Sixth Year Study SkillsSixth Year Study SkillsDecember 2014December 2014

Do you know the Do you know the answer?answer?

You have a boat and need to take a fox, a You have a boat and need to take a fox, a chicken and some corn across a river.chicken and some corn across a river.

The boat will only hold you and one other The boat will only hold you and one other thing.thing.

If you leave the chicken alone with the If you leave the chicken alone with the corn, the chicken will eat the corn.corn, the chicken will eat the corn.

If you leave the fox alone with the chicken, If you leave the fox alone with the chicken, the chicken's in big trouble.the chicken's in big trouble.

How can you get them all across in the How can you get them all across in the least amount of trips possible?least amount of trips possible?

Answer will be given at the endAnswer will be given at the end

Active LearningActive Learning

Study betterStudy better Parrot-fashion revision is slow and boring, Parrot-fashion revision is slow and boring,

because it’s unnaturalbecause it’s unnatural

Our brains just weren’t built for rote learning random Our brains just weren’t built for rote learning random facts, and it’s facts, and it’s notnot an effective way to study an effective way to study

To learn a topic properly, you need to understand it, To learn a topic properly, you need to understand it, work with it, and practice remembering and work with it, and practice remembering and answering questions about itanswering questions about it

Here are some tips for getting new information into Here are some tips for getting new information into your headyour head

Study betterStudy betterGet activeGet active Don’t just read the text over and over. Don’t just read the text over and over.

That’ll never work. That’ll never work. Make notes, figure out the key points and Make notes, figure out the key points and

how they link togetherhow they link together Drawing a spider diagram or mind map Drawing a spider diagram or mind map

can help to clarify how everything can help to clarify how everything connectsconnects

Condense those endless paragraphs into Condense those endless paragraphs into golden nuggets of informationgolden nuggets of information

Study betterStudy betterGet creativeGet creative Let your brain play with the material, in as many Let your brain play with the material, in as many

ways as you canways as you can Draw a picture, write a story, get the Play-Doh Draw a picture, write a story, get the Play-Doh

out – or pretend you’re being interviewed about it out – or pretend you’re being interviewed about it on a chat show on a chat show

This might sound like a frivolous way to spend This might sound like a frivolous way to spend your precious revision time, but the idea is this your precious revision time, but the idea is this will help you to understand the subject in a will help you to understand the subject in a deeper way than by just reading itdeeper way than by just reading it

And it’s enjoyable, which means you’ll be more And it’s enjoyable, which means you’ll be more energised...energised...

Study betterStudy betterTest YourselfTest Yourself Create ways of testing your knowledge as Create ways of testing your knowledge as

you go along. This forces your brain to you go along. This forces your brain to practise retrieving the information from its practise retrieving the information from its memory banksmemory banks

If you’re sitting exams, get your hands on If you’re sitting exams, get your hands on as many past papers as possible, so that as many past papers as possible, so that you can put your new knowledge to the you can put your new knowledge to the crucial test – do you know enough to crucial test – do you know enough to convince an examiner?convince an examiner?

Study betterStudy betterExplain it to someone else...Explain it to someone else... If you can explain a concept to someone If you can explain a concept to someone

else and have a good bash at answering else and have a good bash at answering any follow-up questions they have, then any follow-up questions they have, then you’ll know you’ve understood it wellyou’ll know you’ve understood it well

This also prompts your brain to work with This also prompts your brain to work with the material in a new way, which will help the material in a new way, which will help to lodge it in your long-term memory to lodge it in your long-term memory

And if your friend asks you a question you And if your friend asks you a question you can’t answer, it’s great to find that out can’t answer, it’s great to find that out beforebefore the exam... the exam...

Study betterStudy betterRehearse itRehearse it Your brain has a massive memory bank, but unlike a Your brain has a massive memory bank, but unlike a

computer, it needs you to go over new information computer, it needs you to go over new information several times for it to really sink inseveral times for it to really sink in

Creating a new memory involves a new pathway Creating a new memory involves a new pathway being laid down between brain cells, but this being laid down between brain cells, but this pathway will disappear unless it’s strengthened by pathway will disappear unless it’s strengthened by being thought back over many timesbeing thought back over many times

Look back over what you’ve learned at the end of Look back over what you’ve learned at the end of every study session to consolidate the memory. every study session to consolidate the memory.

