How to Study ? [Specially for Students]

How to Study:
I followed some known age-old techniques and then some totally new and interesting techniques to study:
One thing I’d like to stress on is that one needs to have interest to know something and only then he can concentrate/grasp knowledge about that particular subject. Interest plays a vital role in a student’s life. The more a student is interested in a subject, the better he’ll score and grasp the finer points.

So, first create interest for that subject. Now “how do you make a dull subject interesting” is a good question. There should be something called as GOAL or LAKSHYA in one’s life. He must constantly remind himself about the goal and the path; how this particular subject would get him nearer to his goal. Studying becomes a joy once the subject becomes interesting.

Also, our mind is a superb servant but a bad master. So, the tuning of mind to a servant or a master is always in our hands. What goes in to our minds as thoughts are reflected in our actions. The tuning of the mind should be done in the form of reading good books, discussing with knowledgeable people, exercise and finally hobbies and sports.

Once the raw materials (pun intended) like mind, the subject, goal is ready, we are ready to study. Proper lighting and studying at the same time in the same location helps to a great extent. Proper lighting helps to concentrate better and for long durations.

Now during exam times, I always found students asking me questions such as :
1. How to prepare a timetable?
2. Which subject to study first?
3. Which is the best time to study?
4. Should I study only one subject for 2-3 days or 2-3 subjects in one day?
5. Should I make notes or write the answers and practice?
6. Should I refer previous year’s question papers?
7. How should I revise and how often?
8. I totally forget once I enter the examination hall. What should I do?
9. How to answer a question?
10. Should I attend extra coaching/tuitions?

I’ll answer the above questions one by one….

1. Preparing a timetable:
Consider you have 6 subjects to study:
A, B, C, D, E and F.
Time available Feb 15th to March 14th.

The exam dates : March 15, 17, 19, 22, 24 and 25

Order of exams: A,B,C,D,E,F.

Now I will not study anything except A on 13th and 14th. I would end my revisions on 10th.

The mistake everyone does in planning a timetable to study is to start from Feb 15th
like Feb. 15th A- 2 chaps, B 1chap…
Feb 16th A next 2 chaps, B 1 chap…
And then finally come to March 10…14…

What I suggest is plan backwards…

March 10th: A: 6-end chaps revision. B: 4-end chaps revision.
March 9th: A: 1-5 chaps revision. B: 1-3 chaps revision.
…..
…. Keep on subtracting the chapters you have covered and you’ll know exactly how much to cover from the first day itself.
….
Feb 16th: A: 3-5 chaps, B: 2-3 chaps
Feb 15: A: 1-2 chaps….

If we start from Feb 15th and move on to March 10th, in the end we’ll be pressurized to cover more portions in the nth moment.
So, planning backwards really helps.


2. Subject to study first:
Tougher subjects need to studied early and more. With the above timetable, have the toughest subject to study when you are fully fresh.

3. Best time to study:
Depends on individual’s preference. Early morning is as good as late night. I’d prefer early morning. Also, just before sleeping don’t watch TV or hear music. The last thing you do before sleeping is always fresh in mind. So, study and head to BED.

4. one subject or 2-3 subjects?
2-3 subjects according to timetable.

5. Notes?
While studying the subject for the first time make notes. These should consist of important (key) points and nothing else. These should be used while revising at the last minute.

6. Question Papers:
These give you a clear idea of how the questions were set and what you can expect. Very useful to refer and practice answers for them as 25% of the current year’s questions are from previous year’s question papers.

7. Revision:
Revise as often as possible. For everything a timetable would guide you.

8. Forgot in Exam Hall
The problem is then you are just glancing during studies and ‘no grasping after understanding’ was done.
More concentration and a bit of relaxation would help.

9. Answering Method:
Key points should be underlined. Answer in points with the above format.
Key point 1
Explanation of the key point.

Key Point 2
Explanation of the key point.

When answering an essay type, make sure you answer in small paragraphs.

10. Extra coaching?
Depends on subject and coaching. If the subject is totally tough to understand, better attend coaching than repent later.

Finally, what you visualize in your mind is what you get.
Visualize that you are answering the exam well before every night’s sleep(specially the day before exam).
Have a clear picture of your goal in your mind. It helps.

Have a good night’s sleep. Revise once. And enjoy the exam and the results of hard work.

Good Luck.

Ajay
ajay184f@yahoo.com