Success in School!

O.Laffoy

What Are Study Skills?
Goal Setting
Note Taking
Time management (timetable)
Exams
Study (The Actual Process). Putting
information into our long term memory
HOW DO I RATE AS A
STUDENT?


20 simple questions!

A short questionnaire of your
current study habits!
HOW DO I RATE AS A STUDENT?
1. I write down my goals for each week
sometimes 3 / never -3 / often 6
2. I do some study each day (incl. wends)
sometimes 2 / never 0 / often 6
3. I try to work from a study timetable
sometimes 4 / never 0 / often 7
4. I work for more than 40 mins without a
break
sometimes 2 / never 4 / often - 3

HOW DO I RATE AS A STUDENT?
5. I daydream when I study!
sometimes 2 / never 6 / often - 4
6. I study whilst listening to music
sometimes 1 / never 3 / often - 2
7. I lie on the bed or floor while working
sometimes - 1 / never 5 / often - 4
8. I take notes when I study
sometimes 1 / never - 5 / often 7

HOW DO I RATE AS A STUDENT?
9. I use memory aids (mnemonics)
sometimes 1 / never 0 / often 4
10. I practise answering questions under
exam conditions
sometimes 0 / never - 2 / often 5
11. I quickly test myself when I finish
studying (mind scan)
sometimes 4 / never - 2 / often 8
12. I revise topics previously studied, using a
quick mind scan
sometimes 3 / never - 3 / often 7

HOW DO I RATE AS A STUDENT?
13. I copy my homework out of the book
sometimes - 1 / never 6 / often - 4
14. I sit near the front of the class
sometimes 1 / never - 1 / often 4
15. I ask questions and get involved in class
sometimes 1 / never 0 / often 5
16. I use a revision timetable coming up to
exams
sometimes 1 / never - 3 / often 3

HOW DO I RATE AS A STUDENT?
17. I get so worried before exams I feel ill or
depressed
sometimes 1 / never 4 / often - 3
18. I plan out my time for each ques. in the exam
and stick to it
sometimes - 3 / never - 8 / often 8
19. I make a brief outline plan before writing an
essay type answer
sometimes 2 / never - 2 / often 5
20. If permitted, I leave the exam when finished
sometimes 1 / never 4 / often - 3

Identify your areas of weakness.
Now, circle the
FOUR WORST
marks on your questionnaire



(these are the things we think are holding you
back the most)
Next, change these 4 faults into
positive goals!
I must:
Not daydream when I study
Take notes
Practise answering questions under exam
conditions
Review topics with a quick mind scan
FIND YOUR FOUR PROBLEM AREAS:
1. I write down my goals for each week
2. I do some study each day (incl. wends)
3. I try to work from a study timetable
4. I work for more than 40 mins without a break
5. I daydream when I study!
6. I study whilst listening to music
7. I lie on the bed or floor while working
8. I take notes when I study
9. I use memory aids (mnemonics)
10. I practise answering questions under exam
conditions

11. I quickly test myself when I finish studying
(mind scan)
12. I revise topics previously studied, using a quick
mind scan
13. I copy my homework out of the book
14. I sit near the front of the class
15. I ask questions and get involved in class
16. I use a revision timetable coming up to
exams
17. I get so worried before exams I feel ill or
depressed
18. I plan out my time for each ques. in the exam
and stick to it
19. I make a brief outline plan before writing an
essay type answer
20. If permitted, I leave the exam when finished




Three Essentials For Success


Three Essentials For Success
1. Ambition / Goals


Three Essentials For Success
1. Ambition / Goals

2. Confidence / Self Belief
2. Confidence/ Self Belief


To instil self belief into
someone
is to change their life.
Three Essentials For Success
1. Ambition / Goals

3. A Plan
2. Confidence / Self Belief
Goal Setting

Goals
Notebook
Goal Setting



You need something to aim for!
The Points System
How many points for A3@ HL?
Max points a student can achieve in LC?
How many points for E1?
How many points for A1@ OL?



