First Year Study Skills Workshop: Building Better Learning Habits with Mind Maps

This week, our first-year students took part in an engaging Study Skills Workshop designed to help them develop effective learning techniques and boost their confidence as independent learners. The focus of the session was on mind mapping—a creative and visual method of organizing ideas and information. 

The workshop delivered by Ms Aoife O’ Mahony along with two third-year students Sadhbh Coakley and Roisin M McCarthy looked at the benefits of good study skills. In addition, they explored how mind maps can be used to plan, revise for exams, and summarise key topics. Students learned how to start with a central idea and build branches to capture related concepts, connections, and keywords. This approach encourages active thinking, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the material. 

A special feature of the workshop was the participation of Transition Year Students who joined in to mentor and guide the first years. Working in small groups, the TY students shared their own tips and experiences of using mind maps effectively in their studies. Together, they designed colourful and imaginative mind maps on topics from various subjects, transforming revision into a fun and interactive process. 

The collaboration between the two year groups created a positive and supportive learning atmosphere. The younger students benefited from the older students’ insights and encouragement, while the Transition Year students developed valuable leadership and communication skills. 

By the end of the workshop, each group proudly displayed their completed mind maps, showcasing creativity, teamwork, and a clearer understanding of how to make study time more effective. 

Overall, the session was a great success—helping first-year students develop strong study habits early on and giving Transition Year students the opportunity to inspire and support their younger peers.