As a student, there's always going to be examinations here, some tests there and quizzes over there and they can all be overwhelming especially when one isn't properly prepared and suddenly gets bombarded with series of tests that were not prepared for in one day.
It's a struggle.
I have tried different ways of studying for exams and tests so I don't fail. Some of them worked for the duration I needed them to and after the exam was over I couldn't keep it up. Others managed to stick with me for a while until I couldn't keep up any longer and while some actually stuck with me.
I'll be sharing with you the reading habits that have helped me so far.
- ONE: Develop a strong reading habit.
I have come across a lot of individuals who say they don't like to read. In fact, some even claimed to hate sitting down to read.
I still wonder what is so bad in reading that'd make you hate it, and guess what?
They never really provided a satisfactory answer as to why they either hated or didn't like reading.
I agree that it may be difficult at first especially when it has to do with academics. All those lengthy topics and calculations can be quite boring at times and that's why a very good reading habit is important.
Because of this habit, I am able to pick up a textbook to read at different times of the day. And the motivation I use on myself whenever I have to read my textbooks is that of getting really awesome grades.
I am one of those people who love to see a clean result at the end of the year. It makes me happy and proud of myself and serves as motivation for the next year.
It wasn't easy developing this crucial habit, but it was the only way to cover up the syllabus in time for the exams and at a point I felt like I was forcing and punishing myself for nothing which made me want to give up, but I didn't. It took time to master, but I eventually mastered it.
A good reading habit is an important factor.
- TWO: Studying With Past Questions.
Everyone knows the importance of using a past questions booklet to study for any exam in particular.
This has been of great help to me and will continue to be a tool that I'll keep using.
Past Questions are a compilation of all past questions for exams that were held in the past and are now in a book or booklet for students to use.
It's really a common thing now as everyone buys a set of past questions for whatever they want to study but not everyone know that it's actually a pretty good way to study.
I usually use the past questions when I am reading as a kind of self test to see how much I know on a particular topic. Of course practice makes perfect so, I make sure to use the past questions book as often as I can when I study.
- THREE: Joining A Study Group.
I am sometimes a part of this when I have difficulty studying on my own or when I don't understand something totally. When such a situation arises, I join a study group.
Questions get asked and those who have the answers answer the questions. Mini quizzes are set for everyone present and everyone is encouraged to keep studying.
I have a few study friends and we do group studying once in a while to help each other.
It's also an opportunity to learn new things or relearn things, especially those forgotten or those skipped.
Plus, it's always fun.
It's a really good start for those who find it hard to read on their own. It'll give them the motivation to read and study and if done diligently and with intention, will yield positive results.
Study groups come in handy for me when exams are around the corner. We bounce questions off each other as a form of revision and teach each other if the need arises.
IN CONCLUSION
I have never been a fan of rush hour studying. I tried it once and regretted it immediately after the exam and that is why I read ahead using the techniques mentioned above.
They have helped me academically so far.
Thank you for reading.
This is in response to the #HiveLearners weekly contest.