By Balogun Temitope
Education is the key to the future, just as a serene tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today – Malcolm X.
Thus, to gain enormous future benefits, one needs to work on the power of the now. To many students, what obtains after all the rigorous reading anchors on the first few letters of the alphabet: A+, B-, C, D or F, and that’s it. However, as a result of my research and the experience mustered from the adults, adumbrating various ways, by which fruitless reading can be curbed, will be my derring-do.
Reading or studying to be ranked among erudite scholars who come out of an examination with flying colours is not a regimented phenomenon. It is not a rigid but flexible undertaking.
Let us hear what Amy Lucas said:
“Do not study hard. Study smart”
A lot of time, people read very hard but are not putting just that thing required for good assimilation of knowledge. Thus, unexpected forgetfulness or misconception of exam questions is most likely in the offing for such people.
Is it not rational to reduce the reading time while preparing for an examination in which one prays to be successful? As humans, whatever we do for too long a time will likely intrigue fatigue in us. Thus, our mind or our psychology is not that agile that we force it to assimilate the vast knowledge we love to amass from a book within the shortest possible time, say, 4 straight hours.
Rather, our brain requires some respite, some recess of at least 180 minutes after the first reading session. For, if we are aware that we will soon be done with reading, we get invigorated by another round of reading impulse.
It is not rational to stress ourselves over certain accomplishments. If we are studying and do not set a reasonable limit to it, our emotions will be negatively affected. And, this may lead to frustration or apoplexy which themselves deter progress.
We only have to set a time limit, and just read within the time frame which is proportional to our mental capacity.
We have to create some time for ourselves before reading at all, manoeuvre ourselves into a relaxed mood; take three deep breaths and relax both the mind and the body. Then, Read-Set-Go. Read!
And finally, we learn to manage our mood. No matter what mood we start reading in; we make sure we suppress our negative emotions. We do not read in an angry mood. Even if we are angry, we tell ourselves we are not and after a while we will not be angry.
