Month: July 2021

In light of the pandemic, schools have shifted their lessons to home-based learning for a period of time. After the resumption of face-to-face classes, some classes remain hybrid, where lessons are delivered both in-person and online. If anything, home-based learning has disrupted our education system and is here to stay. How can a JC student get used to this new normal without compromising their learning?

Find a Conducive Environment

At the heart of learning is a good study environment – one must find a quiet place where they can fully concentrate on the lesson. This means moving yourself away from all possible distractions, including other people if necessary. Lounging on your bed in pyjamas while attending an online lecture might sound tempting, but is also the perfect set-up for complacency and tardiness. Remind yourself that each online class you attend is meant to be like a face-to-face lesson, so discipline is paramount even if your teachers and classmates cannot see you. Treat each class as if it is a normal school day, participating wherever possible to involve yourself in the lesson.

It is also important to ensure that your online lesson can carry on without any interruptions. This includes having a stable internet connection, as well as quality audio and video. You probably would not get the full benefit of a face-to-face class while sitting too far back to see the board, nor would you enjoy the lesson if you are unable to hear the teacher consistently. The same goes for an online learning environment – make sure that your study space is set up so that you can make the most of your home-based learning. If your class requires student participation, it is a good idea to set yourself up with a decent microphone and webcam beforehand and test them before the lesson to avoid any technical difficulties. That JC Maths class can feel so much more enjoyable if you are not straining to understand the teacher or make yourself heard every few minutes.

Make Use of Recorded Lessons

One of the greatest boons of online lessons is that they can be recorded and watched at your own pace. Some teachers record their lessons and upload them for students to re-watch – if you have this luxury, great! If not, you could always try asking your teacher if they mind you recording the lecture. Your teachers may drop important tidbits of information throughout a lecture that you would be hard-pressed to miss. In any case, there is no harm rewinding through a lecture recording to reinforce the concepts taught, which can be extremely beneficial when studying for your exams.

Recorded lessons are also available anytime. Home-based learning should make it possible for students to attend the majority of their classes, but even if you are unwell or unable to attend a class, be sure to watch the lesson recording if there is one, or ask a classmate to help you record it. There should be no reason to skip out on any lessons, especially for content-heavy subjects such as JC Economics. If need be, make full use of recorded lectures to revisit the lesson and refresh your memory.

Identify Your Goals for Each Day

Without a physical class, some teachers may grant their students some autonomy over the topics they plan to study each day. It can also be more difficult for some students to keep track of their progress when they are left to their own devices. Developing a study plan each day is key to staying on top of the competition.

To get started on your day’s goals, look at the lesson outlines for all your upcoming classes. It is even better if you do this a few days or even a week in advance, giving yourself ample time to plan the days ahead. Read up on the topics that will be covered in your upcoming lessons and try to understand them by yourself, so that you do not go to class blindly. If you come across any concept you are unsure about, jot it down first. It can be much easier to follow the lesson and understand the concepts covered if you already have an idea of them beforehand. Pay close attention to the parts you were unsure about and use the opportunity to clarify your doubts with your teacher.

We all have 24 hours in a day, but are we putting them to full use?

Although we may start the day with ambitious visions of what we could achieve, many of us are no stranger to ending the day with only a fraction of our goals completed. It is all too easy to get distracted along the way and lose track of time. It is even more crucial when your child is studying for their PSLE examinations to stay on task. The lengthy syllabus of Primary Science or Primary Maths requires a great deal of time and dedication if your child is to internalise every concept and prepare for the exams, especially within the tight timeframe they are afforded.

This may raise a pressing issue: if your child is prone to procrastination, what can you do to keep them productive? Well, here are some of our suggestions.

Remove All Distractions

Your child may enjoy studying in the comforts of their room, but are they studying efficiently? Some of the biggest culprits behind frequent procrastination could be that TV or video game in the corner. It is important to set some ground rules for studying hours, such as disallowing phones at the table. Find a quiet spot where your child can revise without distractions or interruptions. If the home environment is noisy, moving to a more conducive spot or location such as the library may be a good idea. Some students also like to stay back in school after their lessons to revise. It all depends on the ideal environment for your child to concentrate without turning their attention to other things.

Settle on a Schedule

Discipline is a key factor in avoiding procrastination. A student without a schedule is like a ship without a captain – planning each day’s revision topics beforehand is crucial in giving your child a clear direction to follow. Apart from preventing them from wasting more time on figuring out what to do next, a well-planned outline also helps your child visualise how much they need to get done for the day, enabling them to pace themselves accordingly. You can plan a schedule together with your child and decide what to focus on each day. For instance, perhaps you want to reserve Mondays and Wednesdays to revise Primary Maths, especially if it is your child’s weakest subject. Start with that and sketch up a plan detailing which topics should be revised on each day. Any plan is a great start – it is alright to change the plan later on if you or your child feels the need to.

Set Small, Realistic Milestones

Many people like to aim big, but in doing so, they are also setting themselves up for procrastination. It is usually much easier to focus on a job and get it done when you have the end in sight, rather than looking at a large pile of work to be done and feeling the inertia kick in.

If you are already setting goals for your child but they are having trouble accomplishing these milestones, it may be time to re-evaluate your plans. Perhaps you might need to set the bar a little lower so that it is in better reach for your child. For instance, if your child is struggling with finishing an entire test paper in one sitting, try breaking it into more manageable sections for a start. Have your child attempt Section A first and come back to the other sections later. As they get more comfortable with the questions, you can gradually add on the rest of the paper until they are able to complete everything without wearing out. At the end of the day, nothing beats the sense of accomplishment that you have knocked everything off the day’s to-do list.

Take Well-Deserved Breaks

Everyone has a limit, and it is important not to push your child too hard. It may seem counterintuitive to speed up revision progress by encouraging breaks, but a respite is sometimes necessary. Allow your child to take a breather if they have been going at a good pace. The prospect of a timely break can also help to spur a person on to complete their tasks more efficiently.

Revise With Your Child

It can be difficult to stay focused on one’s own. Tackling the revision together with your child can help them to keep on track. Not only will you be able to guide your child along the way, but it will also mean the world to them for their parents to take interest in and work together with them on their goals. You do not have to be an expert in a subject to tutor your child in it, the experience can even be better when you learn together.