My first practicum experience!

Hey there!

Exams are done and dusted, and I have just completed my first practicum!
Now, you may be wondering, "What's a practicum?". A practicum is like practical work.
As I am studying to be a teacher, my practical work includes me going to assigned schools with tasks and requirements I am expected to complete.

The last 2 weeks have been quite hectic - with exams and practicum around the same period. Surprisingly, I managed to go through it all feeling better than 'fine'. Exams were average. I didn't do as good as an A, but I managed to exceed 'just pass'.

Without further ado, I'll be writing about my practicum experience!

Honestly, practicum is not easy. I have a couple of friends who told me their bad experiences with ATs (associate teachers) and VLs (visiting lecturers) involving tears and being scarred with not being competent or not meeting appropriate standards. I met a girl recently who failed her practicum during her first year, so she is now studying ECE (Early Childhood) because apparently it's 'easier'.

The fears are very much present. You have to meet requirements, complete tasks to an acceptable level, have a professional relationship with your AT and be qualified in the eyes of your visiting lecturer. Beyond that, you have a whole class to manage every single day. Not for an hour or two, but almost 8 hours daily. Apart from school hours, you have to set time for planning and marking. The list is endless. And I'm just getting started with university students becoming a 'teacher-to-be' and juggling routines of full-time students - YES, we have exams, assignments and studies to do too.

And my parents said being a teacher was easy. Boy, you have no idea.

(NOTE: From what I have learnt so far, nothing is easy. They say medicine is difficult, yes, I believe it is. But so is education. So is studying music. So is engineering, architecture, linguistics and so on. Everyone is so different in many ways; abilities, lifestyle, decisions and habits.. even the way we think and understand information varies, so how can we categorise one thing to be the 'best' and the 'hardest' when we do not have the capability to do what everyone does?)

I entered my first year of education thinking it'll be easy. Boy, I was wrong.

-

One thing I lacked stepping into university was purpose. (It wasn't the only thing I lacked btw). I didn't have a purpose for why I chose what I study, but I had reasons.

My parents thought a teaching degree would be perfect for me. They thought it suited me. They said it was within my capabilities. They drew a plan for me.

The plan looked something like this: Easy degree, high demand; Easy start up, high return; (LOL, I sound like a commerce student - I was). My dream was to be a housewife. They figured I should be independent with my own business in education but flexible enough to decide my working hours to fulfil that dream.

It was a good dream, but it was a lacking dream.

Why? Because I didn't actually want to study education. I didn't like teaching. I didn't want to be a teacher. I didn't feel like I had a purpose in what I wanted to do (teaching) and I didn't find joy or fulfilment in it.

Not until this practicum.

During this recent practicum, these are some of the things I learnt:

1. Teachers have to be an all-rounder (ideally). 

During one of our classes, we watched a video on what children expect from 'what makes a good teacher?'. Good teachers (according to children) are to be intelligent, good-looking, fun, smiley, friendly, able to help, caring and many things in between.

In a way, it's true. We are expected to know a little (or more) about everything. We teach Maths (okay, that one we need to know quite a lot about), Science, Reading/Writing, Language (English & Maori) and we have HPE (Health & Physical Education) too. On top of that, we need to be able to engage in Arts and be able to plan for creative activities.

Time-management and organisational skills are key to not being messed up - oh no, we can't afford a mess. Least we need to have the skill to clean up that mess before Block 2 comes around.

Don't you forget leadership skills. You have about 30 followers on a daily basis and you literally lead them from one thing to another.

Throw in life-skills of dealing with children's drama and attitude problems. While you're at it, you better have some psychology up your sleeves; because a child's wellbeing is essential and you're responsible for being aware of problems they may be facing at home or at school. Pretty much their lives as long as you're their teacher.


2. Teachers have the capability to change lives.

This was one of the reasons I had in mind when I applied for my course. I wanted to influence lives. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to be that teacher that believes in Tom when no one else did. I wanted to be that teacher that showed Samantha what beauty meant. I wanted to be that teacher that Tamati could rely on. I wanted to be that teacher that helped Xiao Yun when she was struggling. I wanted to change lives, whether that meant a little push to get on the right track or hard work that required time. I wanted to be a teacher that changed lives, and I still do.

