In today’s world, many students – including myself – struggle with productivity due to distractions from their mobile phones, primarily social media. As a 16-year-old, I know firsthand how easy it is to get lost in those endless Instagram reels or get caught up with constant notifications that pop up on my screen. While these distractions might offer a quick, temporary escape from stress, they can severely impact our academic performance.

In my personal research, I found a few psychological principles that can provide us with effective strategies to manage our tasks better, improve our study productivity and well-being, and ultimately reduce our stress levels.

The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique, designed to enhance productivity and focus, was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. This effective time management technique involves breaking study time into 25-minute intervals, known as Pomodoros, followed by a 5-minute break. After completing four Pomodoros, you take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. This approach leverages the brain’s ability to focus for short periods and helps prevent burnout by incorporating regular breaks.

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It’s that time of the year when students start biting their fingernails! With the examination season upon us, it is natural to get stressed as there is an unprecedented pressure that is created by social media due to an information overflow and even a toxic mixture of unrealistic peer and parental pressure.

In today’s fast-paced world, information is readily available at the click of a button. This hardly gives time or space for reflection and assimilation of knowledge. In addition, constant comparisons between offline and online also creates a pressure cooker kind of situation for teenagers.

Panic attacks, tantrums, and dark circles around the eyes are some tell-tale signs you may have noticed. You probably remember your exam dates better than your birthday! Parents say “STUDY!”, but even spelling it is a stress!

Unfortunately, such stress can lead to a stage where you may think yourself to be worthless. It is like a vicious cycle that can negatively impact your performance and score. 

So how does one cope in such a situation? First and foremost, sit back, think, and ask yourself:

• Are you alienating yourself from your support peer group and parents?
• Are you questioning your self-worth?
• Is sleep your worst enemy?
• Has your mealtime become a chore?
• Do you feel that you may not meet the expectations of your parents or social group?
• Do you have difficulty in focusing? 
• Are you a time bomb waiting to explode?

You might have other symptoms of stress that are not listed here and that’s okay. No two people are born alike. We are all different and cope with stress in different ways. 

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I am in Class 9 and I want to become a doctor. But I’m not able to focus on my studies. I want to pass the Class 10 board exams with flying colours. What should I do to focus on my studies?
Nishika (14) / Notre Dame School, Delhi

Since you want to be a doctor, find out for yourself which course you should do, what is the selection process and the level of competition, etc. Once you know your goal and what is required to achieve it, it will be easier to stay motivated and interested in your studies.

Here are some other tips:

• Don’t study for hours at a stretch and burn yourself out. Instead, study in short bursts followed by a small break. Taking short breaks every hour or so can help you recharge your brain and reduce fatigue.
• Don’t put yourself down by comparing yourself to others.
• Seek accountability; it can be an excellent way to develop an interest in studies. By sharing your study goals and progress with others, such as friends, family, or study groups, you can increase motivation and accountability.
• Take help for difficult subjects.
• Make a study time table as well as a goal for every day. Follow your time table and try to reach your goal regularly.
• Studying in a group is not only fun, but it also gives everyone in the group a sense of responsibility.

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Whether you are preparing for the SAT, ACT, GRE, TOEFL or IELTS, we’ve got you covered. ULKA PADWALKAR’s expert tips will guide you through the test preparation process, effective study techniques, time management strategies, and proven methods for tackling different question types.

Are you dreaming of studying at a prestigious university abroad? The secret to achieving your goal lies in conquering standardized tests. Admissions officers place utmost importance on these exams, as they provide an objective measure of your academic skills and potential. But how do you prepare for these tests and ensure that you excel?

Importance of Standardized Tests in International Admissions

Standardized tests play a crucial role in international admissions. They provide admissions officers with an objective assessment of a student’s academic abilities and potential. These tests help universities compare applicants from different educational backgrounds and countries, ensuring a fair and standardized evaluation process. Moreover, standardized test scores serve as a common benchmark for admissions committees to assess the readiness and suitability of international applicants.

Regardless of your high school grades or extracurricular achievements, standardized test scores are often considered the most significant factor in the admissions process. Therefore, it is vital to understand the importance of these tests and approach them with a strategic mindset.

Preparing for standardized tests requires a significant investment of time and effort. However, a strong performance can open doors to prestigious universities and scholarship opportunities.

Understanding Different Standardized Tests: SAT, ACT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS

Let’s delve into the specifics of each test:

1. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test): Primarily used for undergraduate college admissions in the U.S., the SAT assesses mathematical and evidence-based reading and writing skills. It focuses on critical-thinking and problem-solving, reflecting a student’s readiness for higher education.

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We all love travelling, don’t we? Let’s recollect one of all our favourite times of the year — our summer vacation, a month-long holiday, for which we start planning months prior to it. The list is as long as the number of hours to reach our holiday destination, isn’t it? But as we travel to our destination, sometimes we still forget something or miss out on something. But do you give up going on holiday? Never! Instead we quickly tell ourselves that we shall be even better-prepared the next time.

You must be wondering, I have been talking about travelling and packing, but the topic states ‘Studying’ and ‘Exam’. So now let us understand this Train from Studying to Exam, which is one of its kind. We all get jitters during our exams, as very often we are never prepared for it. But when you plan and study, you automatically become super confident.

Let’s create a simple itinerary which can be followed to make this journey smooth. Start with making a combination of subjects which are your favourite and the least favourite, then choose the time of the day when you are most active.

