Saturday

STUDY GUIDE



Education forms an important part of any human's growth. It doesn’t stop until he/she ceases to exist. All forms of education is equally important. But in the social order we live, a lot depends on the formal education were able to have. We are all dependent on the quality of formal education we're  able to have. Professional, social and family life is effected by the quality of formal education we posses, this gives us enough reason to believe that what and how well we study needs its necessary attention.
I’ve tried  to bring together my knowledge from many books I have had the good fortune of going through and practical experience in the field of studying & teaching. I’m  confident you can get what you expect  from it because everything I say here is based on trial and error in my life-lab too!
BEGINNING

There are few points you should take note before you use the study methods we explain here.
a) Patience:
Be patient. Remember it might take a little time, determinately be at it.
b) Confidence:
Be sure of yourself. Be decisive and believe that you have what it takes to become a success in what ever you venture.  Don’t under estimate yourself. Remember “limits exist only as long as we acknowledge them”, you’re able and that’s what’s brought you all the way here. That you have taken pains to imbibe the essence of this article, itself shows your true grid. Have true faith, that is the start.
c) Flexibility: 
Don’t be obsessed with the program. This will only work against you. Have a flexible approach. Be kind to yourself, don't consider that if you had done a few mistakes here and there you have lost it all. Remember this: Right from the time an Airplane takes off from its departing Aerodrome till till it reaches its Destination, most of the time its direction may be away from its real destination, but the fact that it takes off and lands in the designated location at almost the exact designated time is an good example to show you that "When your goals are crystal clear and you have a deadline to reach it, and you work towards its success, you'll very well reach it what ever may happen in between"
d) Motivation: 
Motive is highly important. Why do you want to study? ask yourself this question and write down the answer and paste it on your wall and read it every day morning when you wake up. Pursuing your studies should be with definite conviction. “why am I studying?”   “what do I want to be in life?” the answers to these must be clear to you. Goal setting and remembering them will help you. Think of your self and purpose and don’t give ear to any negative stimulus from anywhere. when your Goals in life are clear, and you don't forget them in the course of your life... your are certain to achieve them.             
TIME-MANAGEMENT
Being able to master your time is a valuable skill that will take you places. Time management is nothing more than common  sense in using time.
On the start of any course you’re sure to find time management a little daunting. This state of uneasiness and being unsure is just temporary state, you’ll get over it in a couple of weeks. To regulate yourself in the beginning you must : 
  1.  Get to know more of your course what they teach? How much of it? How do they teach? Timing of classes, exams, holidays etc.
  2.  Have a varied approach to the class, find all the possible ways to enrich your knowledge in that discipline. Anywhere you can get information or books on topic of study. Bookshops, libraries etc.
  3. Distinguish the overall pattern of how the course is designed and how it works.
  4. Get possible information from teachers fellow students and seniors. They give you valuable information.
  5. Collect information regarding syllabus, exam dates, holidays, other important academic events, reading lists, assignments etc.
  6. Past exam question papers are a useful for your study. Collect them.
Now that you have all the information you could get on the course, its time to make plans for study. You will have two kinds of plans, long term plans and short term plans. Make a yearly long term plan, with information  like periods of whole course, dates of exams, progress of revision, exams, leisure etc, will serve fine.
The weekly time table for planning use of week’s time. This’ll help you to (a) avoid time waste (b) boosts confidence (c) get regular on work (d) come close to time mastery. The weekly  time table should be unique, suiting your study needs and life, providing you with sufficient time for study, rest, exercise and sleep. You may have a weekly timetable for every month or even make one prior to every week.
Make sure to plan your time table to include revision, back-ground readings, class work, exams, rest, exercise, sleep etc. and your time table is to help you, though you got to adhere to it, it must also be flexible. You must feel good and easy with a time table, than uneasy. It should act to guide you use your time wisely. Remember “time is precious”. Your use of your time determines where you reach in life. 

