Study Skills Tips for Students By Breda Whelan

Study Skills Tips for Students By Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 1

Key Aspects to Consider u Creating the best study environment u Setting Goals u Creating a study planner/timetable u Motivation and getting over blocks to good study u Managing stress u Maximising classroom learning u Study and revision techniques Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 2

The Key Questions! u Who? u Why? u Where? u What? u When? u How? Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 3

Who? u Who for? – A students success depends solely on his attitude u Who with? u Who from? – School, grinds, older siblings, parents… Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 4

Why? u Motivation is a key to effective study u Exercise in Goal Setting – Be SMART! – Remember that a students results are very predictable u There world are 3 types of people in the – Those who make it happen – Those who watch it happen – And those who asked ‘what happened? ’ Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 5

SMART u. S Specific u M Measurable u A Attainable u R Reasonable u T Time Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 6

Goals Chart – REACH++ u Useful exercise to start each year u Set your targets for the end of the year u Then work backwards and set what you need to be achieving during the year u When school reports arrive fill out your chart and check your success Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 7

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Where? u Choosing a suitable location u Home, library, or supervised study u What to consider u Furniture u Equipment u Regular room u Good lighting u Good Ventilation u Appropriate heating Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 10

What? u Study includes homework and study u To do list – great for planning! u The importance of the school Journal – Homework policy – Organisation tool u Record of homework u School/study timetable For every minute spent in Breda Whelan, Guidance organising an hour is gained Counsellor, Rice College. 11

When? NOW! u Recommended guidelines u 1 st years u 2 nd years u 3 rd years u TY u 5 th years u 6 th years u 1 to 2 hours per day 1. 5 to 2 hours per day 2 to 3 hours per day 1 hour on core subjects and projects 3 hours per day 3+ hours per day Organise a weekly timetable – Routine, be flexible, be realistic, – Do short work sessions – 30 -40 mins + short break – do weaker subjects early on, end on best Breda Whelan, Guidance subject… Counsellor, 12 Rice College.

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How? Homework Technique u Purpose of homework u Record homework clearly u Do homework on same night u Advised Techniques: SQ 3 R or … u Survey (Scan) ~3 minutes u Question (Exam/ch) ~2 minutes u Read (notetake!) ~10 to 25 minutes u Recall (make notes) ~5 minutes u Review (1 day/1 week/1 mth)~3 minutes Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 14 Written homework after material is learnt

How? Study Tools u Reward system, time off, fitness. . u Exam papers u Revision books, Revision to do list u Repetition u Effective note taking – Mindmaps, flash cards, large folders, dividers…. u Other creative tools – Mnemonics, Rhymes, use your environment, the journey method Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 15

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Notetaking Lots of space Draw Diagrams from memory Regular Review & self testing NOTETAKING Keep clear, neat and use colour Wide margin Number your points Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 17

How? Exam Technique u Can you follow instructions! u Knowing exam papers u Marks : Time ratio u Practising exam questions u Choose questions carefully u Start with strongest question u Plan answer u Do not dissect exam afterwards for too long!… Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 18

Managing Stress u Physical & Mental health is NB!! u Time out u Exercise u Eating well u Supplements if needed u 8 Hours sleep advised u Look for support when needed! Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 19

Action plan for success u Minimise clutter and distractions u Write down your goals u Draw up a realistic study plan u Review and adjust plan if needed u Consistency is important u Be honest, if having trouble seek help u Do your best you can’t do any more! Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 20

u School Resources Journal u ‘Maximum Points Minimum Panic’ by Kevin Flanagan u Websites – www. skoools. ie or www. scoilnet. ie - www. examinations. ie - www. leavingcertsolutions. com u Careers Websites – www. qualifax. ie, www. careersportal. ie Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 21

Summary What can you do to ensure you achieve your best in 6 th year? “Your success depends solely on your attitude!” Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 22