With just over five weeks until the start of the Leaving Cert, it is time to make the best use of your time to help alleviate stress, get organised and maximise your study strategies so that you can manage your time effectively for these last few weeks. Here are my top 10 tips to help you prepare in the five weeks leading up to the exams.
Create a detailed study timetable that allocates time for each subject. Break each subject down into themes and ensure you include all of these in your study plan. Ensure you include breaks and revision sessions as well as session for learning brand new content. Stick to your plan to maintain consistency and try to plan up until the exams end, as you may have some exams that are spaced out meaning you will have more time to study these. Add variety into your routine, for example answering short questions, writing essays or even completing a listening exam if you are tired. This will help you focus and maintain concentration.
Prioritise subjects and topics. After completing your mocks, you should know your strongest and weakest subjects. Use your mocks and feedback from your teacher to learn where you went wrong and how you could do better. Focus on topics that carry more weight in exams or those in which you feel less confident. In some subjects there are guaranteed topics, so it is important to prepare these topics well in advance of the exam.
Practicing past papers will help you with your exam techniques. I would recommend that you answer the last 10 years of previous papers, and try to test your knowledge by answering these papers within the allocated exam time with no books. There is a lot of value in correcting your answers with the official State Examinations Commission marking scheme and paying close attention to the answers that they were looking for and how the questions were answered. Answer past Leaving Cert exam papers under timed conditions. This will help you familiarise yourself with the exam format and types of questions you may encounter and also the allocated time for each question. Every year many students lose marks because they misinterpret questions because they don’t understand the wording of the question or what the question is asking, for example, illustrate means show clearly using examples or diagrams if necessary. If you do not include examples, you will lose marks. There is a good list of the examination words with their meanings available on the Monaghan Education website: https://metc.ie/index.php/g-the-language-of-exam-questions/
Continuously use learning techniques such as keywords, flashcards, diagrams, mind maps as well as summaries, whatever one works best for you. Teaching a topic to someone else, such as a parent or a sibling in the car on the way to school or at the dinner table, can also reinforce your understanding and your memory. Using examples in your answer is also a great way to illustrate your understanding of the topic. Reciting topics through drawing them, for example, drawing science experiment set-ups without any help or aids can also help you to test your knowledge and reinforce your learnings.
Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly even if it is just a walk or some stretches at lunch time or in the evening. Preparing meals and snacks in advance can help save time and also helps us to make better dietary choices. Food is one of the biggest sources of fuel for the body and we burn more calories when studying, so good nutrition is vital. It is also crucial to prioritise sleep and aim to get at least eight hours of sleep a night. Your physical wellbeing can significantly impact your concentration and memory so do take regular breaks and try and stay hydrated. This is important during exams as well.
Minimise distractions, such as social media. Use apps available on most phones that help block distractions if needed and practice good sleep hygiene, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time, and avoiding activities that may keep you awake such as watching TV or looking at a computer screen for a prolonged period of time before you go to sleep. The HSE has developed an excellent ‘Good sleep guide’ with plenty of tips and tricks to help you get a good night's sleep. That guide can be accessed on the HSE website or if you google ‘the good sleep guide’.
Use study aids such as Studyclix or YouTube videos or collaborate with classmates in study groups for discussions, clarifications, and motivation. Explaining concepts to peers can enhance your understanding.
Review and revise regularly topics you have already covered to enhance retention. Consider weekly reviews of what you’ve learned to solidify information and build these reviews into your study plan. It can be useful to review class tests, notes and feedback at this stage. Reviewing and revising topics is particularly important for subjects with extensive curriculums such as English and Biology.
Make sure that you have done all your research about the Leaving Cert exams, for example, what you need to bring for each exam, the location and duration of each exam, do you wear your uniform or can you wear your normal clothes, what level you are doing for the exam, etc.
Try to maintain a positive mindset. A lot can be achieved during this five-week period and perfecting exam techniques can help to increase your marks. Practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques to help manage stress. Remember, breaks and self-care are essential for maintaining motivation.
By implementing these tips, you can enhance your preparation and boost your confidence leading into the Leaving Cert. Finally, the SUSI grant scheme has just opened for applications, and the change of mind is due to open on May 6 and will close on July 1. I would advise students to concentrate on the Leaving cert at this stage and once the Leaving Cert is completed, then you can apply to both. Best of luck to all Leaving Cert students.
Claire Murphy obtained her Masters in Career Guidance and Counselling in Trinity and has over 15 years’ experience working as a teacher and a career guidance counsellor at both second level and third level. She works as a career adviser with www.galwayguidance.com
To book and appointment for a CV review, interview skills or help with CAO choice, email Claire at [email protected].
