Exams coming up- don't know how I can cope!

[AppleMama]

I've a seven month old ds who is teething and waking up three times a night. I am still breastfeeding him and so I am not getting much sleep. I took this year out of my Psychology degree and had put off my exams from the end of last year because of pregnancy complications at the time. Now I'm facing having to do these exams at the end of this month and I just can't get any work done. I don't have much help with childcare and I'm so exhausted at night that I can't face sitting down to work after putting ds to bed. My partner is taking two weeks off starting at the end of this week to allow me time to study, but I am scared I won't have enough time considering I've not looked at a book since last year! How am I going to cope?!

Prior to you partners leave, make notes of what you need to revise for the exams - do you have any past exam papers for an idea? Get out all of the relevant literature/notes/books etc so they are ready for your study time. Then I would make a rough plan of what you are going to study on each day, taking into account when the exams are. All this prior prep will hopefully enable you to be most productive during your study time. Also work out with your partner where you can study with 'relative' peace and quiet, do you need to write down ds routine for your partner to follow so that you are not interupted etc?

You will probably find that the info all comes back to you, it was not too long ago that you were last studying. Organisation is key and you will cope. Good luck with your revision!

Thanks 2Plus1! Your advice makes sense, and I know it will make me feel better to believe I'm being organised and in control (as much as I can be!). I'm just in panic mode at the moment, probably not made easier by the sleep deprivation! I'm actually a bit scared about starting my revision because I know how overwhelming it will be until I get some momentum going.

You need to get all this in writing asap inc. eg medical evidence etc. Speak to your student union rep eg Welfare officer, contact your personal tutor if your college has that system. (I was a SU welfare rep at poly and then worked in uni admin - but that was some time ago so hope still relevant.) Definitely tell your college in writing; the fact you had time out before shouldn't mean you can't again.

Apple, that was me today, overwhelmed. But I found a Q&A book and decided to work through the sample questions and whilst doing so, learning and revising and trying to remember what I must remember and how to apply it. Also, I have to revise 5 areas with a view to answering four questions - is that like your psychology so your revision can be targeted?

If not, break it down into manageable chunks and I think two weeks will be enough. I used to go out in the car and sit in a field and study (I had four children so my sympathy re little ones, is with you!). If you are not in the house, you have to get on with your revision without making a cup of tea, bunging on a wash, feeding a toddler etc.

Hey AppleMama, good luck with your revision - hope it is going well!