And have another quick look the next day, week, and And have another quick look the next day, week, and monthmonth

Otherwise all your hard study will slip through your Otherwise all your hard study will slip through your neurons like water through a sieve...neurons like water through a sieve...

Research shows a Research shows a study-test-test-teststudy-test-test-test model works model works better than a better than a study-study-study-teststudy-study-study-test process – the process – the constant retrieval of knowledge is what helps your constant retrieval of knowledge is what helps your brain remember it!brain remember it!

Study betterStudy betterSleep on itSleep on it This is the easy one. Learn the stuff, then This is the easy one. Learn the stuff, then

go to bed. Or even just take a napgo to bed. Or even just take a nap Either way, your brain will rehearse the Either way, your brain will rehearse the

information but without any effort from information but without any effort from your conscious self... your conscious self...

Studies show that recall really does Studies show that recall really does improve after you sleep – and similarly, improve after you sleep – and similarly, marks go down if you don’t get enough marks go down if you don’t get enough sleep. Two reasons why pulling an all-sleep. Two reasons why pulling an all-nighter is a bad ideanighter is a bad idea

Brain exerciseBrain exercise Below are pairs of words. Your goal is to find a third word that Below are pairs of words. Your goal is to find a third word that

is connected or associated with both of these two words.is connected or associated with both of these two words. The first pair is PIANO and LOCK. The answer is KEY. The word The first pair is PIANO and LOCK. The answer is KEY. The word

key is connected with both the word piano and the word lock: key is connected with both the word piano and the word lock: there are KEYS on a piano and you use a KEY to lock doors.there are KEYS on a piano and you use a KEY to lock doors.

Key is what is called a homograph: a word that has more than Key is what is called a homograph: a word that has more than one mean ing but is always spelled the sameone mean ing but is always spelled the same

Ready to exercise the connections in your temporal lobe(s)? Ready to exercise the connections in your temporal lobe(s)? Enjoy! Enjoy!

1.1. LOCK — PIANOLOCK — PIANO2.2. SHIP — CARDSHIP — CARD3.3. TREE — CARTREE — CAR

4.4. SCHOOL — EYESCHOOL — EYE5.5. PILLOW — COURTPILLOW — COURT6.6. RIVER — MONEYRIVER — MONEY

7.7. BED — PAPERBED — PAPER8.8. ARMY — WATERARMY — WATER

9.9. EGYPTIAN — MOTHEREGYPTIAN — MOTHER10.10. SMOKER — PLUMBERSMOKER — PLUMBER

AnswersAnswers

1.1. LOCK -  PIANO > KEYLOCK -  PIANO > KEY2.2. SHIP — CARD > DeckSHIP — CARD > Deck3.3. TREE — CAR > TrunkTREE — CAR > Trunk

4.4. SCHOOL -  EYE > Pupil/PrivateSCHOOL -  EYE > Pupil/Private5.5. PILLOW -  COURT  > CasePILLOW -  COURT  > Case

6.6. RIVER — MONEY > Bank/FlowRIVER — MONEY > Bank/Flow7.7. BED — PAPER > SheetBED — PAPER > Sheet

8.8. ARMY — WATER > TankARMY — WATER > Tank9.9. EGYPTIAN — MOTHER > MummyEGYPTIAN — MOTHER > Mummy

10.10. SMOKER — PLUMBER > PipeSMOKER — PLUMBER > Pipe

Mind mapsMind maps

Brain teaserBrain teaser

Why Mind Maps?Why Mind Maps?Mind maps can be more effective than other Mind maps can be more effective than other brainstorming and linear note-taking methods for brainstorming and linear note-taking methods for

a a number of reasons:number of reasons: It's a graphical tool that can incorporate words, It's a graphical tool that can incorporate words,

images, numbers, and color, so it can be more images, numbers, and color, so it can be more memorable and enjoyable to create and review. memorable and enjoyable to create and review. The combination of words and pictures is six The combination of words and pictures is six times better for remembering information than times better for remembering information than words alonewords alone