As a teacher, you're placed in a class for the whole year, and boy, have you spent 8 hours (and sometimes more) with a child for almost a year? You really get to know them - and sometimes, way more than you would like to.

The school, they say, could be a child's 'safe place'. It could be their getaway and their break from home. We, as teachers have the capability to teach a child in a way he/she should go. And that way means to guide them on a path based on their uniqueness and individuality.

3. Teachers learn double the amount they teach.

Teachers teach - that's just what we're supposed to do. Being on practicum didn't make me realise how much I was able to teach, but rather how much I am able to learn. Teachers are practically life-long (sometimes self-taught students). We're constantly learning. Learning what we have learnt before, learning what we need to know, learning what we don't know and learning even when we don't intend to learn. We learn what we have to teach. We learn from students all the time.

-

There's so much I'd like to say, but I can't seem to write all of them now. However, I can honestly say that I have enjoyed myself a whole lot. It's been really tiring, but it's been really exciting. I was super duper nervous prior to my practicum, and now I left feeling like I have squished these lovely children into a special place in my heart.

I found myself tearing up while singing cultural songs with the kids, and grinning from one end of my cheek to the other watching them singing and answering questions. That's when it hit me. I love what I do.

How to Study when you don't feel like it

Is this you..?

Do you have this sort of behaviour?

Are you lying?

 Then this post, is dedicated to you.

So this week is my study break! YES, that's 6 weeks of break.

I can't believe I'm done with semester 1, and then I have semester 2 and I'm off to M'sia!

EEEEEP! How exciting.

Today's post, I aim to motivate YOU to study.

Recently, my sister's results came out. She hasn't sat for her proper A levels exams.. but her school results aren't great - at all. She passed half of her subjects, and failed the other half. 

Not a single C in sight.. no, not even a D. (It's that bad). Then again, 'least people aren't exaggerating when they said that A levels is freaaaaaaking difficult. I bet it is.

I was skyping Esther two weeks ago, and ended up giving her a small pep talk on studying, as it is her dream to do medicine. With grades like that, it's impossible. No, at the rate she's going, she's gonna struggle really hard in university.

After that talk, she was really motivated, and so I hope that motivation will push her to get better grades for her next test.

Yesterday, a really good friend of mine was telling me how she has been struggling with studying, and asked me for study tips.

ME? HAHA. woah there humans, out of everyone.. -

Yes. Out of everyone, I will be here to give you some study tips.

How to start studying:

So I'll be super honest.

I don't get straight A's, no, I don't get full marks either. (Does anyone even??)

I'm just Chelsea, and I've never been the kind to study, until I started doing well for O levels.

I kinda miss doing O levels to be honest.

So to all you O levels students, enjoy it while you're at it!!

Anyway, back to me being human.

I procrastinate quite often, I don't get straight A's, I don't study as much as I really should, 

so what better person should be giving you tips to study huh?

Well, I'd say the kind of person that's in your position, but is constantly trying to improve and motivate themselves. Ask someone who's perfect, and you won't feel like you're able to reach their standards(like I mean dang, those people be on point.), ask someone who doesn't give a single care, and you won't even want to.. who even wants to ask someone like that?

Ok - enough nonsense.

Here are some tips that really help me to get started, I hope it helps you.

1. Asking God

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7

Yes, that's what I did just last week for my final assignments and an essay worth 60%!

Foundation in Education isn't tough like medicine or engineering, but it's something new to me. Having my assignments and essay cramped for the last week doesn't help with someone who struggles with time management and procrastination. 

I was stressed that pimples be popping up as an indication that I needed help from above.

So like always, I typed on google:

verses for studying

verses for wisdom

verses for exam students

After closing several tabs, I found one that I really loved:

The Link is a prayer for final exam students with verses and all.

After proclaiming that prayer, I took in a breath, sighed and got on with my essay.

I finished it within two days (when some of my friends were still struggling, and started before me!).

