Study Tips

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR EXAMS.

Pick up a desirable place for your preparation, where no one can disturb you.

Manage your time, and try to utilize your time on study near exams.

Study every day, and give time to every subject. So that you can focus on all subjects instead of one.

Make a timetable for your preparation according to your schedule, in which you have to include your all subjects.

Take a break after studying each subject. By doing this you can not mix up the content of all the subjects.

Take a revision of what you study in a day. The review is very important because it assists you to memorize the content which you study earlier.

Stay motivated, because it boosts your mental ability to achieve your desired score in exams.

Try to organize a study group with friends. It is believed that learning becomes easier when we study in groups.

Make sure you solved the old sample papers.

Always try to explain your answer to others.

Use mind mapping to keep the study material memorize in your brain.

Making notes in easy language. And remember, always make notes of vital points.

Prefer to study in the morning and in a peaceful atmosphere

Find out your learning style as you are visual learner, an auditory learner, or maybe you are a physical learner. And adapt your learning technique which assists you to memorize.

Take Plenty of sleep so that you can perform well in exams and your brain remains fresh for revising all study material. Eat healthily and stay fit near exams. Do not procrastinate.

Teaching online is not far from teaching in an actual classroom. You still need to prepare your materials. Traditional classroom stores realia or actual objects necessary to emphasize keywords or convey the idea of your lesson. It also keeps lots of visual aids prepared for each subject matter.

The same should be observed in the virtual classroom. If you want to become a successful online teacher, whether it is teaching for a specific course or teaching English as a Secondary Language to Kids Level, you must prepare yourself to organize your own digital shelf.

If visual aids take space in the actual classroom, the digital shelf will also take space on your computer. Hence consider the following in building your digital shelf.

1. Provide yourself with a flash memory. Either a flash drive or a memory card. Choose one that has a high storage capacity.

2. Organize your files by folder. Aside from having a neat file window, it is easier to locate files if they are saved by category.

3. Put your pictures in a PowerPoint presentation. Aside from saving some space, students can easily follow your lead if you are showing them an organized lesson.

4. Lastly, instead of downloading Youtube videos, why not copy the URL of that video you want to show to your students then paste them by category in a Notepad or MS Word. You can retrieve them later should you need it for your today’s lesson. It is one way to build a digital shelf as well as save space in your storage media.

Are you wondering how to start your video for self-introduction? To give you an idea, I list down the steps on how to create a self-made video for your self-introduction.

1. Prepare your script.

* Tell your name.

* Where you live.

* Share your teaching experience. Much as possible your online teaching experience. You don't need to mention other jobs you have in the past. Remember, this is a short introduction. If you have a certain expertise in this and that, reserve that during the initial interview or better yet show it off when you are on the platform already.

* Tell how you do your class. Are you the scholarly type? Are you the traditional type who uses board and pen? Are you the techie type?

* Tell what the students can expect from you after they have booked your lesson.

* Lastly, invite them to book you for a lesson. Encourage the potential students to book your class by showing your friendly nature in camera. Tell that you offer fun-filled, engaging and interactive classes all the time.

2. Be natural. Be yourself. Memorize your script. Don't read them during recording or else you'll appear like a robot.

3. Most parents look for a teacher with a friendly aura. So, don't forget to smile. Show your bubbly personality. Enjoy teaching.

Are you an aspiring ESL teacher? Here is a short example of self-introduction for you, especially for kids' level.

1. Provide good lighting in your workspace.

2. Dress casually so you will not scare them with your "professional" looking-attire.

3. Wear light makeup. You don't need to overdo it since your demo is intended for kids.

4. Prepare your Manycam apps, a creative app that you can embed to gender, Google Classroom, or Zoom. Download or create effects that are necessary for your short introduction. Take a slow transition for each effect.

5. Speak slowly and keep your effects going with the content of your introduction.

6. Of course, children are children. They like to see toys, so show-off your favorite toy. Parents want to see how you make use of teaching resources, so show a sample.

7. Wear something on your head. It could be a hat, flower crown, or a catchy headband. I regularly use a digital Minnie Mouse headband is available in Manycam.

Do you see the demand here? The parent is looking for a connection to someone who can help her understands and empathizes with the challenges of a parent, forced overnight to “home school” my child. Before COVID-19, I could send my child off to school, and the teachers would take care of the rest.

The child is waiting on the other line. It is about time to camp in your garage or your attic or to any quiet place in your house to set up your virtual classroom., the answer to the demand of weary parents and children.

