(Pictures are not mine)
Well, let me tell you, we all have this love-hate relationship with this subject, right? The worst part is that when you don't know what the heck is going on, so, as a girl who studied maths (2 Volumes/textbooks) on her own during the year she was homeschooled, here are some tips and tricks that I did to get an A+ in my math finals!
Get your syllabus together
In the beginning I had no damn idea what was going on and it was just confusing. I had to do the first thing I did was taken my index/table of contents and mark the chapters which i knew very well and the ones I had no clue about. And then i arranged them with the marking scheme, like which one carries the most marks etc etc and study accordingly.
Complete lessons/chapters that you already know
When you finish off the things you already know then that's gonna give you the confidence you need even if you know only 1-2 chapters, learn it throughout and make sure that you'll get the answer no matter how twisted the sum is. If you're doubtful about the whole textbook like any normal person.... Start with the easy ones. (I know there are literally really no "easy" chapters, spare me)
Harder chapters need hard work
Most chapters like Trigonometry proofs, Geometry proofs, Algebra, Graphs, Mensuration and Calculus etc need more than minimum effort but here's a trick, what is the common thing in this? Yes, they're all formulae and theorem based which goes to my next point. These chapters are completely based on how much you've understood your basics.
Formulae and theorem cheatsheets
Make a list of all formulae and the theorem used in the book, write them chapter wise and no printouts or digital notes. Take a paper and write it down, no excuses. It helps you while you're practicing, revising and in the last minute review, it helped me damn much. Remember, maths is a sport. The basic formulae must come to you like reflexes.
YouTube is your best friend.
For every single chapter, go and watch the basics and how a sum is done step by step. A recommendation for this is Organic Chemistry Tutor who literally is one of the reasons i passed. He has videos from basic geometry, trigonometry, statistics to calculus. Search for your own YouTubers and be clear with concepts.
Math is fully memorization
Memorize formulae and theorems with the back of your hand, you should be able to recall them within seconds. Be thorough.
Memorize basic math values (if calculator isn't allowed)
Do this if you have a majority of chapters like Statistics, Mensuration, Profit/loss calculation etc, where large numbers are concerned. Memorize the first 10 square, cube, decimal and multiplication values. It may be dry but there are literally songs available for these things, I'm serious, i learnt the first 10 cube roots by listening to Senorita xD Search for rhymes and they'll definitely be many!!
Work it out!!!!!!
Can't stress this enough, atleast 30-40 mins is the minimum for maths. I'm serious, work out each sum, don't ever think it's a waste, you'll see the results. Practice makes perfect. Work out every single sum, from examples to exercise ones cause let's be honest, our examiners love to take problems from every nook and cranny of the book.
Whiteboard method
So, I made this up and it actually works, if you have a whiteboard or anything else, once you completed a chapter, take a random page and whatever sums you have on those two pages, you need to complete within a given time limit. It helps you to identify your weak points and where the hell you're losing both time and effort and not to mention that it gives you confidence boost up.
Hope this helps :))
How To Study For Longer Hours
These are some of my tips that I used for studying for longer hours during my junior and senior year in high school. I generally studied 4 heavy content subjects and 2 languages. And, yes, i did get good grades.
Studying is a task that requires you to be consistent and driven. That is why, I want to make one thing very clear. This is not a promotion of toxic studying when you feel too tired.
I will start with a simple process that i formed.
Work => Compensation => Repeat.
Quality Matters
By quality I mean. One hour spending time recalling facts and answering questions and filling gaps is better than 5 hours of reviewing notes. Just focus on improving your focus and methods. I call it the "FM Method"
You choose one specific method, and you consistently follow it for a specific period.
Longer Hours Should Not Exceed 5
If you have to study for long hours, don't let it exceed 5 hours. The reason is simple. It's useless, and your body will drain up and use all your energy. I used to study for 9 hours some days in my junior year. Now i study only for 3-4 hours every day. The results? Practically the same. My grades didn't drop but i feel more motivated to study and complete everything.
So, don't extend the hours you study. Make your focus and methods better.
20 Second Breaks
When you complete a topic, small or big. Just close your eyes for 20-30 seconds and lean back on your chair and calm your breathing. Process the information. Let everything sink in. Take out the tension. DO NOT TAKE YOUR PHONE. And then after those 20-30 seconds, just glance through the topic before moving to the next one. So, take 20 second breaks.
Active Studying > Passive Studying
This is the same thing i spoke before. Use active methods of studying. Active recall and filling gaps, visual representation, learning through stories and mnemonics.