The Points System
Higher Level Ordinary Level
100 A1 60
90 A2 50
85 B1 45
80 B2 40
75 B3 35
70 C1 30
65 C2 25
60 C3 20
55 D1 15
50 D2 10
45 D3 5
No points for E, F, G.
Sample Points Requirements (eg. First Round Offers 2009)

U.C.D. U.C.C.
Arts 350 Arts 335
Science 300 Computer Science 300
Sports Management 380 Food Business 300
Law 500 Law 500
Computer Science 300 General Nursing 400
N.U.I.G. U.L.
Arts 345 Business Studies 400
Science 280 Computer Games 330
Commerce with Spanish 320 European Studies 350
Medicine 570* Sports Science 425
Trinity N.U.I., Maynooth
Mathematics 450 Arts 355
Computer Science 355 Social Science 385
Pharmacy 545* Media Studies 425
General Nursing 360



Sample Points Requirements (First Round Offers 2009)

1. Higher Degree Courses:
D.C.U. U.C.C.
Computer Applications 300 Arts 335
Electronic Engin. 325 Computer Science 300
Psychiatric Nursing 315 Food Business 300

N.U.I.G. U.C.D.
Science 280 Computer Science 300
Commerce with Spanish 320 Sports Management 300
I.T. Tralee I.T. Tallaght
Computing (Games Development) 290 Pharmaceutical Sciences 210

2. Ordinary Degree Courses wide choice from 150 pts
3. P.L.C.s in a range of areas
(all can lead to entrance to a Higher Degree Course, if so desired)




Goals Chart (5
th
and 6
th

Years)
Maths
Geog
Hist
Irish
Econ
Eng.

C1 70
B1 85
B3 75
D2 55
C1 70
B2 80
65
80
71
50
67
69
62
75
70
46
65
66
60
70
70
53
65
70

64
59
76
55
61
77
63
75
70
55
66
70
64
80
75
55
68
72
Total points required: 435
FIFTH YEAR SIXTH YEAR
Xmas Easter Summer Mini Mocks Mocks Leaving
Cert.

Goals Chart (3
rd
Years)
Maths
Geog
Hist
Irish
French
Eng

C
B
B
D
C
B
65
80
71
50
67
69
62
75
70
46
65
66
60
70
70
53
65
70

64
59
76
55
61
77
63
75
70
55
66
70
64
80
75
55
68
72
SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR
Xmas Easter Summer Xmas Mocks Junior Cert.

Goals for week ending 20
th
Sep
Hist: Finish draft copy of assignment for Mr
McCarthy to ponder.

Maths: Do 2 ques from past papers each
night. Learn recalling Quad. Equ.

Eng: Read Chapters 3 and 4 in The Kite
Runner and identify key quotes
Bio: Upload podcast on photosynthesis and
make own notes
--------------------------------------------------


Move places in Maths Class
Ask 3 questions each day
Take down 5 things in each lesson
and read at home
Good Student Stuff
CLASSWORK:
Where do you sit? and why?
Your attitude to subjects is vital! If you
believe you cant do something, youre right!

Get involved ask questions,
take notes, attempt answers.
Goal Setting
What gets measured gets action ...

what doesnt get measured gets
ignored.
Goals Must Be:
S
M
A
R
T
pecific

easurable
chievable

ecorded

ime limit
Time Management
The length of time spent studying is not the
most important thing




Its what you do in that time!
Time Management
One always has enough time,
if only one applies it well.
J.W. Goethe, 1813.
Concentration curve
__________________________________
%
Time
/ / / / / / /
| 25 | | 25 | | 25 |/ / 20 / / | 25 | | 25 |
Time Management

Take out all committed time
work; sport; social commitments; t.v. etc.