Due to Novel Coronavirus a.k.a. COVID 19, people were forced to stay at home to keep them safe and protect their families from the unforeseen enemy. This deadly virus created havoc on our economy. Businesses are shut down, entry for vehicles is lockdown and people were restrained to go anywhere.

Many schools are now closed because of COVID 19. Millions of children were forced to stop going to their respective schools especially after the government requested citizens to avoid social gatherings, including church activities. Social distancing measures are implemented nationwide hence people preferred to stay at home.

To support the needs of the family, experts on online teaching suggest to those who are able and have the qualifications to teach online to make their home a virtual classroom. This is the right opportunity to earn a living amidst the crisis.

Many online ESL companies are popping out like mushrooms in all social media platforms and looking for teacher support because of the influx of students who are enrolling in virtual classes. If you are a graduate of any BA or BS degree, you are good to go.

Having ESL teaching certification is a plus point to get you hired faster. If you don't have any yet, many companies offer 160 to higher hours of training. Then lookout for a few kid's stuff which is necessary if you will apply to teach kids level. If you prefer teaching adults and you have the skills to share, then you can clean up a little space in the corner of your house to make your instant virtual classroom.

Of course, all online ESL companies require teachers to be in a quiet, clutter-free environment. So, find a suitable place to set up your table and teaching materials.

1. Comparison is bad for Studies:

The biggest de-motivation of your study is comparisons. Please don’t do it. You and I have a different pace to study, to grasp and learn subjects and topics. When it comes to studying, always keep up and compete with yourself. Follow the idea of spending time every day strictly for your studies. Do better than yesterday. Instead, don’t compare and go hard on yourself when it comes to studies, thesis writings or grades.

2. Audio Methods for your Studies:

Record the important concepts, the core concepts, theories, interpretations from case-studies & prior research findings, etc. Do it in your smartphones or a recording device meant for study.

Do it as if you are talking and discussing with yourself about the studies. It’s a good way instead of carrying textbooks to study.

• You have good educational videos, concept-explanations, demo videos, etc.
• Go outside textbooks and libraries. There are lots of interesting ways to learn concepts.
• Download and listen to interesting podcasts, and lectures or audio files related to your studies.

Using Audio methods to listen to on the go, or while relaxing can help you study better. It is a fun way to learn. Furthermore, it’s a good way to motivate yourself to study.

3. Sometimes you have to force yourself to Study:

It’s true. Not every time a motivation works. Sometimes, we all get caught up with unexpected things that could take us astray from studies. At times, whatever you do you may feel like nothing works. Studying can make you feel like stepping out of your comfort zone. You cannot do this forever. You have to start your studies somewhere. During that time, you have to force yourself to at least take your book out and just go through or flip pages.

1. Allocate a Study-Time every day:

Spend study time every day. Allocate some time; say for at least a solid one hour every day.

Even if you don’t feel like studying, you can do other activities related to studies at that time.

Like,

• You can simply go through the chapters and contents you have to study.
• You can prepare priority lists of what to study.
• Or, you can simply read the headings, sub-headings or skim-read the pages.
• Go through case-studies.
• Gather necessary research hints, ideas or points needed for your studies.
• Browse online for relevant study resources other than what you have.

Do any related activities like this if you don’t feel like studying. The idea here is to spend time every day for your studies. Gradually, you will get in the line of studying every day. Make it a practice. Motivating self-rule for you to study is ‘If you don’t feel like studying, spend it in doing things related to your study’.

2. A comfortable Study Space:

Cluttered unclean study space is a big No. Some people argue about ‘if you want to study you can study anywhere’. Well, not exactly all the time. A comfortable space brings a good vibe and concentration to you. Whereas, if the place around is mixed-up or unclean, you will be more concentrated in looking around at it instead of focusing.

3. Will to Study:

Nothing works if you don’t have the will to study. Your determination is what motivates you truly to study. Other things don’t work if you don’t have the interest to study. Life takes us all through different stages. Education and studies are one such important stage for you right now. Just, give your best and that’s enough. Bring the will to study.

Choose your Preferred Study techniques:

Follow Easy and effective Study techniques. They are good motivators for you to study. A repetitive way of studying could bore you easily and lose concentration. Instead, if you follow interesting study techniques you will be encouraged now and the next time too.

