Just the one left now!!!

My last exam (Business and Company Law) is on the 24th of May. I have to answer three questions in three hours. Yes... I have kept on saying that it is just going to be theory!!! I had five days worth of revision and I just made notes and referred to cases back to back (Using flashcards). I am telling you that it is not easy revising for a course, which is purely based on theory!!! The information I read and wrote down, I found difficult to put into my head (It is the truth).
I had no background in law whatsoever but I was lucky enough to get tips and tricks from my mate who studied law in A-Level - he knows what to do. He has given me advice on how to get around case law and how to apply it into context. See you can depend on mates!!!

So what happened in my previous exam sitting?

Taxation (18th May) - I revised three days straight (an awful lot) for the two compulsory questions and a bit on the optional questions. I managed... yes managed to answer the full five questions in three hours. To be honest, the exam started really well for me as I answered the first two questions in section A within my target time. There were few problems (always are with me), which I had to deal with.

Overall, attending all revision lectures for three of my courses (no revision lecture for business and company law) have helped me so much just to prepare for the exams. Yes... it has been stressful to date and it was bound to be really. Therefore, my advice for you is to be prepared at any cost!!! (You will need to be - trust me).

So what am I going to do once my exams are officially over? - planning to focus on work and I have plans for my friends. Boy... I do need a break!!!

2 down 2 to go

I have taken two of my exams already in the same week. I have managed so far and yet there is another two more waiting for me.

I will break down what happened at the last two exam sittings:

Advanced Financial Accounting (10th May) - I was happy with the exam paper (very rare for my liking). There were only four questions, which I had to answer three only. I thoroughly revised for the three topics I was confident with because I knew from the start that it was coming up. The compulsory question on "balance sheet" and the two optional questions on "income statement" and "ratio analysis" questions were very long indeed (I totally ignored the theory question!!!). I had managed to answer all questions and I believe that I have done really well. It was not easy... especially the last question based on ratio analysis, which took me about one and a half hours to write up (I didn't expect that it would take that long... I was knackered afterwards!!!).

Management Accounting (14th May) - The questions that came up = I revised the same topics alone and with my mates - revision has slightly paid off for us. However, I was under some pressure and it got to me at the wrong moment... my mind started playing up with me while I was writing up the answer (Argh!!!). I know that I have lost significant marks... but hey, I tried my best all the way!!! (That really matters).

I have the taxation exam on Tuesday the 18th - I have revised for the two compulsory questions so far and I have still a lot to go over. Tax is no easy subject (trust me)... there is a lot to learn under income tax, corporation tax and others too. In the exam, we are going to be assessed on different areas on tax - computing on how much tax is payable/repayable by the taxpayer etc. That is why I have to be prepared and hope for the best really.

Better be off and revise for the tax exam. Thanks for reading.

No joke... first exam is 2moro (MONDAY the 10th)!!!

I cannot believe it myself that my exam is tomorrow and I am blogging away in front of my computer. See I am doing this for you lot out there!!!

Ok first question to myself: Am I fully prepared for tomorrow's exam? I am there... believing that I will be ok... do not want to speak too soon (you know what I mean). I have worked so hard with all my coursework for all modules... so why fall at the last minute. I am definitely giving my all tomorrow... if I don't then I will fail the exam - simple (I don't want that!!!). I have told all my mates and my cousins to pray for me... I know that they will - I really depend on them.
This week was just full on revision for tomorrow's exam of course and the second exam, which is on the 14th. Yes, you know me by now - the key word REVISION!!! I kept on saying revision, revision and more revision to nearly all of my blog entries (What else can I write about? - I am a student though). I am paying my tuition fees (tuition fee loan) so I better make an effort to achieve good grades - it is obvious. It will pay off in the end... you watch!!!

When you eventually get to university... you will definitely experience highs and lows of university life so take the chance when something good comes and be prepared for everything!!! That is all I can say to you. I have enjoyed moments at this university to date and I hope that it carries on.

A little word about snooker - What was John Higgins thinking?!!! Taking that bribe was shameful... News of the world has video evidence about it too. I hope that he can clear his name but it has obviously shown a bad name for the sport. Anyways, the final went ahead and it was full of mistakes - bound to happen because each player was under a lot of pressure (It was good!!!).

You all probably have exams too - all I can say is that I wish you all the very best and wish me luck for tomorrow!!!

1 more week to go!!!

Ok it is time to look at reality now as my first exam is only a week away. I am trying my very best not to panic because it will be disastrous for me (You wouldn’t want that to happen to you?). I have two tough exams in the first week – it does hurt when you keep mentioning this fact because I have only three days to revise hard for the next exam (We are all feeling the pressure).

This week was just revision, revision and more revision. Attended the revision lectures and tutorials for the three modules... just the one module left which is to be finished next week (WHY???). The revision lectures have been helpful to me because I had realised a lot of work is required for that particular topic and basically what not to expect in the exams.

The attendance in our uni library has increased so much that there isn’t that much space to sit and revise (Believe me... so much people!!!). It is obvious that they all have exams to prepare for as well. Anyways, me and mates decided to come in on Wednesday (usually our uni day off) just to work on past exam questions... it was a laugh too – yep it is true, we were attempting questions with little jokes kicking in... you know what I mean (you need your revision to be lively!!!).

Still watching snooker (Which I mentioned in my last blog entry)... it is getting better and better by the minute. Seriously, as we approach the final I just didn’t expect the finalists to be Graeme Dott v Neil Robertson (It is going to be a good match... hopefully). Both players have done really well - beaten the favourites to reach the finals. When the tournament finishes... I am going to miss it badly - Well then there is the world cup which is approaching fast... that is a plus point (just can’t wait – England should do well under Capello).

