By: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Sr. Associate Editor, ICN Group
(In the past article, we knew about some strategies and mindset for preparation of examinations. Today, we will know more about this.)
Identify your ‘plus’ and ‘minus’ points
NOIDA: Do analysis of your strengths & weaknesses. Don’t get disheartened due to your ‘minus’ points. There is nobody on the earth who does not have any minus points. Instead, try to take maximum benefit of your ‘plus’ points by strengthening the same. At the same time, keep on trying to improve on minus points.
Prepare study & revision time table in advance
- Have realistic time table.
- Plan big but bifurcate in small steps. Start small and keep on.
- Reward yourself for small steps.
- Identify your peak concentration time – Observe whether you are better in studies in the morning or in the night.
- Develop the habit of doing critical tasks first – High concentration should be given to tough ones and later easy ones.
- Understand benefits of early rising and reading early morning.
- Sufficient sleep is necessary.
- Sleeping hours and waking hours should be regular, even on holidays. It will not disturb your sleep cycles.
- Plan your study sessions small i.e. 45-50 minutes at a time. Take regular break for 5-10 minutes at least.
- Study regularly at pre-decided time.
- Plan your revision time table beforehand. Regular revisions are necessary, as only through revisions, your studies penetrate deep into your long-term memory.
Avoid distractions
Observe your habits of time utilisation by maintaining a time log for a period of one week. Inculcate the habit of observing, which activities or habits are taking you towards your goals and which activities or habits are just time killers and may take your far from your dreams. This is very important as being aware about time sucking activities is a necessity. Some students are conscious time wasters and they find all good reasons for the time-wasting activities. They watch excessive cricket and say that it is for entertainment. They surf excessive internet and claim that it is for enjoyment, necessary for them. They engage themselves in excessive socialising and claim that it is necessary. I too agree that all these are necessary but to a certain extent only. You have to use discernment about the quantum of each, because time is limited and if you want to take responsibility of your life, you should decide how much time is to be accorded to which activity.
Improve your reading environment at home
- Studying at same place is better. It has psychological impact. Your sub-conscious mind gets the message that it’s study time.
- Never read on bed. Bed has a connotation with sleep time in your sub-conscious mind.
- Don’t use mobile phones during serious study sessions. Don’t allow your friends to disturb you at their sweet will. Often some close friends talk on daily basis, specially for clarifying their study related doubts. It is always desirable, if the time is pre-decided, so that none of the friends is disturbed.
- You can use light instrumental music making the reading atmosphere soothing. But remember, it should be instrumental music only and songs from films should be totally avoided.
- Increased water intake will help you during studies.
Learn to take notes and prepare revision strategy
Whenever you finish reading any topic, take notes of key concepts for repeated revisions. Use the mind maps for revision, wherever possible. Further, make the revision strategy at the time of finishing the topic itself. How many revisions you have to do and when, should be decided well in advance. How much time, each revision will take, should also be noted. It will help to construct your final time table before examination time, when you face crunch of even minutes.
Understand that competition is always tough
You must remember that competition in any entrance examination is always going to be tough. Only 1 to 2 % students appearing in the examination are going to succeed. Therefore, even if your preparation is good, don’t take the examination lightly.
(…. To be continued)
(In the next articles, I will touch some more points related to preparation for examinations. I believe that you are enjoying the journey towards the future of your dreams with me. If yes, please stay tuned. Happy G.O.P.T.A.)
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Creator & copyright holder of the concept G.O.P.T.A.© is an Author, Certified NLP Lifestyle Trainer, Strategic Interventionist, Corporate Trainer & Motivational Speaker ( http://bit.ly/Signature-Workshops-Sanjay-Kumar-Agarwal ) and recipient of Honorary Doctorate of Excellence (Management) by prestigious Young Scientist University, California, USA. He is Founder of ‘Read, Learn & Earn Movement’ and is popularly known among his fans & followers across the globe as ‘Time and Goal Guru’.
