It is that time of the year again. The crunch time for all students is just around the corner, but this is especially so for those preparing for their GCE O Levels. As tension runs high and stress levels skyrocket, students are constantly trying to squeeze whatever time they have left by diving their noses into their textbooks. Unfortunately, students who have their engines running at full speed will find themselves burnt out and exhausted by September. This will incur additional stress and more often than not, students will regress leading up to the exams.
The question then becomes: how does one effectively prepare for one of the most important academic milestones in their education career? Effective and adequate preparation is imperative, especially considering the importance of this annual national examination. One’s O Level results will determine their academic pathway for the following two or three years, which will set the groundwork for their career trajectory in Singapore. As such, to better optimise your performance, consider incorporating the following study tips into your O Level preparation.
1. Set Your Body Clock to Your Advantage
As much as it is tempting to burn the midnight oil, securing at least seven hours of sleep is the most important factor that unlocks optimal performance. One’s brain regenerates during the time that the body goes into sleep mode, effectively resting and creating space for the mentally-laborious activities for the following day. As such, clocking in a sufficient amount of hours is the first step to effective studying.
If you fall into the temptation of studying late into the night, you will incur more than just sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation brings forth a myriad of negative effects, including an inability to concentrate, increased risk of compromised learning, impaired mood, and the like. Ensuring and incorporating healthy sleeping habits will curb these adverse effects and, instead, will improve cognitive and physical functioning – crucial factors to help you realise your fullest potential.
2. Planning is Key
As the adage goes: failing to plan is planning to fail. Establishing a study plan is crucial, especially if you are juggling multiple subjects all at once. Drawing up a plan ensures that you have sufficient time to go through each and every subject. Moreover, it also allows you to prioritise the subjects or topics that you find yourself to be weak in, which you can then allocate more time practising and studying.
Be sure to always set meaningful yet realistic study goals. By visualising your end goals, it will make planning your next steps easier.
3. Seek Help Early
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is the first step to knowing how you can seek assistance. Never hesitate to find help, especially in the subjects that you are weak in. You may also want to consider leveraging help from third-party schools or tuition centers that are specialised in boosting your grades by way of personalised tuition lessons.
The Hanbridge Institute is one such institution that is dedicated to providing quality education for those who seek it. We understand that the O Levels are a uniquely demanding undertaking for all students in Singapore, and as such, we hope to help you navigate through all the challenges – and more! Our GCE ‘O’ Level Preparatory Course uses a multi-pronged strategy that marries on-paper learning with relevant soft skills. Aside from basing our content on the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board Syllabus, we also provide a team of teachers who are fully qualified and familiar with the national examinations. They will help bolster your strengths and identify any potential pitfalls you will need to avoid and overcome.
Start preparing for your O Levels with us today! Reach out to us to find out more.
