the best possible technique will enhance your revision knowledge and ensure you’re not wasting precious time.

Below is a table of revision techniques alongside tips on how to make techniques effective.

Interesting fact to note: using highlighters and listening to music are scientifically proven not to be beneficial. Although it’s proven, if those methods do help you revise, then go for it. Finding your revision strategies is all about what works with you and how you can manage it.

These days you can take your revision anywhere with you just by using your phone. There are many strong and effective apps to use when revising, I’ve chosen my favourite and listed them for you.

Go Conqr   Allows the user to create mind maps, flashcards, quizzes, slides and notes to equip every student with a revision bank.

Evernote    Allows the creation of notes in multiple formats including checklists, sketches, photos, scans, audio, video, PDF’s & web clippings.

One Note   Similar to Evernote, allows the user to file notes into notebooks and multiple formats.

Instapaper Allows the user to save and store web articles (adjustable for ease of reading) which can later be read offline.

Pocket        Similar to Instapaper, allows the user to save articles for offline reading and tag articles for easy searching and recommended interests.

2Do             Allows the user to create organisable tasks, projects and checklists in a calendar-based time-management app.

Any Do       Similar to 2Do, allows the user to organise the tasks in a calendar but offers more options in terms of attachments and sorting.

Trello          Allows the user to create work-boards for projects and designate workflows in a project management tool.

Another crucial aspect to note when coming to revision is how you approach revision. Below is a table of dos and don’ts when coming to revision.

Don’t panic this exam season and take on board the advice in this blog post. Think about how you can make your revision work for you, and whether your current method is effective or not. Remember, eat, drink and sleep, missing out on these three things will impact your mindset and mentality towards revision.

Written by: DYLAN BOOTH

3rd Year Creative Writing Student

Student Advisor for Library & Learning Services

Learning Services is aiming to bring hundreds of unwanted textbooks back into the hands of students. The Pass the Book scheme is aimed at collecting used, old or unwanted textbooks and then re-distributing them in the new academic year. Your donations will not only allow students to save money on buying new textbooks, but it will give them the opportunity to explore new books that will help them with their studies.

If you have finished with your old textbooks why not pass the book and donate them to the Pass the Book scheme. To donate, simply bring any books to the Welcome Desk of the University Library.

#PassTheBook

After much success from previous years the Pass the Book scheme is ready for 2018.

The scheme revolves around the idea of ‘giving back’. By donating your old or unwanted textbooks to the Pass the Book scheme you are ‘giving back’ to other students who will be able to use these books for their studies or personal enjoyment.

Instead of forgetting about your unwanted textbooks and leaving them in a cupboard to gather dust, donate your textbooks to other students at the University. We will then re-distribute all of the donated textbooks in the new academic year to other students at the Great Textbook Giveaway event.

If you would like to donate any books to this scheme then please bring them to the Welcome Desk of the University Library.

#PassTheBook

100 years ago a change occurred; women were given a voice.

After fifty years of campaigning the 1918 Representation of the People Act marked the first time any women, in the United Kingdom, were able to vote. Over the years that followed further Acts were passed generating more and more equality for women voters.

Jump forward 100 years and you only need to read the newspapers, or scroll through your social media streams, to see woman are again front and centre in many of the headlines around pay equality, sexual harassment and artistic recognition to name just a few.

Throughout 2018 Edge Hill University will be marking the 100 year anniversary of women’s suffrage with a series of events, installations, and activities across campus.

The University Library, in collaboration with the Students Union, are also recognising 100 years of women’s suffrage by bringing together a collection of reading material in the library foyer to keep the conversation going.

There are a wide selection of books on display from dystopian novels such as The Handmaid’s Tale to the history of women in Britain to explorations into feminist movement. If you are keen to read more about women’s studies there are lots more books on the 2^nd floor of the library (shelfmark 301.412 is a good place to start) or have a search of the library catalogue for your topic/title of choice.

If you are interested in having a chat about all things feminism the SU will be hosting a self-defined women only brunch entitled Food and Feminism on Tuesday 13^th February (11am-1pm). And on Thursday 8^th March they will be asking self-defining females across campus: What would be your message to other women? as part of the celebrations for International Women’s Day.

You can read more about the University’s Wonder Woman project on their webpages and be sure to join them in Hale Hall on Tuesday 6^th February (11am-2pm) for their Wonder Woman Launch Event.

Learning Services 👻 It may be a scary time of year but Learning Services is on hand to give you all the support you need to help you study happier and healthier. Come along to one of our special, spooky, workshops all next week to learn how to manage your time, be more organised, relax your mind, find your resources, stop procrastinating and take the fear out of presenting!

All workshops will take place in the University Library meeting room, which has been spookily renamed the LS Meeting Room of Doom for one week only! The meditation workshop required a more serene and open space so look for this one in the Dance Studio, over in the Wilson Centre, and the free healthy snacks and mindful activities will be available at the Ask Desk every weekday 11am-4pm.

