Going to College

October mid-term break is a good time to get into a study routine

Mid-term break is approaching. Students are teary, pressure is mounting and bodies and brains are tired. It is understandable, as this is the term where teachers push students hard to set up good work habits and get as much of the course done as possible before the rhythm of the year becomes messy later on.

At this stage, Leaving Cert students should have settled into a good study and homework routine, although there are always the few who have not managed this. I would never tell a student that it is too late to start. It never is! Any study session, no matter how late in the year, can potentially pay off. It is, however, crunch time if a student wants to avoid the panic of cramming.

Good study is a habit that needs to be established. Some sixth year students find it very difficult to establish a study pattern now when pressure and stress is high. Next week is a perfect time to establish a routine.

Teachers will give students a set of goals to achieve over the break. It is likely to include revision, past papers or essay style questions, which are difficult to complete during a school week. Students should prioritise this work and complete it over the first couple of days.

Next, students should attend to any areas of work they have skipped or in which they have fallen behind. It may be helpful to make a list of these this week.

Students should start their revision early in the day so that it is not hanging over them. It is still important to keep time for rest, relaxation and exercise.

They should begin any new topic by looking over previous exam questions. It is good to create little goals and challenge themselves to meet them. It is useful to set a timer to keep on track and prevent the mind from wandering. For example, say to yourself, “I will read, understand, and be able to summarise this page in the next 10 minutes”. When the time is up, close the book, then begin to summarise what you have learned. Check to see how much you have remembered and fill out the gaps in your knowledge. Follow this up with a relevant exam question before moving on.

Testing is essential to ensuring that learning is happening and will allow students to see what they need to work on and will also motivate them as they see the progress they are making.

Last week’s column dealt with the opportunity to seek a review of an outcome to a Leaving Cert appeal. We are happy to clarify that the purpose of the review is to ensure that all procedures associated with the marking process have been carried out correctly and does not involve a remarking or a comment on the allocation of marks. Aoife Walsh is a guidance counsellor at Malahide Community School, Co Dublin.