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The podcast discusses tips for studying and preparing for exams. The hosts discuss the importance of not being too nervous about exams and how studying in intervals rather than cramming can help with retention. They also suggest rewarding oneself after a study session and using resources like online videos and study planners. They emphasize the importance of practice, learning from mistakes, and studying with friends. They also mention different studying techniques such as rewriting notes, recording and listening to oneself, and using flashcards. Hello and welcome back to this week's podcast, After the Bell. I'm here today with Abigail and today we're going to talk about exams, study tips. We had heard you're students, so junior students coming up, Abigail. How are you feeling about the juniorships? It's okay at the moment, I suppose. We have Easter break there coming up, so that gives us a good opportunity to study for two weeks. I have another seven weeks prior to that, don't we? Yeah, exactly. We do have a good time, so I suppose it's not too late yet to try and move around. How did your marks go, Abigail? Did you get a kick in the back thighs? No, I suppose it was actually too bad. I did put in a good few hours of study and I was happy with most of my results. I suppose it is an awakening now, just stuff is getting real and time is ticking, so time now to actually put in the real hard work. How did you find them? I found them, a lot of them were fine, but some of them obviously I think I could do better, but I think that's what the marks are for. I don't think anybody should be nervous about them, especially after us doing it. I think that's one tip so far for your marks, don't be nervous because at the end of the day it's the marks, so it's actually helping you for when you're doing your Junior Cert. Would I be right with that? Yeah, I think if I could change anything, I wouldn't be as nervous as I would have been. I think I was overreacting about them. Yeah, definitely. Okay, so the first tip really that I would have, so we've already said the first tip about don't be nervous about the marks because the marks are helping you for the Junior Cert, but I suppose the second tip I would say is with your studying, and correct me if I'm wrong, Abigail, that we space out your studying. Yeah. I think that's a huge, a huge thing with studying. I think don't cram it all in one because we don't retain that information. It's even been said with a half an hour of information you can take in to your brain at once, so if you're doing it in whatever way you lay it out, do your study, but do an hour, and then have a half an hour break, and then go back again if you want. Just break it up, not doing it all in one. Would I be right with that? Yeah, no, I think that the study breaks really help, even if it's just literally going outside, playing with your dog. Personally, I just go and put on Bellador, my favourite toy for myself, while I'm having a break, just for a half an hour, just to clear the air before going back to get more of it. Do you have another tip, Abigail? I think rewarding yourself for a good study session is really important because I feel like it motivates you to try harder, and you know like, just say now you're just like 10 minutes into the study session, will you tell yourself, keep going, because I'll get to say, for example, you're using ice cream or something, just reward yourself after because it will push you, and you look forward to the repeat. Yeah, that's actually, I never really thought of that. I always like studying, and I never thought, you know, you'd always think that, why am I even studying, what's it even for, but at the end of the day, you are studying for exams, and like, it's not just about exams now, you're rewarding yourself for the amount of information you just have to take in, because it is a lot, especially with junior certs so far, like I think it has been a lot, like history now, I think we both have the same experience of that, like we're a bit all over the place. It's a win-win situation, you're studying while also getting something nice. Yeah. Okay, so another tip I would have is to practice, practice, practice, practice, practice makes perfect, like that's what they say, like genuinely, we have exam books, don't we Abigail, so that's practice questions, that's like how we can practice and how we can learn, and like mistakes, another thing I just want to say, like just to clarify, I think mistakes are okay, like everybody thinks, oh I'm after making a mistake, a big mistake now, but mistakes are okay, as long as you learn from that mistake, I think we can all agree that mistakes are okay, and that's what we learn off of, like you see, I think it's like Shakira in the song, birds don't just fly, they fall down and they get back up and they try again to fly, like exactly, yeah, I feel like if you make mistakes you do seem to learn even more than if you just got it right straight off, it just kind of does give you, I suppose, more confidence. Yeah, definitely, another thing I would say as well, just with studying, don't just re-read books and notes, test yourself, go on Google, we're in a generation now where technology is huge, and I think like YouTube, Google, you can go on Google and look up, or you can go on Khan Academy, there's a maths one, that is a great one, so if any of you are struggling with maths, or even you Abigail, I think Khan Academy would be great as well. Yeah, I don't know if you've heard of it, but StudyClicks and A Plus Study