The O and A levels are around the corner.
Five award-winning teachers share tips to help you score in the exams.
1)BY MS ANGELA QUEK, 48, TAMPINES JUNIOR COLLEGE
The senior teacher, who teaches General Paper, has 23 years of teaching experience and won the Inspiring Teacher of English Award 2010.
Manage your time
Know how you study best
Do you study best doing one subject at a time? If so, arrange different days to cover different subjects.
Work backwards
Count how many days you are left with so you can plan your time well.
Develop a timetable
Take a 10-minute break for every hour of study to reduce fatigue, but remain focused on the subject at hand.
Be specific
Include the actual chapter of the subject that you are studying in your timetable. For example, write GP: Man & Environment instead of just GP.
Revise
Plan for two to three rounds of revision to reinforce your memory.
Consult
Approach your teacher when in doubt.
Reward
Allow yourself to watch your favourite TV show, but only if you have completed your work.
2.BY MR SYED FAISAL, 29, GREENDALE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Mr Syed, a History and Social Studies teacher, won the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2011.
Boost for Memory
Reorganise Notes
Rewrite printed notes onto a separate piece of paper. This will help "work in" the information into your memory.
Go Graphic
Document your notes in a mindmap or a chart. It's easier to remember vivid images.
Keep it short
Use acronyms or mnemonics to help simplify long phases and sentences into simple and catchy phrases.
Get Familiar
Spend at least 30 minutes daily skimming through the content you have to memorise. And always revisit what you have learnt.
3)BY MISS LEOW HWEE FEN, 30, ANDERSON SECONDARY SCHOOL
Miss Leow is the Head of Department (Mathematics). She has eight years of teaching experience and won the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2009
Improve your concentration
Eliminate distractions
Concentration becomes low if you're distracted. Stop trying to do too many things at once.
Overcome obstacles
Lack of interest and motivation, fatigue and the fear of failure may affect your focus. Learn to overcome them.
Pick a good study environment
Find a place where you will enjoy studying. Minimise distractions if possible.
Be positive
Develop will-power and self-discipline. Remember your purpose for studying and make a personal promise to achieve.
Control your thoughts
Don't be a victim of your own mind. Stay focused and prevent your mind from drifting away.
4)BY MR CHONG JACK SHENG, 37, WOODLANDS RING SECONDARY SCHOOL
The Head of Department (Character Development) teaches Science. He wont he President's Award for Teachers 2011.
Manage Stress
Set goals
Know where you're heading to after the exams. Motivate yourself with images of the new campus and the course you'll be taking.
Plan for success
You plan to fail if you fail to plan. Allow yourself to taste success as you carry out your revision plan for the day by setting achievable daily goals.
Chill Out
Take a walk or jog in the park for about 30 minutes after a few hours of revision. You'll find yourself refreshed to do more after the short break.
Personal Time
Read an inspirational book during this time. For those with faith in God, pray.
Family Time
Find support and strength in your loved ones. A note to parents: Give your fullest moral support to your children by being there for them.
Study with motivated friends
The support you get from discussions and sharing will make you feel better.
Speak to a trusted adult
Never feel shy about approaching your parents, siblings, relatives, a counsellor or your teacher in school. We're here to give you all the encouragement you need.
5)BY MR ABDUL NASSER, 46, MILLENNIA INSTITUTE The senior teacher with 16 years of experience, teaches Tamil Language and Literature. He won the Most Inspiring Tamil Teacher Award 2011.
Revise with your peers
Provide constructive feedback
Peer feedback allows group members to realise their strengths and weaknesses more easily.
Greater efficiency
Divide workload among peers. Notes and mindmaps are generated faster.
An extra push
When you're almost flat, having a peer to pick you up could be the best thing ever.
Be disciplined
To make sure your plan does not backfire, all members need to agree on maintaining self-discipline.
Clarify doubts
Sharing your questions with peers allows you to get answers much faster, but remember to consult a teacher when all of you are unsure.
Make use of technology
When done right, with Facebook and instant messaging, you can even revise with your peers online
Najib Siddik | The New Paper | Tue Oct 11 2011
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