Good Study techniques would be:

• Visualizing.
• Drawing flow charts to understand the concept flow in the subject.
• Taking hints.
• Using mnemonics.
• Picking one thing first to focus and study instead of gathering everything.
• Using acronyms.
• Mind mapping.
• Using sticky notes. Write core concepts, formulas, principles, etc. and stick them wherever you need. The next time, just by looking at the sticky note you should understand what they have explained on that page or the whole chapter easily.
• Taking notes your way.
• Refer to good case studies, live examples, previous research works. It helps you visualize and understand the topics, concepts, and theories.
• Doing Q&A sessions.
• Read aloud. By simply reading to yourself, you can feel drowsy at times.
• Use pictorial/diagram representations your way to understanding the theory.
• Take a break if you feel lazy, drowsy or feel like stopping. You will lose focus if you continue. It’s okay to take a quick break now and then.
• Listen to some music.

Pick the study technique that is easy for you. It persuades you to study.

1. Good Study means Good understanding:

If you don’t like to understand your studies, there’s no good use in motivating yourself here. Bring the mindset of wanting to understand what’s going on. Instead, don’t study to complete the studying work. If you set out to understand your studies, your mind works that way. It helps you. The brain makes you look for different ways to understand.

Instead, if you are in a hurry to finish your studying, your mind only works to finish the task and not fulfill any value. Learning is a step by step process. Do it that way. Take steps in understanding instead of finishing.

2. Have a Healthy Snack:

It’s really funny that every time we sit to study we feel hungry at some point. I use to take this as a chance to escape from the studies. But I have wasted considerable time on it. Instead, I started having healthy snacks and a water bottle near me before I sit to study. This is a technique to keep yourself focused on your studies. Try to avoid creating chances to get up and go out while studying.

3. Study in Group:

Group discussions and group studies with friends can easily motivate and encourage you. Studying and discussing with one another will help you remember, revise and learn the concepts easily. It can go sideways too if you all start to lose focus and end up playing games or talking. Make sure, you all do the study first and later have your time.

Take Notes:

Turns out that, taking notes and writing down essential concepts helps you study easier and understand better. When you start studying, always take notes. I use to take notes on the go. But I have seen people who study first. And again, they study it for the second time. It’s more like a read and re-read they do. Once done, they write notes of what they understood and what they felt important.

There’s a friend who used to have separate word documents on the laptop for each concept with bullet points of important notes. It helps to revise as well as study in detail. You can pick any method you prefer. Finally, only with notes, you can easily understand. You can take it anywhere you go. You can even stick them to your study table. Taking notes is an easy way to motivate yourself to study even a complex concept in your subjects.

Learn effective strategies for prioritizing your studies. Enhance your productivity and focus on tasks that matter most for academic success.

Have Priorities & Don’t Multitask your Studies:

When it comes to studying, have priorities and not multitasks. When you multitask, especially with your studies, you tend to lose focus easily. You get confused about what to choose right now and what can wait. Prioritize your study. Make an agenda and see what to study first.

How to prioritize your Studies?

1. Break your studies into a list. The numbered list will give an idea about what are all the things you have to complete. It helps you focus.

2. See what tasks are urgent or have short deadlines. Take your assignments or reports for example. They will have a deadline. You should give priority first here. Studying for it could be important right now.

3. If you have any large projects, like for instance: Take Thesis Writing. it will take more time and a lot of study hours.

1.) Break them down into subparts.

2.) Number them based on what to take care of first or what to write first.

3.) Divide them based on ‘finding resources’ for it. Resources could be books, old references, previous thesis, sample research works, lectures, etc. By listing them down, you can prioritize as well as see what you need first to start studying. I find this tip useful because by listing my needed resources I know what to do first. I start by collecting previous research papers first for my studies and writing.

4. Always, prioritize your studies based on ‘Time it Takes’, ‘Difficulty Level’ and ‘Duration you will need’.

Depending upon your studies or subjects you can make your priorities. You can identify what to do first and where to being regarding your study. Having a little priority list motivates you to study.

1. Gather the necessary things before you sit to study:

Don’t get up now and then to go pick your notebooks, or books or stationery supplies. When distracting yourself from little things, you will lose undivided attention to your studies. Before you sit to study, gather all the necessary things you want. Have a bottle of water nearby.

2. Go for a quick walk and start:

If you feel bored or unfocused to study, stop it for a while. Don’t start to study. You won’t be able to grasp anything. It happens every time for everyone. Get up and go for a walk. Not necessarily a walk in the park or a long one. Just walk. You can go grab a snack or you can walk out and just stand in the fresh air. Not just that, you can do it in the middle of your studies too. Take a quick break. Go for a small walk; take a pause and return to resume the study.

3. Always have a notebook with you:

Before you study, bring a notebook with you. Sometimes the concepts can be understood easily via writing it, or drawing it or visualizing it in any way in a notebook.