Notes, they're very good, it breaks down all the subjects, and also on StudyClicks there's all videos that teachers have posted themselves, in all simplified notes, and basically they also have mock papers and past exam questions as well, with the solutions to the homework, which is very handy, I use it every night myself. Yeah, I do as well, and I've actually, I never noticed that they did videos. Yeah. And like, so basically if you're struggling with a maths equation, you can go on this and you can, like, am I right? Yeah, exactly. You can go on and you just watch the video and it explains how to do that. Exactly, it's very, very handy. Okay. And another thing I would say as well, Abigail, is making a plan and sticking to it. Oh yeah, exactly. It's a huge part in studying, like you need to be able to have that plan and sticking to the plan, so a study planner, oh my god, that has been my lifesaver. Like, a study planner, you say, I'm going to study Irish from four to five now, and then tomorrow I'll do from five to six, I'll do English. And like, you can literally map out, and you stick to that. And then I find when I write it on paper, that I actually stick to it more. I don't know if it's just me, but like, I find... Yeah, I recently, there, went to Mr Price, one year of fifth year, started for a study planner. Oh. And I'm using, I have it off of my desk there, and I just write down, like, clearly what time I'm going to be, like, doing something. And it just really just makes it easier. And it is really hard sticking to it, like, because some things will happen, you might have football training. Yeah, something might crop up. Don't be too hard on yourself either. Like, if, I think, anyway, would you agree, Abigail, like, not being too hard on yourself just because you missed that. Like, you're like, oh, maybe, okay, I'm after, something's after cropping up, but I'll do this later, and I will stick to that, and I'll give that time to studying. Yeah, once you do it for your best, and just, I suppose, giving it to your best self. And also, like, giving yourself enough time to study as well is a huge thing. Like, don't be putting stuff on when you know that you have, like, a training session, and like, just saying, like, the school club, don't be piling everything into the one day when you know that you really won't be able to get it done. Yeah, like, for instance, we're off now, haven't we? Like, for the mocks, we started, like, before Christmas, wasn't it? Yeah. So we had all that time to study for the mocks, and I think it's a great way, I think it's a great thing to give yourself enough time to study. And another thing, like, to do, you can organise study groups with friends. Yeah, I was just going to mention that there, it's actually amazing, like, you learn more when you're with your friends. Yeah, like, I even find, with both of us now, like, we just kind of bounce off each other, and we can, you say stuff, and I'm like, oh, really? I never knew that, and I can just write that down, and you can do the same thing as well. And when you're with your friends as well, you seem to take in more than what you ever would a teacher, anyway. Oh, definitely. And once, you know, like, you might be bored studying, but, like, when you're with friends and stuff, you can, like, maybe chat away about the topic, or, like, just keep each other entertained, anyway, while also learning. Yeah, yeah, definitely. That's a huge one as well, I think. And another thing as well, with your studying, mix it up. Like, don't do all, don't re-read books and notes the whole time. If you want to do that, fine. If that's the way you learn, that's fine. Some people can use pictures. Some people have to re-write things. I'm a person that has to re-write things, like, about five million times to actually get it into my head, so as I'm writing, like, it's kind of getting into my head more, I find. Or some people are, like, speakers, so once they speak about it with someone, they can do it. I think that's a good idea as well. I also use this technique, so basically, I go into my voice recorder on my phone, and I just record my voice, reading out the question and the answer to it, and then whenever I just listen over and over and over again, you could be in the shower, you could be going for a walk, whatever the case may be, just listening to it over and over again, and it does eventually get in your head. Yeah. That's actually a good one. I've never actually tried that. Would you recommend that? Oh, yeah, I would recommend that. I started doing it for business, and it has really actually helped me. Oh, that's good. And also flashcards as well would be really handy. Oh. You're putting, like, two in one there, since you're actually writing them out to yourself again, and then you can test yourself over and over again with other people as well. Yeah, that's actually a really good idea. And how are you finding subjects at the moment, Abigail? I suppose it's all over the place. In most subjects, we're just kind of doing revision, and in others, we're still a bit behind learning, I suppose, new topics and stuff. So it is a bit all over the place, and it is sometimes hard, but I just keep the study up now and see how it goes. Another thing as well, actually, that I was just thinking about as you were talking there, affirmations. Yes. I always, at night time before bed, because, like, I find myself, we're going to bed, and we're having all this thing of what we have to do tomorrow, what we have to study tomorrow, what classes we have on tomorrow, what books we need to have