Year 9s had the special opportunity of having a second session with Dr Genovese to discuss techniques for tackling exams and how we can study most efficiently. Dr Genovese talked about her different techniques for studying such as dual coding and taught us different ways to help boost our recall.

Before Dr Genovese’s sessions, the Veritas Program had been teaching us about study skills and the difference it can make and how they can turn ordinary notes, which are often ineffective, into short, sharp, and precise pieces of work which allow us to remember twice as much in less time.

As a Year 9 student, I have gone through my first ever set of exams this term and I have exhausted myself in studying. My notes were often colourless, long and ordinary, which, I thought, with constant reading and re-writing would help set the information into my brain but I would often find myself struggling to recall so much information. However, the study skills tactics shown to us by Mr Dempsey and Dr Genovese have allowed me to be able to retain more information and recall it faster and easier.

From Dr Genovese’s session, I have learnt how much these essential skills can help me succeed in all my exams and pieces of work and just being able to retain information and recall it, no matter how long after I’ve studied it.

After exams, it’s a relief for most of us to forget about everything and relax. However, we learnt just how important it is to revise your past exams and how much this can help you with your future tests. This also included looking at how we prepared for the exams and what we could do to improve our preparation. Overall the experience shared by all Year 9s with Dr Genovese has been absolutely brilliant and has taught us the importance of study techniques and reflection.