Proofreading Tips

Why do you need to proofread?

Constant redrafting / rethinking is ongoing during the writing process, but it is extremely important to leave time to thoroughly revise your work when finishing an assignment or essay. Editing and proofreading are about amending and correcting the final draft. Valuable marks can be gained by thoroughly checking and being critical about your work, and could enhance your grade from good to excellent. Follow these proofreading tips to get the most out of your work.

Editing

There are certain targets and criteria that need to be fulfilled in your work, for example, structure, intelligent analysis, arguments/counter arguments, adequate referencing, word limit etc. Editing is a process where you read your text and modify it to ensure that you have met your objectives and have produced a clear, coherent and accurate work.

Proofreading

Once you have a thoroughly edited piece of work and it is nearly ready for submission, the final stage of the process is to proofread the text in fine detail to eliminate mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation.

A few Editing and Proofreading tips

1.If possible, give yourself some time and space away from your finished work so you can be more objective when you return to it with a fresh approach. Mornings, after some rest, can be a good time to edit.

2. Find somewhere to work where you will not be distracted or interrupted.

3. Take regular breaks and do something else for awhile, it can be difficult to concentrate adequately for long periods. Check out our Pomodoro Technique article for further details on this.

4. Try printing a hard copy, leaving space to write corrections. Try larger text or a different font, sometimes a different format makes it easier to spot errors.

5. A blank piece of paper can be useful to cover text that you are not reading, point with your finger to help you focus on specific words.

6. Read the text slowly to yourself and then try reading out loud, as though reading to an audience. Does it make sense and explain clearly what you wanted it to say? Alternatively, ask someone else to read it out loud for you. At the proofreading stage this can also be useful for punctuation errors, are your question marks, full stops, commas correctly placed?  If you have assistive software such as Claro Read or Text Help then you can also use these to read the text back

7. Check referencing is accurate to avoid plagiarism.

8. Double check facts, figures, dates, names, statistics etc to ensure information is accurate.

9. Some people prefer to proofread looking for one problem at a time, for example, punctuation followed by spelling. If you commonly repeat mistakes, make a checklist of weak areas so you can constantly refer to it.

10. Reading backwards is a good tip to check spelling mistakes as it makes you focus on individual words instead of sentences. Use your computer spellchecker but remember this has limitations and won’t correct misused words, for example, whether, weather/ wear, where. Also make sure it is set to ‘British’ English, the default setting is usually ‘US’ English.

11. Do use a dictionary!

12. Finally, try asking someone you trust to do a good job to proofread your work for you, maybe ask another student and offer the same favour in return. It is useful for someone to look at a piece of writing, written by someone else, from a fresh perspective.

 

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7 Revision Tips To Boost Your Exam Performance

Exams are stressful. We get it. If you’re you feeling overwhelmed or nervous, try not to panic, help is at hand!

In this article we’re going to go cover 7 Revision strategies you can implement to increase your exam confidence, performance and hopefully your results.

1) Know the Syllabus

This sounds obvious, but being clear about key objectives means you can focus on necessary information and not waste time on irrelevant content. Ask your lecturers if they can supply you with specific syllabus details so you can then create a concise revision plan.

2) Plan a Revision Timetable Well in Advance of Exams

Last minute cramming is not effective and can be extremely stressful. Many exam failures are due to lack of preparation and planning. Make a timetable as detailed as possible, taking into account when your exams are and targets for each day.

3) Allocate Regular Breaks

Be realistic with your timetable, add plan plenty of rest/refreshment breaks. Scientific research indicates that having regular breaks means you have a higher chance of retaining relevant information. Check out the Pomodoro Method described in more detail in a previous blog post, adapt it to your needs.

4) Review Notes Regularly

Make notes from studying easier to revise by summarising information with bullet points. Make your notes visual by using coloured post-it notes, diagrams, mind maps etc. Devise a system to make it easier to focus on relevant information. For example,
– Highlight key words
– Circle quotes or formula
– Draw a box around place names
– Underline dates
Be sure to check with your tutors anything you don’t understand or are unclear about.