in our bag, and, like, what am I going to eat even? Like, we're down to the smallest things. Affirmations before bed, I've been trying to do. Now, I have not done it last night, so it kind of broke my little bubble, but, like, literally, listening to affirmations is a huge thing, I think. Like, it just gets your mind thinking positively, and you're not thinking negative. Like, it's all bringing positive vibes to your life. You're just actually reminding me there, I downloaded this app, actually, literally, this Saturday, and it's called I Am, and it's all these affirmations that go off. You get around ten a day, and they go off at all times, during when you're in school, and it just keeps you motivated. My gosh! It got there recently, actually. And, so, does that go off when you're in class, and, like, you just look at it? Yeah, I got one there in the last class, actually, so I did, and it just keeps you, I suppose, you inspired and upbeat for the day. Yeah, and, like, you're just, like, you get a boost, basically. Yeah, that's actually a good one, as well. And another thing, as well, actually, along with the affirmations, because I know that some people can't do affirmations. I thought I was a person, genuinely, I thought I was a person that could not do affirmations, and, like, my head would just explode, because I'm listening to all these words. But, I found, as well, a five-minute body scan. So, basically, it's like a meditation, right? But it goes through parts of your body. So, it goes, like, so, you might, you can sit down, or you can lie down, or you can sit up, or you can do whatever way. You can be standing, even, and you could be in the classroom, and you turn this on, and you'd be, like, breathe in and breathe out, and it just kind of gets your head space ready. Like, you're, after doing this, I find, I do it in the morning. I try my best to do it in the morning. Not every day now, obviously, I can do it, but you just, I wake up, and I'm lying in the bed, and you're, like, okay, breathe in and breathe out. Feel your head, feel your hands touching the bed, feel your hands touching the table, like anything like that. That is amazing. And it just gets you, and what it does, as well, is it, like, helps you focus and be in the present. Yeah. Because I find I'm constantly either looking back at stuff I've made mistakes on, and I'm constantly bugging myself up over it, or I'm looking forward and being, like, I have to do this, I have to do that, I have to do this. Like, one thing after another. So I find when you do this, like, it's actually, yeah, yeah. Yeah, no, that's actually a very good one. Yeah, I actually, I thought, I thought, I genuinely thought, like, I wasn't up, because I can't do meditation. Like, some people can, I just can't seem to, like, get in the right head space to do this. But affirmations and the five-minute body switch. That would really regulate your mind. Yeah, a hundred percent. I think it's a really good idea to do that, as well. And another thing, as well, is colour coding. Oh, and the highlighting of, like, keywords. Yeah, no, that, they're very good. Yeah, because when I was on TikTok the last day, one of the, one of the girls in our class sent me a TikTok and was like, this is you. And it was just a person highlighting every single thing in different, in different colours. They're really good. Yeah. It does fix your brain even more. And even on TikTok, there's, like, many pages now doing, like, Junior Cert subjects and Evening Cert, as well, just going through exam papers. And there's a lot of teachers that are making the platform there for themselves. And they just go around helping students. And there's many more study tests online, as well. Yeah, I think, like, especially for the listeners, I think that we both have just spoken about it. Yes, it's in one podcast. We would probably say, like, just when you're listening to this now, just take that time, sit back and ask yourself, is the way you're studying, is it working? Yeah, number one. Is it going to help me in the future? And is any, am I retaining any information from this? Because some people will go up to their room for two hours and say they've studied, but then they can go and do their exam and they're, like, getting 20%. Exactly, yeah. And so if you're that person, like I am with maths, 100%, I got 30% in my maths, I think I can do better. But, again, I have, I wasn't using a study technique that helped me. But now I know from the mocks, see, that's what helps with the mocks, as well. So now I know from the mocks, that way wasn't working for me. So now I'm, like, I can just go off now, so, and I'll go on to study kick, and I'll go do my affirmations, do my five-minute body scan, and I can do a half an hour on a Friday. That's what I would do. And that's just, it's just helpful, I think. I do think a big struggle, as well, especially for RAs, is, like, saying that you're going to do something, but then actually doing the complete opposite. Yeah. Procrastination. Yeah, exactly. Just actually put your words into action, and do what you're going to do. Yeah. Instead of holding off and holding off, because that's going to do you no good. Yeah. Like, it doesn't even help you. Like, you're just sitting there. Yeah, that's true. It just makes you sit there longer, and not getting that information into your head. It creates this negative mindset, as well, and space. Yeah. That's just going to affect you for more days. Yeah, definitely. And with stress, okay, we'll move on. We'll move on from exams. With stress levels, with exams, with