Getting the work done
INTRO
Many of you are nearing your prelims, and that means O-Levels are near. Or for those in IP, our coursework is due very soon and we are cramming in the syllabus. We get caught up in all the rush, that we do not denote time to having a proper study strategy and revision guide for the exam. Without knowing what to revise and how to do it, we engage in pseudo-studying: mindlessly flipping through the textbooks, not absorbing any of the information in. You NEED to have a clear goal for EVERY study session. And that is exactly what this article will help you achieve.
ACTION
Growth is sustained through action, more specifically mindful action. You need to start doing the assignments and past year papers now. If you don't think you have revised the topics enough, good, do it anyway. This is THE MOST crucial tip to a good revision plan. Do the work even if you are not 100% knowledgeable about it. You might think: "I am going to get so many mistakes, what is the point?". That is exactly the point. The purpose of doing work is identifying your mistakes.
THE ACHILLE'S HEEL
Denote less time to topics you are fairly good at, and focus on the ones you cannot recall or apply well enough. Focusing all your effort on mastering one topic and neglecting nine others gets you an F. Focusing that same amount of effort but spreading it out in smaller quantities for all 10 topics can get you a B at least. Have a list of the topics in your syllabus written down. Highlight it in green if you think you have mastered it, yellow if average and red if critical condition (I get a lot of reds). Doing past year papers is a blessing, because it helps you familiarize with the style of the exam questions.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
For example, you may memorize math theorems intensively, but when you are asked to apply it under a time pressured environment: You're stumped. Get a feel of doing the questions, take note of the harder questions to revisit for revision. A few concepts definitely come out each year: for example binomial theorem in math papers. This is a plus, since you know which topics are frequently tested and you can spend more time on them. You know you have revised well when you can do the questions you were not able to do before. That is progress. Do you assessment book questions and past year papers.
ASK FOR HELP
Now that you know your weak areas, if you cannot solve it after much effort, ask for help. Seek a teacher or a friend out, please. Only one thing stops us: Our ego. Type A people are too prideful to ask for help, and they feel doing so exposes their weakness. Utter nonsense at its finest. Type B people think their friends will look down on them and laugh at their incompetency, and ego is still at play here, because it seeks to preserve your dignity. Your ego wants to guard your feeling of safety, and thus does not seek help. Tip: Throw that ego voice down the bin and ask for help. Period. You want the grades, you do it.
HOW TO SEEK HELP
Talking to others and gaining insights from them is one of the best ways to learn. The exchange of ideas deepens your engagement with the material. Ask your friends for help with questions during recess, after school or have a call. Chase your teachers for a one-to-one remedial session. Exhaust them with every single question you have. That doesn't mean it should take no effort on your behalf: You must have given your best at solving the problems, and that's how teachers know you are sincere about your work. They will help you.
Summary: Do your past year papers and assessment books. Identify your weak topics and the frequently tested topics. Work more on them. Ask teachers and friends for help.
OUTRO
In the next article, I will talk about how to make revision timetables, spacing out study sessions, maintaining good mental health and moderating device usage, all of which are vital to good revision sessions. Please leave any opinions you have about this article below, or improvements you would like to see on Student's Spot. Help a buddy out by subscribing, and sharing this to those who need this, if you think this is helpful. Peace out.
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