𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲? 𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐒𝐈𝐑-𝐍𝐄𝐓 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Everything works best when it's all sorted out, may it be in a relationship or your wardrobe in the cupboard.

We should have a clear-cut idea of what we want and what is important.

Most of us begin our study journey analysing previous year questions and memorizing concepts.

Yes, that’s exactly where to start after you have completed your 5 preparatory steps to study at your best. But, there are a few other steps you have to take care of.

Here is a list of my seven checklist-ready steps for you to follow.

𝟏. 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬

The syllabus is your BLUEPRINT !!

The syllabus in hand gives you a clear idea of what has to be covered up. You may have a soft copy, but trust me, it doesn’t give you the contentment of striking out a topic on completing it. 

At least not for me…

Print or write down your syllabus before you begin.

 

     𝟐. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤

No matter how many reference books and preparatory books you have gathered, you should have a notebook for yourself. 

If you are creative, decorate it a bit, write a few motivational quotes. This book is only for you to write important terms, relations, mnemonics, flowcharts, etc on your own without copying word to word. 

Think of it as a cookbook, where you write down the ingredients of a recipe and major steps. You wouldn't write 'wash the utensil' would you? In the same way, you are supposed to write only the important steps and terms.

We will talk more about this book in the 5^th point.

 

3     𝟑. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫

You have the syllabus and you know the topics, go through the titles and make yourself a monthly planner. 

Calculate the days you have until the exam, and divide your topics within those days. Keep at least 20 days for revision 

Write down the topics besides the days, and your this step is complete. 

These are really good and simple planners I have picked out:

If you are new at it, you can buy the 80 day planner at Rs. 249/- here

or you can buy the 6 month planner at Rs. 499/- here 

Do not choose yours based on the beautiful covers.. 😋 Their formats may be useless..

 

4     𝟒. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲

You may be an early bird or a nightingale, do what suits you well. 

When you have your planner before you, you can check out the topic for the day, select a few, I am again stressing on ‘a few’ reference materials, and start reading. Too many references will be a waste of time and you will be confused and bored. 

 

5    𝟓. 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐬, 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤

      As you read, write the important terms or words which are difficult and new. 

Draw flowcharts explaining topics.  In this way, you manage to concise a 30-page lesson into 4 pages. It always helps you revise through, very fast. 

A day or two before your exam, you can revise the whole 30-page lesson in less than an hour. Trust me, it happens.

 

6     𝟔. 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Before you end your studies for the day, glance through what you have done, you experience immense happiness in striking that completed topic. 

But hey! Will you remember tomorrow what you read and wrote today?

You may remember, but will you after a week of studying different concepts? 

I don’t think so.

A revision at the end of every concept is very important. Here comes the need for your notebook, look at the important terms and diagrams and explain them to yourself without looking at the reference notes. 

This will help you remember the topic for days.

 

7     𝟕. 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 

Now, we have reached the last step of studying effectively.

You have learned the concept from every aspect, but will you be able to answer the applicatory questions?

There’s only one way to find out. 

You can purchase MCQ books, download previous year's questions papers.

Questions from previous year's papers may make you a little depressed, since you may not be able to answer them as you have not covered that topic. 

My suggestion is to google questions from previous years on the topic you have studied that day. 

It will save time, and you will know how well you have understood the concept.

 

That’s all for today guys…

 

Now, you have completed the 5 preparatory steps, you have the syllabus in hand, you have the exam date, what else do you need? 

Get out there and study hard.

 

Did this article help you? 

Let me know in the comments below.

You can DM me your queries at @life_science_clan or johannagonsalves90@gmail.com

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