ASTI - Ireland's main second level teachers union

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In a good luck message to the 116,000 students sitting their Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate Exams from this week, ASTI President Joe Moran urged students to follow a balanced routine over the coming weeks. 

“Follow a sensible routine which includes good food, enough sleep and regular exercise rather than a gruelling routine of study, exam, study, exam. Making sure your routine is balanced will help your concentration and reduce stress,” said Mr Moran who is a teacher at Presentation Ballingarry in Tipperary. 

“Exam preparation the evening before each exam should include mental planning of the time available to answer each section of the next day’s exam papers. During the exam period, it is a good idea to study in short bursts - of say 30 minutes or so - rather than attempting marathon cramming sessions. A break before each study session helps to clear the mind. It is also important to organise your personal items for the next day’s exams, such as pens, pencils, a calculator if needed. I am a great believer that moderate exercise during the exam period reduces anxiety and boosts concentration and performance.

“I advise my students to avoid distractions such as post exam analysis or obsessing about what might or might not come up in an impending exam. Keep it simple by using your routine of preparing for the next exam and looking after yourself.

“While exams are important, they are not everything. Students should remember that this is just one of life’s many experiences. Your worth as a person is not tested by an examination. Do your best and know that whatever happens, many opportunities lie ahead of you.”

Mr Moran wished all of the 2010 Leaving and Junior Certificate students well in their exams. He also paid tribute to the thousands of teachers who have worked to prepare their students for these exams: 

“Exam years are challenging for students and their parents and teachers. I would like to thank all of those involved in preparing for this year’s exams.”

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