The Leaving Cert kicks off in less than a week (Wednesday, 7 June) and students across the country will, no doubt, be feeling the nerves and anxiously rereading notes and essay questions.
We caught up with TikTok's teaching influencer Tadgh O'Donovan whose account @teachwithtadgh has amassed over 376,000 followers thanks to his humorous and informative study and school tips.
Here, he shares his plan for how he'd spend the last week of Leaving Cert study before the exams begin.
"The best method of study a week before an exam can vary depending on individual learning preferences", he said. "Some people might like making notes, while others hate the idea of sitting down at a table for hours on end. However, here's how I'd plan out my study timetable, and what I'd do, in the week leading up to an exam."
1. Create a study schedule
Plan out your study sessions for each day leading up to the exam. Allocate specific time slots for different subjects or topics, ensuring a balanced approach overall, but if possible, favour subjects that are coming up first. Be realistic when you make this schedule. Include breaks to get out and about. Perhaps you play a sport. Include going to training in your plan. Tailor the plan to suit your life, and make it challenging but realistic to follow. And once made, stick to the schedule as much as possible to stay organised and cover all necessary material.
2. Review your notes
Start by reviewing your class notes and any relevant textbooks or study materials. Focus on key concepts, formulas, definitions, and any areas where you feel less confident. Condense your notes into summaries or flashcards to aid in revision.
3. Practice past exam papers
Familiarise yourself with the format and style of the exam by practicing past papers. This can help you become more comfortable with the types of questions asked and improve your time management skills. Analyse the solutions to identify patterns, recurring themes, and areas where you need to improve. Particularly in subjects like Science, this is extremely beneficial.
4. Focus on active learning
If you're someone who struggles with sitting down and staying on task, this is an important step. Instead of just passively reading or reviewing notes, engage in active learning techniques. This can include summarising information in your own words, teaching concepts to someone else, or creating mind maps and diagrams to visually represent information.
5. Seek clarification
If you come across any confusing or unclear concepts, don't hesitate to seek clarification from your teachers, classmates, or online resources. Understanding the material thoroughly is crucial for performing well in the exam. This can be really useful the last few days before an exam, so include a slot in your study timetable where you might meet up with or Facetime someone else in your year doing the same subject, where you can both address any points of concern.
6. Take breaks and manage stress
I know I mentioned it in point one, but It's really important to take regular breaks during study sessions to avoid burnout. Breaks can help you recharge, consolidate information, and maintain focus. Additionally, prioritise self-care activities such as exercise, sleep, and a healthy diet to manage stress and optimise your cognitive abilities.
A nice technique to use is the 25:5 method. Study for 25 minutes, take a break for five (ideally without scrolling on the internet). Repeat this four times before taking a slightly longer break, and then repeat four more times. That's eight study blocks in four hours, which might be eight different topics revised in one long study session!
7. Practice time management.
Allocate appropriate amounts of time to each section or question type based on their weightage or difficulty. Practice answering questions within the allocated time to improve your speed and efficiency. Time management during the exam is crucial to ensure you complete all sections and don't rush through important questions.
Everyone has different study preferences, so adapt these strategies to suit your needs. Experiment with various techniques and find what works best for you, but hopefully the week before the exams, you most likely already know what works for you. Lastly, maintain a positive mindset, stay confident in your abilities, and trust in the effort you have put into your preparation.