LIBRARY SKILLS 
Library is very important aspect of a successful student, which many of us fail to recognize. As a student library can be very useful and we ought to be efficient in using it. Develop your library skills!
  1. Ask the staff for help.
  2. Explore the layout of all the library it’ll be a pleasant experience with books, and books all around you ready to give you any kind of information you’ll need.
  3. Identify the system it uses. Libraries use different systems of arranging and numbering books. So when you have an idea of the how this is done it’ll be a piece-of- cake for you to get   your hands on the right book. Study the catalogue they have, just to understand how it is. Later you’ll find it rewarding when you want a book in a hurry!
Class Room Skills
I

In all class work, you must know to get most out of every lecture. 
For this you must be ready to:
i)Prepare for class:
Prepare before hand for class. Read the subject to be taught so you’ll understand what’s being taught and can be ready with questions.
ii) Notes:
It’s a good idea to take notes in class. It’ll help you concentrate. Just take summary notes. These notes can be great help in your before-exam preparations.
iii)Discuss with others:
Ask teacher and collegues doubts and discuss with them (preferably out of class) matters on the topics. Never stand back to ask a doubt.
To succeed in your studies you must be prepared to give what it takes, smartly: 
(1) Do one thing at a time. 
(2) Don’t always seek perfection.  
(3) Find enough relaxing time.
(4) Share your experiences/ findings with your colleagues.

EFFECTIVE READING

Books are wonderful ways to acquire knowledge. 
Reading books can be rewarding in more ways than one. 
Reading can be for many purposes, but in studies reading is your best skill.
  1. Enjoyment-  you read for pure enjoyments sake, “kill time” speed reading is usually done here and won’t hinter enjoyment.
  2. Over view-  you scan over the book. ( like , before you buy one) going over general headings, index, sequence of topic and state and approach.
  3. Searching-   you give full attention to the book. Searching for something, sometimes reading and some times skimming.
  4. Mastery-  you’re reading to learn. Here you question the contents as you read, get a better understanding, repeat the contents, summerise it, re-read it and  actively read the contents.
  5. Critique-   you read with a critics view, where by you get closer to the author’s idea. Active reading is an essential part of criticism method.
You should be able to vary your reading speed according to the need and the material content. In an effective reading system reading maximizes the memory. 
Previewing, identifying many points and so are important steps for this. 
Previewing:  here you read the table of contents, introduction, diagrams table, bibliography etc, which’ll give you a fair idea of what the book can offer and how to get it. 
Identifying main pointsThis’ll give you an idea of the main points in the book
Read section by section:
(ii)Identify main points and read.
(iii) identify key words and phrases
       eg: the  following points suggests……………….
             In my view…………….
(iv) skim by  paragraph. 
Remember to take notes, underline important points with pencil or different color pens, pay special attention to the opening and finishing line of the paragraph.
"SQ3R"
This is very effective way to study. 
"Survey,Question, Read, Review, Revise." 
Survey the topic or book to get a general idea of what you’re about to study.
Next step to learning is to form a Question about the contents of  the topic and try to find answer for them. It  will  help you in knowing its (1) meaning (2) definition (3) relation to your study (4) relation to your already existing knowledge and /or (5) correct your knowledge. You may even wish to write down the questions on the topic,that come to your mind, that is good.
Now Reading, you have to read to find out an answer to the question you have made up in your mind and to get more information on the topic. Read with a pencil/ colour pens, you may underline important points and concepts, or even read by just running  your finger below the words you read, will create better concentration and speedy reading! Read at a comfortable pace. Don't worry even if you don't understand all that you are reading. You will be surprised at the end to find that even though you missed certain aspects in the subject you have grasped the overall concept. That is a good start. We may rectify any latches by re-reading. Let reading become an enjoyable learning experience.
The Reviewing part is very important in study because it’s seen that a student forgets 83% of what he learned the next day. So, frequent reviewing (and not keeping it till before the exams,) will ensure you don't forget what you have read/ learned. 
When reviewing re-survey first, this will give you the right frame of mind, then re-reading to understand the main idea, making reading as active as possible. As already mentioned reviewing is best done the next day, or at least the same week. You may want to review what you have studied, the same month also. So a timetable that will help you Read and Review the same subject in the same month will ensure that your lessons are well studied.
Finally Revising, would ensure you are all too ready for any exam. Revision is just going through the summary notes or lecture notes you had already prepared or even just browsing through the underlined points in your text book. It is too simple and effective way to ensure you remember the subject you have already thoroughly understood.
The Survey Question Read Review and Revise (SQ3R) method of learning by and large the best and easiest form of learning there is. Make the best use of it. Re-read the section if you wish to and implement it well into your method of learning.

