So here we are in the final sprint to the finish line...
For those of us sitting exams, there are a mere seven days until the exam hall beckons. I don't know about you, but for me it feels a bit...aarrrgghhh!!! I feel like the kid in the back of the car asking 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet?' Well, we really are nearly there and I for one am looking forward to getting the show on the road.
There's a nervous excitement in those last few days before an exam. It consumes your thoughts as you flit between, 'yes, I've got this....and, eh, maybe I haven't' and 'oh, I forgot to feed the cat'. Because let's face it, the demands of work and home life don't go on pause just because we have an exam on the cards.
Personally, a bit of panic and fatigue has set in, which can only mean one thing. It's time for the internal pep-talk! Here I go:
- Nerves are natural and keep me on my toes. I can use them to my advantage for a last minute adrenalin kick. Ignore the panic. It's not helpful. And breathe...
- Insurance exams are extremely do-able and pass-able ONCE you put in the work. And although life has gotten in the way, I believe I have. And breathe...
- But have I really done enough? Am I kidding myself? 'Dear Panic, it's time for you to leave'. Let me run through my mental checklist of reassurance. Book read? Check. Webinars watched? Check. Key points read? Check(ish!) Lecture attended? Check. Mock exams attempted? Check. Final week study plan in place? Check. Is this enough to pass? Sure it is. And breathe...
So, the final push, what's the best approach? That's personal, but for me, it means studying smart. The textbook outlines indicative exam question distribution and lots of other key info. For example, it tells me that chapters 2, 4 and 7 will cover 19%, 18% and 17% respectively of the overall question bank. What will I be doing this weekend? Revising motor insurances, household insurances and the claims process. That's what I'll be doing.
It's important to know all of a module's content, but at this stage in the game, the clever person is the one who studies smart. Don't waste those last few precious study hours. They could just be the ones that get you over the line or even better, to a line that you're really happy with.
My fellow students – very best of luck. I'll see you on the other side.