Mind maps link and group concepts together Mind maps link and group concepts together through natural associations. This helps through natural associations. This helps generate more ideas, find deeper meaning in generate more ideas, find deeper meaning in your subject, and also prompt you to fill in more your subject, and also prompt you to fill in more or find what you're missingor find what you're missing

Why Mind Maps?Why Mind Maps?

A mind map can at once give you an A mind map can at once give you an overview of a large subject while also overview of a large subject while also holding large amounts of information.holding large amounts of information.

It's also a very intuitive way to organize It's also a very intuitive way to organize your thoughts, since mind maps mimic the your thoughts, since mind maps mimic the way our brains think—bouncing ideas off way our brains think—bouncing ideas off of each other, rather than thinking linearlyof each other, rather than thinking linearly

You can generate ideas very quickly with You can generate ideas very quickly with this technique and are encouraged to this technique and are encouraged to explore different creative pathwaysexplore different creative pathways

Brain smartsBrain smarts Did you know a good night's sleep can improve your Did you know a good night's sleep can improve your

test scores without you doing any extra work? test scores without you doing any extra work?

And a wrongly timed chocolate bar can slow your And a wrongly timed chocolate bar can slow your thinking right down? thinking right down?

Your brain's very sensitive and it constantly needs to Your brain's very sensitive and it constantly needs to repair itself and build new connections between the repair itself and build new connections between the cells as you learn new thingscells as you learn new things

To do this, it needs top class nutrition, a steady supply To do this, it needs top class nutrition, a steady supply of energy, a steady supply of oxygen, and time asleep of energy, a steady supply of oxygen, and time asleep to do all its updatingto do all its updating

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUoJc0NPajQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUoJc0NPajQ

Brain smartsBrain smartsDietDietTip 1:Tip 1: For general brain health, you need to eat a balanced diet, For general brain health, you need to eat a balanced diet,

containing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Every other part of containing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Every other part of your body will benefit from this tooyour body will benefit from this too

Tip 2:Tip 2: Your brain needs a steady supply of energy, but it can only get Your brain needs a steady supply of energy, but it can only get

this from a type of sugar called glucosethis from a type of sugar called glucose This glucose comes from the carbohydrates you eat, but only This glucose comes from the carbohydrates you eat, but only

certain kinds of carbs will docertain kinds of carbs will do These include wholemeal bread, pasta, porridge and pulses, which These include wholemeal bread, pasta, porridge and pulses, which

take time for your body to break down, so release their glucose take time for your body to break down, so release their glucose slowly and steadilyslowly and steadily

Chocolate, biscuits and other sugary snacks are sadly not good for Chocolate, biscuits and other sugary snacks are sadly not good for your brainyour brain

They release their sugar so quickly that your brain will peak... but They release their sugar so quickly that your brain will peak... but then quickly crash afterwards leaving you feeling less energised then quickly crash afterwards leaving you feeling less energised than beforethan before

Not recommended for any work requiring optimum brain Not recommended for any work requiring optimum brain performanceperformance

Brain smartsBrain smartsTip 3:Tip 3: Your brain needs to be primed with oxygen. It gets this from Your brain needs to be primed with oxygen. It gets this from

exercise, but you also need to have a good supply of iron in your exercise, but you also need to have a good supply of iron in your bloodstreambloodstream

This iron comes from foods such as red meat, green leafy This iron comes from foods such as red meat, green leafy vegetables like spinach, dried fruit, fortified cereals, and pulses, vegetables like spinach, dried fruit, fortified cereals, and pulses, including baked beansincluding baked beans

Tip 4:Tip 4: Don't skip breakfast (or lunch) – especially before an Don't skip breakfast (or lunch) – especially before an examexam. .

