Getting ready for assessments and exams

Extended opening hours, resources to help you plan and carry out your revision: everything you need to know

With assessments and exams starting on Monday 16 May, it’s time to start thinking about revision. Whether your exams are in person or you’ll be doing online assessments, we can support you with planning and carrying out your revision.

24 hour opening

From Sunday 1 May, we are opening the Edward Boyle Library around the clock. That means you can access the library for study at any time of the day between 1 May and Wednesday 8 June.

Visit our opening hours for a full view.

While the building will be open, please study responsibly – we know that all-nighters can be tempting when you’re cramming for a test, but studies show that you’re much more likely to perform better if you are well-rested.

Planning your revision

Creating a revision strategy could be the key to a successful assessment – you will want to have a clear understanding of what you need to revise and how you will do it. This is one of the best ways to manage exam or assessment anxiety. If you’re comfortable and have adequately revised, you will be in the best position possible when it comes time to take the assessment or exam.

The best way to start is with a revision timetable – we have helpful guides to help you create yours, along with advice on how to plan your revision and a downloadable template you can use to start your planning.

You can also access revision support online, with lots of different techniques on how to approach your revision and make it effective. If you don’t know what works for you, try out a few and see what sticks.

If your assessments are online, you can use our guide to online exams and assessments to help you understand what is expected of you.

There’s lots more advice available at For Students – including past papers, information on avoiding plagiarism and how to access mitigating circumstances support.

We’ve also collected a number of tips, resources and exams ebooks onto the Skills@Library Revision, Procrastination and Assessments padlet.

Skills@Library support

Throughout your revision and exams, Skills@Library will be on-hand to support you with any academic support you might need.

If you need help with academic writing, researching, and revising, our Learning Advisors are available for one-to-one online sessions.

You can also get maths support from our dedicated tutors by coming along to our drop-in sessions at the Edward Boyle Library on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

There are a number of upcoming workshops specifically focused on preparing for assessments including:

Look after yourself

It’s important to remember to take care of yourself when revising and undertaking assessments.

Take regular breaks

It's no secret that revising for exams and assessments can be stressful and you need to take care of yourself. Take regular screen breaks and stay hydrated.

There are water fountains in all libraries so you can keep yourself hydrated and there is a hot water dispenser in the Edward Boyle Library so you can make yourself a hot drink. You can also find café facilities near each Library to grab a bite to eat. Find the nearest café space and their opening hours at Great Food at Leeds.

Our Galleries are the perfect place to take a break. The Treasure of the Brotherton Gallery and the Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery are located in Parkinson Court and are open 10am until 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Support is available if you need it

There are many networks to help you cope. Leeds University Union can provide advice through the LUU Help & Support Team, whilst also offering student societies for you to take a break from your studies.

Also on hand to help you is The Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service. On their webpage, you will find a wealth of self-help resources, as well as a self-referral space for personalised support.

If you would prefer to reach out anonymously, togetherall is also available for you to unpack your thoughts and feelings in a safe and confidential online space.

And finally...

GOOD LUCK!