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I was delighted to receive your letter this morning. It is good to know that you
and your siblings are well and enjoying school again after the long break. Yes,
indeed! It is hard to believe that you are in Form Five. How time flies! You
mentioned that you are rather nervous about being in Form Five. Preparing for
the SPM examination is a 'major worry' you say. Well, since you want me to
advise you I shall do my best to give you some tips. I used them years ago when
I was in Form Five and I must say they really helped me. So here's my secret to
success.
First, read through each chapter of your text book beforehand. This will
prepare you for the day's lessons. Listen carefully to your teachers. Do not get
distracted by chatting with friends. To ensure you are paying attention during
lessons, make your own notes as the teacher teaches. Do not hesitate to ask
questions when you do not understand. If possible, stay back after school to
clarify whatever you do not understand. It is good to consult your teacher
immediately when you encounter problems in your understanding of concepts
taught. Complete all homework given on time. Do not procrastinate as homework
has a way of piling up. Always be positive
about homework, understanding it is given, not to burden you, but to help you.
Doing homework can give you more practice with new knowledge so that you can
understand and internalize it.
Sometimes it is a good idea to study with your friends, in groups. Peer
teaching, where your friends teach you and you teach them makes learning fun and
helps you grasp information easily. You do, however, need to be disciplined
during group study. Do not engage in idle chatter,
as a lot of valuable time will be wasted. It would be a good idea, when doing
group study, to set goals. You could, for example, make a list of the topics or
sub-topics, you intend to complete during the study. This will help you to stay
focused and prevent you from wasting precious time.
Finally, you should draw up a timetable
to ensure you use your time properly and allocate sufficient time to all
subjects. Sometimes we tend to give more time to our favourite subjects and
neglect the ones we don't like. Drawing up a timetable and adhering to it helps
to avoid this problem. Needless to say, you should include in your timetable
enough time for meal, exercise and sleep. Remember to eat a good, balanced diet,
stay healthy, and have sufficient sleep.
Well, I hope this helps you. Do write again and let me know how you're doing.
Remember diligence and hard work will surely pay off. So don't lose heart. You
can do it. All the best and happy studying!
Yours cousin, |
