Chemistry and Biology (Becoming a Vet)

Study...

First of all, find out between now and September what type of studying works best for you. Is it flashcards, a notes copy or folder? Do you make up raps or songs? Figure it out for each subject as they're all different (in Business I type my notes and have them in a folder, but in Biology I've flash cards, Chemistry is split between a folder and flash cards (depending on the chapter). Also, I learn my English quotes through rap ).

Get everything you'll need ready. If you choose flash cards, buy an extra three packets per subject you'll be using them for.

Motivate yourself to start studying at the start of fifth year. Keep your class notes and home notes separate. Sure, look over your class notes, but by making your own out you'll remember them.

Have a safe place for all your notes. Keep on top of them. If you have less homework than usual, spend that time writing up notes on what you were doing that day. I like to make my Biology and Chemistry notes out on the chapter as we do it, particularly if we get homework. So if I'm doing Photosynthesis in class and we're given questions, I'll write up my notes on Photosynthesis after doing my questions.

I know I just said it, but I can't stress this enough - stay on top of your notes! Chemistry is very difficult to study just the night before I find. By doing your notes out every night or every second night, it will help reinforce it into your head what you did in class, and the night before a test you'll just need to go over your notes. Also, you'll save yourself so much time, effort, stress and hassle in sixth year, as your notes are all done. I found my forgotten about 5th year notes last weekend, and was literally thanking the Lord as it saved me so much time.

Look through the exam papers for both. The night before a test after your studying is done, go onto Examinations.ie or Studyclix and look through them to see how well you can answer them.

Titration and experiment questions are very limited on what can be asked, so expect repetition in it.

Also, for all experiments I write out/type any possible question that they could ask in the exam, answer it and learn the answers. That way you can get someone to test you and it makes them so much easier just overall.

In Irish and French, I recommend spending lots and lots of time on grammar. Get it perfect within the first few months to save yourself a world of pain. Even if you can, try perfect your grammar this summer. The book shops have some great revision books, and even I use a grammar book for primary kids in Irish.

Learn a seanfhocal, some verbs and a definition or two each night.

If I think of anything else, I'll tell you!