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the big 10
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05-08-2011 5:03pm#1Well I'm doin my JC this year (well june 2012) and I really want to get ten A's. I know people who have gotten it before so I know it's obviously possible. What i want to know is can you still have a normal social life if you want those grades?
I do the following subjects. Any one have tips on how to maxamise results in tthem?? i did well in my 2nd yr summer tests (7 A's) but I really want those 10! :pThanks
:)
English (H)
Irish (H)
Maths (H)
History (H)
Geography (H)
C.S.P.E. (C)
German (H)
Business (H)
Science (H)
Home ec (H)0
Comments
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From doing my JC this year and having similar aspirations to you this time last year, I'm just going to tell you now that getting all A's is not the be all an end all. It's not very hard to do well in the JC if you're quite smart (and a lot of people on boards are quite intelligent, it's just the way it is, so it's not an accurate representation at all), getting 10 A's takes a lot of work though. Just to warn you, as long as you're happy with your results it's all that matters. I haven't got my results yet but I know I certainly didn't reach my previous goal but y'know, I got through it without killing myself and I think I did alright, and the big guns will emerge for Leaving Cert. Hopefully.
Anywho:
English - read, read, read. Then read some more. Oh, and try to connect with your studied texts and poems and whatnot. True personal responses are well sought-after by correctors.
Irish - I never know how to study for Irish tbh, it really depends on having a solid foundation. If you can, learn your grammar as best you can, I have a grammar book, 'Gramadai Meanscoil' or something like that, and it's great but I rarely used it. Learn phrases for your scéal (I'd advise you to refrain from learning stories off tbh, I did and regret it now). Try to learn a few words or phrases everyday, it really will stand to you. I did that around October of Third Year and while the dedication was short-lived, some returned to me on that day in June.
Maths - Exam papers, exam papers, EXAM PAPERS. If you don't understand something, ask your teacher. Be wary of new styles of questions emerging too, any aspect of the course can be examined. I didn't focus on parts that never came up and I ended up caught out in co-ordinate geometry, my favourite question. Revise-wise maths is very good if you want to invest in a revision book. It explained what I ignored.
History - I love History, so I never had to study much for it. I think notes work very effectively, dividing the course into bits and revising it little by little throughout the year. Have a look through exam papers and you'll see that some areas come up very frequently. It's very worthwhile to know your 20th Century Irish History and International Relations in the 20th century very well as they always come up (trust me, I did it and it went great, apart from some slip-ups.) and a cold war crisis, ALL OF THEM, as most people focus on one and they only asked two out of the three this year. You'll come across most of this in the coming year.
Geography - Ah, Geography. If you don't have one in your class, start a hardback copy of notes and diagrams. I had an awful teacher and when I felt motivated enough, I added stuff to a copy I had. I'm thankful as one thing that is seldom looked at as important was something I had drawn and described months ago, and I remembered. Look through exam papers and you'll notice patterns, don't count on them though.
CSPE - It really isn't an exam that you need to study hard for, I glanced over key terms the night before. They were a bit different with questions asked this year but if you have any awareness of the current scenario in the country you'll be OK. Fill all spaces in the exam. And pour your heart and soul into your action project, seriously.
German - I did French, but for me, I enjoyed French anyway so I downloaded some podcasts (Michel Thomas is brilliant, I think he does a German one, PM me if you want me to point you towards acquiring it.), I tried to watch French cartoons (failed miserably too but maybe the German ones might interest you.) and I learned some vocab along the way, and became used to the style of the exam. Actually, there's a German film, 'Der Undergang', 'Downfall' in English that's very good and despite not learning it, I found an appreciation for German! And it's about the closing days of the European theater of WW2, might slightly help with History.
Business - Practise your accounts. Accounts are great, if you do them they can amount to around 40% (if you include budgets as accounts). Some people leave them out and focus on theory but they're really not that hard once you get the method right. Business is quite a predictable exam, my teacher spent most of Third Year going through exam papers with us, and I knew the night before that nothing in Business could shock me. It was my best exam by far, so exam papers are the key. My teacher was just brilliant though, if yours isn't you might need to revise the course in your own time.
Science - Oh Science. They threw a bit of a curveball with this year's exam which involved some abstract thinking so I can't even say focus on exam papers. Try to appreciate Science a bit, it's what I did, and I found myself liking it and enjoyed learning it. Everything is tested in some way to be honest, so you should be aware of pretty much everything. Learn experiments, although they didn't come up plainly and simply this year. I know it's early days, but when you're doing your science exam, think carefully. I wish I did now, it was nowhere near as hard as it looked with the right mindset. Also, work hard on the investigations and complete your experiment book. These are worth 35% and aren't too hard if you put in work.
