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Helping Year 9 Students Study Smarter, Not Harder

We are passionate about growing confident, independent learners. This term, our Year 9 students have been diving into study skills during their weekly Pastoral Care Time (PCT) sessions – learning how to take ownership of their learning, manage their time, and discover what study strategies work best for them.

It’s not about studying more. It’s about studying smarter.

Building Effective Study Habits, One Week at a Time

Our structured PCT sessions have focused on practical study skills that support real learning, not just memorisation.

Week 3: The Brain Dump – Learning Through Retrieval

Students were introduced to the Brain Dump Method, a research-backed approach that helps strengthen memory through active recall. Here’s how it worked:

  1. Without using notes, students wrote down everything they could remember about a topic.
  2. Then, they checked their notes and colour-coded their work:
    • Green: Correct information
    • Blue: Missed content
    • Red: Misunderstandings

This process was repeated later in the week to reinforce learning and track progress. The result? Students could clearly see what they knew, what they didn’t, and where to focus their study efforts.

Using Phones as Study Tools

students were also introduced to a simple but powerful accountability technique: using their phones to record a time-lapse video of themselves during their 20-minute study block.

This served multiple purposes:

  • It prevented them from using their phones for distractions while the video was recording
  • It allowed them to review their study session afterwards and reflect on their engagement, posture, and focus
  • It encouraged self-awareness by letting them observe how long they stayed on task or what distracted them
  • It gave them a sense of ownership and control over their learning environment

This small strategy empowered students to take a more active role in evaluating their habits, and many found it surprisingly helpful in improving their concentration.

Week 4: Applying Study Skills to Real Subjects

During Week 4, we applied strategies to upcoming assessments, guided by guest presenters from our Year 9 pastoral team:

  • Mrs King taught flashcard creation using the Year 9 Physics unit on Light, focusing on diagrams, key formulas and deeper thinking questions.
  • Mr De San Miguel used English Poetry to explore mind mapping – visually organising themes, techniques and interpretations to prepare for essays.

Then students put their learning into action:

  1. Brain Dump – Write what they remembered about the topic
  2. Check & Reflect – Compare notes using coloured pens
  3. Create Flashcards – Focused on what was missed or misunderstood

Week 6: Study Planning to Reduce Panic

Students were guided through the process of creating a two-week personal study plan, using their course outlines/objective lists as the foundation. By identifying key objectives and upcoming assessment deadlines, students learned how to work backwards from these dates to create a manageable revision schedule — one that builds confidence gradually and avoids the stress of cramming.

20-Minute Study Blocks: Small Change, Big Impact

We also introduced students to a proven concentration strategy: short, focused study blocks followed by short breaks.

Why it works:

  • Boosts memory and focus
  • Reduces fatigue
  • Makes tasks feel more achievable

We encouraged students to start with two to three blocks per evening or weekend morning – a simple rhythm that supports balance and success.

A Culture of Experimentation & Reflection

One of the most important messages we are sharing with our Year 9 students is that no one-size-fits-all approach exists when it comes to study.

  • Science might need flashcards and diagram drills
  • English might benefit from mind maps and quote banks
  • Maths thrives on spaced repetition and practice problems

What matters most is that students try, reflect, adapt, and talk to their teachers about what works for them.

Study-Life Balance: A Core Message

We continue to emphasise that study should not consume a student’s life. A healthy balance includes:
  • Family time
  • Friendship and social connection
  • Sport, hobbies, and creative pursuits
  • Part-time work or volunteering
  • Rest and personal time
We want students to see that their academic growth can and should exist alongside a full, rich life — not replace it.

Upcoming Opt-In Tutorials

To further support students, we are offering a series of opt-in tutorial sessions across the term.
 
Topics include:
  • How to plan and manage a study schedule across multiple subjects
  • How to approach practice questions and use feedback effectively
  • How to prioritise tasks without missing out on hobbies, social time, or commitments
These sessions will be listed in the Week Ahead Email, and students are encouraged to attend any that support their current learning goals.
 
We believe that these real-world study skills are as important as any subject because learning how to learn is key to lifelong success.
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Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation.  Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world.  Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD.  We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.

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