AS we enter the new year, many of us will resolve to improve ourselves through changing habits, beginning new routines, or learning new skills.
However, for many young people the reality of the challenging few months ahead will begin to sink in as they prepare for their Leaving Cert exams.
The stress relating to these exams can often become overwhelming for young people: the thoughts of the amount of schoolwork, revision and exams that are coming up can take a mental and physical toll, and for some students, can create a sense that they are not in control.
When we feel stressed and overwhelmed, it can be very difficult to learn and retain information, further increasing the feelings of overwhelm for Leaving Cert students.
It’s important that students learn to feel in control of their workload, this creates a sense of self-belief and an ability to persevere when things become challenging. One of the best ways to feel in control is to become as organised as possible. Having a clear plan and developing systems to stay on top of schoolwork and revision will allow students to feel like they are making progress.
Organisation as a platform for success
Taking a few minutes each day to organise what needs to be done will give students a sense of control over their day and create a sense of control and safety in times of stress. Creating basic organisational systems such as, a revision timetable and a revision plan, will help students reach their goals.
The Author, James Clear (Atomic Habits) states that “You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.”
Without a strong foundation of organisation, revision can quickly become frustrating and counterproductive as students quickly feel like they aren’t making progress.
Learning organisation skills and taking the time to put these into practice will help students use their time as productively as possible.
Getting the balance right
Over the coming months Leaving Cert students will be, obviously, focusing on the exams in June. It can be easy to become consumed by this and spend all of their time revising, doing schoolwork, and thinking about the exams.
If the only focus is on the Leaving Cert, students can lose motivation, find it difficult to focus and in extreme cases, burn out.
Planning for free time is as important as planning and organising revision. Many students give up sport and other hobbies especially during the final few months before the exams, at a time when they need the time to focus on something different and get physical exercise and take a mental break from the stresses they are experiencing every day. So, when planning it’s important to include time to do things that they enjoy, meet up with friends and get plenty of exercise.
How to plan for revision
When revising for exams, many students make the mistake of thinking that spending as much time as possible reading textbooks and notes will help them prepare for exams. However, we only remember ten percent of what we read. That is why active learning helps us remember far more of what we are trying to learn. Active learning is putting what we have revised into practice.
When it comes to revising for the Leaving Cert, this means taking the time to revise a specific topic and then using what you have just learned to answer a question on that topic. This not only helps to retain information but will give students a sense that they have achieved something from the effort they have put in.
Its also interesting to note that we remember ninety five percent of what we teach to others. This is why helping others or discussing topics with classmates can help students not only understand material better, but also remember it over the long term.
Focusing on one task at a time
As the stress and pressure of the exams grows over the coming months it is understandable that some students will become overwhelmed. When this happens, we tend to try to do too many things at the same time in the hope of cramming as much work into a small amount of time as possible.
This is not only counterproductive but will also increase frustration and stress as it is impossible to retain information in this way. That is why it’s important to consciously focus on one task at a time.
How to approach revision
· Have a quiet space that is clean, neat and tidy.
· Avoid distractions such as social media, games, and devices.
· When revising start with a subject you enjoy, then a subject you find difficult and then a subject you often overlook.
· Use active learning methodologies such as, revising the material first, then applying this by practicing exam questions.
· Planning for regular breaks, where you get up and move around.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alan White is a second level teacher, 6th Year Head, and wellbeing author at Bishop stown Community School. He also facilitates wellbeing workshops for companies and or ganisations. For more information, visit www.changeswellbeing.ie linkedin Alan White or Changes Wellbeing on Facebook.
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