Check if the students have set-up timetables.

This involves the following:
A year planner
A weekly schedule
A session schedule

Check if they are using the checkmark technique.

Students should keep track of how often they get distracted when doing homework/study. Each time they divert their attention from their work, they give themselves a checkmark. At the end of their study session, they should count their checkmarks, and make a goal to reduce the number of checkmarks in the next study session.

Do not over analyse their exam performance while the exams are in progress.
Student Requirements:

 Healthy diet.

Keep salt intake low. Salt intake increases blood pressure, and high blood pressure can harm memory, attention span and reasoning. Students should not eat processed food as they contain trans fats that disrupt the messages between
neural pathways. They should get plenty of protein, vitamin D and omega-3.

Some foods are more calming than others. Milk and bananas for example contain naturally occurring morphine like substances, which help to calm a student down. Raw vegetables are also helpful. Some sugary foods on the other hand, just help to wind them up. They may give an instant “energy hit”, but that’s at the cost of making them even more nervous than they were before.

Healthy eating before the examination:

The Students should eat before the examination, preferably something with protein and complex carbohydrates. If they don’t eat before the examination they will feel tired and hungry during the examination. Keep high sugar and high fat foods to a minimum, as these will only give short boosts and guarantee a huge drop in energy levels.

FAQ's

Q. How many hours should students study for?

A. Students should not get caught up in the quantity of time but in the quality. On average leaving certificate students should do homework and study for at least 3 hours every evening and junior certificate students should do at least 2 hours.

Q. How do you get your student to study the subjects they dislike?

A. Sometimes students dislike a subject because they find it difficult or not interesting, by ensuring the student knows exactly what they should know for that subject can make it more manageable.

www.skoool.ie gives very good subject breakdowns. The student can tick off small parts as they go along and they can see their progress.

Q. How do I ensure that my student does not listen to music whilst studying?

A. As the more experienced adult you can only advise on what is best for them, it is better to advise and make suggestions as opposed to give orders, that way they will be in a position to make the decisions themselves.

Q. Do you agree with study groups?

A. Study groups can work very effectively for the student that prefers to learn with others. They have to be well organised and supervised. Personally I find it works really well when the students have the same learning style and are equal in ability. That way the group is not going to fast or too slow.

Should I get my child grinds for every subject?

A. Grinds can be very beneficial for your student. Sometimes a student can excel given 1:1 attention. However it is important that your student tries to study and work things out for themselves and they are not seeing grinds as a quick fix. For example Maths is a taught subject, students really benefit from grinds, some theory subjects such as the theory of Business can be studied on their own. It is important however not to leave grinds to the last minute, keep an eye on all the foundations of subjects and get help for them if they cannot do it themselves or cannot do it with the help of their teachers.

Q. Would you advise Revision Courses?

A. They can be very good for the good student that has been working steadily. They should not be seen as a quick fix!

Creating a Study Environment

Create a work atmosphere:

Set up a desk away from distractions and noise. Use this area for studying and studying alone.  Texting, talking on the telephone, watching TV etc should be done elsewhere.  In this way you will become accustomed to studying when you sit down at your desk. Avoid relaxing while working. When you take a break, leave your study place, and then come back to work.

Remove distractions:

When you study, try to remove things that will catch your attention and distract you. Arrange your desk to face a blank wall rather than a window, so you don't become distracted by what's going on outside. If you study in the library, try to find a secluded place where other students will not distract you.

Correct temperature and ventilation:

Find a study location where temperature, ventilation, and humidity are comfortable. If it is too warm, you might become drowsy.

Music and noise:

It is usually not a good idea to listen to music.  If you are aware of the music, you are not concentrating 100 percent on studying. Noise is also a powerful distraction. Try to make your study place as quiet as possible. Ask people not to interrupt your study time and switch off your mobile phone.

Organised materials, books and notes:

Gather together all materials needed for studying. Have you books and notes close to hand so that time is not wasted looking for them.

Posture/mobility:

Some people prefer to sit at a desk, others are able to learn more easily while sitting comfortably on a sofa or lying on the floor. Furthermore some people have the ability to sit and study for long periods of time, while others need to take frequent breaks. Recognising your posture and mobility needs will help you to plan where and when you should study.

Lighting:

Studies have shown that some people become slightly depressed because of the lack of light during the winter months. If you are one of those people, you should try to study and spend as much time as possible in highly lit places.

Post-it note on distractions:

If you have a television or computer in your room put a post-it note on it, that says “Do you need to switch this on right now”.