️Manage your time and be a more organised you!
Monday 30^th October, 12pm-1pm – LS Meeting Room of Doom

Are you struggling to find enough hours in the day to get everything done, and on time? Come along to our free workshop and learn how to be a more organised you! Evaluate how to plan your time more effectively, identify gaps you could be using better, explore tips and tools to help prioritise and organise your studies!

Meditation, relaxation and clear your mind!
Tuesday 31^st October, 1pm-2pm – Dance Studio, Wilson Centre

Students – do you struggle to keep on top of your workload? Would you like to reduce stress and anxiety in the run up to deadlines? Meditation can help you to focus and concentrate better and for longer, reduce anxiety and boost your energy and sleep quality – all of which could have a positive impact on your studies.  Come along to our free meditation taster session! Learn to meditate in a relaxed environment using a simple, non-religious technique.

Take the stress out of finding resources!
Wednesday 1^st November, 1pm-2pm – LS Meeting Room of Doom

Are you feeling forever lost when looking for your resources? Are you struggling to use the library catalogue or overwhelmed by all the results in Discover More? Then this is the workshop for you – come along and be guided through the top tips and techniques to take the stress out of finding resources!

Stop procrastinating and be proactive!
Thursday 2^nd November, 12pm-1pm – LS Meeting Room of Doom

Do you get high levels of anxiety at the thought of starting tasks? Do you get frustrated and your tolerance levels reach a new low at the thought of completing yet another piece of work? Then come along and explore hints and tips to overcome procrastination, improve motivation and productivity towards your academic work!

Take the fear out of presentations!
Friday 3^rd November, 1pm-2pm – LS Meeting Room of Doom

Are you scared to take centre stage to present your work? This workshop will cover the different stages of putting together a powerful presentation from practical tips to confidence techniques. How to recognise the importance of planning and structuring your presentation, learn how to create a presentation that is both accessible and visually appealing and discover how to deliver to an audience with confidence!

Take a break with free healthy snacks and mindful activities (drop in)
Daily, 11am-4pm – Ask Desk

It is well known that one of the most important factors to be successful at University is your health and wellbeing, and sometimes we all need a little bit of a boost! A lot of burn the candle at both ends but it is important to find a good balance between valuable time for yourself and time for study. Come along to the Ask Desk all week (11am-4pm) to fuel your brain cells into action. There will be free healthy snacks and water and you can take a well-earned break from your studies. Please note free healthy snacks and water will be limited each day – first come, first served!

So come along and learn how to study healthy, study happy!

_________________________________________________________________________

If you are looking for some entertaining downtime you can also watch our 🎃 Spooktacular BoB Playlist 🎃 free online now! _________________________________________________________________________

Learning Services wishes a very warm welcome to all new students joining us this year…and, of course, this welcome extends to all our lovely returning students too 👋

Over the next few weeks there is going to be a lot of information coming your way to help you settle in to University life, so we thought this handy overview may help you pick out the important bits! 🔎

The University Library will be offering 8 days of student led support as we invite you to join our current students for…

• Student Led Library Tours: a short tour around the library building, and facilities, to familiarise yourself with what will soon become your second home on campus!
• Student Led Learning Edge Support: all tours will include an overview of the essentials you will need to know when accessing resources with a virtual guided tour of Learning Edge!

Tours and Learning Edge support are available on a drop in basis (no booking required) and will run every half hour on the following days…

• Monday 18^th September            10am – 3:30pm
• Tuesday 19^th September           10am – 3:30pm
• Wednesday 20^th September     10am – 3:30pm
• Thursday 21^st September          10am – 3:30pm
• Friday 22^nd September              10am – 3:30pm
• Monday 25^th September            10am – 3:30pm
• Tuesday 26^th September           10am – 3:30pm
• Wednesday 27^th September     10am – 3:30pm

New for 2017/18 we will also be offering two evenings of Twilight Tours for all those busy bee’s unable to make it to one of our daytime events. Again, these are available on a drop in basis (no booking required) and will run every half hour on the following evenings…

• Tuesday 3^rd October        6pm – 8pm
• Thursday 5^th October       6pm – 8pm

We look forward to seeing you all in the library, and at your Learning Services Induction session, very soon!

If so, Learning Services would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best in your future accomplishments, be that further study or starting out on your chosen career path.

We would also like to remind you that all library stock needs to be returned to us by 5pm on Thursday 15^th June*

*exceptions apply to Faculty of Education students out on placement!

Did you know that you can still access library resources after graduation?

Apply for an Alumni membership of the University Library after graduation to access our learning spaces, selected electronic resources and to borrow library stock from any of our sites.

If you have any books of your own taking up space on your bedroom floor don’t forget we are collecting for another #PassTheBook textbook giveaway in October 2017! Drop in any unwanted books at Ormskirk, Aintree or Manchester and we will ensure they go to a good home come the new term!

