Worrying about how to study is more prominent among students these days. Whichever board you opt for – ICSE, CBSE, IB or SSC and you might be studying in 8th, 9th or 10th grade, the challenge is to grasp concepts, and then prepare for exams.
Let me share with you a learning as a teacher with 15 years of experience; these are two different things- grasping concepts and preparing for the exams.
The age of knowledge for knowledge’s sake has passed and we have transitioned to an age where results rule the minds of students, parents and teachers. Undeniably, result focused learning is the trend and while we mould the future of this nation our aims and objectives have changed.
But we aren’t debating the credibility of the present approach. Rather, we have to find a balance between knowledge focused learning and result oriented learning. So, we are going to share how to arrive at this balance in two articles.
Let us first look at knowledge focused learning.
Learning concepts:
- Asking questions:
Let us acknowledge the fact that there are no right questions. Your challenges and queries should be resolved. So, while you read a concept try to simplify them.
Ask why this concept came into being?
What challenge this concept is trying to resolve? What basic questions the concept is trying to resolve?
How was the challenge resolved- the process and the method?
- Repeated reading:
Repeated reading certainly is the best way to learn. The impact of words (that are often complicated), the sentences and level of understanding improves.
You gradually get acquainted to the flow of information and start to simplify the sentences, information and the concept.
- Writing:
When you write the words and sentences, they get registered in your mind. The complexities start to simplify and your mind demystifies them. Often students find it boring to keep writing but, let me tell you its just the most effective way to learn and relearn.
- Never get discouraged:
Patience is the key to learning. Never get discouraged if you don’t understand any concept or find a subject difficult or boring. Talk to your parents, siblings and teachers to share how you feel? Ask them to share how they learned while they were studying? This might throw light on the fact that ‘No pain, no gain’ and arriving at some amazing ways to learn.
- Revisit the concept:
If things don’t register, put a halt to your studies. Take a break and revisit the concept. Often a refreshed mind is more productive. If you love music or reading, go for it. Take out time for yourself and return to your studies with a refreshed mind.
You will be surprised to know that the concept is not as complicated as you think and you were simply struggling with it.
Your prefrontal cortex or PFC is utilized when you are studying. It is the thinking part and when you are doing any goal-oriented work, concentration is a must. Your PFC helps you focus on goals. It helps you to think logically and is responsible for your willpower. Your PFC is doing great amount of work thus, it’s obvious it needs a break. So, it’s a well-deserved break that you are taking. Don’t feel guilty about it.
This is all I had to share about concepts and how to simplify learning. It’s your zeal to learn and consistent efforts that will sail you through.
But preparing for your exams is also important. In the next article we will discuss about how to prepare for your exams, striking the balance between learning /acquiring knowledge and preparing for the exam.
A combination and a balance between the two are your key to success. Only if your concepts are clear in 8th and 9th grade, will you be able to enjoy learning and appearing for exams in the 10th grade. Afterall, the focus is your 10th grade results.
But let me tell you one secret of success – failure. In fact the prerequisite to success is failure. Well, you might disagree. We will share about this fact in our coming series on success.
Keep reading our blog posts for more interesting revelations.