Start early - study bit by bit from September on. You get so much done that way! I ran through all the chapters I'd covered before Christmas, then again before the mocks and again before the exams - it all gets drilled into you at that stage! So basically, you'll have revised each chapter at least three times 
Ammm... Study somewhere incredibly comfortable. I studied in a rocking chair beside a fire - over winter I actually loved the comfort of sitting there with a book! Do study in slots - four hours straight never works... Two in the morning and two in the afternoon is much easier to handle. I'd recommend 2-3 hours study til Christmas, then 4 after that if you can manage it. Any particular subject you'd like some tips on?
home ec. i've only done it for junior cert but i'm thinking i should pick it up, since the 2011 paper didn't seem too bad.is it a lot of theory? is the book like huge? and i heard you had to do something else that's like 20% of the exam. is it a project???
Aug 24 2011, 10:34
You haveta do the journal which is 20% - it's usually done mostly in 5th year, it's basically cooking and evaluating the dishes. It's a lot of hassle, but once you've it done that's a good part of the exam sorted! Home Ec is kinda general knowledge when it comes to social studies (which is a huge part and is guaranteed) but all the food science (composition of foods, additives, vitamins, etc) is annoying. It involves way more detail than you'd think. It'll be difficult to do it all in one year, but not impossible! Home Ec is one of those subjects that is easy enough to pass but tough when it comes to getting the A/B! Also - and this is important - it's incredibly tight on time. You will be writing from the minute you get it til it finishes... And it's on the same day as English. Timing is a huge part of it! If you do end up taking Home Ec, tell me - I'll send you on simplified additive notes and see if there's anything else I can find that'd be useful in my notes!
Aug 24 2011, 12:26 via mobi
hmm. well, could i do the journal without cooking? and what type of topics are on the journal? is it basically just a bunch of recipes and you give an analysis? well, judging from what you said, it sounds kinda hard, but kinda doable as well? and since i don't have any other options, i'd have to take it. yes, please, send the notes, that would be great. thanks so much.
Aug 24 2011, 16:20
Nope, cooking has to be done I'm afraid! Every year they change the topics for the journal - they usually consist of making meals suitable for vegetarians or coeliacs or children... It's all pretty straight-forward. I think the teacher has to sign to say that she was present when you made the dishes and actually tasting the dish is needed for evaluating - you literally have to talk about the texture, colour, what you'd do differently, etc. And if you don't have any other options, then take up Home Ec. It is doable. It's definitely not going to be a walk in the park, but if you're willing to give it a good bit of time then you'll be grand. I'll rummage out some notes and email them on - I don't think I've many, but I'm sure I'll find something!
Aug 24 2011, 17:29
And write a little blog in the process... 
