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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 7 Goals Chart – REACH++  Useful exercise to start each year  Set your targets for the end of the year  Then work backwards and set what you need to be achieving during the year  When school reports arrive fill out your chart and check your success We don’t plan to fail so don’t fail to plan!

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10. 10 Where?  Choosing a suitable location  Home, library, or supervised study  What to consider  Furniture  Equipment  Regular room  Good lighting  Good Ventilation  Appropriate heating

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

12. Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 12 When? NOW!  Recommended guidelines  1 st years1 to 2 hours per day  2 nd years1.5 to 2 hours per day  3 rd years2 to 3 hours per day  TY1 hour on core subjects and projects  5 th years3 hours per day  6 th years3+ 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 subject…

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14. Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor, Rice College. 14 How? Homework Technique  Purpose of homework  Record homework clearly  Do homework on same night  Advised Techniques: SQ3R or …  Survey (Scan)~3 minutes  Question (Exam/ch)~2 minutes  Read (notetake!)~10 to 25 minutes  Recall (make notes)~5 minutes  Review (1day/1week/1mth)~3 minutes Written homework after material is learnt!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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