5) Practise Past Papers

Practising past papers will get you used to the exam format, timings and give you some indication of how thoroughly you know your subject, as well as areas you need to improve. Remember, the purpose of revision is partly to identify the things you don’t know well! Time yourself and plan your work as though performing under exam conditions. Although you cannot predict questions based on previous exam papers, examiners do re-use or re-word questions and there is a limit to the number/combination of questions that can be asked. Tutors will usually issue you with past papers and you can download them from examining board websites.

6) Group Study

Group study is not for everyone but a useful activity for some. Revising with others can make the experience more enjoyable and is a good way to share and discuss key concepts and stay on track. Allocate a different study topic to each of the group, learn thoroughly then brainstorm together, lighten the load. If you can explain a topic clearly to others it shows you have a good understanding. A word of warning, enjoy the group experience but don’t treat it as a social gathering and become too distracted!

7) Relax

It is important to relax, everyone wants to do well but remember not every success story is based on academic achievement! Take time out, try to eat healthily, get plenty of sleep and make time for some daily exercise. Be kind to yourself and do an activity you enjoy. However, if you feel overly stressed and anxious it is important to seek further support to help you deal with this. Most universities have a Student Health Adviser, University Chaplain or Disability Team who you can speak to in confidence, they will listen and help you to decide the type of support you need.  You can also check out our previous post and video on tips to relieve stress.

Good luck!

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What is Dyslexia? – A Brief Overview

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is one of a family of Specific Learning Difficulties which affects 10% of the population, 4% severely, it primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. It is a life long condition, usually hereditary, and can range from mild to severe. It can affect people of all races, is not reliant on social class, ability, gender and occurs independently of intelligence.

What impact does it have?

Individuals who are dyslexic can be affected in different ways in and with varying levels of difficulty. Some of the areas affected are :

-Reading
-Writing
-Spelling
-Information processing
-Speed of processing
-Sequencing
-Working memory
-Short term memory
-Time management
-Organisation
-Orientation
-Navigating
-Expressing thoughts

Other traits …

Many people with dyslexia have other strengths that can compensate for some of the difficulties they may experience, these can include: excellent problem solving skills, good spatial awareness and a high level of creativity. Some famous people with dyslexia are :

Under the ‘Disability Discrimination Act’, Dyslexia is an officially recognised disability and should not hold anyone back when applying for university, reasonable adjustments should be made to enable dyslexic students to be on an equal footing with non- dyslexic peers. Students are usually entitled to access support from the DSA and it is important that this should be applied for as soon as a university place has been confirmed. Support can vary and is dependent on a person’s individual needs but can include :

-Exam concessions, these can include extra time, a scribe, reader etc
-Extra time to complete assignments
-Extra tutorials to aid understanding
-Assistive technology
-Disabled students allowances
-A Study Skills tutor
-A Mentor

Albert Einstein, the famous theoretical physicist is also thought to have been dyslexic.Famous quotes include:

“The words of the language, as they are written or spoken, do not seem to play any role in my mechanism of thought.” (Hadamard, 1945, 142-3; see also Wertheimer, 1959, 213-228).

“I very rarely think in words at all, a thought comes and I may try to express it in words afterwards” (Wertheimer, 1959, 213)

 

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Productivity Hack #1 – Pomodoro Technique

Time Management Hack

Managing time effectively is important when at university, whether it’s studying, completing coursework or exam revision. It is easy to quickly become overwhelmed and feel that there is just not enough time to fit everything in. It can be useful, therefore, to employ techniques to help.