Home Ec - Do an excellent project (I did childcare), practise your practical religiously and do not freak out on the day of your practical. It will be fine, the examiner will be nice, and you will have practised. It's annoying that the Home Ec theory is only worth 50% and there's a lot on the course, but it's actually not too bad and a lot of it is inter-linked, learn your nutrients well and it makes it a lot easier. Look through exam papers, some questions come up every year. I hated Home Ec so I don't know how helpful I can be.
Good luck anyway! /tremendously long post.0 -
Turned out longer than it should. Mostly bull**** (just like my Junior Cert, I'm good at writing a lot of nothing about something now); just skip to the "too long; didn't read" bit at the bottom. :pac:
I'm not going to post advice like Slow Show's because... it's like an essay and a half. I didn't even bother reading it yet, but I'm sure it's spot on. I'll read it when I have some time to kill.
Anyway, 10 As is definitely possible. I could have achieved 8 As if I had put in the effort (leaving aside my hopelessness at Woodwork and how much effort English is) but I didn't want it enough. I had aspirations like you at the beginning of the year, but in all honestly, I never actually wanted it.
You've got to want the 10 As, properly. You'll have to put the work in, but you can still have a decent social life. If I studied from the beginning of 3rd year, I could have done well.
Here's my actual advice if you want 10 As. Start straight away when you go back to school. Don't put it off until October... because then you'll end up putting it off until Christmas, etc. The year will fly by. You'll have Christmas tests and before you know it, the Pres will be around. So it's important to put the work in early.
Clearly you know a good amount of stuff already with 7 As, so start by covering the things you don't know well from 1st and 2nd year. Listen in class when you're learning something new, do the homework on it (important, pity I never did my homework), and you won't need to study a topic later in the year -- you'll just have to have a quick read over it and it'll pop straight into your head.
Ah, forgot what else I was going to say. I don't know. Get used to the layout of each exam and practice all exam papers - the same questions come up regularly in most subjects. If you have any questions, ask. Ask here on Boards if you're not comfortable asking your teachers, and we'll be glad to help.
Oh, and don't panic. You've nine months or something until the Junior Cert. If you put in the work from the beginning, you'll do fine. It's actually fairly easy when you get around to it.
tl;dr: Relax and enjoy 3rd year, but study consistently from the start of the year. Do a small bit every night, and you'll fly it in the Junior Cert.
Good luck!0 -
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EatRowSleep wrote: »Well I'm doin my JC this year (well june 2012) and I really want to get ten A's. I know people who have gotten it before so I know it's obviously possible. What i want to know is can you still have a normal social life if you want those grades?
I do the following subjects. Any one have tips on how to maxamise results in tthem?? i did well in my 2nd yr summer tests (7 A's) but I really want those 10!
Thanks 
English (H)
Irish (H)
Maths (H)
History (H)
Geography (H)
C.S.P.E. (C)
German (H)
Business (H)
Science (H)
Home ec (H)
I want to start by saying; Please heed all the advice you're given by anyone as regards achieving ten A grades, it may seem like a rather cumbersome journey until you walk out of the Junior Certificate examination center in June for the last time, but please carry this advice right to the end regardless of the situation you find yourself in and always work on your own initiative. "If you fail, try and try again."
English- Learn to be infatuated by the subject, love your course and all of its organs. (Personification.) Learn to do this by enjoying scanning daily language for figures of speech and good grammar/punctuation and always use the best word you can. Reading rich litteracy is paramount to this (Jane Austen etc.) You will have two papers for your Junior Certificate, the first comprising of Reading, Personal writing, Functional writing and Media Studies and the second of, Drama, Poetry and Fiction. Examine each area closely and work on the various strands until each is of the vivid A standard. Answer length will depend on marks available per question (Five marks- 1/2 A4, Ten 3/4 A4, 15 One 1 and 1/4 A4 and 30 2 and 3/4 A4 Pages. Always begin with a small introduction, make your point, explain and develop, give a quoted example and always share a little of your own insight on the issue (even if you have to create bogus.) Aim for Leaving Certificate standard homework. (I am being serious.) I got an A in my mocks, it really is an easy lovable subject if you heed the advice given and work hard from past exam papers.
