Galway Advertiser 1990/1990_05_24/GA_24051990_E1_010.pdf 

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As second level students get ready to take the exams which will determine their future, Mary 0' Connor gives some advice on how best to prepare for them

HOW TO DO WELL IN EXAMS
Several thousands students face examinations this year and more than a few get extremely nervous even before the exams begin. With the Leaving and Inter Certificates loom ing large on the horizon they feel they have to much to do and too little time to do it.
The remaining time is very important and the most crucial thing is not to panic. Virtually all of your classmates are biting their nails and tossing in their beds at night. You are not alone. ation, exercise etc. * Draw up a study timetable and allow 40/45 minutes per subject during each study session. * Start each study session with your favourite sub ject - this will get you going, next, do the subject you like least - while you are still fresh; finish each ses sion with your second favourite subject. * If possible, pin your timetable on a notice board near your desk and tick off each subject as you finish it.

METHOD
* Have a positive attitude to the work you have to do. * Use the SQ3R method developed by F.P. Robin son (i) Survey what you have to do - read it through quickly. (ii) Go back over the material and question yourself on it. (iii) Read it over more slowly, finding the answer to your questions. (iv) Recite it to yourself recalling what you have read. ( v ) Revise, making notes on cards measuring approx. 6"x 4".

PRE EXAM REVISION
* Make out a list of what has to be covered in each subject, allowing ample time for revision before the exam. * Display on notice board and tick off each as it is revised. * Talk to your friends about what you have learned - this is revision. * Always keep previous exam papers to hand and work towards answering the questions. * Prior to the exam, make sure you know in detail the format of each exam paper, length of time for each question and what choice (if any) there will be.

KEY WORDS

A wards will spur you on to achieve more.
Work alone in a well lit, warm, ventilated room. Make sure your chair is comfortable. Have all the books or notes you need at hand to save you leaping up every few minutes. Don't let your eyes wander. It will help if you write notes relevant to the subject. Boredom is the arch enemy of concentration. Your attention doesn't wander when you are watching an exciting film or reading a thriller. Boredom may strike if you work for too long or without a break. Limit sessions to an hour, then get up and walk around. Have a drink or snack and then resume work, you'll feel refreshed after the break. If you have difficulty concentrating, you are not alone. We are all mentally lazy and will avoid hard work if at all possible. Knowing this, be tough with yourself. Set a timetable and stick to it. It will help if you set a deadline. Give yourself a reasonable amount of work to be done in an hour, a day, a week. Don't deviate from this plan and you will find you are well on the way to achieving your target. Be sure to reward yourself. If you meet your deadline, treat yourself to a glossy magazine, cream bun or hot bath or just half an hour to yourself. The rewards will spur you on to achieve more.

* Make a list of the key words used in exam ques tions. These include; compare, contrast, criticise, describe, discuss, evaluate, explain, illustrate, inter pret, justify, outline, review, summarise, trace etc. * Write out the precise meaning of each word, e.g. (i) Compare - state the similarities of and dif ferences between. (ii) Contrast - state the differences between.

EXAM TIME
* On the eve of each exam, have the required pens, pencils, admission card available. Go to bed reasonably early and enjoy a good night's rest. * Avoid undue tension by concentrating on what you know, rather than what you don't know, be positive -1 will do well. * Between papers make sure you relax through ex ercise, fresh air, etc. * Do no attempt to learn difficult and new material at exam time - any study time should be used to refresh your memory of material already revised.

THE EXAM
* Approach the paper cheerfully and positively -1 will give it of my best. * Read the paper as follows; ( i ) Carefully check the instructions to make sure there are no changes in the expected format. (ii) Read each question zoning in on what you like rather than mulling over what you dislike. (iii) Read paper again with a view to deciding which questions you will answer where there is a choice. ( i v ) Put an X beside the questions you decide to answer. ( v ) Check the time and divide it up as recommend ed before exam. ( v i ) Leave last fifteen minutes of exam time for final checking of answers. (vii) Answer your best question first, then your se cond best and so on. Keep a constant check on the time. (viii) Leave plenty of space between answers - you may think of additional information when checking your answers. * Always answer the required number of questions - two incomplete answers will normally gain more marks than one full answer.

Talk to your friends about what you have learned!

EXERCISE
Taking exercise before a study session is ad visable. Ten to fifteen minutes of vigorous exercise - jogging, cycling, walking - will stimulate your body and clear your mind.

"Concentration is the secret of success in politics, in war, in trade, in short in all the management of human affairs" - Emerson. Is your attention constantly wandering while you study? Do you find it hard to concentrate? If your answer is " Y e s " you must make every ef fort now to improve your concentration. The first step is shut out all distractions. Studying in the kitchen or sittingroom in front of a television and with people talking in the backround is not go ing to aid concentration

PLACE OF STUDY
* Use a regular place of study without distractions - radio, music, T.V. or people talking. * Arrange good lighting and ventilation with only ade quate heat. Wear warm, comfortable clothing. * Have a good work surface with space for text books and writing paper and a firm, straight-backed chair. * Make sure you have a clock or watch.

TIMETABLE
* Organise your week into times for studying, relax