Study Tips - Blog Posts

128 days left

Personally today was not bad but i could have done better...

Today I:

Did almost 1 chapter in accounts

And completed the main topics in economics for 2 lessons

(I kinda lost track of time during breaks so i couldn't do business studies but I'm still happy with this progress.)

Tomorrow's to do list:

Study 8 lessons in Arabic for mid term

Study 2 lessons in business studies (part 1-3)

[I think I'll manage that]

129 days left

Okay, my English exam went alright, not too bad but i didn't do anything else today which is bad but I'll make up for it tomorrow. I got to study for Arabic, Economics, Business studies and Accountancy in these two days... I'm comfortable with computers because our teachers keeps tests frequently so yeah but the others? Definitely not.

So, tomorrow's to do list (study wise):

Complete Accounts lesson 4 and half of 5

Economics chapter 6 and 7 (Part 1-3)

Commerce chapter 9 and 10 (Part 1-3)

[I hope I have time to do this much but let's see]

Just curious 0-0

Countdown till the year ends

So, there's literally only 4 months left which is almost 130 days and I want to start studying more and actually do something in these months. The worst thing is that I have hardly 5 months for my final exams and damn I'm scared so... I'm gonna do this. I'll be better.

The past few days have been hectic because of school trips and competitions so yeah.

I'll change my countdown once my final time table gets released so... Yeah... Until then, I have midterms from tomorrow till next Saturday T-T

Today I:

Completed 3 Computer practicals

Studied English

Study Trick That No One Told Me.

Division of subjects:

Every subject is learnt and graded in a different way. You can't use the same study techniques for every subject you have. You have mostly 3 types of subjects:

Memorization based

Practical/Question based

Theory/Essay based

Memorization based:

Mostly Biology, Sciences, Geography etc are fully based on memorization and so you'll use memory study techniques like flash cards and active recall.

Practical/Question based:

Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Accountancy etc are practice subjects. The more you do your questions and understand how a sum is done, the better you can score.

Theory/Essay based:

English, history, business studies etc are theory based. The more you write, the way you write and the keywords you use are the only things that will get you your grades. So learn the formats and the structure on how to write your answers

Note: Some subjects are a combination of the three. Like Economics etc

The reason we divide the subjects is because you can adopt the right study methods for the right subject. Like ex: business studies is mostly based on how you write your answer and the keywords, if you're gonna spend your time memorizing in this, it's a waste of time and energy.

Hope this helps :)

08.08.2024

I have no idea how I'm going to complete such a huge amount of syllabus in around 5-6 months. Gosh, I can't believe there's literally only 6 months left for my whole schooling to get completed!

I've been trying to focus on accounts and economics more because honestly, computers and business studies is a little bit easier this year. Just alittle.... at least for now T-T

And I haven't touched English and Arabic so I'm pretty scared. My second set of mid terms are at the end of the month but I'm still preparing the syllabus for the one's that i finished... I know it sounds stupid but in my opinion, my main goal right now is only to get amazingly terrific grades in my final exams so with that in mind, I'm... doing something else which i don't know what T-T

Today I completed:

Accounts chapter 5

Topics covered:

Distribution of profits, reserves and losses

Revaluation

Capital account

Revised accounts chapter 4

07.08.2024

Today was tiring, gosh, I feel helpless honestly...

Completed 80% of the chapter in Business studies

Topics covered:

Financial Markets

Completed some topics in Economics

Topics covered:

Types of Inflation

Money supply

Monetary standards

Wrote some Eco + business studies notes

Revised Accounts formulae

T-T

06.08.2024

Well, today was alright i guess. I did some accounts and economics... and for some reason, I'm like one of the few in my class who actually is anxious about the finals, especially accounts. Like, i literally an so confused with it this year but everyone else is like "Oh wow dude I love accounts this year, it's so easy" and I'm like T-T

Anyway, Today I:

Did 2 sums in accounts (took me 2 hours almost)

Made some economics notes

05.08.2024

Today was surprisingly not that tiring though I am pretty sleepy... And this week is just too packed, actually the whole month is packed. But anyways, today i just did accounts and mentally made a study plan for the week cause when I write it down i never really end up completing it :")

Today I:

Completed 1 full lesson in accounts

Topics covered:

Goodwill

Calculation of goodwill

Average profit method (Simple and Weighted)

Super profit method (Capitalisation and Annuity)

Capitalisation method

And I'm done for the day T-T

04.08.2024 + past 3-4 days

Today was alright, I've got a cold for the past few days plus cramps... Doesn't really help in productivity but nevertheless, I did do something....

