Have you finished with your 10th exams? You’re in for a whole different level of the ball-game, kid. Securing a good class rank or position in 10th grade is easy but maintaining a balance between competitive and board exam is at your wits’ end. You’ve got your work cut out for you.
As humans, we have a habit of procrastination and believe me, procrastinating during these crucial years of your student life won’t do you any good. Some students have a natural habit of doing their bit regularly but that’s not the case for most of us. Most of us are in a dire need for guidance on how to manage studies in class 11 so as to prepare both for boards and competition. Fret not! I’m here to give you a first-hand experience of the real-world scenario.
1. Still in class 10th but worried about your future?
Well, school days are very important as they help structure you as a person. They provide the foundation for your personality. In class 10th, all you have to do is focus on the syllabus you have in hand. Make sure to actually understand what you’re being taught than mugging up the entire syllabus. So, relax, enjoy and comprehend.
2. Is coaching important?
It’s not necessary for you to join coaching just because all of your friends are. It depends on your skills and determination.
The key lies in utilizing your free hours judiciously. If you haven’t joined coaching yet, you’re going to have a lot of free hours to yourself.
A human mind cannot concentrate for long and our Indian Education system thinks that longer classes equal more knowledge for kids, but not everyone has the same retention and concentration capabilities. To overcome this situation, you have to put in more effort by reaching out to the teacher outside classes, taking help from your friends who have understood the topic and revising what has been taught once you’re home.
While following this routine, make sure that you give your mind enough time to freshen up. Do not push your limits.
3. How to utilize my coaching time?
Joining coaching is quite helpful for students who have a hard time concentrating on their own. But remember, if you’ve joined coaching, be prepared for the constant hours of non-stop studying, shorter deadlines for assignments, managing school as well as coaching homework, and avoid missing out on classes.
Just because it has been taught, doesn’t mean you’ve understood it fully or that you’ll remember the topic on a later date. Make proper notes on the topic taught and regularly solve questions based on the topic taught to form a grip. Try solving as many questions as you can in the minimum time possible. Start timing yourself for each question.
4. Combined management
It’s rare to find topics in competitive exams that are completely out of your boards' syllabus, but if that is the case, the solution is simple- judicious use of time. Most of the topics included in your competitive exam syllabus are just elaborate or in-depth knowledge topics from your boards' syllabus. What you can do is, divide slots of your day, start with the basics of the topic that would help you in your boards and then move on to subheadings that require in-depth reading for your competitive exams. Follow this method for common topics. With time, you can start moving to topics that are not common.
This way, you won’t leave out on the syllabus and can prepare simultaneously for boards as well as your competitive exams.
5. Take care of your Health
Your foremost priority among all this should be your health, not just physically but, mentally as well. Work hard but not at the cost of your health. It’s important to keep your body fit as well. Your body needs proper physical care.
Do not skip out on meals just because you have to study. Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell but it also needs the power to work, to make your whole body work. This power comes through food, by eating a properly balanced diet in order to provide your body with all the daily requirements of nutrients and proteins.
With a proper diet, your body also needs physical exercise. You don’t have to change into a complete athlete for this, taking a regular 30 mins - 1-hour walk in the evening is enough. The mere focus should be on providing proper amounts of breaks between studies to give your brain time to relax and process what has already been studied.
We would love to hear your opinion and views on this in the comments below.
