There is a wealth of new online supports – some free, some with premium levels – aimed at exam-year students. Here are some of the best:
examstudyplus.thinkific.com) is a tried-and-tested system devised by Kevin Flanagan, author of the best-selling book Maximum Points, Minimum Panic which focuses on note-taking for top grades, distraction-free study, retaining information, learning while you relax and answering exam questions. The course costs €29, or for €8 per month students can get the full course plus access to coaching with study
experts.MyStudyPal.ie This newcomer has a different offering. Designed by 19-year-old student Mark Nealon, it helps plan the revision timetable by topic, devise a personalised study plan and track study progress. Social plans can be added to the calendar too. The site offers a free 30-day trial, and after that it’s €29.99 per month for students.
This is a simple and free site offering succinct advice on how to take good notes efficiently.
Learning aids There’s a heavy curriculum focus on most of the learning sites here, but there are many international apps and websites that can be excellent learning supports for both primary and secondary school students.
This site produces short educational YouTube videos and is by far the most familiar and successful. It is used to provide or supplement education to people of all ages across the world.
classroom.Alison.com This Galway-based e-learning provider with more than 1,000 free courses is available for over 11 million registered learners, who have access to courses from universities and private companies across the world.
Last year, Junior Cert student Eimear Kennedy got top marks for Italian – even though it wasn’t even on the curriculum at her school. Instead, she studied using the Duolingo website and app, and then moved on to YouTube clips and finally Italian pop music and television.