Sit
down and take note
By John Siriter
Congratulations
if you have got the grades you wanted, commiserations if you have
not. Personal success and failure are both vitally important to
our individual development. They can also inspire and guide others.
So, if you are a student embarking on GCSE or A/Level courses in
a couple of months, what can you learn from the experiences of those
who have gone before you?
Get organized!
Make sure that you have everything you need to study effectively.
Texts, notebooks and calculators are obvious but try to find yourself
a quiet place at home where you will not be interrupted. Keep notes
filed in a safe place. If you take only those notes that you need
to use to school you will never lose everything in a single mishap.
Strike a balance between work and leisure time; make your own personal
timetable and stick to it. Learn to say “no” when friends
try to lure you away!
Learning is
an active business. Concentrate hard when you are working, relax
when you are not. Ask questions. Do not let things pass which you
do not understand. Get into the habit of reviewing what you have
done each day. Test yourself frequently by trying to explain topics
to an imaginary friend! Make concise summary notes at the end of
each topic and use highlighters on key words. This will make revision
much easier later.
Revision should
be an intense activity undertaken in short bursts of no more than
45 minutes without a break. Poring over notes for hours on end or
reading through lengthy texts tends not to be very productive. Use
those summary notes and key words to trigger your memory.
When it comes
to the examination itself, follow the instructions precisely! Attempt
the right number of questions from the right sections. Concentrate
on getting the relevant points down because no credit will be given
for nothing.
Remember, you
will be taking these exams for you and you alone. Although there
are opportunities for retakes, it is better to get things right
the first time around. So don’t let yourself be the one saying
“if only...” The writer is Principal of the British
School of Colombo
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