Irish- Gaelige is a good subject, it is our native tounge after all. Basically the same advice as with English about grammar etc. Build a rich vocabulary of lovely sentence starters and sayings as they really are impressive. Work on the various strands of the course vigourously and learn everything you are given with due care. Listen to the CD that comes with your exam papers every night for ten minutes and during this pause and translate orally and also do the listening questions repetitively. Homework to an extremely high standard.
Maths- Mathematics is a very interesting subject. Very straightforward advice to be given. In class listen hard and do ask about any queries you may poccess, homework should be completed to the highest standard (neat workings with the solution written out step by step as well as being conveyed in the needed form, so to speak. Exam papers are crucial to achieving an A grade, repeat from front to back on your own initiative.
History- An absolutely amazing subject, a thrill to learn about. The course is quite large so in order to keep all three years' sections fresh in your mind, cover sections again as if you are preparing for a class test (making notes) then after you've this done, time yourself to relevant exam questions. Work all sections continually and always refresh that information. Pratice short questions daily and know the timing of the exam inside out. Use your relaxation time at night to watch ten minutes of a relevant section you are covering/revising.
Geography- Great subject. The course is very straight forward and is rather thorough in that regard. Revise sections by making notes and testing yourself by means of homework/exam questions. Use another ten minutes of your relaxation time at night to watch a geography related programme at night.
CSPE- It's a rather common sense related subject that is a nice break from rigorous workloads. You will have a 60% Action Project to complete, this will be worked in class with your teacher and must be written up to a high standard. Pay good attention while your project is eventuating. The 40% written paper should be a breeze, just read the questions being asked and answer appropriately on a human rights perspective. Watch the news during your relaxation time.
German- Deutsch ist eine wunderbare Thema, dass einfach zu lieben ist. Immer sollst du hart für Klassenarbeiten/Hausaufgaben arbeiten weil Deustch interessant ist.Jeden Tag lernst du neue Vokabeln von ihrem deutschen Heft und was die CD betrifft, sollst du für etwas zehn Minuten zuhören. Übung macht den Meister. On Euronews, if the language on your SKY Box is set to German, you will receive the broadcasts in Deutsch.
Business- Business is a brilliant subject indeed. You should for certain create your own notes from the book you have and from a Revise Wise Book also. This gives a you a richer knowledge in the world of business You will set two papers in which the first comprises of short questions and four long answers and the second of, just four long answers. The past exam papers most certainly reflect what will appear on the 2012 paper, seriously the A is your's to take if you practice the exam questions repetively. Much of the course is occupied by accounting, the same questions appear EVERY year (Know them inside out and upside down, I mean it.) If you have worked hard enough on these questions, they will work out and you will be rewarded. Watching the News for CSPE compliments this.
Science- Science is superb without a doubt. Study your chapters carefully and revise with a corresponding exam question as per usual. You know that you will have to work hard on investigations and complete your experiment book for 35% of the overall grade, having put in the work, 35% will be in the bag. Read the questions accurately and ponder for a moment before your pen hits the paper. Again, Science programme viewing is advised.
Home Economics- Home Economics is very very straightforward. You will have to complete a project (maybe textile/childcare) for 15% of the grade, complete this to the best possible standard while you have the chance. 35% goes to a cookery practical in which you should choose an original nutrtional meal to cook. Practice again and again until you can blindfolded. Remember, relax while you are completing this, there's no need for stress as you've worked hard so far. That leaves the written exam for 50%, the chapters overlap with Science so that's a bonus. Revise the chapter with an exam question as per usual. Home Economics is very easy as long as you simply put in the effort.
You should begin studying from September increasing the workload as the months pass by. Organise what you want to get done in subjects (homework/study) on a wall chart or notepad before you begin. Take five minute breaks every thirty five minutes with plenty of water. Believe me, go to bed early or you will burn out fast.
I wish you the very best of luck and remember "Übung macht den Meister".0 -
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Thanks for all the advice
Personally, I find it quite hard to get A's in English, so that is one of my major worries.. I have a very good teacher though and I have gotten better through this year. Any tips for understanding poetry better??? Business is also a problem. See, i have a "not so good" teacher, and we dont do any theory so I'm very worried about that. 