4. Divide your study topic into chunks:

Instead of taking it as a whole, divide the study in too little chunks. For instance, break it like ‘completing three chapters’ a day. Make it a wonderful practice that, every time you step out you feel confident about achieving your little study-goals like this. It motivates you and encourages you to do it again. For a fun twist, reward yourself for it. Surf the internet or check the notifications quickly. Play a few minutes of the game. Reward yourself with your favorite food too if you like.

1. Do a Digital Cleaning before Study:

Before you prepare yourself to study, do a digital cleaning. It’s a must.

How can you do it?

1. Stay away from social media notifications for a while. We all know how the thought of ‘I’ll just check my notifications quickly’ will take us.

2. Next, if you have your gaming gadgets around, now is the right time to hide them from the sight.

3. Give a short break to your smartphones, and tabs.

4. Unless you have the need, set your laptop aside for some time.

Don’t take it as strict restrictions. You need to set the stage right so that you perform without hassle. You can’t keep track of time on the internet. Gadgets and the Internet are serious distractions while we study.

2. Don’t study with Full-Stomach. Don’t study while starving.

After a heavy meal, the chances of becoming drowsy, and getting lazy is so high. Don’t start to study with a full stomach. Same way, with a pang of hunger, you cannot concentrate on what you are doing, particularly with studying. Have a balance.

What’s the best way here?

1. Take a light breakfast or lunch or dinner.

2. To handle any in-between hunger pangs you can have some healthy snacks.

3. Have a water bottle with you.

4. Avoid eating junk foods, processed sugars, alcohol or any beverages while studying.

5. If you need to prepare your food, then do it prior. Don’t do it once you start with your studies.

Most importantly, during your education and study period, maintaining proper health is essential. Good health is balance. Follow healthy practices right from the start.

When it comes to studies, if you have lots piled up, you will find it difficult to start. If you separate and schedule your studies into small chunks, you can easily finish them. Don’t worry if you feel lethargy to take the big book out and start turning the pages. We have all been there.

Procrastination and studies are like twins. That too, if you have lots of homework and studies, it’s easy to procrastinate. A matter of fact here is, if you don’t want to study today, you have to start doing it somehow and somewhere. Let it be sooner. To motivate yourself to study, here are some techniques that will help you. It has helped me, and I’m sure it will help you too.

1.) You need to set the right stage for your studying. It’s the first thing you need to take care of.

2.) Fix ‘How you want to Study.’

3.) You need to look into ways that will keep you focused on your studies.

Taking care of the above three main criteria’s will make your studying process easier. If you want to motivate yourself to study, then set the right stage, choose how you want to do it, and finally, keep your focus. Keeping all the above into consideration, I have shared some interesting but easy tips to encourage studying.

Studying needs patience:

Particularly, when it comes to your studies, you have to take things to step by step. Have patience with your study practice. Improve yourself step by step. Easy study techniques and good planning can motivate you. Spending some time every day will enhance your study. Sometimes, the planning you did can go off target. Study practice involves moving from a setback and try doing things differently the next time. Chiefly, a study needs patience and flexibility

Understand a few things here.

First: You need to set the right stage for your studying. It’s the first thing you need to take care of.

For Instance:

1.) Cluttered study space will not motivate you.

2.) If you feel physically unwell, to sit and study becomes difficult.

3.) Even an uncomfortable chair could distract your studies.

Many simple things like the above could affect your study time.

Secondly: Fix ‘How you want to Study’.

For Instance:

1. The way how people study differs. People take notes and bullet points in a default way. Instead, there are other different ways like mnemonics, Pomodoro technique, visualizing, drawing, marking core concepts, doing Q&A sessions, using acronyms, diagrammatic representations, etc. to study. Choose your way.

2. Look for any priorities you have concerning your study or subjects.

3. Concepts can be learned and understood not alone from books. You can look for other sources, Online lectures, etc.

4. Asking questions, finding answers and having discussions motivate us to study the subject without weariness.

5. Studying for your assignments and tests can be different. Studying for your thesis, projects, case studies, and others are different. With the former case, the learning, the understanding, and grasping of concepts and applications are important. The latter takes more focus and a more precise way of learning. Choose your way here. It can prepare you mentally for how you want to study.

Thirdly: You need to look into ways that will keep you focused on your studies.

For Example:

1. Calm early morning hours will have your undivided attention.

2. Having Short study goals.

3. Starting small every day instead of all at once.

4. Outcomes, results, and grades will keep you focused and motivated to study.

5. Time, money and getting the final degree could bring focus whenever you feel lost.