Everybody wants to do well and get the best out of school and the best out of themselves! Academic success in secondary school requires several elements to be in place:
Having regular attendance- ‘Strive for Five’ (days a week)
Paying attention in class
Being on time
Consistent attention to homework
These are just some of the basic things that need to happen for you to well in school. However, experience shows that it is a mistake to assume that once all of the above are in place, that success is guaranteed. Something extra is needed, i.e. study.
Study is often viewed as work carried out in the run up to exams. A week or a few days before exams, students become conscious of the need to revisit topics covered weeks or months previously in order to obtain a reasonable grade in the imminent exam. However, for most students such an approach is flawed!
If we define academic success as the student trying his/her best, the focus shifts from the results obtained to the efforts made in obtaining that result. It could be argued that studying in the run up to exams does not constitute a student's best effort. Students who perform to the best of their ability –regardless of grade achieved – are those students who study consistently throughout the school year and not just in the run up to a class or end of term exam. The decisions you make between now and the start of your exams can have a positive impact on your future.
Students receive much supports in school to help them with their study such as:
Subject specific advice from their teacher
School Clubs e.g. Math Support Centre, Study Hub (Launching in November)
Exam year study skills workshops
SPHE topical study skills lessons
Student Tracking and Attainment Referrals
TY Learning Leaders
Subject specific workshops and trips
Library Hub (Launching in October)
Exam years recently received a detailed study skills workshop. All details of this workshop are below. We strongly encourage you to sit down and review this material with your child to further support them in their studies at home.
Links to STAR Booklet
Every student in an exam year received a detailed STAR (Study Skills Tracker and Resource) Booklet. We strongly encourage you to sit down with your child and review this material when supporting their study at home.
Links to Powerpoint Presentation
Link to Video recording by Ms. O Toole to parents giving a whirlwind tour on the study skills workshop and how you can support your child at home:
Links to relevant videos shown to students during workshop:
Video 1: The truth about your brain- Growth Vs. Fixed Mindset and why it matters:
Video 2: When do we learn the most?
Video 3: The Neuroscience of learning and Brain Plasticity
Video 4: Dual Coding- Why using words and images helps us learn
Video 5: How to make cornell notes
Video 6 & 7: Retrieval Method (Self-Testing) to be used with flashcards. This system also incorporates spaced practice: The Leitner System
Video 8: Retrieval (Self-Testing) Method 2: Feynman Technique a.k.a pretend your teaching a class. Using a mini whiteboard with this method is beneficial as it pairs automatically with dual-coding- using words and images.
Video Explaining Retrieval Practice
Study Timetable (Attached at the end of the page too)