I believe it is by God's strength that I was able to finish the essay several days before the due date.

PLUS, study for a Maths test that was the day after!

God is so so good, even when I'm such a failure.

Plus, there's no harm in asking, especially when you're at a state like such.

God is your creator, he created knowledge, people, history, the present, future, everything you know and don't know. It's all in his palm, and who else is better to ask for help than the creator himself?

2. Set standards and expectations for yourself

I know this is something that some people may struggle with.

I am somewhat a perfectionist.

No, not really. I just like the idea of keeping a perfect image, or trying to be perfect.

I don't think I'm perfect, and when things don't go 100% planned, I do get upset sometimes, but not to the point of being a perfectionist.

Being perfect/Aiming for perfection = Being the best YOU can be

You define what's the best version of you, and you gotta be honest!

Personally for me, I like to feel like I have everything in control. Even when I don't. But I like trying to make everything perfect - even though it almost never comes out perfect.

No one is perfect (as quoted many times, by many people), but constantly trying to reach perfection is more than good enough.

I once told someone:

You have really good PR (Public relation) skills. 

And he was indeed, 'least he showed that he was good at making rapports.

He then chuckled lightly and replied 'Nah, well, I try to'.

And I said, "Well trying to is a start. If you want to obtain patience, even when you're not, and you still try to be patient, it makes you patient (eventually)." Something along those lines.

He then smiled and said 'I guess.'

I guess? BRO, it's true.

HEHE kidding, I know he agrees.

And it is true. 

Think about it; if someone by nature isn't kind, but he makes an effort to be kind.. Say, by holding the door, or by buying a meal for the poor, or by offering a hand to help... does that not show an act of kindness? It does! And because of that act, it makes him kind - even when he's not at that 100% state of kindness (yet).

Evan Almighty (the movie) has this amazing quote where God (in the movie) says

"Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?"

This reminds me of how each test/exam/assignment, gives YOU an opportunity to be a better you. It gives you the opportunity to earn a credit, it gives you an opportunity to demonstrate intelligence and being hardworking, it gives you an opportunity to do well. So, why don't you get in there and do something that makes you rock?

How does this point relate to its heading of setting standards for yourself?

Well, aim high. aim for perfection. Cause chances are, you won't get there. 

But you'll get somewhere close if you try hard enough.

Aim for a B, and you may just get a C or lower.

Aim for an A, and you may just get close to your aim.

Always aim high- est. Always aim for the highest.

It applies because I keep that in mind.

I don't have perfect grades, but I aim for perfect grades.

When you aim for something, you target it. When you target something, it shows a sense of desire.

When you want something, you can get it if you keep trying.

You are probably your biggest obstacle at this point.

Remove yourself as a barrier, and start to see your possibilities without all those procrastination, laziness and such!

You can do this!!

3. Think of your future

Now, I know this is quite generic. but it works for my sister!

You see, Esther doesn't want to come back to NZ to study. Neither does she want to stay back in Malaysia to study. She would much rather go elsewhere, like Canada.

In order for that to happen, it takes a scholarship. For her to receive a scholarship, she needs good grades. And for now, it doesn't look like she can even get to New Zealand with grades like such.

Thinking about your future has a huge effect on some, especially with those who are pursuing degrees that are very competitive to get in (like medicine).

Thinking about the future is also such a wide thought! What kind of future am I on about?

Well, it could be in a few months time or next year, to decide which path you're gonna take.

Or it could be in a few years, to determine what kind of future you would like to hold, and in order to get there, what are you doing in the present to help you get to that future?

Mid-term exams may not seem as important as picking a degree, or even getting a degree! But it's really important. Whether you're 14, 16, 18, or older, it matters! Why start when it's 'important'? Why don't you make where you are now important?

Think about your future:

Which university you'd like to attend, which degree would you like to take, which career path would you like to go on? 

In order for these things to occur, I'm sure where you are now, has a huge impact on how you're gonna start any of those.

4. Set priorities

Last but not least, the thing that many people struggle with.

Friends, Relationships, Personal interests, Work, Studies.. there are just so many aspects to consider!

