Surviving exams A student’s guide

How many stars can you draw in 1 min?

Why is it important to set goals?

Six Steps of Goal Setting

1. Identify Goals, short term and long term. Write them down. Set achievable targets for yourself. Write down the percentage you are aiming for. Plan your achievements in stages.

2. Set a Deadline. Put a date on when you will complete your goal. Set specific goals for study times. Eg. Finish 3 chapters in a week, in a day etc. While making a time-table, make it a term-wise, monthly, weekly and daily schedule. Include time spent in studying, in school, travelling, and playtime.

3. Identify people who can help you achieve your goals – teachers, parents, friends etc.

4. List skills you need in order to reach your goal. Use all your strategies to achieve your goal.

5. You need to ask yourself “What’s in it for me?”. Visualize what it will feel like to achieve your goal.

6. List down what you are willing to give up to achieve your goal. You may have to cut down on tv watching, meeting friends etc.

BCG Toppers say – “Study regularly

throughout the year.”

“ A proper time table helps. Make sure it includes co-curricular activities as well as a social life. A proper balance is a must!”

Besides studying hard, it is also important to study smart.

To study smart means to

Grasp 40% +Self Study 30%+Paper practice 30%

Studying smart at school

• Be regular to school. • No one knows your study style as

well as your teachers in school. • Pay attention and understand what

is being taught.• Create unique ways of studying

each subject. Correlate topics with daily life to understand the concepts better.

• Make notes to retain more knowledge. Write down examples given in class.

• Involve as many senses and skills as possible while studying.

• Don’t let what you study in coaching classes interfere with what you do in school.

• Submit all journals and assignments in time (internal exams marks will be counted for your SSC.) Do well in prelims.

• Be aware of the paper format (marks allotted, paper pattern, criteria for assessment etc.).

• Incorporate the tips given by the moderators while studying and writing papers.

• Schools are always aware of Govt policies and procedures, as well as exam plans so always rely on information given by the school.

• Clarify doubts that you have of a particular subject/chapter with your teacher.

• Studying isn’t just about passing an exam. It is an effort to actually learn things you might find interesting. Every subject can be studied in a different way.

Remember to enjoy what you are studying!

BCG Toppers say “ Work hard from the start

and enjoy school events like annual day, sports day etc.”

“School learning is very important for internal marks and gaining extra knowledge. Creative writing skills and tips to write a good paper are taught in school.”

Studying smart at home

• Start studying when planned. • Choose a place to study where you

are comfortable. • Have a specific place to sit and

study, ideally a table and chair set up. Avoid studying on the bed.

• Try to study at the same time each day. Choose a time to study when you are alert and energetic.

• Avoid making too many changes to your style of studying.

• It is advisable to study alone.

• If you choose to study in a group, study only with others who are serious about studying.

• Tell your friends not to call you during your study time.

• Select the books and materials from which you will study and focus only on those books.

• Don’t keep putting aside the subjects you don’t like or you feel are too difficult.

• Start with the easiest chapter first, then move to something difficult and end your day with something that is easy.

• Read your textbooks thoroughly. They are most reliable.

• Underline main points, number sub-headings (1,2,3), circle new words.

• Use cards to note down historic dates, definitions, vocabulary, math formulae etc.

• Use flowcharts to understand cause and effect.

• Use mnemonics – Mnemonics are techniques that help in memorizing information.

Some People Have Curly Brown Hair Tightly Pulled Back

Sin Q = Perpendicular Hypotenuse

Cos Q = Base Height

Tan Q = PerpendicularBase

3.1416 (Value of Pi)

MAY I HAVE A NUMBER 3 . 1 4 1 6

Circumference of a circle = תd

Cherry Pie Delicious

Distractions • External distractions – cell phones, TV, internet, social networking sites. Make sure you keep away from external distractions while you study.

• Internal Distractions – Your mind wanders and thinks about food, what you will do after exams, constantly comparing with what friends have done etc..

You have to say to yourself"Be here now"

Take a break•As soon as you notice you are losing concentration, take a short break, pick up something interesting to do eg. Read a chapter you like, solve sums, draw diagrams.

• Find out what relaxes you -- spend time with family/play a board game/listen to music/go for a walk. •Practice deep breathing, meditation and yoga as forms of relaxation.

• Eat right. Avoid junk food. Drink lots of water.

• Sleep for 7-8 hours a day.

• Splash your eyes with cold water at regular intervals.

• Avoid conflicts with family and friends.

Be Healthy……

BCG toppers say

“Avoid eating junk food which can make you fall ill.”

“Avoid comparing yourself with others; you should follow a study pattern suited to yourself and not follow what others do.”

“Do not discuss studies with peers just before the exams. It creates pressure.”

What happens to you when you are

stressed?

• Irritability / being bad tempered

• Lack of sleep, appetite, interest in activities

• Excessive worry / anxiety

• Depression or negative thinking

• Headaches and stomach pains

• Difficulty inconcentrating

• Feeling tired all the time

• Blurred vision

• Dizziness • Excessive

eating• Excessive TV

watching• Becoming

excessively superstitious

Learn to identify your own stress levels

When you have negative thoughts •What if I forget everything I have studied?•What will my parents think of me if I don't do well?•What if I don’t get the percentage I want?•What if my friends get more than me?

Try converting them into something positive like- “I will try my best.”“I can do well.”“I am capable of doing well in the exam.”

Remember…..• It is ok to ask for help.• If you feel anxious or

nervous, talk to your Teacher /Counsellor /Parent.

• If you feel stuck while studying, ask someone to take up your studies, reorganize your time-table, or just talk about what you have studied very well.

• This is your last year in school. Make sure you leave a good impression.

S.S.C. is not about luck, it is about

how well you plan, how

smartly you study, and how regular you are; the

more you work, the

luckier you get.

The board exam may seem to be the most important thing right now, but in the bigger scheme of your life it is the first exam ……. It's a stepping stone to many exams in the future.

You have a choice -

either you work hard till 25 and then rest

OR rest till 25 and then work hard

For any kind of help, you can write to us at

bcghelpline@hotmail.com

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