Most students do not think about what is required to be successful in an exam, or about what the best way to study is. Instead, they just do what they see everyone else doing: they read their notes or their textbook over and over again in the hope that the information will somehow be retained. This form of "rote learning" is neither a natural way to learn, nor is it an efficient one.

Using the techniques taught on our course, you can learn to absorb new information in an effective, organised and successful manner after a single reading. The course will also show you the right approach to studying for and taking exams, so that you will understand what the examiner is looking for and can maximise the marks that you are awarded.

The course focuses on teaching you how to:

• Understand what examiners want
• Maximise your marks
• Get the most out of your study
• Prepare for and approach exam questions correctly
• Reduce exam stress
• Understand how memory works and why we sometimes forget what we learn
• Memorise your notes quickly, easily and effectively

It is possible to pay for the course in cash on the day, however places are limited, so BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment..

The goal of the course is to teach students the right approach to learning and remembering based on:

• An emphasis on first understanding and then retaining information as two separate skills
• A proper understanding of how we remember and why we forget factual information
• An alternative method of studying by continual re-reading of notes
• Proven, effective memory techniques

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Critical thinking for exams

Exam success is not just about knowledge, hard work or intelligence. It requires the correct approach to exam taking. Topics covered include:

- Knowing what the examiner wants
- Learning the right material
- Delivering the answer in a way that maximises marks

2. How memory works and how to apply this to studying

A non-technical explanation of how memory works and why we forget, and how to apply this to studying. Topics include:

- An outline of why studying by rereading notes is not a successful strategy
- A different method of studying that works with our brains not against them
- A worked example demonstrating the points made.

3. Effective memory techniques for exams

These techniques enable students to learn difficult information more quickly and more accurately than could be achieved with “normal” memory. Topic include:

- An introduction to memory techniques and how they work
- An example of what can be achieved using memory techniques

4. Question and answer session & Closing remarks.

QUESTIONS AND SUPPORT

Students are encouraged to ask questions during the seminar or, if they prefer, at the end of the evening. There is also a dedicated email address which attendees can use if they have follow-up questions or queries at any time after the conclusion of the course.

STUDY SKILLS COURSE?

The course differs from a traditional “study skills” course in a number of ways:

• Study skills courses teach time management, goal setting and other organisational skills that prepare a student to learn.
• The Memory and Learning Techniques course teaches students how to actually study and remember what they have learnt.

COURSE PRESENTER

The course is presented by Charles Garavan. Charles is a former barrister and taxation consultant who has spent years researching the psychology of memory and developing his own unique memory improvement systems for exams. In 1998 he used those systems to finish first in the Institute of Taxation exams (including first place in two of the four papers).

In 1999 Charles founded The Memory Academy to teach his methods to students in Britain and Ireland. Since that time he has taught thousands of students from a variety of ages and academic backgrounds. His first book How Best to Learn and Remember for Leaving Certificate was published in 2005.