St Rita’s College this year implemented a dedicated and innovative Study Skills Program, recently reformulated to provide high-level support to students learning from home.

The program provides students with crucial lifelong study skills and support in areas like time management, organisation, motivation, focus and goal setting, as well as fundamental reading and writing practices.

St Rita’s Head of Student Study Centre, Ms Amanda Wallas, said the updated program saw virtual sessions, resources and one-on-one video calls for students who needed individual support. 

“We created a study skills focus each week and a set of resources for implementing the strategies that are sent to girls in Years 11 and 12,” Ms Wallas said. 

“Next, we built on our resource platform with a set of tools designed for students who require specific help; we have received great feedback on a Study at Home Daily Plan and Goal Planner Checklist in particular.” 

Ms Wallas said as a corollary to this, one-on-one Zoom sessions were scheduled with many students to assist them with studying at home.

Head of Student Study Centre, Amanda Wallas, delivers a lesson virtually.

“These have been extraordinarily successful; they are followed up with emails with advice and resources specific to individual needs,” she said.

“This support is ongoing and girls are reporting a major shift in their ability to stay focused and motivated.”

St Rita's College Captain, Caitlin Wasmund Loughnan, said not only did the program teach girls helpful tips for organisation, research, referencing and note taking, it also helped to shake up a lot of usual study methods and encouraged them to consider trying something new.

"Their minds are opened to the idea that anyone can change their learning, and that there are infinite options available to them," Caitlin said. 

Another crucial element of the Study Skills program is the development and enhancement of writing skills. 

“The ability to express ourselves clearly in writing is fundamental to success, not just at school, but as part of lifelong and life wide success,” Ms Wallas said.

A Student and Parent Study Skills toolkit is in the pipeline and will be available soon.

For more information on Study Skills, contact Ms Amanda Wallas at wls@stritas.qld.edu.au