UCAT Preparation During Coronavirus - TIP 3: Make the Most of Remote UCAT Learning
5 years ago by Robert
The coronavirus pandemic has probably caused a significant change to your life over the past few weeks. In addition to this, there has been a lot of uncertainty regarding the impact of the pandemic on UCAT, UCAT preparation and medical entry. It may have left you feeling overwhelmed or anxious. We at MedEntry are here to help!
This blog series covers how to effectively prepare for UCAT during coronavirus and social isolation. The principles outlined in these blogs are also useful for your school and university study.
Our last two blogs covered tip 1: Optimise Your Study Environment and tip 2: Create a Routine and UCAT Study Plan. In this blog, we will cover tip 3:
Make the Most of Remote UCAT Learning
Study remotely!
Remote learning technology has been available for many years, yet many people have not utilised it. However, remote learning can offer several advantages over traditional classroom-based learning, including greater flexibility, time saved due to not having to travel, and access to outstanding mentors. In fact, remote learning can be even more effective than traditional learning, if used correctly.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many organisations to move to remote learning, including schools, universities and other educational organisations. In many cases, this change has occurred suddenly, without warning, leaving may organisations unprepared. This in turn has led to some students receiving insufficient or ineffective learning support.
Luckily, MedEntry has been engaging in remote learning for many years, and in fact was the pioneer in online learning for medical entry, dating back almost two decades. We have sophisticated technology to ensure that our UCAT online resources, UCAT online workshops, UCAT online intensive classes and UCAT online personalised tutoring are delivered seamlessly, in an engaging and interactive manner.
Students who may otherwise have not been able to attend UCAT classes due to distance or other commitments, can now prepare for UCAT effectively from the comfort and safety of their own home.
Don’t forget group learning
Group study is a very important aspect of UCAT preparation. In fact, a common theme among UCAT high achievers is that they engaged in group learning. Group learning for UCAT offers several advantages:
- Discussion of UCAT questions is one of the best ways to improve your reasoning
- Group learning helps you to motivate each other to prepare for UCAT
- Being part of a UCAT study group will help you to offer support to each other, particularly during this challenging time of coronavirus
- Let’s face it – group learning is more fun!
Coronavirus and social isolation does not mean the end of group study. On the contrary, it means that you can connect with and learn from people across Australia and New Zealand, who you otherwise may not have had the opportunity to meet.
There are many ways for you to engage in online group UCAT preparation:
- Join the 2020 MedEntry UCAT Study Group on Facebook: this group is exclusive for MedEntry students, and allows you to connect, discuss questions and form UCAT study groups
- Join the UCAT & Interview Study Space: this group is open to all prospective medical students
- Check out the Community Page of MedEntry’s online platform, which offers a question of the week for discussion
- Check out MedEntry’s exclusive skills trainers which allow you to compete with other medicine hopefuls while developing your UCAT skills
Once you have formed a UCAT study group, you should arrange to meet on a regular basis (such as weekly). You can use virtual platforms such as Zoom, Skype or Google Hangouts. These platforms will allow you to connect with your group members via webcam, and you can share your screen. During these sessions you can:
- Discuss difficult UCAT questions that you have come across on the MedEntry online learning platform
- Discuss any UCAT preparation concepts that you are finding difficult
- Set yourselves a UCAT preparation goal for the next session, for example, everyone in the group should complete UCAT practice exam 2, and nominate three UCAT questions for discussion
By following the advice in this blog, you can ensure that your UCAT preparation during coronavirus is effective, efficient and most importantly, fun!
In our next blog, we will cover tip 4, which is to keep up your motivation. Stay tuned!
