When we all hear about exams, the first thought that comes to our mind is children studying overnight and parents sitting with them providing tea and coffee to keep them awake. And in between, keep scolding for not studying earlier. But is this a right practice? I think this question we all need to ask every student and parent. We should all first come out of the thought that exams are for marks and grades. We all should stop asking children what marks or grades they secure, instead ask them if they are able to understand; what they are learning at school or college. This is more important for them to do well in exams.

Many students may be unhappy about the results they secure in exams, and repent for not concentrating earlier. The result is mainly because of studying just a few days before the exam. Therefore, the importance should be put on preparing for exams year long and not just one day or a few days before the exam.

Student’s preparation for yearlong study:

Students should prepare themselves to study and learn all through the academic year and not just before the exams. The academics have both learning and playing activities, hence students should be able to balance themselves between both and as a matter of fact, both are important for all-round development. The following tips will be useful to prepare students for year-long preparation for exams.

Take some time out of everyday to study:

Students should schedule some daily study time so that they do not end up having last minute stressed session, and sleepless nights. It’s OK to spend a little extra time studying right before a final test, but they should not think of learning everything that night. For each study period, students should decide what they want to accomplish and how long is the plan to spend on each assignment or subject. Break the work into manageable parts so that you learn everyday. In fact, make it a habit to study everyday what is taught in the class on that day.

Choose the best study spot:

The environment you choose to study in should be a comfortable one. Sit in a comfortable seating arrangement. Do not study in a room that is too hot or too cold, and make sure there is adequate lighting. Make sure that your study place resembles the one in which you are going to write exams because similar situation and environment helps in recalling better. Study place should be available whenever you need it.

Develop a calm attitude:

Studying also requires the correct attitude. Be calm and patient with yourself as you review the material everyday. Try to open your mind as much as possible by putting other things aside and dispelling frustration. Focus on the areas that need the most attention. Many students feel that any time studying counts as real studying, but studying is less effective if you do not target the areas that need study. Keep checking whether you are able to understand what you are learning. Do not mug up things just for the sake of marks. This will not lead you anywhere. If you start evaluating yourself from the beginning of the year, then there will be no need to spend sleepless nights before exams because what we understand you will not forget.

Work with others:

While distractions are bad in a study environment, studying in a group or pair can be very useful, as long as everyone involved is focused on studying. Study groups allow the student to use other students as a resource. Many of the students tend to remember things that they have discussed for the reason that in the group, they involve themselves in speaking and listening, hence the participation makes them remember things better. By working together, students can fill in the gaps for each other and identify with each other’s problems in the learning process.
Having a plan:

When students have decided to study all year long, that does not mean only to keep studying all the time, whereas we should divide our time very logically, where we should allot time for our hobbies, outings, games, entertainment and general free time. We should make sure as to what time we will study everyday and make it a habit to do it. Having a proper plan can lead you to success. Many students have long durations of study hours everyday but they do not stick on to that.

Begin with Motivation:

Developing a sense of motivated interest is essential to a yearlong study. You need to have a genuine sense of curiosity and interest in your courses in order to learn and retain material and perform well in exams. Without that sense of motivation and interest, your course work may come to seem like boring and meaningless chore. When that is the case, you may well have difficulty remembering what you read in your texts and hear in your lectures everyday, regardless of what study methods you employ. Strive to find areas of interest and a personal sense of purpose in all your courses. You must take responsibility for developing your own interest in what you are studying. You also need good motivation to stick to your plan of study; otherwise, you will lose the track.

Even with a strongly motivated interest in your learning, you may, as you prepare for exams, develop a sense of anxiety or dread about the upcoming exam. When it comes to preparing for exams, there is no one right way to study that will guarantee success. One thing is for sure, however; we can develop a sense of confidence from knowing we know that we know what we know.

Parent’s Role in a yearlong education:

The questions, which always remain important about parents’ involvement are: Does it have a positive impact on the student’s achievement? Do they push their children too hard that affects the behavior and attitudes of the children? The other side of the coin is: parents play a crucial role in every stage of childhood and can play a positive role in getting the best in education.

Nothing helps a child succeed like an involved parent. A little willingness from a child’s parents can work wonders in the classroom. Parents want their children to succeed in school, but a parent’s role in that success must not be underestimated. In school as in life, consistent support from parents is crucial to sustaining a student’s confidence and sense of achievement. Parents play four distinct roles in their child’s education: Encourager, friend, teacher and enforcer. An understanding of these roles can help us in supporting children’s future.

Be an Encourager:

Children want encouragement. It is just as important to support a child who doesn’t perform well at school as it is to congratulate them for success. Real learning is not based on reward, but on the value your child places on the process itself. It is important to make something positive out of failure and to teach young learners this vital skill. Make sure that as a parent, not all the time give importance to marks but give importance to child’s understanding , because many children just mug up lessons so that they can get good marks and satisfy parents as they were encouraging them.

Be a Friend :

Learning the subject and new things for the first time may be a real stress for the child and if parents are too stuck with the child with nobody to confide in, the child faces extra stress in his life, which can decrease self-esteem and motivation. Listening respectfully to children’s concerns can be a major confidence booster all by itself. If you take your child seriously, he is more likely to do the same for his education.

Be a Teacher:

Parents cannot just leave it all up to the teacher. Sure, it is their job, but even the best and brightest can be hard pressed to address the individual needs of every child, especially in a crowded classroom. Children still need personal attention, so it is the role of the parent to make sure they get it.

Stay in touch with your child’s assignments, tests and ongoing projects. Set aside time each day to offer help. Be available and enthusiastic; children need to feel like parents want to be there and help them when needed. Connect with their teachers regularly to keep up with how things are going in the classroom. Many parents support children only during exams whereas this sort of help is needed yearlong to do well in exams.

Be the Enforcer:

Sometimes parents have to tough. But there is more to it than just discipline. Enforce in advance by helping children set and keep schedules, reach goals and complete assignments on time. Be respectful.

Be patient but unwavering with the basics and children will catch on. Sometimes parents have to be strict, but a little firmness each day will teach the child a vital learning skill. This will give them a sense of control and can help prevent exam crisis.

It is not only the reasonability of the parents and students but teacher should also be greatly responsible in inculcating the habit of yearlong preparation of exams.

Teachers are caught up with day-to-day realities of teaching, carrying out assessments and attending endless meetings, teachers rarely get the opportunity to think about what it is they are actually teaching. Many of them end up finishing the syllabus and wash off their hands, whereas the student is in confused state when such things happen. Usually teachers are biased in marking some topics as more important and exam-oriented and this makes student to focus only on that. This practice limits the student’s knowledge. Teachers should give chance to the students to express their concerns and not be too serious with them and teachers should always encourage students to ask more questions and involve them in discussions for every topic on day-to-day basis and make it more meaningful.

The word exam needs the change in the way it is used and associated with. It is the responsibility of every individual to make students focus on long-term study plans and never encourage any shortcuts and night-outs. We should all spread the importance of preparing for exam throughout the year. Students and parents should understand that there is no shortcut to success. For this reason, students should study well from the beginning of the academic year. Going to school or college yearlong is not just helpful to study but it will also help students have strong ethics as well as self-discipline that will come in handy in years to come as students graduate and enter the workforce.