By Anshu Agarwal
In today’s world of extreme pressure, self-motivation is the key ingredient to not just creating success at schools and at work, but also evolving as a human being. Since every individual on earth is unique and has a purpose to achieve, we need to be self-desired toward our goals.
Confidence, determination, ambition and vision, with the best timing, are the foundations of success. For a student, accomplishing an excellent percentage in CBSE board exams matters, as it determines their pursuit and enables them to get admission to the best colleges, and with the subjects of their choice.
However, exams bring with them stress and tension, which needs to be dealt with extreme care to turn these challenging situations into success. Students tend to lose sleep and feel extremely nervous at just the thought of board exams. We all should make them feel comfortable as exams are an integral part of life.
During its recent address to the students and teachers on Pariksha Pe Charcha, our Prime Minister discussed how to manage stress and time, and provided a few tips to the students on how to deal with exam anxiety:
- Students should cut down screen time once a week
- Students should not use unfair means or cheat during exams
- Students should learn time management
- Students should work hard but work smartly
- Students should take criticism positively
- Students should learn regional languages
Scoring above 90+ is not that difficult provided that you have a focused approach toward your studies and use the right kind of strategies. Let’s discuss some of the crucial strategies that will enable you to prepare for your studies effectively and efficiently. As a result, the best schools in Gurgaon are encouraging students to adopt these as they prepare for the board examinations.
Strategy number 1:
Start your preparation early
There are numerous benefits attached to starting early as it allows you to have enough time to review and revise. Make sure you are not leaving everything for the last moment, especially your weak areas. It will be difficult to complete everything at once amid the stress of approaching exams.
Strategy number 2:
Manage your time effectively
When time is scarce then your priority should be to manage time effectively. Your success depends on how well you manage your time and bring out a constructive output.
You should start by preparing your timetable and giving time to each subject as per your proficiency and its syllabus. One smart way to schedule your revisions in reverse order of the subjects scheduled for the exam, meaning the subject you would be appearing last should be prepared first and so on.
Strategy number 3:
Give priority to NCERT books
Don’t run after reference books, instead start your preparations with the NCERT books. The exam paper is NCERT-based, thus, you should first cover the syllabus mentioned here and then study reference books for more clarity, provided you have time for that. Don’t excessively study reference books of one subject for long at the cost of other subjects just because the subject falls into your interest area.
Strategy number 4:
Don’t forget to take short breaks
It is a good practice to take short breaks while studying. 5-10 mins of a break after 30-45 mins of study will help you remember the concepts for a longer duration and increase your productivity. You should plan your studies in a way that breaks down into small sessions for better retention.
These short breaks also help you freshen up your mind. During the break, don’t think about studies, instead of focusing on doing things that relax your mind, be it going for a walk or listening to music. This will help you gear up for the next session with energy and enthusiasm.
Strategy number 5:
Keep switching between subjects
Don’t invest all of your days on a single subject, instead divide it between different subjects to build a strong foundation. Reading one subject all the time may be monotonous and may not bring the best outcomes. To keep your motivation levels high, you should plan to study more than one subject during the day.
Strategy number 6:
Set study targets
Always set your goals for the day. Don’t study anything randomly. It would be better if you maintain a to-do list to keep you on track. Even the CBSE Board Toppers suggest that target–based learning is better than studying randomly.
Parents mostly set your study time instead of giving you work. While studying time does matter, what matters most is the quality of work. You should work more in less time to make you more efficient.
You should be very specific while preparing for the exams. What mostly happens while preparing for exams is that you forget your target and get into the depths of the topic which is not needed. While it might enhance your knowledge, it may waste your time.
Strategy number 7:
Solve PYQs & Sample Papers Religiously
Using the above 6 strategies, I am sure that your syllabus would be completed. Now you would be thinking to take a rest till the Exams. But there are more things to do.
The most important point in the list is to solve Sample papers from previous years. This would help you in understanding the paper pattern more deeply. Also, it would help you with time management during the exam. While you are doing the exam, you should take it very seriously and assume it is your board exam.
Strategy number 8:
Self-Competition is the key
Every time you take an exam you always try to achieve better marks next time. But eventually, you forget your marks and you do it all over again.
To increase your percentage every time, you should compete with yourself. I mean you shall assume your highest marks as the marks of your opponent and try to beat it. This would consequently increase your target and after some time your target would be 100%.
To achieve a target you should be motivated towards it, for example, what most parents do is give you a gift for achieving a certain percentage. You should just keep a clear image of the target in your mind or you may mention your target on a piece of paper so that you see it every day. This will automatically motivate you and help you compete with yourself.
Strategy number 9:
Make your exam strategy beforehand
You might have done some team battles in games and you might have prepared the best plan you ever had. Making a good plan increases your winning percentage, especially in a Board exam.
Making the plan organizes you and helps you not get nervous, which helps you not end up leaving some questions which you had known. A good plan also helps you in attempting all questions in the right format and time.
Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their DESIRES TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL.
“John Maxwell