2 days and 10 chapters more to go!
Will I finish studying?
What if I don’t complete the paper?
I should have planned better.
Why did I waste so much time?
I am so exhausted right now.
Will I fail?

How often have you asked yourself these questions?

Students often feel that the syllabus is very limited and that they can finish it in a single reading, until they actually sit with their books and realize that it’s a completely different story. Planning and organization play a key role here. Most students underestimate their time and this leads to them fumbling last minute. It is also said that students generally start studying the subject they like the most. It is suggested that you start with the subject that you find the most difficult.

Learning certain strategies to retain information better is very important. How do we learn the colours of the rainbow? VIBGYOR is the word that helps us recollect all the colours quickly. In the same way, students need to form certain strategies to grasp lessons better.

Academic burnout is very common, it is also on the rise when a student is less prepared. This is because the anxiety of being under-prepared adds to the burnout and fatigue.

Tips to help you deal with academic burnout and conquer demotivation

1. Make time for things that make you happy.
Set aside a time where you only do things you really like. It could be watching a good movie or reading a book. For that full amount of time you don’t do anything but that. Limit it to 30 minutes in case your exams are just around the corner.

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While Indian Americans have the highest average income of all ethnic groups in the U.S., why in India does one in four live in abject poverty? American-Indian Virendra ‘Sam’ Singh was obsessed with this question. He then realised that it was due to women subjugation.

Singh was born as one of eight children in a zamindar’s family in Anupshahr, western Uttar Pradesh in 1939. He was the first one in his family to become a graduate. He was also the first in the area to go abroad to study and make a living. Completing his Master’s in the U.S., Singh joined DuPont in Lowell and worked there for 35 years, leading the company’s Asia operations. He raised two daughters.

The patriarchal Anupshahr abounded in female infanticide, female illiteracy, child marriage, rape and ill-treatment of women by their husbands. Singh realised that many poor families in India can’t afford basic schooling, parents also don’t want to invest in girls since they will go away to their in-laws and the village government schools are not up to the mark. He thought, “Financial dependence breeds social dependence.”

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For a migraine, you would generally need to see a general physician or your family doctor who can prescribe medications for the same. You can have your eyes checked with an ophthalmologist, too. Sometimes headaches can be caused by a migraine or even if you have spectacles. Since your headache starts one hour after you start reading, I suggest you record audio notes of your answers on your phone and repeatedly listen to them to memorise for your exam. This would not only make learning easier and more interactive, but also reduce the effort taken by you to read.

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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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The pandemic has caused several changes in the lives of people and many are still facing concerns, though things are back to normal at the moment. It is important for you to find out what exactly has changed in your life during the past two years that led to this drastic change. Did you suffer emotionally? Has your friend circle changed? Has there been something that has upset you or are you worrying about something that you find difficult to speak about? Make a list of all these things to find out what the root cause of the problem is. After you have learnt about the root cause it will be easier for you to tackle it. For example, if you are unable to understand what is being taught, maybe you can take coaching from a specialised teacher for the same. As you go to a higher standard, the studies may also get a little difficult and you may find it difficult to concentrate. I understand that you are worried about the future, however, this is a concern that is definitely resolvable.

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You may set a goal for yourself, and it is a good habit. I, however, feel that I see a competitive streak in you. Healthy competition is good. However, what if you are unable to achieve the goal you have set for yourself? It is important to set realistic goals that one can reach to avoid disappointment later. Every person wants to excel in life; however, not everyone is successful. Failure may be very disappointing. So to avoid getting there we need to appreciate all the things that we are good at. Competition with yourself is advisable. Be at your best and that is the success of your life.

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Dear Asmita,

You are feeling guilty that you are ‘disobeying’ your parents to join a course of your choice because till now you have always obeyed them.

Like all parents, they may be thinking about economic aspects, social acceptance, where you study and work (location), and safety instead of your interests and your talent/skills. However, you are going to study and work in a particular field, so it is also important to enjoy what you do.

There are two things to do: One is to convince them — in a firm yet caring manner — that this course is really what you want to do, and how it is right for you. Second is to address their fears, if any. You could seek professional advice from a career counsellor if you wish. Do your homework about what they might want to know, e.g., detailed information about the course, career prospects, income, your interests, your talents and so on. Request that they give you a fair hearing and share your thoughts; ask for their views and suggestions and answer their questions. Assure them that you will see the course through and take responsibility for yourself.

If you are firm about what you want to do and address any fears they may have, it is more likely that your parents will understand and respect your choice. Good luck!

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During my recent visit to a school in Agra, I had the opportunity to speak to thousands of students and numerous teachers. Both teachers and students shared some of their post-Covid concerns with me. Teachers find it very challenging to manage the students as they are frequently distracted and seem to be preoccupied with many other issues. At the other end, students find it very hard to sit in class listening to the teachers for long hours. Many of these high school students claimed that they had lost interest in studies. Two years of online classes and Covid lockdowns have resulted in many such social issues. However, most students showed an honest desire to get back on track with their studies.

The key to becoming an effective and successful student is learning how to study smarter, not just harder. Top students achieve their success by developing and applying certain strategies and study habits. So if you want to become a successful student, don’t get discouraged, don’t give up, just embrace some of the study habits, and you’ll see your grades go up. Here are the top 7 study habits of successful students.

1. Have definite and written study goals.

Successful students are driven by purpose. They have a definite and written study goals which help them stay focused and monitor their progress every day. They are very clear about what they want to accomplish throughout the year. A journey without destination is meaningless and gets you nowhere. Most of us plan and prepare many days for a short holiday trip. But we don’t bother to have study plans even for the current academic year. We just go through the motion of education without any purpose. Begin the academic year with specific study goals which will help you accomplish your dreams. Your purpose should be greater than the obstacles. I strongly recommend that you should have a written study goal in the beginning of the academic year and make a commitment to achieve it.

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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 Priya,

You don’t seem to be enjoying the journey of learning and are finding it difficult to concentrate.

Studies are not something you do to please your mother or anyone else. We want to complete our studies to make a career and life for ourselves. Surely you want a bright future. Studying in Class X needs two things: One is a routine — beginning with exercise, adequate sleep, and time for relaxation.

The second includes the formula ‘Focus + Practice + Fun’. Instead of studying by reading your books for long hours, set aside 4 to 6 x 25-minute slots followed by 5 to 10-minutes relaxing breaks where you give yourself a reward. Your promise to yourself is to switch off every distraction and focus on your studies for 20 to 25 minutes only. Whatever you choose to learn during that time, make sure that you focus on how well you learn it, even if you don’t finish everything. Use three Rs of Active Learning – Read-Remember (w) Rite it in the form of notes, diagrams, graphic organizers, and more. Get up and walk while you learn, throw a ball, sing, make a cartoon! Make it fun, so that you remember. Solve lots of papers. Who said studies are so serious? Enjoy.

Enjoyment = taking an interest à changing your methods à better learning

Outcome = Better retention, better scores à Self-satisfaction à Everyone’s satisfaction

Good luck!

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