We have covered like 6 or so of the accounts and I've a fairly good grip of them, so that's kinda ok. We've no theory done and there's a lot in the book. Does the same theory mainly come up every year or is it completely random? I'm not very outspoken in school, so I normally wouldn't speak up if I had a problem.... Anyone know where I could get something German to maybe put on my Ipod for when im walking to school etc?? Also, do many experiments come up in science?? Thanks a million 0 -
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EatRowSleep wrote: »Thanks for all the advice Personally, I find it quite hard to get A's in English, so that is one of my major worries.. I have a very good teacher though and I have gotten better through this year. Any tips for understanding poetry better??? Business is also a problem. See, i have a "not so good" teacher, and we dont do any theory so I'm very worried about that. We have covered like 6 or so of the accounts and I've a fairly good grip of them, so that's kinda ok. We've no theory done and there's a lot in the book. Does the same theory mainly come up every year or is it completely random? I'm not very outspoken in school, so I normally wouldn't speak up if I had a problem.... Anyone know where I could get something German to maybe put on my Ipod for when im walking to school etc?? Also, do many experiments come up in science?? Thanks a million
Regarding English, don't worry too much about 'understanding' poetry per se. I don't think it matters how you interpret unseen poetry in the exam, as long as you can back up your opinions with relevant quotes and poetic techniques you should be fine. As for studied poetry, you'll have gotten/will get notes for them so it's a matter of using them and knowing the poem.
As for Business, well if you know the accounts that's something as it's really hard to learn them alone, I'd imagine. Ermm there's a lot of theory on the course, if you want stuff that frequently comes up you'll need to look into Economics and Business Documents (which are almost guaranteed yearly), and other areas that often come up like Insurance, Marketing, the Consumer. But a year is plenty of time, you should have these covered.
You can be asked on any experiment in science, pretty much every part of the course comes up, so you're best to know them all. If you can remember actually doing them, this shouldn't be too hard. Don't look at it as learning something off, look at the reasoning behind it.0 -
EatRowSleep wrote: »Well I'm doin my JC this year (well june 2012) and I really want to get ten A's. I know people who have gotten it before so I know it's obviously possible. What i want to know is can you still have a normal social life if you want those grades?
I do the following subjects. Any one have tips on how to maxamise results in tthem?? i did well in my 2nd yr summer tests (7 A's) but I really want those 10! :pThanks:)
English (H)
Irish (H)
Maths (H)
History (H)
Geography (H)
C.S.P.E. (C)
German (H)
Business (H)
Science (H)
Home ec (H)
I did my JC last year (2010) and one of my best friends got 12 A's one of the top results in the country. Fairplay to you for wanting all A's but I can assure you that once February came, she did not have a life, literally! No one saw or heard from her at weekends, Easter etc! So its very possibly but you have to want it. On the other hand I got 8 A's and 3 B's, and I still had a decent enough social life, but i suppose it depends on the person!
English is one of the toughest subjects to get an A in. You need to read lots and learn off decent essays for the poetry/fiction/drama.
The rest are pretty much learn off/keep going over exam papers0 -
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If you do your homework, as well as concentrating in class, it is possible, provided you have no particularly weak subjects (Irish, English)
I only realised the benefit of these two things when it was far too late, but nonetheless I plan to implement them for the LC course.
Regarding studying hard right away... I don't think that's necessary for most subjects - putting time into homework would be better. That said studying your languages I would advise.
All in all, GOOD LUCK!0 -
EatRowSleep wrote: »Thanks for all the advice Personally, I find it quite hard to get A's in English, so that is one of my major worries.. I have a very good teacher though and I have gotten better through this year. Any tips for understanding poetry better??? Business is also a problem. See, i have a "not so good" teacher, and we dont do any theory so I'm very worried about that. We have covered like 6 or so of the accounts and I've a fairly good grip of them, so that's kinda ok. We've no theory done and there's a lot in the book. Does the same theory mainly come up every year or is it completely random? I'm not very outspoken in school, so I normally wouldn't speak up if I had a problem.... Anyone know where I could get something German to maybe put on my Ipod for when im walking to school etc?? Also, do many experiments come up in science?? Thanks a million
As regards German, when you purchase your Exam Papers, you'll get two CDs with them with aural sections of previous years' papers, put these onto your Ipod. Also, listening to Deutsch Musik ist alles sehr wichtig.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4K6ZxDwi34
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My0HQ0QkGLQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64xUPzhy4KQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLYetLp4FTg0 -
its only the junior cert..... relax... i did mine this year and its not as hard as you think. istudied the night before my exams and they really weren't that hard, (id be hoping for nothing less than b's and a few a's).... if u want a's study for 2 weeks before it or something and youre sorted... but just remember dont let it rule your life. go out and enjoy your life.. the leaving cert is the one u want the a's in, thats when u want to be putting the work in:)
Listen in class, do the homework, and the exam papers and do a wee bit of study and you'll be grand0
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