So I better carry on with my revision and watch a bit of snooker and football... better work hard just to get the grades I am anticipating for.

FINAL TERM :-(

First of all, I want to talk to you about snooker:

Oh yes!!! Snooker is on TV again (I am so happy about it :-) just what I needed... I just love it - all that tactical play etc etc. I am serious... Snooker is a relaxing sport to watch and I play it too. I would seriously recommend you to watch it - and yes... I bet most of you will say BORING. Well that is simply not the case!!! I have been watching snooker and doing my revision at the same time... it is the truth (The best of both really). It is just keeping me going.

The first week of the final term was just as I imagined:
Monday was good - went over an exam topic question in tutorial. Ok... when you look at any exam type questions on your own you seem lost... looking into ways to approach the question (starting point? etc). With help from tutors, it does look alright in the end (its true... something just clicks). I have a small seminar class on Mondays... and I like it that way - it is easy for me to talk to my tutor when I am stuck and she always answers my questions. The lecture was good too, covered the last topic of the module.

Worked on Tuesday at the enquiry unit. I generally thought it will be very hard to work and study at the same time (I was wrong). If you work to a timetable then you will be ok... trust me - the extra cash does come in handy.

I had the last in class tax test (VAT test) on Thursday. I did revise for it - mainly on number work but it never appeared on the test, it was just THEORY. Just wondered why it did not come up. I did manage to finish the test - may have lost some marks because I realised silly mistakes after the test. Not all is lost because it is bound to come up again in the May exam. After the test, me and my mate went over to the students union to play pool - just couldn't resist. The lecture was helpful again because we went over a compulsory exam question. Attending revision lectures do help with your exam technique etc.

Friday was equally busy - still learnt additional new topics. It is worrying for all of us now because the exams are coming up (Only two weeks to go). Anyways... you will need to consider it for revision.
That is it for this week... take snooker seriously!!!

HOLIDAY IS OFFICIALLY OVER!!!

Ok... the three-week Easter break has ended!!! Yes, it has gone so quick... no point in making excuses though - that is life! It is now time to act fast and face those dreaded exams in MAY - oh boy... it is just three weeks away. It just has to be done... am I ready and up for it though? erm... not yet!!! Still bits and pieces left to do. Guess I will have to make up more time and sit around my mates... nothing beats that. I have done my very best in managing my revision period - you know going over the topics, which are likely to come up in exams.

What have I done in the last week of my holiday?

Same as last week - I have been carrying on with my revision based on techniques mentioned on my last blog entry. I have done my upmost to keep my revision fun and lively... it had worked out a bit. The theory work let it down badly - I just cannot get around theory (there is always a limiting factor). As I said couple of weeks ago - I am going to memorise nearly all words (key words definitely!!!) and put it into context. The module - Business and Company Law is draining me out completely (JUST THEORY - arrrgh CASES!!!). I was on the lookout on the internet for summarised cases (They are huge!) - Hopefully break them down and memorise key points.

More and more cousins came over!!! Ha ha... it is a holiday though! Had lots of fun with them... especially with their naughty 4-year-old brother. He knows a lot for his age (blimey... lots) and he always wants to play on my PS3 (he is so hooked onto it). He gets what he wants am afraid - if you do not fulfil his demands = face those tantrums. Basically, I had no chance in revising on that day and I did not bother to be honest (I had fun!!!).

Ok... I didn't stay home throughout my holiday (I do get out you know!!!). I went out to my cousins too - a little family gathering. You know... play, eat, play more and eat more those sorts of things. Also, met up with mates - they are busy too like me... with work and all sorts. My family and me attended a wedding too (it was packed out and hectic... very!!!).

That was the final week of my Easter break... hope to carry on with my weekly blogs as all ways.

Just Revising!

The second week of the Easter break - GONE!!! Now one week left now...

So what have I been doing this week? = REVISON and that was it to be honest. It has been tough and I am having fun in between my revision schedule because that's keeping me going... without it, I would be lost and panicking. I just cannot sit for hours reading and writing - does not work for me. You will need something that lightens up your mood (You'll see!!!). I am happy that I have kept my promise towards my revision plan... it is going well so far and I would do my upmost to keep it that way.

My revision so far:

1. Wrote down most definitions/formulas/law cases on flash cards. Does help when you are up and about (trust me). I normally walk across rooms so that it helps me to memorise them. Most people do this!!!
2. Practicing exam questions downloaded from the University portal. Also, revision pack given from one of our tutors, which contains past exam questions too.
3. As I am doing four modules, I have spread the work out which needs attention. So I am not cramming everything in one day - It is impossible.
4. After the Easter break - going to attend revision lectures for all the modules I study which helps greatly.

My cousins came over and it was a laugh to be fair. It was warming too because I haven't seen them in time and I was in the mood to have some company too. They were clearly not a distraction... they undoubtedly knew what situation I am in now. Well... I did have plenty of time to revise and had fun at the same time.

Some people I know (mates = risk takers!!!) usually tend to work the hardest in quiet times = until 3am (Day before exam) and pass them - a rare skill. That is way too risky for me because I do things very early... I just cannot sacrifice my sleep like that (it is precious to me!!!). If I did that... I would definitely fail the exam (it is the truth!!!). That is why I would advise not to even try that because it just isn't worth it - simple.

I have to go now!!! Until next week...