Time management is something I really struggle with, and so is prioritising.

When I want to study, when I need to study, this is how I set studying my priority:

Log off all social networks that allow me to sign out.

And flight mode my phone. Every few hours, I allow myself to un-flight mode my phone and check any incoming messages.. apart from that, I don't when I need to prioritise.

This is probably the main distraction most people face;

if it isn't, then do the same for any other unnecessary distractions.

-

These are just a few points I can think of.

Of course, there's more to studying. 

Now that I have gotten the hang of my course, I intend on doing really well for next semester, and not do things last minute! Maybe then I'll have another study tips episode, on how to actually study.. haha.

For now,

that's having the desire to do so, putting your will in doing it, and just striving!

All the best for your upcoming test/exams/assignments!

love,

Chelsea x

First week of University

A brief description for each of my day at school.

There may be photos included that are on the individual day itself, but not during school.

DAY 1:

I practically broke down by the end of the day.

I made friends, loneliness wasn't really the case.

They're nice, but it's intermediate all over.

Small superficial talks. Just wanting to be in a group & not being alone.

But then again, what should I have expected?

It is the first day.

But I broke down due to the fact that my life is so messed up.

I was so frustrated at the fact I haven't done my laundry, I don't know how to do laundry anymore.

I spent like $45 on my AT HOP card (It's a card for transportation).

Keep in mind it was only my 5th day back?

BUT STILL!

The feeling was nasty, it was nothing like what I remembered back when I was living in the East.

I now have to grow up and be independent, and to be frank,

I kinda suck at it.

Raman, Melissa, Sabrina, Me

Walking to class

Walking out of the train station to my future workplace looking grumpy as

Had viet for dinner which made me a lot happier :)

Hugged a gigantic teddy bear! I want one!!

DAY 2:

I ACTUALLY ARRIVED AT UNI - ON TIME! BY MYSELF!
(Yeah, mum and tach accompanied me on the way to uni on the first day)

My first day friends were so caring about my transport yesterday, it kinda gave me a little sense of hope in actually having additional friendships.

But like I said previously, me breaking down was not due to loneliness.

HOWEVER, loneliness sucks. But to prepare for a possibility of it, you gotta live it.

So Tuesdays I've got a long two hour break between my classes.

My new friends wanted to go out of campus to get some lunch but I ain't going.

I didn't go.

I was already paranoid at the fact that I have been spending tons of money on my living expenses - AND IT'S NOT EVEN A WEEK YET?!

I wanted to just be alone, yaknow, preparation for the possibility of loneliness?

Yeah, great plan huh? So if I do happen to be alone, I won't freak out or anything.

It's the second day of UNI & I've already stopped trying.

The seniors say that you'll see first year students dressing up and all, but in no time, they'll be going to school in sweats or their pjs... Yeah, I've been sleep deprived and maybe a lil jetlag, so I patted some of my new BB cream on and did my brows and went to school with oily second day hair and my grey H&M men's hoodie.

So chill, you can already picture it. Just with shorts on of course, and a basic navy tee underneath.

After school, I went to city campus with tach to sort my AT HOP (transport) card so I can get a lil discount everytime I use it. I had my favourite mini donuts for $3!!! mmmmm so good!
I also had a bit of sushi and a korean pancake in the city. Dang, if only my campus was at the city :(
(Sorry there aren't any photos, I snapchatted it though!)

For dinner, aunty Felicia and Jess took us out for Japanese food nearby!
Here are several photos; I snapchatted the rest!

DAY 3:

IT'S BEEN A WEEK SINCE I ARRIVED!

Things are getting better - or maybe I'm just getting used to this life.

I've got a few friends who are very caring.
They text me out of school and ask me where I am (before class) which is a good sign.

Classes are also getting better, I don't get AS tired as before.

I haven't learnt how to do my laundry, but I was able to bring raw vege to school (for lunch).
My friend commented that I looked sad eating them HAHA. She offered me her sushi.
I declined several times - but ended up taking one to end my lunch.

I was this close to working out today. Was able to come home before evening (YAY)!
But I made a last minute decision to go to the city with Emmeline as this is the last week for Orientation at the city! I nearly got my favourite mini donuts, but was too late.

