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Galway Exams 101

Galway Exams 101 

This programme of exam supports has been designed to help you prepare for your upcoming exams. Galway Exams 101 covers a range of themes and offers Library Workshops, Podcasts, Coffee Mornings an Exams Webinar, and online resources to ensure you have everything you need ahead of semester 2 exams. 

The Semester 2 examination session will run from April 15th to May 1st 2024 . Exam timetables will be released on Monday 11th March at 12pm. Once available you can find a link to your exam timetable here. Check the amendments webpage regularly as examination dates/times may change up to the day of your exam.

For more information on exams take a look at the exams FAQ webpage. If for any reason you need to defer an exam, you can find more information on this page. You can also visit the Student Services Support Wheel to find out about the many supports in the university that you can access when you need them.

 

Get Exam Ready

Podcast - Your First Year Exams Survival Guide 

AnnMarie Gilchrist, Student Advisor with the College of Medicine, Nursing+Health Sciences and the School of Law chats with host Barry Ó Siochrú, former SU VP for Gaeilge, and provides practical tips on sitting your first university exams. Listen here. Transcript available here. 

Podcast - Beyond the Books

Raimey O'Boyle, SU VP for Education, chats with guest Regina Lyons from the Academic Skills team in the Library and shares tips on how to navigate the Library and advises on the fantastic resources available. Listen in now.  

Past Exam Papers

Past exam papers are a valuable resource for creating effective study plans. You can find them on this webpage. Search by module / subject code to get the correct papers. 

What Happens on the Day of the Exam?

Take a look a the Exams Office FAQ page to find our what you can expect on the day of the exam. 

Assignment and Exams Success

Podcast - Study Skills

Luke O' Donnell, Researcher with the School of Education chats with Barry Ó Siobhrú and provides tips and insights on how to develop good study skills and habits. Listen here. Transcript available here.

Library Workshops: Monday 11th March - Friday 22nd March

An Introduction to Endnote for Citing and Referencing - By the end of this session, you will know how to: 

  •  Download the Endnote software to your device.
  • Create an Endnote library.
  • Export records from the library catalogue and key databases.
  • Use Cite While You Write (CWYW) to create citations and a reference list. 

You can download Endnote in advance of the session on this link. You will need to sign-in with your University of Galway email address and password. 

Library Training Room PC Suite: 11 March, 2-3pm. Register now.
Library Training Room PC Suite: 21 March, 10-11am. Register now. 

Online: 13 March, 9-10am. Register now.
Online: 22 March, 10-11am. register now. 

Cite Them Right - Struggling with citations and references? This workshop will cover the basics of referencing, in-text citation and hoe to create a reference list Learn about the different referencing styles and explore the tools that will help you cite more quickly and accurately. Referencing goes beyond formatting, delve into the importance of academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism - including challenges such as contract cheating and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI).

Library Training Room PC Suite: 13 March, 12-12.40pm. Register now. 
Library Training Room PC Suite: 19 March, 2-2.40pm. Register now. 
Online: 14 March, 2-2.40pm. Register now. 
Online: 20 March 2.30-3.10pm. Register now. 

Finding Articles and Books - Not sure where to find the right information to be successful with your assignment? Check out this quick library skills session, where you'll find out; 

  •  the main features of the library catalogue
  •  how to search for scholarly articles, books and ebooks
  •  how to search for topics on the library catalogue and refine results
  •  about different databases relevant to your subject area

Library Training Room PC Suite and Online: 19 March, 12-12.40pm. Register now. 

Arts Support - Drop -In: Wednesday 20 March

Meet your Arts Support Team! The Student Success Coaches, Student Advisor and Career Advisor in the College of Arts invite you to join us for a hot chocolate and to learn more about how we can support you through the exam season. No need to book, just drop-in.

Where: AMB B01 (Psychology social space)
When: 11am-1pm, Wednesday 20 March

Academic Resources

 Below are a selection of resources to help you with assignments and exams. 

Study Tips

We asked our students to share their top assignment and exam study tips. Check out the full list of study tips! 

Taking Care of Me

Brew Breaks 

Join us for FREE tea, coffee and healthy snacks. It's the perfect chance to unwind and chat with staff about any queries you might have in the lead up to assignments and exams.

