Senior School
Parent Information Evening
Term 1, 2014
Preparing for exams
What is Study?
• “When can I get time to study with all
this homework”
• What is homework and what is study?
• Often teachers will give ‘homework’
which is actually designed to be a
part of the process to consolidate
what was covered in class that day
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Effective Study
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Regular and ongoing throughout the year
Well organised
Uses effective techniques
Personalised
Analytical
Relates closely to the Course outline
Know the content and expectations
• Course
outline
• Examiners
reports
• SCSA
Website
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Preparing for study
• Equipment
• Construct notes with examples
• Set up your desk and room as though
you were sitting exams
• Seek help from your teacher if you
don’t understand something
• Be positive
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Study Timetable
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Should include all other commitments
Flexible
Realistic
2 to 3 hours per Course per week
On the ‘fridge’ for all to see
Study Timetable – sample 2
Study technique: Study Log
• Tool to track study and areas of
difficulty within a course
• One for each examinable course
• Shows the specific sections of the
Course have been studied
• Shows how frequently study has been
undertaken
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How to use a Study Log
• Write in the date and aspect of the
course being studied
• Tick (√) next to it when you are
confident that you know the material
• Cross (x) when you don’t. Keep
crossing for each session spent until
you understand and then can tick
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How to use a Study Log - sample
Attempts
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Material Studied
Date
Completed
1st April
Objective 2 – Naming the parts of the human skeleton
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2nd April
Objective 3 – Naming the major types of joints in the
human skeleton.
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4th April
Objective 4 – Understand the role that the human
skeleton plays in the production of red blood cells.
7th April
Objective 5 – Describe the role of the skeleton in the
functioning of antagonistic muscle sets.
10th April
Objective 6 – Explain how the structure of the bones,
joints and muscles work together to enable movement of
the human body.
X√
XX√
XXX√
Study techniques
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Note taking
Summarising
Testing yourself
Use past exams
Incorporate learning style
Mind Mapping
Study Groups
Aim for Improvement
• Acknowledge what you have
achieved
• What do I need to do to improve my
performance?
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Notes
Revision
Study technique
Use of class time
Exam Stress
• Pressure
– Self
– Others: family, friends, competition
– Achieving your destination: getting into
university or uncertainty about your destination
• Lack of preparation
– Poor study habits, organisation, time
management
• Negative “self-talk”
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Strategies to manage Stress
• Keep normal routines and take breaks
• Reasonable bed time
• Eating regularly, a balanced diet and
drink water
• Cut back on coffee and other stimulants
• Avoid alcohol and drugs
• Make time for fun and exercise but resist
too many commitments
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Strategies to manage stress
• Reflect on how you express your feelings
- Positive “self-talk”
- Journal
- Networks
• Relaxation
- Relax before bed
- Meditation/breathing exercises
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Difficulty managing stress
• If stress is having a significant impact :
- Discuss this with the school (Senior School
Coordinator, Deputy, School Psychologist,
Chaplain, Nurse)
- Make an appointment with your GP
• These problems are unlikely to go away
on their own; the causes need to be
addressed and sometimes treated
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Mobile Phones and ICT
• Mobile phones, Facebook etc. can
be a distraction
• No role in study
• Study should reflect exam conditions
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Parent support
• Be supportive, constructive and
encouraging
• Be informed (communicate with teachers)
• Use your own experience – you probably
know more than you may think
• Be engaged – study timetables, study
logs, monitor the use of technology
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Parent support
• Help set short, medium and long term
goals and review them
• Rewards work – for a short time
• specifically related to the achievement of
set goals
• A clear career plan can clarify the reason
for studying
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Friday Period 1- Private Study &
Guest Speakers
• Option to work quietly in the Library- self
managed
• Access to teachers- English, Maths and
Social Sciences
• Scheduled Guest speakers from
Universities, TAFE and relevant
organisations
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