Using available resources for enhancing your studies

Today I was very happy with myself. Here is what happened...

I wrote a piece of work and made a hard copy of it. I then asked two anonymous people to read what I had written and they gave me very meaningful and much needed criticism. The most important thing was that they understood what I meant. I also gave it to a tutor and the comments kept coming in. He actually thought that my work was excellent and to the standards they were looking for though a few corrections were also highlighted.

So my fellow students, the next time your tutor advices you to give our work to someone else to read for reviewing, do it! You will not regret it.

Cheers!

My tutors say...

Every lecturer who came to share their knowledge at the beginning of term gave us the same tips. It was as if they waved through the same tunnel with a similar writing on the wall on their way to the lecture room. By this I mean that they all gave us the same advice : 'For every 1 hr of lectures, do 2 hrs of study.

That was a bitter pill to swallow for most of my colleagues. To me, however, I had come across it before so I was only nodding in agreement to what was being said. I bet somebody who was sat within viewing distance of me who disapproved of this advice must have thought that I had lost a nerve. Believe me, I hadn't. I put this into practice (a little later lase year during previous studies) and soon started wondering why it took me so long to implement in the first place. There is some peace that comes with doing your work well and on time. I found that using this cue helped me as I am one who struggled with concentration (considering my other responsibilities besides studying).

So the tutors were right. Every 1 hr of lectures corresponds with 2hrs of study. Take it or leave it.
Point of caution: We all have different learning styles which we should adopt according to our own preferences so I am breathing this down your throat!
You got the information so make your own choices!

Good luck! Au revuoir! (excuse my spelling if it's wrong. I am not French).

My Study tips and coping strategies

Since I started my higer education studies, my tutors have been very helpful and encouraging as far as study skills are concerned. The workload is mountainous and keeps increasing by the day.

To cope, I am using a first in first out method as those familiar with stock-taking will be aware. What I am given by my tutors to do, I do straight away so that I can create room for what is coming. Fine, I may not get it right the first time, but getting started kills the writer's block which, I must say, paralyses your mind and stops you from thinking. Okay, this happened to me a while back and the frustration that comes with it is vile!

University education is definitely not like nursery education. I have learned through my own experience that if I do not take charge of my studies, my studies will take charge of me. By that I mean that my books will pile up around me and put so much pressure on me that if I don't begin to burge, they are literally going to swallow me!

That is what happens when an assignment is left to the last minute. Suddenly everything starts going wrong: my printer might suddenly run out of ink and refuse to print, my computer might just hang and who knows, the electrics might just develop some short circuit issues! And imagine all this happening on the night before the deadline. What a mess! (my dad's favourite expression)

Get in the study mode and do not let the discouragement and negative feelings of others around you to prevent you from starting your work. Also, don't think that you have a lot of time because you don't. Time flies when you are busy and before you know it, exams are round the corner and you have not started reading and revising for them!

Take heart! It is not that bad. Do yourself a favour and get started as soon as possible. Make sacrifices and ocassionally miss those parties and booze outings that can be so much fun. It will not hurt you. Actually, you will end up thanking your lucky stars that you exercised some self control.

Cheers and be strong!

Study tips

Many of us at some point in our lives study for whatever reason. One thing I find fascinating is the ability to study and study effectively. God knows I have struggled with this and for that reason, I thought I might share with you what worked and what did not.

In the following pages, I will outline for you some simple strategies that I have adopted throughout my study life (and still do) and hope that it will work for you.

I am a book-worm and love my collection to bits. I will also make references as I acquire them so that you can do further reading if you so wish.

So here goes....

Good luck in your studies.

NB. Just because a study plan worked for me does not mean it will work for you but it is worth a try.

Take care and God Bless you all.