Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_05_31/GA_3105_E1_020.pdf 

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Galway Advertiser

May 31 2007

NEWS

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FASHION

BEAUTY

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H E A LT H

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LIFE

MARY
The Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations are just around the corner and students are burying their heads in their books in a bid to achieve the best results. Some have completed huge amounts of revision at this stage while others still have a lot left to do. Meanwhile parents are waiting in the wings offering tea and sympathy as the days roll into nights and June 6 looms large on the horizon. Experts say exam success depends as much on small things as big ones. A little forward planning can work wonders because it injects some orderliness into students' lives and helps reduce tension and stress. It also gets them into the right frame of mind which is a big bonus on exam day. It is important to approach the exam with a positive mental attitude, according to Fidelma Healy Eames and Sara Hannafin, locally based authors of Switched on For Learning, a student guide to exam and career success. "Be it a class test or major exam, view it as an opportunity to show what you know as opposed to seeing it as a means to be caught out. At the outset, it is important to say not to panic. Huge amounts can be achieved when you are organised, know what you need to learn and apply yourself to the task." Here are some tips to help students cope well in the run up to the exams:what you are doing next. * Organise good study conditions. Use a regular place of study without distractions, such as radio, television or people talking. Make sure it has good lighting and * Build on what you know. If you have not studied consistently all year and are forced to cram try to build

O'CONNOR
* Spend some time reviewing your summaries and the best way to use your time. * Go to bed early. Aim to be there before 11pm. Have at least eight hours sleep. what is being asked of you. Circle key question/processing words eg, list, discuss, evaluate, criticise and describe. Number and answer all parts of the question. You need the same number of parts in the answer. Know that marks cannot be given for unanswered parts. Jot notes alongside each question as you read it for the first time Start with the easiest questions to gain confidence Before you answer make sure you answer the question. It is wise to ask the supervisor if unsure, even by asking you may unblock and gain useful insights about what is needed." * Be neat. Fidelma Healy Eames says research indicates that when the same paper is written neatly or sloppily the examiners on average rated the neat paper a grade higher. "So, if you have messy writing write on every second line only to make your content more legible. Remember, to make the examiner's job as easy as possible."

Getting to grips with the exams
The day of the exam
* While waiting for your exam paper use positive self statements such as "whatever comes up in this paper I will handle it" * On receipt of the paper, the authors of Switched on For Learning recommend t h e following:"Make r o u g h notes on the back of the exam sheet (ie, offload acronyms that you may be holding in your head) Read directions carefully (eg, should you answer all questions?) Survey all questions before answering and note the worth of each question for time purposes Read the question carefully and figure out

ventilation. Have a solid work surface with space for text books and writing paper and use a firm, straight-backed chair. Have a watch or clock on hand. * Work actively and rapidly. Do not just browse through your notes as there is a danger you may fall asleep! Study actively by underlining, jotting down points, making summaries or drawing sketches. At least half of your revision should be kept to recalling and testing yourself on what you have read. This will keep your mind alert. * Know when to stop. If you have studied long and hard and are exhausted it is best to leave further study until later or the following day. Studying while you feel fatigued and defeated is a pointless exercise. * Banish defeatist thinking. Sometimes, it is all too easy to dwell on our weaknesses and to blow these out of proportion. Concentrate on your strengths and keep reminding yourself of all the study you have done already not what lies ahead. * Have regular breaks every hour. Stand up and walk around the room, have a snack, read a few pages of a book or magazine, or go for a walk. Exercise will stimulate your body and clear your mind.

exam. * "Memorise any acronyms or mnemonics you have prepared to remind you of key content areas in the exam, they recommend also. "This is usually easy if you have invented them yourself." * Remind yourself of the format of the exam paper, the choices available and

on what you know and go over the main points

The night before the exam
* Make sure you know the exact location of the exam centre. Work out how long it will take you to get there make allowances for traffic, roadworks, etc. * Decide what you are going to wear. A last minute scramble to find suitable clothes will only increase stress. Wear comfortable clothes. Dressing in layers is wise as you can peel them off if you feel hot * Set aside the equipment you will need. This includes ID, pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, correction fluid (if allowed) and mathematical instruments * Avoid undue tension. This can be achieved by concentrating on what you know rather than what you don't know. Aim to face one day at a time and believe in yourself

e x a m q u e s t i o n s previously attempted in each topic area, advises Fidelma Healy Eames and Sara Hannafin. "If your work is easy to access and presented in a condensed manner, you will be easily able to review the content the night before each

The final countdown
* Get started. If you still have a lot of revision to do, get down to it. Do not wait until you feel inclined to work, you may never be in the mood! If your task is a big one break it down into manageable proportions. Always try to finish a job before moving on to the next. Otherwise you will waste time trying to pick up the threads of yesterday's unfinished work * Work to a programme. Most will already be working to a study timetable. This will give you a business-like approach and confidence in what you are doing. It will also help you know

Sara Hannafin & Fidelma Healy Eames