Divide remainder into 20 - 25 min blocks
with 5 min break

Never do more than 3 blocks in a row
take a 20 min break

Allocate 10 min per night for REVIEW


Thursday 24
th

5.00-5.25 H.W. Irish letter; Geog. Q 7-10
5.30-5.55 STUDY Causes W.W.1 ______
6.00-6.25 Dinner
6.30-6.55 Home & Away
7.00-7.25 H.W. Maths
7.30-7.55 Eastenders
8.00-8.25 STUDY Types of Rocks ______
8.30-8.40 Review for 10 mins
8.40-9.00 my exercises!_________________
9.00-9.25 H.W. French vocab.; Eng. Poetry_
9.30-9.50 Finish off Homework??
MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT SUN
5.00 5.25 5.00 5.25 4.45 5.10 9.05 9.30
HOMEWORK HOMEWORK
5.30 5.55 5.30 5.55 5.15 5.30
DINNER HOMEWORK REVIEW
DINNER DINNER 6.30 6.55 DINNER 5.35 6.00
HOME & AWAY HOME & AWAY HOME & AWAY
7.00 7.25 7.00 7.25 7.00 7.25 7.00 7.25 DINNER 1.15 1.40 1.00 1.25
HOMEWORK HOMEWORK
HOME & AWAY
7.30 7.50 7.30 7.45 7.30 7.45 7.00 7.25 1.30 1.55
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW
7.55 8.20 7.50 8.15 7.30 7.55 6.00 6.25
HOMEWORK CATCH UP HOMEWORK
PLAY
COMPUTER
8.20 8.45 8.30 8.45 6.30 6.55 6.00 6.20
HOMEWORK REVIEW CATCH UP
W/E REVIEW
8.45 9.10 PHONE
CALLS!
8.55 9.15
9.15 9.40 9.05 9.30 9.10 9.35 9.20 9.45 9.00 9.25
EASIEST HWK
HOMEWORK CATCH UP
9.35 10.00 9.40 10.00
EASIEST HWK EASIEST HWK
Study Timetable
25 MINUTES WORK & 5 MINUTES ROUTINE
WEIGHTING OF SUBJECTS:
ORDER OF
DIFFICULTY
1 IRISH
2 MATHS
3 FRENCH
4 GEOG.
5 ACCOUNT.
6 HISTORY
7 ENGLISH

ORDER OF
NEED
1 ACCOUNT (6)
2 HISTORY (8)
3 ENGLISH (10)
4 MATHS (6)
5 FRENCH (8)
6 GEOG. (10)
7 IRISH (8)

WEIGHTED
LIST
1 ACCOUNT.
2 MATHS
3 HISTORY
4 FRENCH
5 IRISH
6 GEOG.
7 ENGLISH

You now distribute your available time to the subjects in the weighted list
taking into account difficulty & need, in our example the student should
spend most time on Acc. & Maths and least time on Eng.
MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT SUN
5.00 5.25 5.00 5.25 4.45 5.10 9.05 9.30
HOMEWORK HOMEWORK
5.30 5.55 5.30 5.55 5.15 5.30
DINNER HOMEWORK REVIEW
DINNER DINNER 6.30 6.55 DINNER 5.35 6.00
HOME & AWAY HOME & AWAY HOME & AWAY
7.00 7.25 7.00 7.25 7.00 7.25 7.00 7.25 DINNER 1.15 1.40 1.00 1.25
HOMEWORK HOMEWORK
HOME & AWAY
7.30 7.50 7.30 7.45 7.30 7.45 7.00 7.25 1.30 1.55
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW
7.55 8.20 7.50 8.15 7.30 7.55 6.00 6.25
HOMEWORK CATCH UP HOMEWORK
PLAY
COMPUTER
8.20 8.45 8.30 8.45 6.30 6.55 6.00 6.20
HOMEWORK REVIEW CATCH UP
W/E REVIEW
8.45 9.10 PHONE
CALLS!
8.55 9.15
9.15 9.40 9.05 9.30 9.10 9.35 9.20 9.45 9.00 9.25
EASIEST HWK
HOMEWORK CATCH UP
9.35 10.00 9.40 10.00
EASIEST HWK EASIEST HWK
Study Timetable
25 MINUTES WORK & 5 MINUTES ROUTINE


MATHS ACCOUNTING

FRENCH

MATHS MATHS

ACCOUNTING ACCOUNTING HISTORY ACCOUNTING

GEOGRAPHY IRISH

HISTORY



IRISH FRENCH

ENGLISH HISTORY
Homework
Dont copy out the text book!
Start Hardest HWK first
Leave easiest to end
Break assignments into little
tasks


The Principle of Learning
Have a go

Make a mistake

Correct it!