MEMORY AND CONCENTRATION

There are certain aspects we need to ensure better learning and retention.
Environment: Your places of study must be free of too much distractions, usually in a corner of your room. A table and comfortable chair should do. Then chair shouldn't be couch type but should support back firmly (office type). Keep books, pens,paper etc. that you need within your reach. A picture or a flower vase on your table will give a serene atmosphere. A plan chart above your table where you can affix your time tables and other reminders also advisable.
Time of study: Keep a fixed time of study, regularly. If on a day you feel tired, don’t push your self, take a break, relax come back later. Keep your mind turned to studying when studying. It is found that you remember most when you study in periods of short intervals. A two half  hour sessions are better than a whole One hour session. Take five minutes rest in between every half hour. Take a walk. Let’s see just relax the five minutes. But remember to be back after five minutes.
Getting down to study: Be well organized before you start studying, for what you study and be sure of yourself when you sit down, don’t think of wavering away. Focus on your goals, only you can help you in your life. You are what you do, no one else will be responsible for that and in the long run no one else cares! Think!!!
 
EFFECTIVE WRITING

The ability to communicate through writing is one essential quality a student needs. Whether it is for exams or for any communication in life, a person who is got the gift of letters is at an advantage, he has what goes to  making of his success. 
Writing to Communicate:
Writing must be clear in simple and apt words. Small sentences serve better understanding than very long ones. Let communication be our idea when we communicate , be it in speaking or writing.
Thinking of the reader:
If the reader ( examiner) is in a good mood he’s looking for relevant answers, well researched answers, clearly argued with competent presentation.  ( If not he is just looking for signs of human intelligence in your answer paper, like Presentation, Hand writing, Aumber of papers etc. Here you need to improvise)  
Above all a clear hand and good writing style will help you anyways.
Identifying what to write:
When we have  a clear idea of what to write then we’ve half way succeeded. There are ways to get most of question like identifying the right words and content of the answer.
Clarity of expression: 
We need to express as clearly in our letters, what we intent to convey to our reader(examiner). Write clearly and concisely. In academic and formal circles write formally, don't fool around.
(Good writing style, takes time to develop, but with patience and perseverance, you’ll feel a lot comfortable. Practice makes perfect. Just write a lot, even in your free times, to improve your Writing skills. You'll be ready to take on the examiner in any exams!!)
Some common problem in writing:
(i)Getting started!          
Cure: Don’t waste time to start, you may very well come back and rewrite/ correct what you have written, so go on,Start and look back later. Just Do It, Don't worry.
(ii) Getting struck
Cure: Take a short break, review your writing , and carry on writing.
(iii) Finding Gap
Cure: Make a note to come back and fill it later. Don’t stop now. Don't lose the pace. Keep on writing.
(iv) Loosing direction:
Cure: Re-read the question, direct your answer accordingly. Relax.
(v) Feeling tired:
Cure: Take a break. Don’t write now, take a few long breaths. Read the questions once again, review your answers, do some important corrections if you so wish, then You may restart writing again.
          "Remember write as often as you can. The more often you write the easier you’ll develop your own style."
                              EFFECTIVE LECTURE              
Getting most out of the class room lecturer is a matter of smart approach , not hard.
(1) Be prepared for the lecture,  be thorough with the lessons of last lecture and have read the subject for this lecture, the reading need not be fully understanding. 
(2) Actively listen to the lecture raising your questions, absorbing the lecture, relating to your existing knowledge. This way you will remember and understand better. Lecture note are a part of active listening. 
(3) Concentrate  on the lecture, avoid any distractions. It’will be better for you  to concentrate, if you sit in the front of a class room or towards the middle but never towards the back this put you psychologically and physically far away from the lecture. 
(4) It is all too important remember to review the lecture and preparing for next lecture. Its best to review the very day of lecture. It’s a good practice  to make notes in summary of subject taught in a lecture, you’ll find it very easy to study later. (Notes can be prepared from books you study so you won’t need to read the whole book to get the necessary points.)
Exam Skills
Examinations are an unavoidable part of education. But to be a  success in any exam, it is an skill  than rather of pure hard work. 
Work must be also smart, not just hard!
Plan revision : 
Revision is not a last minute panicky run around looking for what to do, like which book to read or what topics to cover and to believe it or not, its planning the approach right from the start of the  year. You should know how to plan studies for the year, term, month and week (refer back), now the plan for the days, just before the exams, when everything becomes tense.
For best results, start this plan 2 month prior to first exam. 
The last week before exams will look some what like this.
Mon          Tue          Wed              Thur               Fri             Sat          Sun           M on      Tue        Wed
Revision   Revision   Revision       Revision       Revision   Revision    Revision    Exam   Revision  Exam
  C                A              D                  B                    C              A              A               A          B            B
(Where A,B,C,& D  represent subjects. Hope you got it)
Remember make a well planned time table and stick to it strictly. Time table should have time for study, exams, relaxing and sleep.
Organizing sources:
The sources for your exam preparation will not be same as those you studied and gathered knowledge before this. But it’ll be better of as summary notes. Summary note may become keys to your success, it saves time and reduces effort.
Use the Lecture/ Summary notes you made to give you a final revision to knowledge you gathered previously. If lecture/summary notes are not avilable, use underlined text books for revision.
Make best use of past question papers. See how much for each, how much the time  can be given for each question. Even total model exams at home a week or so before the actual exams.
"Remember, summary notes are effective for learning and remembering before Exams."
Some Useful Tips for Effective revision:
Consolidation - learning familiar ones just before exam. Read only books you’re  already familiar with before exam, now new ones.
Short study periods - don’t study for long periods at a time, that won’t help in your exams/ studies much, rather than studying for 1 hour or 2 hours at a stretch, 30 minutes sessions with 5-10  minutes break in between would do you a lot good. (Remember - don't watch TV or waste time during this 'breaks' or even wander away after the break, remain focused, take a small walk or do some stretching exercises to relax your body and come back to studying after the break.)
Actively revise- remembering, sorting questioning. This will keep things in head.