studying, with everything. I know mine is through the roof sometimes, but do you have any tips on that? Like, do you have any helpful tips that have helped you? I think making plans with my friends, and maybe just going for a walk downtown, going to the beach, or whatever. Just friends, I suppose. They kind of just take your whole mind off of school. Just go out and do something, socialize. Even if it's sports. Sports is a big one for me, as well. I have training three times a week, and it just completely takes my mind off school altogether. So, yeah. How about you? I think, for me, especially during exams or studying, is just my breathing. Just focusing, just constantly focusing on my breathing. Like, I would literally sit there. I sat in the exam room doing my marks, and I was just, my heart was racing. It was going 90. Like, I was so nervous. But there was no reason to be nervous. But what I did then was I just sat there, I put my hands on the table, and I just breathed it in, and I breathed out. I breathed out, and it actually helped. And another thing, actually, I was told by a teacher in school is, because I was so worked up, but what can actually help you is touching parts of your body. This is the weirdest thing to say on the podcast, but genuinely. Like, touching your head, like, between your eyebrows and your nose, your eye area. And if you close your eyes, and you just tap your head a few times, and you just continue doing that for a few minutes, and then you open your eyes, you're like, you may be a bit, like, blindsided for a second because of the light, but it actually, you're like, in your head, you're like, hang on a second, I'm meant to be doing my exam, I'm not meant to be fidgeting with this, or I'm meant to do that. So, and it also helps just, just calm down. Yeah, no, it doesn't just help your body, it also helps your, like, your whole being, also. Yeah. Like, because your whole body is relaxed. And I think also another good thing is, like, fidgets, even if it's stress balls, the slime, like, the fidgets you can go down and get in deals. I think that they do really help. Yeah, 100%. And with sports, Abigail, do you find it actually releases anger, stress, like, any emotion? Yeah, like, sometimes then you don't want to be taken out on your opponents, like, but it does, yeah. You can bounce the ball as hard as you want and stuff, it does, it does get a good bit of stress and anger out of you. Yeah. Yeah, and it's also a positive thing, like, you can turn your stress and anger into something positive, like just going outside, playing hurling, playing football. Yeah, and another thing, just with studying and exams and preparation and all that, don't be afraid to talk to a teacher. Yeah. Or don't be afraid to talk to an adult, because if you don't talk, yes, I find, yes, I'm the right one to talk now, right? I don't like talking to adults about it, but if you even tell your peer, or if you tell someone you really trust, they can go to that teacher. I find, anyway, in secondary school, obviously, you have a teacher specified for each subject. Yeah, yeah. I think, if you, for instance, I tell you, Abigail, you could easily go back to one of the teachers, for instance, I'm struggling with Irish, and you can be like, hang on a second, and you can pull the teacher aside and be like, Caitlin's actually nervous to come to you, but she's struggling with the Garthgill. Yeah. So then, I'm now, I'm working on the Garthgill, and she can then, she knows that I'm struggling, so she can come help me. And, like, I, especially in our, in Croishe Blandy, I think we actually have it well, because our classes aren't as big. I think that's a huge thing. I think that's a huge thing that has helped us in the school, as well. And, also, the guidance counsellor, as well, plays a big part. Oh, 100%. Yeah. In managing stress, and she's always there, and I'll say this now, she's always there. Yeah, and another thing, actually, Abigail, the two of us are on the student council. Yeah. Student council, we are basically, so what the student council does is, basically, help out with the school. Listen to the views. Listen to the views, and listen to the students. Listen to the teachers, listen to what the school needs, and what the school wants. And, we kind of take it into action, then, don't we, Abigail? Yeah. So, I think that's another thing, though, that people, for people who are struggling to vote for someone, a lot of schools have the student council. If you have a peer in the student council, I think it's worth talking to them, like, generally. Yeah, even if our peers say, we do mention it in meetings, we take all their views, like, if they have a problem, if they have an issue, whatever, in case they leave. Like, we do bring it up, and we do try to, our best, to resolve it. Yeah. And, then, with, like, eating, we're just going to move on, just because I think eating is an important thing in life. And, also, hydration. And, hydration, yeah. You must have water and sodium on your desk. A hundred percent. I always, I have about five bottles lined up on my desk. Yeah. It's, like, at the top of it. It's so funny. I wouldn't think it, but it actually is very important to stay hydrated and have sodium, because if you have a headache or anything, you've got to get dehydrated. But, yeah, I got a headache, actually, last night, and only that I had, like, three bottles of water on the table, I was able to stop it before it got too bad. So, I think that's it for today. Yeah. And, we'll talk next week. Yeah, I just want to say, thanks for listening. Bye-bye.