Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Easy way out

Photo: R. Ashok

IN CLASS: Resource person Anuradha Umashankar handling a Newspaper In Education (NIE) session in Tiruchi. —

TIRUCHI: If you are one among those who get stressed out by burning-the-midnight-oil revisions during examinations, there are ways to combat pressure and score more. Systematic planning, as teachers unanimously suggest, is the most effective method to earn marks sans anxiety.

Among many other ways, one way to keep up your academic performance is to analyse and improve upon earlier performances. The Hindu’s NIE teaches the secret in a matter-of-fact way through its module on Enhancing Academic Performance .

At a recent session at Kendriya Vidyalaya-II, resource person Anuradha Umashankar drew parallels between types of learners and ways to reach a 10-storeyed building. “If there are three ways – staircase, escalator and lift – to reach the destination, which one would you choose,” was her introductory question to the students of class IX. Different answers with justifications came pouring in.

Juxtaposing it with three types of learners – slow, medium and quick, Ms. Umashankar said slow learners are like those who opt for staircase. They believe in themselves and work systematically. But their step-by-step academic planning is too methodical that they often get tired out even before reaching the goal.

Quick learners are like those who take the lift. But this kind is at the risk of forgetting faster. Understanding capabilities also come down owing to rote-learning.

The best is the ‘escalator method’ where medium learners get a chance to stop when in doubt, analyse their method of learning and plan accordingly. “Medium learners can be systematic and fast at the same time. .”

She drew a ‘success ladder’ on the board to explain the basics of planning for an academic year. The ladder is for each subject with the number of steps equalling the number of examinations. At the end of each examination, the students can write their percentage of marks against each step. If the marks are higher than the previous step, they can draw a smiley face next to it, indicating improvement.

If the score is the same, draw a face with neutral expression and if there is a dip in the performance, draw a gloomy face. It tells how the student is moving ahead.

“Keep track of the ladder and work accordingly. This helps you compare your performances,” she told the students.

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