How six students got together to make revision more enjoyable and more successful. By Jackie Durham, education and training consultant, CIMA.
You might not think sitting your CIMA exams is fun – but Network Rail’s Rebecca Mottley says it can be. Rebecca and six colleagues formed a study group who revised, shared problems, sat the exams and ultimately celebrated their multiple successes together. The group produced eight world class prize winners throughout their exams.
The idea for the group came from Network Rail’s professional development programme for graduates, which is accredited as a CIMA Training Quality Partner. However, Network Rail has many more students across the UK studying CIMA independently and Rebecca thought they might benefit from linking up with other students sitting the same exams.
Rebecca and her six study buddies nominated themselves ‘study champions’ and set up a page on Network Rail’s intranet to promote the group.
Making the connection
All CIMA students across the business were sent an email telling them about the opportunity to link up with people studying the same papers. Rebecca acted as liaison and the study champions helped with general queries and motivation.
Enthusiasm for the idea was high and some really useful partnerships ensued, though group study wasn’t right for everyone. Some students benefited from connecting with others in the same situation as them, while others were happier to carry on alone - with the knowledge that there was someone there to help if a practical problem arose or their enthusiasm flagged.
Rebecca and her study champions were kept busy providing support and encouragement, making a real difference to lone and new CIMA students.
Charly Jones, management accountant and former Network Rail study buddy, says: ‘Having a study buddy was really beneficial to my learning. Knowing that someone else was going through the same process as I was kept me motivated. It was great to know that if I ever got stuck, there was always someone there I could call for help.’
CIMA is always interested in new ways of supporting students and helping you to help each other. If you have a story like Rebecca’s or have innovative ideas for increasing motivation or accessing support, send your stories to jackie.durham@cimaglobal.com.
You should also check out the CIMAsphere discussion boards for study buddy networks around the world - or start a network or look for a buddy yourself.
Contact us
You can contact us with your feedback and suggestions for Velocity at velocity@cimaglobal.com.
October 2009