To try to illustrate how effective the Ishikawa diagram can be, focus on one particular problem that you are having in your studies. The problem might be a general one, it might relate to one subject or it might relate to one topic in a subject area.

Apply the fishbone principles to try to determine the factors contributing to that problem. Such factors might include lack of study time, poor teaching, a poor textbook and domestic pressures. When you have constructed the diagram, use it to try to identify how the problems might be resolved.