SELF KNOWLEDGE AND PREPARATION
One of the most important criteria for succeeding in life is to know yourself.
• Identify your most productive time (morning, afternoon or evening). Studying early in the morning is the best. - • Always start with the most difficult work first. It will make you feel better once you have completed some of the more difficult sections of your work first.
- • Avoid intellectual exhaustion by getting enough sleep. Most people need 7 to 8 hours sleep each day.
- • Eat well because your body needs sustenance to function properly.
- • Avoid eating junk food, caffeine and other stimulants.
- • Take regular short and effective breaks (e.g. Take a 5 minute break every 40 to 60 minutes of study).
- • Exercise regularly.
- • Also take some time out to relax with friends and family. However, you should not lose focus.
- • Your studies always come first!
Know your learning style:
- Your studying should not be boring. Make it fun by using a variety of methods, which include writing, drawing, summarising, memorizing, listening (videos, recordings, radio lessons), etc.
- If you study better alone, ask your family and friends not to disturb you while you are studying.
- If you study better in a group, choose partners who are committed and are hard workers.
- Communicate to your teachers and peers about the sections of work that you are unclear about. Importantly, try to get assistance.
- Visual learners have a preference for looking and learning (seeing – think in pictures; visual aids such as overhead slides, diagrams, handouts, etc.).
- Auditory learners, best learn through listening (lectures, discussions, tapes, etc.)
- Tactile/kinesthetic learners prefer to learn via experience (moving, touching, and doing, i.e. actively exploring the world – e.g. science projects; experiments, etc.)
- Forget about your cellphone!!!