Today I:

Completed English assignment

Reviewed 5 lesson in business studies

Topics covered:

Financial Markets

Capital Market

Money Market

Stock exchange

Past few days:

Completing Computer Project (50%)

Reviewing Economics lesson 4

Tips for before, during and after exams

Before (Night before and in the morning)

Pack your bag. Materials, supplies, everything etc.

Always take extra pens. If it's only an MCQ type, just take one extra pen but if it's a written theory exam. Take 2. (I always keep 4 pens with me and two in my bag just in case)

Sleep before 10:30 or max 12

I always recommend not to wake up too early during exams. Get a good 8-9 hours sleep.

Eat breakfast.

Don't drink/eat anything that will cause you have stomach upset or something. Cause you're already anxious, you need to be mindful of what you eat. I especially avoid coffee and tea.

Try to reach school an hour before the exam.

Revise things that you already know very well. DO NOT LEARN ANYTHING NEW.

Before (I'm talking about like 1 hour)

Take your water bottle. If your examiner doesn't allow it take 3 short sips before entering. If you are taking it, don't keep it on the table because there's a chance of spilling it.

Personally, I never ever revise before 30 mins of the exam. I just calm myself down repeating affirmations and duas.

Go to the bathroom and as much as possible try to avoid it during the exam.

Before entering, again make sure you have the supplies needed. Pencils, rulers, pens, erasers etc.

After taking your seat, just close your eyes and calm your breathing until you get the question papers.

Pray. I always pray. We need to be in our halls before 20-30 mins itself, so I just sit in my place for 30 mins and just pray and recite some duas. During this time, I also retain some important keywords and other things in my head

5 mins before, I take all my materials out and place it beside me with my watch.

During exam:

At the start, when I receive my question paper. I just look through the questions, I don't start writing immediately. I give a solid 5-7 mins for recalling the answers in short.

Then, start writing! Just write. Whatever you know. Puke it all out!

Always follow the question sequence.

If you don't know the question. Go to the next one and start from there. Otherwise you'll waste time. Come back to the question after you complete the paper.

Try your best to complete the paper before 20 mins till the exam ends. For 2 main things, presentation and cross checking.

I always underline my headings, subheadings, keywords etc etc and underline between each question so it looks neat. It looks good and it kinda covers for bad handwriting.

Cross check your answer sheet with the question paper. Are all the questions there? Have I accidentally written the wrong question number for the answer? Spelling mistakes? Grammar mistakes? Wrong answer? Just cross check and count the questions and see if you've written everything.

When you don't remember something or don't know something. Do not panic. Don't. Just take a breath and go to the next. After completing everything, write anything related to the word. Just anything. Try to remember if it is familiar and if it is, write the thing related to that topic. You will get a point for attending the question.

NEVER LEAVE A QUESTION. Just write something, it must be relevant but you'll get a point.

Set a time limit for each sections. Example: I have 4 sections in my exams, I always complete the first three in 1 hour 15-30 mins so I can have time for the last one which carries the highest points.

Stick to the time limit. Keep checking your watch in between and see if you're going according to plan. (It helps if you know how much time you take for each question.)

If you are writing an answer and you're kinda remembering another answer, write keywords in pencil on the margin so you won't forget it but don't forget to erase it before submitting the paper.

When you've completed. Just take a breath.

After:

Don't discuss answers with your friends. It's a waste of time, energy and causes panic.

Hydrate yourself. Drink water.

Get a small reward. Chocolate or any snack.

Be glad that you finished the exam.

If the exam didn't go well, just take some rest. Try not to think about it. Rant to someone because you'll feel better. No body is going to be asking you from years down the line about why you scored less in your highschool exams.

Watch your favourite tv show or something funny.

Take a walk.

Enjoy that it's over.

Hope it helps :)

30.07.2024

Today was boring but nevertheless it's done :D

Today I:

Revised 1 lesson of Economics

Topics covered (new)

MEC

MEI

Keynes psychological law of consumption

Super multiplier

Did some additional textbook reading in Economics and Business Studies

Took notes for Economics (additional)

Completed 50 % of English assignment.

Submitted Economics assignment

I'd say an overall productive day...

29.07.2024

I kinda skipped a few days cause honestly it's been tiring. The past two weeks were nothing but exams but now full on classes start again. Almost a month and a half of senior year is done... Gosh, Time's flying... Right... So, I'm gonna change my tactics here alittle because when i write my goals down, i don't seem to achieve them to that level so I'm gonna be more specific about things that i already did.