The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro time-management technique was developed by Frances Cirillo in the 80’s, so called because the timer he used was a tomato (pomodoro in Italian) shaped device.
In simple terms, the idea behind the now famous method is to focus intensely on a piece of work for a length of time, usually twenty five minutes, followed by a short break of about five minutes. These regular breaks reduce tiredness, help to clear the mind, reduce stress and in turn increase productivity, creativity and improved quality and quantity of work.
Even individuals with short attention spans find this technique useful, timings can be altered according to need. Procrastination is eliminated as people are motivated to focus completely on a task and achieve as much as possible before the timer rings, therefore using time more effectively.
The technique is not suitable for all tasks but try experimenting with it to see if your performance is enhanced!
Pomodoro Stages
1 – Remove all potential distractions
For example, close your email browser, switch off social media, put your phone on silent, let people know you are not to be disturbed.
2 – Plan
Decide which tasks need to be completed and how many sessions are needed to do this. The timings recommended can be personalised to your preferences. Multi-tasking doesn’t really work with this method, it’s really about breaking longer tasks into shorter, achievable sessions. Be realistic!
3 – Work
This should be easier without distractions, start the timer, breathe and focus! Sometimes, even with the best planning, interruptions will happen. If they do, it’s important to note that the session then ends and another session needs to begin when the distraction has been eliminated. If unrelated thoughts pop into your head, jot them down on a piece of paper to be dealt with later and carry on with the main task.
4 – Take a break
Now take that five minute break, have a drink, stretch, have a short walk or get some fresh air. Have a piece of paper to tick off when tasks are completed.
5 – Repeat
Begin a new session deciding what you are going to focus on. After a few sessions, usually four, have a longer break, 20 to 30 minutes, maybe have some food and clear your head. Begin further sessions feeling refreshed and motivated to work.
Further reading – Cirillo’s book – The Pomodoro Technique.


Have fun implementing!  Cheers, A2B Assessments
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How To Survive Financially At University

If possible try to save some funds before you go to university, find a holiday job and try to accumulate some savings.

Shop around for a student bank account with good incentives but also the one that will meet your longer term financial needs. Freebies can range from interest free overdrafts to gift cards and free railcards. However look at the small print and the overall best deal. Don’t be too easily seduced, they want your business.

Resist spending your three monthly student loan instalment in the first week or you could quickly spiral into long-term debt. It’s a good idea to divide payments into weekly amounts and try to stick to this. It sounds boring but it is a great idea to devise a budget plan and keep a record of incomings and outgoings and to try to live accordingly.

Prioritise rent and then food. Learn to shop wisely and visit budget supermarkets, their products can be excellent and you can make quite a saving. Search for cheap, healthy recipes, there are hundreds online with visual step by step instructions if you’re not the best cook. Don’t be frightened to experiment, it’s fun. Try not to buy too much fresh food at once to prevent waste and if you have access to a freezer, cook bigger portions and freeze leftovers or eat for lunch the next day. Meat is generally more expensive so more veggie based dishes can be healthy and cheaper and make packed lunches when possible  instead of buying food on the campus. Discuss with flatmates what you can share, for example, condiments, toilet rolls , washing up liquid etc, maybe agree to have a kitty for certain things. Another good idea in shared accommodation is to take turns to cook for the rest of the group maybe once a week. It’s usually cheaper to cook in bulk and hopefully ensures you have a decent and free meal the weeks it is not your turn.

Textbooks can be so expensive. Try to save by buying secondhand, try eBay or Amazon’s ‘used’ option. Try placing messages on Uni sites or social media asking if anyone is selling the particular books you want. Use your university and local libraries, if you think ahead you can reserve books in advance as you need them. Also sell your old textbooks if they are not needed to try to free up some funds, some bookshops even have buy back schemes if textbooks are in good condition.

Make use of your student cards, you can get both an NUS extra card and a UniDays Account. Many places offer healthy student discounts, these can include shopping, eating out, nights out at the cinema. Also look out for free/cheap deals for students. eg. free entry to clubs etc

Even with the best intentions university life is expensive. If your finances are not balancing, a part-time job may be a good idea. Apart from earning money, a job will provide you with transferable skills such as time management, team work, customer service and so on which will look great on future CV’s. Most universities have ‘job shops’ you can register with and local shops, bars and restaurants may be looking out for staff. If you don’t want a year round job, look around early for Xmas jobs, a few weeks of full time work can boost the budget for your return in the new year.