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Studying as an MBBS student may be overwhelming sometimes. Since the syllabus is vast, you can benefit by dividing the portion equally and preparing an organised daily timetable to help you learn better. Make sure you keep some time as free time or a break time to avoid getting too bogged down by the syllabus. Try learning in terms of pointers first and later elaborate on what you have learnt. Use a highlighter wherever required, this would help to magnify important words or statements. Try to maintain a book on pointers only, this will help you revise your entire portion at one glance, last minute. You can also audio record yourself as you read out a difficult answer and hear it later; according to studies, listening to your own voice repeatedly can help you memorise better.

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Author: Dr Sajith Cyriac, SSP
Publisher: Better Yourself Books
Publication year: 2022
Pages: 114; Price: Rs 100

‘The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.’

The above quote by Aristotle in this action-oriented book is hard-hitting. How many students today want to gain a distinction in their exams but yet want to put in no effort for the same? We need to learn that what comes easy won’t last and what lasts does not come easy. In this age of instant messaging and instant shopping, Dear Students: Your Pathway to Excellence by Dr Sajith Cyriac, Vice Principal of St Paul’s College Bangalore, educates students that the recipe for success is made tasty by the salt of one’s sweat, tears and hard work.

The book is a series of pep talks in the form of letters to young people wishing to educate them on the different ways to study smart and not long. Topics such as exam stress, study timetable management, peer pressure, school-college dropouts, self-education, memory triggers, etc., are dwelt upon in a simple, quick and precise manner. The writing is engaging and profound, which teaches students the importance of sometimes putting that smartphone down and knowing the difference between knowledge and basic information.

College students can even use it to induce them to goal-directed behaviour. According to Dr Cyriac, practice is a miracle waiting to happen. Stop procrastinating and buy this reflective book to change your study habits. Interpret your study schedule cognitively and responsibly with this life-disciplining self-help book. Learn the difference between positive and negative stress in this world of mass-produced distinctions in board exams — marks are not everything, education is. Don’t stop when you are exhausted; stop when you are done with your work. Revolutionize your school life and your personal relationships with your peers now with Dear Students: Your Path to Excellence.

Available at Better Yourself Books and all St Paul Book Centres in India

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The academic year is all set to begin and most of us go back to school or college with mixed feelings! We all know what lies ahead — teaching, learning, tests, and examinations. And it’s the tests and exams that we usually dislike because we often feel stuck about how to crack the study code, i.e., how to study or learn and how to prepare for our exams.

The ‘study code’ includes not just techniques to remember and recall information, but also techniques to manage your energy, plan your studies, and ensure your health is maintained.

Study Techniques

PRE-STUDY PREPARATION
Instead of simply ‘jumping into’ studies, first be on your mark and get set to study. To do this:

Take notes
The first step is to take notes or write down key points in a notebook when your teacher is teaching.

Prepare to study
▣ Scan your chapter: Look at headings, sub-headings, diagrams and pictures, and their captions, and most importantly, the summary. Underline any keywords that catch your eye.
▣ Create an advance organizer: Create a table of contents or topics and sub-topics if there isn’t already one in your text or a graphic organizer of how you will arrange the topics to study.

Seek clarification
▣ Read the chapter: Read your chapter in detail keeping the above in mind and see if you have understood the content. Mark any content that you have not understood.
▣ Clear your doubts: If you don’t understand something, you may not understand the chapter, and may even struggle with the next topic and the next. This is the most common thing that makes students give up on studies. So, ask your teachers, parents, friends, or anyone you know for help to clarify your doubts.

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Dear Sheetal,

Sounds like you’re quite upset that your earlier decisions led you to a loss of confidence and lack of focus. Interestingly, you seem to have made the ‘proper decision’ to change. So take heart and get started with it!

If you haven’t already, do give up the bad company. Being on your own is better than being with people who cause you to lose focus on your dreams and goals. And, set that goal — what is it that you want to become or do after you finish your studies? Draw and put it up on the wall at home. Let it pull you and make you feel excited to achieve it. It will make you start focusing on your studies.

To maintain focus, use the 25-minute study technique. Agree to put in quality study for 25-minutes such that you remember what you learn. Shut out all outside distractions. If thoughts come, acknowledge them, and then remind yourself to go back to your studies because of the goal put up on your wall. If thoughts are too many, keep a thought journal and write them down. Then go back to studies. Reward yourself by taking a 5-minute break in which you do something you love — except technology or reading (thinking stuff). Do 4 cycles — 25-5-25-10 then 25-5-25-long break.

Meanwhile, exercise and take up one hobby. And slowly, once you’re back on track with studies, focus on supportive friendships. Your confidence will return. Good luck!

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Dear Ashwin,

You sound discouraged that you cannot remember everything from your teacher’s lecture. But you know what? Thinking that you can remember — but then forgetting — is normal!

Do look up The Forgetting Curve on the Internet and you will realise that the biggest drop in remembering happens soon after learning. Not only this, but memory also becomes weaker with time, so even if you revise, you will remember only some of it after a week. Our nervous system works on the principle ‘Use it or lose it’. Hence, revise at regular intervals.

For good memory, you need to: 1) Take an interest in the topic — it is the key to remembering; 2) Make meaning: connect the topic to something you know. E.g. — Look for ways that you can use it in real life. 3) Organize your information — chunk or group the information into topics and sub-topics so that you remember one group together; also, transfer information from text form to diagrams, mind maps, concept maps, tables, etc.. 4) Make it fun — if you associate something funny with certain topics, you won’t forget them. Fun is also about connecting it to something you enjoy, e.g., a sport, or movies, etc. And fun is also about playing while you learn. 5) Solve practice papers – lots of them.

Finally, if you would like to, you can get the following books: Learning How to Learn by Barbara Oakley & Terence Sejnowski and Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential by Barbara Oakley; Improve your Memory, Study and Reading Skills Creatively by V. Tucker (Better Yourself Books, Mumbai).

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