"Time flies like a thief in the night,we've all got a story to write" are lyrics of a track off Burna Boy's Grammy Award- winning album,"Twice As Tall" which featured Kenyan sensation Sauti Sol. Indeed, the wordings of this number would ring with more meaning and relevance to the average UI student as the day of reckoning is fast upon us. As it is often said, different strokes for different folks. If given individual opportunity to relay the experience of how the semester has played out, each and everyone would have his/her own unique version.
Expressions such as "stress","deadlines", "panic","workload " and the likes would not be far-fetched. However, what is certain, irrespective of how genuine one's excuse or testimony may be is that , "time waits for no one" - an agelong aphorism that holds true in all spheres of life. It all seems like yesterday ,not faraway when the journey of a new semester began. With everything happening at a very fast pace , especially owing to the flurry of activities one is often bombarded with daily. Yet ,time keeps ticking away with reckless abandon, as if oblivious of one's plight. Students may still be in confusion as to what week the school calendar reads,since lectures, registration and every other thing in between started behind schedule. While the exactness of the school calendar may be a matter of conjecture as to whether it is 13th week or not, what is unanimously understood from the feelers is that the semester is coming to a close and is traditionally signalled by fast- approaching exams.
It was Benjamin Franklin in 1942 who quipped that , " for us to fail to prepare is to prepare to fail " . It is easy to tell that there is more depth to this truth than a mere play on words. Failure is neither a desirable nor a palatable experience. Whilst , failure may vary , sometimes ,depending one's set goals , its effects can be very devastating. Hence , it is best to make concrete efforts to nip it in the bud now.
Below are time-tested tips to fight failure to a standstill :
( 1 ) Begin Intensive and Purposeful Reading : This is a success tool that can’t be overemphasized. It is not enough to read, many know they have to read . A comprehensive knowledge makes the difference during an exam. One must be able to write adequately and logicaly on whatever course he/she has properly studied for. You can only give what you have. There is never a crime in testing oneself after a study session to tell how much one has grasped and what one needs to pay attention to as lapses though matter how little are not always overlooked especially during exams.
(2) Discourage distractions : there is no gainsaying that there will always be something prepared to proof more interesting than one’s studies but the influence of such things loose their hold over time with persistent resistance. Not only does distractions steal your time it also divides one’s attention. You might have to make the sacrifice of shunning your favourite movies and football teams for the time being.
(3) Proscribe Procrastination : it is that still reassuring voice within you that is always telling you to give yourself a break. You can’t give in to such anymore. Many plans to read have remained at the stage of plans that never really progress to becoming a reality. Avoid pushing things that ought to be done immediately to be left as “imminent” or “impending” .The unread materials and topics keep piling up ,then it seems as though you can’t do enough to prepare adequately before hand.
(4) Have Victory in View: How will.you win the war witihout first without the winning the war withi?. Have a mind to come out successful. Let your mind begin processing excellence in the exams. Envisage fulfilling results. Pessimism before an exam does you no good.
(5) Paralyze Panic: Is it not often said that cowards die a thousand times before meeting death? Studying is not the issue for some students but the fear of failure is their biggest challenge. Panic makes all that one has read over to disappear into thin air as though you read nothing. If it doesn’t get bad ,it makes one’s best is kept ar bay. Pls do away with panic, the exams can’t end you rather you should aim at ending the exams in excellence. Panic diminishes one’s chance of getting a good grade due to disorganized work so that mistakes become inevitable . Avoid it like a plaque.
Worry less,work more on your studies. Let’s adequately equip our arsenal for the forth -coming examinations. I hope you are able give a wide grin after the whole experience ,giggle gracefully and feel grateful for your efforts.
The Scribbler, Seven.