(you learn by your mistakes)
Homework
Dont copy out the text book!

Time it!

Remember, you are examined with
the book closed, against the clock!
Time Management
Work expands to fill the time available
for its completion.
Parkinsons first law.
NOTE TAKING

Types of Rocks
A. Igneous Rocks:
1) Gases Liquids Rocks
2) from Greek fire
3) Cool quick sm. Crystals
4) slow lge.

a) MAGMA beneath earth
b) LAVA _ above earth

e.g.s: i) GRANITE (crystals)
ii) BASALT (no ) Giants Causeway


Types of Rocks
B. SEDIMENTARY Rocks:
1) Weathering & erosion fragments i) pebbles
ii) gravel
iii) sand
iv) clay
2) Moved by: i) water
ii) wind
iii) ice
3) Sediment laid in layers solid rock

e.g.s trees coal
skeletons limestone
minerals glue sediment conglomerate


Prohibition:
Alcohol was considered a dangerous drug in
US early 20
th
century. On Jan 16 1920
prohibition was intro. as a result of 18
th

amendment to constitution. Alcohol illegal
except for medical, religious or industrial
reasons. The Volstead Act was passed. Set up
agency of 1,500 agents.
Prohibition ended in 1933. Didnt work led
to criminals making alcohol or smuggling it
from Canada. Bars were called speakeasies. One
of the most famous criminals was Al Capone.

(75 words)
Dont write summaries!
NOTE TAKING
A. The Outline Method

B. The Diagram Method
(concept map)
A. OUTLINE METHOD
TOPIC
I. Main Idea
Working | 1. Fact Detail
margin | 2. Fact
Page no.s | 3. Fact
|
II. Main Idea
| 1. Fact
| 2. Fact Detail
| 3. Fact
|
III. Main Idea
| 1. Fact
| 2. Fact
Prohibition:
1. 16/01/20
2. 18
th
Amend. Consti.
3. Exceptions:
i) med
ii) ind
iii) rel.
4. Volstead Act - 1500 agents
5. Ended 1933
speakeasies; Al Capone (17 words)
B. DIAGRAM METHOD
TOPIC
MAIN IDEA
FACT
FACT
MAIN IDEA
FACT
DETAIL

The
Heart
Heart Lungs Heart Body
TWO
CIRCUITS
VENTRICLE
ATRIUM
ARTERY
VEIN
Smaller
Passageway
Main Passageway
From Heart
Thick walls
Pump Blood
Left to
Body
Receives
Blood
Right to
Lungs
Inhale O
Exhale CO
2
Dg A
Blood
Trans. Sys.
Dg B
Heart in
Detail
LUNGS
The Exam Itself!

The Exam Notebook
Choices/ layout of the paper
Marks : Time Ratio (most imp.)
Hints/ advice from teacher
Target specific questions
Revision planner
put dates to tasks

In the exam!
Have you got your routine worked out?
Think more write less! dont rush at it!
Circle key words & number parts of
question
Presentation important
New ques. / new page
Number questions clearly
Next, we will look at a system for studying:




The SES Study Method
Rapid Study Method
1. Preview
What do I know already? 3 min
2. Set a target

3. Take Notes

4. Study
What do I know now? 2 min
5. Record Mistakes
Circle with different colour
SES Study Method
LOCK IT INTO LONG TERM MEMORY!


Use a REVIEW DIARY
The next day
This day week
This day month
This day four months
A Quick Review of What We
Covered!
Goal Setting
Goals chart
Weekly goals a few small targets for the week
Simple/Achievable
Time Management
20 25 mins (4-5 min stop)
have a specific task for each session!
Easiest subj. last
Homework dont copy; time it
Note Taking
Outline Method working margin
Concise/ neat
Mapping Method colour code



A Quick Review of What We
Covered!
Exam Techniques
Timing of the paper
Think more write less
Answer the quest. asked!
SES Study Method
Test yourself
Take notes
Test yourself
Reviewing so the brain holds the information!
Review regularly
Quick test and record mistakes



Thats It!!
Well done and the best of luck!
Go n-ir Libh !