If you have any queries please contact us via Ask Us.

Congratulations to you all and enjoy your graduation! 🎓

Learning Services

Twitter @EHULearnService
Instagram @EHUlibrary
Facebook EHULearnService

Easter is finally upon us and the overindulgence can officially begin this weekend (or from today, we won’t judge 😉) but rest assure we will be offering lots of opportunities for you to overindulge in the library too!

This year 24/7 will only eggsit for a week so you will have uninterrupted access to the University Library until 9pm on Wednesday 12^th April…and 24/7 will return from 8am on Wednesday 19^th April.

In between we will be open as follows…

So why not join us this Easter to take advantage of a quieter campus and all we have to offer at the library…

• Networked PCs, loanable laptops and free eduroam Wi-Fi
• Access to over 256,000 items including books, journals and audio-visual resources
• Printing and photocopying
• Bookable individual and group study rooms
• A range of study zones – group work, quiet work and silent study
• Access to help and support *during desk hours
• 24/7 access to PCs in the LINC – available 365 days a year!

And if you cannot bear to part with your home comforts just yet, you can always visit us virtually…

• Access over 170,000 eBooks, 67,000 eJournals and a host of specialist subject resources 24/7 via our Library Catalogue and Learning Services webpages
• Contact Learning Services via our 24/7 Live Chat
• Search our knowledge base Ask Us for the answer to many FAQs including using Turnitin, Harvard Referencing and much more…
• Find support for academic writing, assignment planning, critical thinking and much more via our UniSkills offer
• Or give us a call on 01695 650800 during our desk opening hours

Happy Easter from Learning Services! 🐰

We are once again entering a demanding period on campus with lots of deadlines, dissertations and revision taking place within the University Library!

From Monday 13^th March we will be re-launching our anti-noise campaign to promote a study focused atmosphere across the library and we need YOU to consider your fellow students studying around you!

To help you find the appropriate space for the kind of studying you want to do we have simplified the different areas into a handy guide…

For Silent Study

• Use the Silent Study Room on the 2^nd floor of the Library

For Quiet Study

• Use the 1^st and 2^nd floor of the Library, including bookable Individual Study Rooms*

For Group Study

• Use the Ground floor of the Library, including bookable Library Group Rooms*

For Social Space

• Use the 1^st floor of the HUB

*How to book an Individual Study Room or Group Study Room

• Option 1: Log in to GO and select “Room Booking” under the Learning Resources option in the Student Services box.
• Option 2: Log in to GO and choose Learning Edge – the option to book the rooms is then on the left hand side under your faculty pages.
• Option 3: If already logged in to GO go direct to the room booking page.
• Rooms can be booked up to 2 weeks in advance.

Staff will continue to monitor noise levels across all of our learning spaces but if you do experience any inappropriate behaviour from other students, please report this immediately to a member of library staff.

You can report any problems to library staff in a number of ways…

• ANY TIME: Visit a member of staff at the Welcome Desk (Ground Floor)
• DESK HOURS: Text us your location – 0161 375 16 08
• DESK HOURS: Tweet us @EHULearnServices
• DESK HOURS: Post on our Facebook Page – Edge Hill University, Learning Services
• DESK HOURS: Or if you would prefer to report discretely send a direct message to us on Twitter @EHULearnServices  or Facebook Edge Hill University, Learning Services

Please note DESK HOURS are Monday to Friday 8am-9pm + Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm. Outside these hours please report direct to the Welcome Desk on the ground floor.

As much as we are all looking forward to the festive feasts (and post-feast naps) ahead I am sure many of you are not looking as forward to the approaching deadlines and revision…but fear not as the University Library will be open during the Christmas period so you can access all you need to succeed!

Christmas Opening Hours

Full help desk services will be available during opening hours but please note it will be self-service facilities only on Friday 30^th December.

So why not visit us between Christmas and New Year to take advantage of all we have to offer…

• Networked PCs, loanable laptops and free eduroam Wi-Fi
• Access to over 265,000 items including books, journals and audio-visual resources
• Printing and photocopying
• Bookable individual and group study rooms
• A range of study zones – group work, quiet work and silent study
• Access to help and support – staff will be available at the welcome desk
• 24/7 access to PCs in the LINC – available 365 days a year!

Of course if you aren’t quite ready to leave the house just yet you can always visit us virtually…

• eResources are available via our Learning Services web pages and Library Catalogue – you can access 172,400+ eBooks, 64,900+ eJournals and specialist subject resources 24/7.
• Contact Learning Services via our 24/7 Live Chat
• Search our knowledge base Ask Us for the answer to many common queries including using Turnitin, Harvard Referencing and much more.
• Get support with academic writing, assignment planning, critical thinking and much more via our Uni Skills offer.
• Give us a call 01695 650800 during opening hours.

Merry Christmas from us all at Learning Services 🎄