Your brain will perform less well if you haven't eaten for hours. Your brain will perform less well if you haven't eaten for hours. Brain scientists have shown that a student's test results are lower Brain scientists have shown that a student's test results are lower

when they haven't eaten. But you need to eat the right thing when they haven't eaten. But you need to eat the right thing Again, junk food won't work. The brain needs those slow-releasing Again, junk food won't work. The brain needs those slow-releasing

carbohydrates. Beans on toast for example has been shown to be carbohydrates. Beans on toast for example has been shown to be particularly beneficialparticularly beneficial

And if you think skipping breakfast will keep your weight down, And if you think skipping breakfast will keep your weight down, evidence shows eating breakfast keeps you leanevidence shows eating breakfast keeps you lean

WaterWaterTip 5:Tip 5: Don't go thirsty. Dehydration will affect your brain's performance. Don't go thirsty. Dehydration will affect your brain's performance. Don't go mad with it though – especially if you're about to sit an Don't go mad with it though – especially if you're about to sit an

examexam

Brain smartsBrain smartsExerciseExerciseTip 6:Tip 6: Your brain needs the rest of you to get moving, and pump Your brain needs the rest of you to get moving, and pump

the oxygen-rich blood it needs through every capillary. the oxygen-rich blood it needs through every capillary. Studies show that exercise improves your memory Studies show that exercise improves your memory

capacity – and lack of it will make your brain age capacity – and lack of it will make your brain age prematurely. So get out and active! prematurely. So get out and active!

SleepSleepTip 7:Tip 7: Possibly the quickest and easiest treat for your brain – a Possibly the quickest and easiest treat for your brain – a

great night's sleep. You get to rest, and your brain gets to great night's sleep. You get to rest, and your brain gets to repair itself and consolidate all the day's new learningrepair itself and consolidate all the day's new learning

Even an hour less sleep can affect your test scores the Even an hour less sleep can affect your test scores the next day. next day.

And experts say if you want to maximise your revision, And experts say if you want to maximise your revision, you should get some sleep as quickly as possible after you should get some sleep as quickly as possible after you've done it. you've done it.

Exam week menuExam week menu

Water (no soft drinks)Water (no soft drinks) Fresh fruit smoothiesFresh fruit smoothies Fresh or dried fruitsFresh or dried fruits Unsalted nutsUnsalted nuts SandwichesSandwiches SoupSoup YoghurtsYoghurts Cheese Cheese BeansBeans PorridgePorridge Fish/meatFish/meat EggsEggs NO JUNK FOODNO JUNK FOOD

Exam week – night before exams

DON’T CRAM Get an early night – a good night’s sleep,

relax, have a bath, do a relaxation etc… Use the night before to scan flash cards,

summaries, mind maps, etc… Gather all your equipment together and

have everything packed and organised Eat a good breakfast the morning of exams

Exam day

Arrive early, sit down 10 mins before to allow yourself time to relax and prepare

Bring water Selection of pens and any stationery you need Read exam instructions thoroughly Read ALL the questions Spend a few minutes planning each question – spider

diagrams, key points, words, central topic, always link bank to what was asked in the question – this avoids waffle

Allocate time for each question Underline KEY words and especially AND/OR questions Plan the order in which you will answer questions Keep ALL rough work/notes

Coping skills and relaxationCoping skills and relaxation http://www.qualifax.ie/index.php?http://www.qualifax.ie/index.php?

option=com_content&view=articleoption=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=239 &id=87&Itemid=239

https://www.youtube.com/watch?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVW_IE1nsKE v=CVW_IE1nsKE

Brain teaser answerBrain teaser answerFirst, take the chicken across and leave it there...First, take the chicken across and leave it there...

Go back alone...Go back alone...

Take the fox across...Take the fox across...

Leave the fox and take the chicken back...Leave the fox and take the chicken back...

Leave the chicken and take the corn across...Leave the chicken and take the corn across...

Leave the corn with the fox and go back alone...Leave the corn with the fox and go back alone...

Finally, take the chicken across...Finally, take the chicken across...