Study Skills
If you are a Donegal ETB student and would like help or support in developing any of these skills, speak with your teacher and they can refer you to the Student Support Service.
Study Tips
Donegal ETB Student Support Services has created this video to help students develop their study skills for success on their course.
What is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism is taking other people's work and passing it off as your own. Plagiarism is bad. How would you feel if someone took your words, images, data, ideas or anything else that belonged to you and pretended it was theirs? Plagiarism is a form of stealing, and as such, it's taken seriously by educational institutions. If you plagiarise and get caught, there may be serious consequences, and not just in college either.
These pages will give examples of plagiarism and will also show you how to avoid it.
Plagiarism is a serious matter and students who have plagiarised work may be subject to penalties, including removal from the course.
The guides given below and your teacher can explain to you how to accurately reference other authors and ensure your work is always your own.
Writing and Referencing
Referencing Handbook
Academic Writing Handbook
Essay Writing
Using Google Docs
Type with your voice in Microsoft Word or Google Docs
Using Microsoft 365 Word
Using the Immersive Reader in Microsoft Word
Time Management
Time management skills are important for students to succeed in their course.
We have created the following video to help students build time management skills.
Mind Maps
Mind maps can help you review the general outline of your subject or study topic, plan a project, or provide a framework for assignments.
You can create a mind map on paper, with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or online.
There are also several free websites you can use to create a mind map. You can find some examples here:
SMART Goals
Writing your goals using the SMART technique can help you have greater success in achieving them. SMART is an acronym, which stands for:
S - Specific
It's easier to manage a specific goal rather than a big, general one. For example, your general goal might be to work in childcare. However, this goal is so general that it might be hard to know where to start. Instead, make the goal more specific, for example, to get a starting qualification in childcare.
M - Measurable
If you can measure your progress towards a goal, it helps you stay on track and be more motivated to follow through. For example, you might want to increase your fitness. How can you measure your progress towards this goal? One option might be to record your running time. This way, you can see how your speed increases and understand your progress towards your overall fitness goal.
A - Achievable
This point isn't meant to discourage you, but to help you understand what you need in order to achieve your goal. Consider what skills or resources you might need to accomplish your overall goal. If you don't have those things yet, you can make getting those skills or resources smaller steps towards your major goal.
R - Relevant
Your goal should be relevant to you. Think about why you are setting this goal and what you hope to gain from completing it. You are more likely to accomplish a goal that has strong relevance to you and your life because you can stay motivated.
T - Time-Bound
Establishing a time frame for your goal helps you plan and stay on track. Consider all the steps, people involved, and external time constraints. For example, if you want to learn a new language, you might consider several factors: How much time do you have each day to practice? What level do you hope to reach? This will help you create a timeframe that keeps you on track and motivated.
