NEWS: Jay exceeds expectations at Exam Buster event 30 Apr 09

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Positively MAD’s Jay Shirley was invited by AimHigher Leicester to provide an Exam Busters session at De Montfort University on 23 April 2009 for students from City of Leicester College. The Exam Busters workshops are an important part of AimHigher Leicestershire’s £1 million annual programme to  widen participation in higher education by raising the attainment, aspirations and awareness of opportunities for young people from under-represented groups.  Using his brand of humour, his flair for presenting and his ability to hold an audience, Jay once again made a huge impression on the students and the day was hailed a huge success by the event organisers.

“AimHigher works with youngsters who wouldn’t usually think that university is an option for them,” said Neil Stock, the AimHigher project leader.  ‘The focus of the day is to help students get the best possible exam results. The workshop raises the students’ confidence and motivation through active and fun practical sessions. By the end of the workshops, the students have real tools and techniques that work for them and they feel that exam success really is possible. We are really impressed with Jay’s efforts.”

Jay began the seminar by showing students simple but powerful memory techniques before showing them how to transfer information from short term memory into long term memory. He explored the theory of the Triune brain, and showed students how to create an effective learning environment. This was followed by a session on relaxation and breathing techniques which were rounded off with ways to focus and manage state. Students then encountered the processes of recall, the cycle of decay and ways to improve retention. Jay then ended the seminar by getting students to create a personal revision plan.

“By all accounts,” says Corin Mitchell, who co-ordinated the event, “the day was most successful indeed. The students responded excellently to the ideas presented and showed a genuine interest in applying them to their own lives.”

Well done to Jay on a fantastic gig.