At times take breaks, relaxing completely, coming back to study refreshed and revitalized.
 
Taking the Exam:
Dealing with The Exam:
During any exam a little tension is normal and will actually enhance your performance. So don’t worry, be aware of what’s happening .
Be positive in your outlook. 
Don’t panic at any time, just relax and take it easy. 
Don’t eat heavily just before exam. Eat a light/healthy meal. Feel light and comfortable. 
Don’t do anything stressful half  hour before exam. 
Double check your “instruments for writing the exam.” 
When you’re  ready. “Loosen up” a little, take a short walk or just do relaxed breathing, that will make you feel at ease. 
Relax All is well.
Exam:
Use time wisely in exam hall. 
Read the whole question paper once, make a plan for answering them with time allotment for each answer too.
Keep in mind the instruction given together with every question, look for clues in question. Expressions such as " Elaborate", "Explain", "Prove", "Differentiate" etc may require you to approach the answer from different angles, mind that. 
Make your choice of which questions to answer first.
Start answering and stick to a time frame you have personally allotted for each question. 
Remember the first 30% marks is hard, so when time allotted for some question is over, end it graciously and move on to the next question, even though you wish to make any more elaborations. You’ll gain more marks this way, than trying to answer the question fully and get stuck without time for other questions you have not attempted at all! 
Answer to the question only, you’ll only get mark for that, the rest you "try" to write will be totally at your risk and time. 
Make a plan for every answer and expand it. 
Keep examiner in mind while writing.
Take care of writing legibly, your writing must be read. 
Take care of grammar ( usually a good practice). 
Care to spell right, punctuation and structuring the answer well, into paragraphs and the general layout all does pay off. 
With a little practice you’ll feel second nature with these practices. (Taking as many Mock-test will help you in the real Exam). Try to make every exam an opportunity to  learn some thing new. You will not be disappointed!
 Best of Luck!!! 

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