Study Secrets: New Luxury Student Accommodation Provides the Answer

With exam season looming ever-nearer on the horizon and students staring down the barrel of end of year assessments, there is one thing laying heavy on students' minds right now – revision. The age-old approach of staying up into the small hours, surrounded by text books crammed onto a tiny desk, in the solitude of a small run-down bedroom may have been the mainstay of university revision as long as memory serves, but things are changing.

In line with the evolving demands of students, those paying out for an increasingly expensive university education today expect more from their study experience and this is being reflected in their accommodation requirements. The most recent 'Homes fit for study' research report released by the National Union of Students (NUS), has shown that increasingly students are looking for their accommodation to provide them with an environment that is a good place to study, as opposed to somewhere simply to lay their head, with around three quarters currently saying their student property offers this.

However, when looking at the figures of those who feel their accommodation offers something extra, those that think it supports them to engage effectively with their course, of utmost importance in the face of upcoming end of year exams, the figures are quite different. Just 43% of those living in private halls, and 54% of students in institution-managed halls, feel their property provides facilities that allow for effective course engagement.

The discrepancy between the two types of accommodation offering could be said to stem from the fact that, traditionally, university halls provide a more communal feel, something that is usually lacking in the private sector, meaning that shared study experiences and group revision sessions are easier when residing in university-owned or campus accommodation.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, a leading provider of luxury student accommodation, explains that this notion plays an important role in effective study,

"A comfortable individual environment, where students feel happy, relaxed and safe, alongside additional features such as common rooms, group study areas and luxury lounges combine to create the ideal environment to make the very most of revision periods and to support students through the difficult dissertation process. Yet it is sadly hard to find in the private rented sector, with only 60% of such students feeling their home environment provided this, according to the National Union of Students.

"At Collegiate AC, we have taken a thorough approach to the creation of our student accommodation, with attention to detail at every turn. This includes a recognition of the key role of effective study spaces and additional facilities, such a free high-speed Wi-Fi, that will make the revision process easy and as pain-free as possible."

As part of their focus on making students' study time more efficient, Heriberto Cuanalo gives his Top 5 Revision Tips:

1. Plan to succeed!

Start as you mean to go on and draw up a revision timetable. Be disciplined with yourself and set aside time each day to revise, don't leave it to the last minute, and start early - research shows that you are more likely to do all the planned work if you start early in the day, because as it gets closer to the evening, there is a greater tendency to be distracted.

2. Two heads are better than one!

Buddy up with a friend or two from your course and share ideas on a topic. Discuss key points, test topic knowledge by asking each other questions, or even simply sit alongside each other in a comfortable communal area in quiet study to feel less alone. Just don't get distracted by the TV!

3. Learn from the past…

Don't be afraid to look at past papers and check your knowledge against them. You may well find that once you have studied three or four past papers, chances are some of the questions that appear on the day of your exam will look very familiar! This will also allow you to familiarise yourself with the layout of questions asked in exam papers, which can save you time and help to earn marks on the big day.

4. Work smart!

Try to reduce pages of information into brief, clear notes, then summarise these into a few key points which will help remind you of the whole subject. You can then carry this 'key points' sheet with you and revise regularly, even if it's for short periods of time.

5. Revise – and reward

Try to find the right balance between study and leisure. Make sure you eat healthily and balanced meals but also ensure you treat yourself after a hard day's study. Go out with friends after a productive day of revision, play a game of pool or table football in the games room, or simply put your feet up for some chill-out time in the lounge or home cinema if you have one.

Collegiate AC provides some of the very best student accommodation across the UK, with a range of accommodation options available, all beautifully-designed and boasting top class additional facilities to support university study and student life. These include luxury lounges, on-site gyms, private cinemas, games rooms, study rooms and high-speed Wi-Fi, alongside modern bedrooms and sleek kitchens and CCTV, 24-hour on-call support, and electronic entry systems to provide peace of mind.

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For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate on 01235 250 140.

Press contact:

Charlotte Ashton

+ 44 845 054 7524

charlotte@abpropertymarketing.co.uk