If you do find yourself in financial difficulties, seek help. Most universities will have advisers who can help and give advice about further support.

 

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7 Tips For Making Friends In Freshers

7 Tips For Making Friends In Freshers

1) First of all remember everyone is new and will be feeling excited but also apprehensive and a little shy/ nervous. Some people just hide it better than others. Most people are living away from home for the first time and like you are trying to find their feet.

2) Before you go to Uni, there is probably the opportunity to meet future fellow students and flatmates online. Most universities will have forums for new students where you can discuss courses and accommodation. Be proactive and utilise this, get to know people on social media and possibly meet up beforehand or get together on arrival, you will have made a head start.

3) Be friendly….you don’t have to be an extrovert or the life and soul of the party but try to be welcoming and approachable with your new flat mates/fellow students. You are going to be together for a large chunk of your first year so make a particular effort this week. Even if you’re painfully shy, good advice is to smile, introduce yourself, try to remember names and show interest in the people you meet, ask a few questions but keep it light. Remember they are probably feeling the same.

4) Try to get to your new accommodation early and unpack asap, it’s going to be a busy week and it will help make life easier if your room is organised and everything is at hand. You will meet people as they arrive and it also leaves you more time to socialise and join in with the week’s events!

5) Resist the urge to hide away  in your room, if you are unpacking leave the door open so people can chat if they are passing. If new people arrive, introduce yourself, maybe offer to make them a drink, pass your packet of biscuits around, food is a great ice – breaker.

6) Don’t overdo it but do try to join in with as many things as you can, be open to events on offer and join societies you are interested in. In fact, if someone asks you to join a society with them or try an activity that you hadn’t previously considered, give it a go, you may discover a new passion and at the very least meet new friends.

7) Try to enjoy the experience, you may not meet your lifelong friends in the first week but friendships will be forged. Stress not, you are probably there for at least three years and new friends and different friendship groups  will be established over time. Relax and the rest is easy.

 

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Free Software Showcase – AVG Antivirus

Why is having an Antivirus important for your computer?

Antivirus software plays an integral part in ensuring your computer is safe from malware and viruses. Malware causes adverse effects such as deleting your files without your knowledge, corrupting installed programs and in some cases can even expose your personal data.

So what is AVG Antivirus?

AVG is a free Antivirus that protects your system from malware attacks whether you are offline or online. AVG runs smoothly in the background of your machine and you can control the consumption of computer memory and other resources by controlling the automatic scans. It is generally ranked as the best free antivirus currently on the market.

What does AVG Antivirus do?

AVG performs several essential roles all of which are aimed at protecting your computer.
1. It stops malware and viruses from affecting your computer. This is from either the internet or any storage device that is connected to your PC.
2. Blocks unsafe downloads, links and emails which might harm your computer.
3. The antivirus also gets regular updates to ensure it is up to date with possible threats. It is advisable to ensure that automatic updates are enabled at all times.
4. It has scheduled scans on your computer to ensure any threat is neutralised.

Where to download AVG Antivirus

There are several places where you can download AVG Antivirus. We recommended the parent site avg.com. If for whatever reason that doesn’t work you can also get it on CNET or Softonic.

How to install AVG Antivirus

1. First, uninstall any other antivirus you may have installed before installing it. You can do this by going to control panel >programs >Uninstall a program and from the list remove the antivirus.
2. Go to the download folder and run the AVG install file.
3. In order to install, you have to accept the agreement.
4. Select the free license and the antivirus will start to install.
5. After that, restart the computer for the installation to complete and you’re done.

In conclusion, it essential you have an antivirus installed on your computer and AVG is all you need.

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