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[student-story]

study tips

here are some simple study tips to improve efficiency and productivity to get more work done in less time!

make a daily to-do list in the morning

create a study playlist, i’d suggest you add white noise, classical music or lo-fi songs to improve concentration the most

make a plan of effective study methods for each subject, for example, doing past papers for math or reading the textbook for business studies or doing the workbook for english

go through a list of study tips that work for you before you start studying so you can follow them more dedicatedly 

find healthy alternatives to coffee, like fruit milkshakes

find something fun or exciting to do during breaks that is not distracting, for example, playing an instrument or going for a walk. avoid doing distracting things like calling friends or going on social media until your study session is over.

use different colored highlighters for different important parts of highlighted sections

answer textbook questions out loud

eat fruits while studying. this makes eating fruits feel like less of a chore because you’re preoccupied.

have a water bottle next to you before you sit down to study

annotate your textbooks

take note of things you didn’t know while reading a textbook chapter

do extracurricular work in breaks

only go on social media during planned breaks

power naps greatly improve mood and productivity. do not force yourself to study if you’re tired, take a thirty minute nap and then start studying.

go for walks if you start feeling tired

take stretch breaks

set breaks at least half an hour prior, and decide on the length of the break before it starts

finish your phone calls before you start studying, do not try to multitask by studying and talking to a friend at the same time and only answer calls during study sessions to tell them you aren’t available

( Oishaani Das. )

[student-story]

the right questions to ask in a university fair

university fairs have gained increasing traction and popularity among high schools and are arguably the best medium through which you can acquaint yourself with college courses you're interested in. with so many universities to speak to within a short period of time, ensuring you ask the right questions to gain vital information is key.

does your college have the program of my interest? what are the specifics of this particular program? stupidly obvious but yes, please start with this question. the representatives of the universities are going to be in unfaltering, relentless sales pitch PR mode, but make sure you hear this pitch of theirs carefully and question it in a logical and realistic manner. hunt for specifics of the program and cover smaller details of the course you're looking at - maybe miniscule deal breakers for you.

what particulars do you look for in applications? this is a personal favorite of mine. asking these people what their universities look for in applications tend to take them in a deeper, more revealing spiral. often they mention details you would have never thought of, or emphasize on one specific aspect enough for it to be clear they give it much value - allowing effective alterations to your application. moreover, if these people are reviewing your application, they might remember the interaction and set you on a positive note for taking their feedback.

how does accommodation within the college look like? what is the typical rent students pay? this question is crucial if the university you're talking to is located away from home. knowing the accommodation rates and how the living scenario looks like beforehand is extremely beneficial because it allows for financial planning. wonky accommodation is more often than not a deal breaker for most students.

tell me more about the university facilities. be extremely versatile with this one, and question details important to you. a lot of students find that particular facilities are important to them, and their availability makes college life much easier. is the library open round the clock? what are the cafeteria timings? are laboratories available for all years to access?

what are the employment prospects for this particular program? making sure you are financially and otherwise stable after your college course is over is important. question employment statistics of that particular program, and hunt for reputed opportunities and their tie-ups. make sure you ask about what students who graduated that course are currently doing.