When and Where:
Tuesday 12 March, 11-2pm. Student Enquiry Centre -  Arts / Science Concourse
Thursday 21 March, 12-2pm. Student Enquiry Centre -  Arts / Science Concourse
Tuesday 26 March, 1-3pm. Career Development Centre. Find us here. 

Podcast -    Destress for Success 

Jimmy McGovern, Support Worker with the Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care Centre, chats with host Barry Ó Siochrú, former SU VP for Gaeilge, and gives us some fantastic tips on managing and reducing stress in the run up to exams. Listen here. Transcript available here. 

Podcast -   Sleep Well, Study Well 

Nóirín Mannion, Mental Health Support Worker in the University of Galway student health unit, chats with host Barry Ó Siochrú, former SU VP for Gaeilge, and reminds us that it is ok to allow time for self care, particularly during stressful times. Listen here. Transcript available here. 

Podcast -   Take a Breath with Ecotherapy 

In this episode Fiona Roche, Student Counsellor in the University of Galway, chats with host Barry Ó Siochrú, former SU VP for Gaeilge and explains how ecotherapy focuses on using nature and the outdoors to improve our wellbeing. Listen here. Transcript available here. 

Podcast -   Tarraing d'anáil le hÉiciteiripe 

Sa chlár seo míníonn Fiona Roche, Comhairleoir Mac Léinn, conas a úsáideann éiciteiripe an dúlra agus an saol amuigh faoin aer chun ár bhfolláine a fheabhsú.  Anseo. 

Podcast - WellZone Series

The Well Zone podcast series is brought to you by Student Counselling & Wellbeing and will explore proven strategies to support your mental, spirtual and emotional health during your university journey. There are four episodes in this series and each episode has a variety of exercises that you can complete in your own time. This series is delivered by members of the counselling and wellbeing team at University of Galway.  Listen now. View transcripts and exercises. 

The Mindful Way - Online Shared Practice of Mindfulness

The online practice of mindfulness takes place every Wednesday and runs from 8am to 8.30am. This practice is a simple mindfulness meditation and is suitable for all, both beginners and for those already familiar with meditation. Find out more. 

Doing Exams

The Hub - Chill Out Area

If you need to take a break before or after your exam you can drop in to the Hub, located on the ground floor in Áras na Mac Léinn. This is a nice chilled zone with tables and chairs to relax and a kitchen to make a cup of tea or coffee as well as microwaves to warm up your food. The kitchen is open until 6pm Monday to Friday, and from 1-4pm on Saturdays and 4-7pm Sundays during exams. 

Shuttle Bus

A new late shuttle bus will be leaving the Orbsen Building at 7.15pm from Monday 15 April to Wednesday 1 May. Find the regular timetable on this link. 

Exams Breakfast 

Start the day right and join the Chaplaincy team for FREE tea, coffee and breakfast. Drop in to the Chapel kitchen, from 9 - 11am Monday to Friday during exams. You can find directions to the Chapel on this page.  

Exams Snack Station 

Fuel up in between exams - grab some water and healthy snacks in the Student Enquiry Centre, available from 11am! The SEC is open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday during exams, if you need support, just drop in. 

On Campus Catering 

There are plenty of places on campus to grab a hot drink or a bite to eat during study week and exams. You can find a list of updated opening and closing hours on this PDF  document. 

Podcast - Regulations Do's and Don'ts

Joe Mee, former Student Union VP for Education gives some practical advise on what you should do ahead of sitting your exams, as well as what to expect on the day of the exam. Listen here. Transcript available here. 

Podcast -  Accommodations, Adapting for You 

Catherine Dufficy, Assistant Disability Support Officer provides information on how students registered with the Disability Support Service can avail of additional exam supports. Listen here. Transcript available here. 

Academic Supports

The Library Academic Skills Desk is open Monday - Friday from 10-1pm for drop ins, no need to book. Alternatively you can book a one to one appointment on this link.

Exams Office Information Session

Join the exams office for an in-person information session and / or online webinar. Learn everything you'll need to know about exam timetables, late entry, alternative exam arrangements, regulations, sitting your exams and more. 

When: 12.30pm, Wednesday 27 March
Where: Online. Join on this link. 

When: 4pm, Wednesday 27 March
Where: In-person. Tyndall Lecture Theatre, Arts / Science (Microbiology).

Study Spaces on Campus

Additional Study Spaces

There are multiple group and quiet study spaces available on campus.  Find a full list of available study spaces and opening and closing times on PDF or Word document.