Re: How do you study for modern?
For modern, you don't need to memorise everything. They're not going to test you on how well you can recite tiny details about the coursework. What you need to remember are the bits and pieces you'd want to use in an essay.
I have detailed notes, but in the end I resummarised everything even more concisely, based around past essay questions. For WWI, National Study and International Study, you can make a good guess of the sorts of questions they'll ask. If you work out what information you'll need to answer these questions (preferably by writing practice essays), that's probably what you'll need to know. Anyway, for me it helped figure out what I needed to memorise and what wasn't important; and it also meant that when I came to the trial, I had a fairly good idea of how I was going to answer the question, since I'd already thought about it.
Anyway, for me it worked better than just trying to cram random dates into my head. Plus, when it comes down to it, I don't think Modern's really a knowledge-based subject. Sure, you need to have a fairly good grasp of the content, but the examine isn't about how much you know, but how well you can use that knowledge. As well as knowing enough detail to write the essay, make sure you have opinions on the key issues -- for example, (for the Germany topic) why do you think the Nazis came to power? (or, for the Cold War) why do you think detente failed? Because it's the opinions that you'll base the thesis of your essays on, and it's the opinions that'll define your response.
