The NEBOSH Diploma is a degree level qualification, often completed over a 12/18 month period alongside a full-time job. This will be challenging at times. Here are some hints and tips to help you prepare for this course.
1. Get ahead of yourself. Before you start the course, familiarise yourself with the course content and structure.
The course content is set by NEBOSH and is detailed in the Guide to the NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
2. Understand what is required: The qualification satisfies the academic requirements for graduate level entry to IOSH. As an academic course, you will be expected to demonstrate the ability to recall information that you have learned, apply learned knowledge to specific situations and scenarios described, solve problems using simple mathematical techniques and carry out independent research.
3. When you start, put together a learning plan and stick to it: Depending on the type of study you have elected to pursue, e.g. online or modular face to face, you should set out a learning plan for the duration of the course. Away from the study weeks with the tutors, you will be expected to carry out independent research to understand the complexities of technical health and safety topics and subsequently be able to apply the knowledge to demonstrate a level of understanding which satisfies the examination board. Making sure you have a learning plan will help you manage your time and meet your course deadlines.
4. Revision starts from the moment the course starts: Study is something that you do from the first day of your course. You need to continually revise and review your work. Revision should not be something you do only at the end of the course.
5. Start the countdown to the exams: Use a calendar and plan the countdown towards the examinations. Consider the best time of day for you to study both in terms of time available to you and when you are the most alert.
6. Break it down: Use the course notes contents to break down the syllabus into subject revision requirements. List your strong topics to build confidence and your weaker topics to prioritise revision. Revise your weaker subjects earlier than your favourite subjects. Tick off the subjects as you revise them.
7. Read the key ACoPS and Guidance: Make notes on these, this will supplement your revision.
8. Revise a range of subjects each week: If you decide to study more than one subject in a revision session it is best to work on different subjects from the different elements to condition yourself for the range of subjects at examination.
9. Plan some relaxation time: Make sure you include recreational and family relaxation periods into your revision timetable plan, you will need it.
10. The revision plan will say exactly what is required: Do not be lured into extended breaks or spending too much time per subject – be strict with your timekeeping.
11. Summarise the key words, facts etc. by setting out notes in paragraphs. Do not transcribe the notes etc. verbatim. Précis, legibly using abbreviations where appropriate, the general concepts and facts, not illustrative ideas, avoiding missing key information. Emphasise the key points with a highlighter pen.
12. Test yourself: After each study period spend some time testing yourself. Close your books and on a separate piece of paper summarise (list) the concepts learned, once complete check this against your summarised notes.
13. Practice, practice: As the examinations approach answer past questions in the times allowed at exam, be strict with timing.
14. Take your notes everywhere you can: Anticipate waiting or travel time so that time is not wasted. Carry reading materials (summary notes, AcoPs, Guidance or examiner reports etc.) with you during the day and refer to them during any spare time. You can also download digital versions of the course materials to be viewed on your tablet. Play tape recorded revision material whilst driving.
15. Talk the topic over with someone, even if they do not understand the subject it will assist you to understand your appreciation of the subject and to develop answers.
Need some further help? Santia will be holding additional revision sessions in June for Units A, B & C and a Unit D workshop. Contact us for more information.