Experience is the best teacher, but a fool will learn from no other"
- Benjamin Franklin
Would you like to know the study tips of a student from Ireland who managed to get into medicine at University then went on from the Leaving Cert to graduate from the University of Oxford?
If so read on
1. Mind Maps
Mind Maps are a great way to study any conceptually-based topic, so if you are trying to draw out the effect that a particular land act had on Ireland or exam where evidence of the human condition in King Lear can be found this is the route to go. So, maybe take an exam question and turn the answer into a mind map, using as few words as possible.
Here is how to create a mindmap:
a. Take a blank sheet of paper and in the centre write the topic or concept you are studying
b. Draw lines out from the centre and put the sub-topics at the end of each line
c. At each of these sub-topics you can put individual points of information
d. Now revise by drawing out the mind map from memory, be sure to check that you are not forgetting any theme or piece of information.
2. Flash Cards
Flash Cards suit some subjects betters than others, those where rote memorisation is important, particularly: languages, chemistry, maths, applied maths, physics, accountancy and biology. The general idea is that you will put all the information you need to remember on one side of the card and something that will place the information in the context that you need to remember it.
Here is how this technique can apply to various different subjects:
a. If you are studying a language have 15 words in English on a topic with the corresponding French words on the opposite side.
b. If you are studying accountancy you can have the names of a Profit & Loss Account on one side and on the other a diagram of where entries are placed.
c. In English it is great for remembering quotations while in chemistry is makes learning the periodical table easy.
Flash Cards are small, portable and have all the information you need. Instead of wasting time at the bus stop you can quickly go over a question.
3. Study Group Presentations
Divide and conquer - the idea is that to talk about something you really have to understand it, and if you can talk about it you can definitely write about it.
Follow these steps:
a. Organise that you and a group of friends take a topic and divide it among yourself, so if you are studying poetry then everyone can take a poet to present.
b. Everyone works so that you can give a 5 minute presentation on your poet, complete with quotations and information on the structure of the poetry.
c. Swap notes afterwards and, maybe, try and compare and contrast some of the poets.
Studying in a group is more enjoyable than studying by oneself, and if you have to talk to your friends about a subject you are going to try your best not to make the most of it.
- Benjamin Franklin
Would you like to know the study tips of a student from Ireland who managed to get into medicine at University then went on from the Leaving Cert to graduate from the University of Oxford?
If so read on
1. Mind Maps
Mind Maps are a great way to study any conceptually-based topic, so if you are trying to draw out the effect that a particular land act had on Ireland or exam where evidence of the human condition in King Lear can be found this is the route to go. So, maybe take an exam question and turn the answer into a mind map, using as few words as possible.
Here is how to create a mindmap:
a. Take a blank sheet of paper and in the centre write the topic or concept you are studying
b. Draw lines out from the centre and put the sub-topics at the end of each line
c. At each of these sub-topics you can put individual points of information
d. Now revise by drawing out the mind map from memory, be sure to check that you are not forgetting any theme or piece of information.
2. Flash Cards
Flash Cards suit some subjects betters than others, those where rote memorisation is important, particularly: languages, chemistry, maths, applied maths, physics, accountancy and biology. The general idea is that you will put all the information you need to remember on one side of the card and something that will place the information in the context that you need to remember it.
Here is how this technique can apply to various different subjects:
a. If you are studying a language have 15 words in English on a topic with the corresponding French words on the opposite side.
b. If you are studying accountancy you can have the names of a Profit & Loss Account on one side and on the other a diagram of where entries are placed.
c. In English it is great for remembering quotations while in chemistry is makes learning the periodical table easy.
Flash Cards are small, portable and have all the information you need. Instead of wasting time at the bus stop you can quickly go over a question.
3. Study Group Presentations
Divide and conquer - the idea is that to talk about something you really have to understand it, and if you can talk about it you can definitely write about it.
Follow these steps:
a. Organise that you and a group of friends take a topic and divide it among yourself, so if you are studying poetry then everyone can take a poet to present.
b. Everyone works so that you can give a 5 minute presentation on your poet, complete with quotations and information on the structure of the poetry.
c. Swap notes afterwards and, maybe, try and compare and contrast some of the poets.
Studying in a group is more enjoyable than studying by oneself, and if you have to talk to your friends about a subject you are going to try your best not to make the most of it.