Today I:

Completed one lesson in economics:

Topics I covered :-

Multiplier

Accelerator

Aggregate Demand and Supply

Effective Demand

Completed 20% of a lesson in business

Topics I covered :-

Capital market

Features of capital market

• Revised lesson 4 in computers

Topics I covered :-

Php basics, variables, data types, comments, operators

• Completed Economics assignment

Dates to remember:

August 5 (English assignment submission)

August 10 (Computer project)

I guess that's it... xD

22.07.2024

Today's exam was alright but could have done better... Anyway tomorrow is business studies and gosh, 8 lessons... I haven't studied even one properly, I'm literally crying in agony and I feel so sleepy so I'm just gonna skip alot of topics and go to bed and just write something tomorrow T-T

Today i:

Completed 30% of business studies syllabus (8 lessons)

Though, for some reason this year i don't get that many panic attacks because of exams or anything. I'm way calmer... I don't know if that's good or bad :/

21.07.2024

The past two days, I've been doing nothing but accounts, I'm practically thinking in numbers and accounting concepts right now. I seriously am a little nervous about tomorrow exam, I have no idea how I'm gonna do this, I haven't touched the theory part, I've been focusing on sums... Like, send help T-T

Almost completed 3 lessons in accounts

Completed economics assignment (with great difficultly)

18.07.2024

Today was my Arabic exam, it was quite alright. Though I think I'll get some scores cut because of spelling mistakes T-T Anyway, tomorrow I have English (6 lessons + Grammar) I haven't really touched my textbook today, instead I did accounts because I'm literally going mad over there :")

Also does anyone else feel like English grammar is tough when you're actually fluent in English? Like, I just know what the answer is but teachers complicate things by giving us a number of rules to memorize, like, that's not how a language is supposed to be learnt T-T

The fact that you are not where you want to be should be enough motivation.

Advice I'd give any one who's choosing their own subjects

Please, for your own good. Ask your seniors. Go through syllabus. I'm really serious about this, so damn serious.

A few days ago, i was on my way home and i usually travel with a junior, she's taken the same subjects as me except 2 papers etc. One is language, another one is maths. We just talk sometimes and she clears her subject doubts with me etc etc.

While we were talking, she said that the language she chose was really hard now that she actually started studying it and she was ranting about it.... The irony is that i already had warned her in the first week of school about the paper being difficult with a huge syllabus but she said she loved it and was excited, I just shrugged it off and didn't tell her anything. But now she says she regrets it.

Then, another junior travelled with me today, she took completely different subjects, more of physical sciences etc. When i asked her how her classes were ... She replied "It's not even a month and I'm regretting this"

And this is not the only one, I've heard this from multiple juniors, I've seen how exhausted everyone looked. Their faces drained. I'm not saying that in a "I told you so" way but rather in a genuine gesture.

Two things you need to do before you choose subjects:

Ask your seniors

Go through the syllabus

Things to ask your seniors:

How hard is the syllabus?

How are the teachers?

If given another choice, would you choose the same subjects again?

How are the question papers usually set? (In terms of difficultly)

What are the resources that you used for studying?

How much do the teachers assign work?

Things to look for in your syllabus :

Number of chapters and content.

Level of difficulty.

The reason why I stress on asking seniors is because they've been through the same year. They have an idea of what's going on. Don't ask your teachers, every single teacher wants you to join their class and of course she'll say that the material is easy. For a safer side, I ask 3 seniors, even if 2 give opposite scenarios, the 3rd one will be the tie breaker. Don't ask everyone's opinion, you'll get confused, just be... Careful.

And not to mention, I've heard many say things like "But it's awkward to talk to seniors." Or "We don't want to annoy them" etc etc. Honestly I, as a senior, have never felt irritated or annoyed and neither have my classmates felt that way because we all know how confused we were while choosing our subjects and we definitely don't feel awkward. Choose an appropriate time and place, the conversation won't take longer than 10 mins and at the end of the day, you got a new acquaintance :)

Hope this helps <3

10.07.2024

So... I didn't get selected for the competition but nevertheless, I'm glad I atleast tried my level best... Though, my computer teacher has now called me for another competition (not public speaking) i don't really wanna join but her glares are enough to make ice melt so... T-T

Anyway, today i:

Did some accounts sums and concepts (1 hr 30 mins)