Passive studying is when you learn through notes, repeating things over and over again, trying to memorize instead of learning and understanding the concepts.
One hour of active studying is better than 5 hours of passive studying.
Rewards
When you complete an hour or two, give yourself a small reward. But the reward should be as productive as your time spent. If you spent the last two hours studying and then you watch 3 hours of your favourite tv show then that is not a good reward.
A reward should actually compensate, you need you calm your brain, not indulge yourself in instant dopamine hits.
Actual Rest
A reward is different from rest.
Rest is essential for your body. Sleep is the body's soother. You used your brain for hours and if you don't let it rest than definitely it doesn't matter how well you're actually studying. You. Will. Feel. Tired.
Burnout Effect
In one way, burnout is good. Honestly, some people's highest point is 30 mins or an hour. They find burnout creeping in after some time had passed. And that is why, if you want to reach at least two hours of studying. You need to push that limit. Every single time. Try moving 30 mins every week. Your max limit is 1 hour. Then this week, study for 1 hr 30 mins. The next week, study for 2hrs. then 2hr 30 mins. Do it for a few weeks.
If you don't push yourself to the max limit. Then you'll never actually reach your goal.
Consistency
This is an indefinite rule. You want to improve your grades. Do it every day.
Your work ethic and your willingness to stick to habits will determine your success.
Make a "Your" Environment.
This is a very underrated thing; you must have a "you" environment. It doesn't matter what it is. Basically a "you" environment is whenever you're there, you're motivated to do work. It doesn't have to be a place really. Another example would be, whenever i'm on my phone, i'm likely to waste my time doing unnecessary things but whenever i'm on my laptop, i'm automatically in "work" mode. So, for you it might be your study desk or even school sometimes.
(I remember, during the last 2 months in senior year, i used to go to the very corner of my classroom, sit on the ground, face the wall, put my headphones on, placed my bag in front of me as a table and just solve accountancy sums because that place was my "work" environment. Honestly, it looked so weird but whenever i was there, my focus was just amazing)
Additional Posts That Might Be Helpful:
Study Trick That No One Told Me How To Use Previous Year Papers Tips To Understand Complex Topics Small Things To Get Additional Points In Exams Questioning Method
Hope This Helps!! :)
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Heyyy :) thanks!
Second day of school and gosh was it exhausting, i somehow seemed to have forgotten how tiring school really is :")
Today was a full on Computers and Accounts day T-T
Completed Accounts homework and reviewed some concepts we learnt today
Prepared computer notes for lesson 1 (only half)
Economics assignment 90% done
failure hurts
donβt panic or stress
keep it under control
you can do it
i know you can
question your wrongs
learn from your mistakes
change your plan
fix your regime
learn from others around you
start with a fresh mind
renew yourself
failure does not define you
This does not define your future but don't mess this up. I'm fine. I have prepared the whole year for this. I will not put it to a waste. I know more than I think I do. I am calm, focused and composed and I am certainly not panicking. I did my best. God will do the rest. Your past self is proud of you. Your future self is counting on you. An exam is nothing but a test of your knowledge. You got dreams to chase, darling. Do not be scared of something which has no power to hurt you physically. You are so close to the victory. Don't you dare give up now. I am so damn proud of trying so hard. Don't stress. Do your best. Forget the rest. There's no way that I'm going back with something that I don't like. You can do this.
Hope this helps xD
It was the first day of school, just got my textbooks and the whole class spent the day talking and doing nothing. Classes start tomorrow but I'm starting sooner this year. I'm keeping this as a tracker for progress so... Yeah
Read 1 chapter of Business studies and English
Completed 50% of the assignment in Economics
Revised last year's accountancy notes
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Hello! :)
Thanks for this, made my day :) Sorry for the late reply though. Right back to you <3
β°ββ€ My name is Penelope and I use she/they pronouns ^~^
β°ββ€ I'm a high school freshman trying to figure out what I want to do with my life :)
β°ββ€ core classes - english lit 9 - world history - 2D physics - algebra 2
β°ββ€ additional classes - chinese II - health
β°ββ€ electives - python I (sem. 1) - design for stage and screen (sem. 2)
β°ββ€ why I joined studyblr - to get advice from other students like me - posting notes pics encourages me to rewrite them to study - to motivate myself to study harder - I want to start this year confident and prepared :D
β°ββ€ goals for this year - make the varsity volleyball team [completed!] - learn how to write for fun again - avoid burnout!!
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