Completed 70% of my computer assignment

Revised part 2 and 3 in lesson 3 of economics

That's it. My mid terms start from 18th so I need to pick my speed up because I have a huge portion to cover... especially in Business studies and Arabic, i haven't touched them in ages and both have 8 lessons for midterms :")

09.07.2024

Gosh, today was tiring. Nothing interesting either

Completed 2 whole concepts in accounts (about 12 sums)

Did 20% of part 2 in economics lesson 3

08.07.2024

Didn't do alot today, I had a headache and was practically fighting to stay awake. The fact that we had 3 accounts periods after lunch did not help, not to mention, we had absolutely no tests today because everything was postponed to tomorrow with 2 extra tests... I don't even know why our teachers do this, like follow the schedule please T-T

Did 2 accounts sums (yes, only 2 because that alone took me 2 hours to understand and yet I'm still unsure about it T-T)

(Competition selection is tomorrow... I hope I get in ://)

07.07.2024

Today was alright , I guess. I did a decent amount of work and i have 3 tests tomorrow, I only studied for one T-T

Today i :

Completed part 4 in 2 chapters of computers

Revised accounts

Revised part 2 in 4 chapters of economics

05.07.2024

Funny thing how i actually didn't message up today's tryouts ... I'm thankful and shocked honestly... Anyway, nothing that interesting today, I've been making small progress everyday to atleast touch my textbooks... Midterms start from 18th .... No idea how I'm gonna complete everything in such a short period of time...

Today I:

Learnt some accounts topics

Prepared for debate

Finished 1 lesson in english

Completed Arabic assignment

04.07.2024

I had embarrassed myself infront of 7 teachers and one of my classmates while they were practicing for debate and gosh I got so anxious and ended up forgetting everything, I didn't even complete the first line and then bamn, i couldn't speak anymore and i, myself just went to the teacher in charge and told her I won't join... She sighed and seemed disappointed but...

Despite the embarrassment I faced today, i signed up for another competition where you're "fighting a case" ... Yes, i know. I like torturing myself T-T but I do feel good about atleast trying even though I did so bad and couldn't even get out a word, i did try it. That's all the matters and one of my goals this academic year was improving at public speaking, I've been trying to take every opportunity that is equally challenging and alittle comforting... So... Yeah...

Today i:

Prepared for the competition

Did accounts sums

Completed 2 topics in economics

(i really hope I get selected for the competition...)

03.07.2024

I hadn't gone to school for the past two days because of some cold and allergy but i didn't really miss alot. Today was fully catching up on what happened etc etc... I'm even participating in a type of a debate competition, first time doing something like this but I'm trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and speak up alittle, you know? I don't know if I'll get selected but atleast I tried...

Today i:

Completed like 20% of a lesson in computers

Prepared for debate

Nothing else really...

Monthly Goals: July

Spiritual:

Complete 2 Juz of the Quran

Revise Surah Naziyah

Academic:

Economics - complete 6 lessons

Business studies - 7 lessons

Accounts - 2 lessons

Computer - 4 lessons + practical

English - 6 lessons + grammar

Arabic - 8 lessons

Extra curricular:

Books of the month to read :-

Everything is f**ked. A book about hope- Mark Manson

King of Greed - Ana Huang

20 mins exercise everyday.

28.06.2024

Did the English test, it was alright, not too bad i guess... Arabic test was cancelled, more like forgotten by the teacher, yes, we didn't remind xD

Today was uneventful but I guess it's good...

Did some accountancy sums

Studied economics lesson 2 (Part 2)

Yeah, that's it.

27.06.2024

I'm tired. Gosh. I've been waking up at 6:45 am and then returning home at 5:00 in the evening, it's so exhausting... Anyway, today I:

Completed one lesson in economics

Did some accounts sums and revised concepts

Did my computer homework (50%)

Got an English and Arabic test tomorrow. Yay T-T

I'm in my "I don't know how but i will" era

26.06.2024

Well, no idea how to describe today. Kinda boring and tiring... I'm struggling with English alittle, no it's not the stories or poetry or prose or assignments... It's freaking grammar. I mean, I'm fluent in English, I don't have that many mistakes in it either thankfully but if our teacher teaches us grammar using tabular columns and grammar rule formulae type stuff, I'll obviously struggle because I can't freaking comprehend how you use that in this T-T

Anyways, today I:

Completed English assignment

Did some accounts

Completed 1 lesson in Business Studies

Completed Computer homework

I guess that's it...