I had korean food at Bansaang to make up for it! I had marinated pork belly which was YUM :D

DAY 4:

LAST SCHOOL DAY OF THIS WEEK.

I really look forward to the weekends now.
Today I only had one class which was about an hour and 15 minutes, and all we did was make flags.
So that went well.

I enjoyed myself and final thought 'Maybe things aren't gonna be so bad after all.'

Ended up taking the bus and train to Meadowbank to have brunch with 3/4 of the 'rents.

For dinner, we went to this bar restaurant to celebrate the last day of CNY, and mainly for the mussels. It was okay.

My brunch: French Toast with Vanilla mascarpone, oranges and syrup

kai ma with her meal

mother with her brunch 

Cherry beer which tasted like shandy and medicine at first

Oysters, Battered squid, mussels, chicken mushroom thing, pork ribs

And that sums up my first week of school - since I only had four days!

I'll try to update more once I settle down.

'till then, farewell!

Ask me a question on my ask.fm if you have any.

Follow my snapchat: cheelsealee for more updates of my daily life!

x

Pre-university

It's the 1st of March!

Daaaaang, time really flies!

It's been my fourth day back, and to be honest, 

many events unfolded but yet not many things are done.

I would upload my photos of my trip and all, but I honestly barely even spend the time at home.

I just have zero time to sit around.

It's exactly 1.35am as I am typing this sentence.

For the last few days, I have slept at 3.30am or 4 something in the morning..

I came back at 12 something, showered at 2 something.

So tonight is actually an improvement.. because,

IT'S MY FIRST DAY AT UNIVERSITY TOMORROW!

eeeeeeeep?!

I'm pretty nervous actually.

Firstly, I don't feel too good. 

From the moment I landed, I've been seeing this friend and that friend; going here and there; etc.
Re-uniting with my old friends feel great.

I feel welcome, it's all the same. I even met new friends and all!

HOWEVER, it's starting to dawn on me that I am finally back.

It's time for me to grow up, and I am so, SO unready.

I'll keep this as short as I can, but my current challenges/difficulties:

1. Pooing and sharing a bathroom/toilet with 8 other people!

Ok so actually it's a total of 5 of us. (You'll see the photos soon)

Ju Winn, Peter, Yuki, Emmeline & I. (YES, it's 5)

Why the additional 3 you ask?

Julius, Em's boyfriend has been sleeping over the last 3 nights.

Mother - MY mum, is staying with us while she helps me settle for the first 2 weeks.

AND, Peter & Yuki has a Japanese friend staying over currently!

That would explain me showering at 3am?

2. I MISS HAVING MORE SPACE

Sharing a room with my sister is less than a pain than I expected.

However, it is originally her room; besides, she never left New Zealand, so she practically has everything here. She's her own independent self!

ME, on the other hand, I'm not?!

I really am not though. Like man, I miss having a drawer to store all my bras, undies, socks.. AND I've got tons. ergh

3. Cleanliness

Like sharing a house with people that are not your family, and not having a maid, IT'S HARD.

I don't know how long will the germs continue to cultivate, but I know it's there, somewhere.

I didn't have a full-time maid back home. So I knew how to do chores then. It was my house, and I knew pretty much where everything went. but here?! I know nothing, and I don't stay home? However, I desperately need to reserve a day in the week to just clean my house.

NOBODY IS GONNA CLEAN IT MAN.

4. Staying home alone

So before I left NZ, staying home was alright for me.

However, perhaps living in a safe condominium for the last 2 years 7 months have made me dependent on having several security guards roam below my floor and around my area. Like if people were to rob or come to our house, it would take them a long time considering we have 18 floors? But here, one storey, windows open, doors with not enough locks in my opinion - they all make me feel insecure :( I refuse, REFUSE to stay home alone.

but yes yes, I know I'll have to sooner or later.

5. Transport

Back home, in KK - I could go to and fro my house to another location a few times a day.

Now, I can't return home. When I leave home, I make sure I do all I can outside before coming back.

I'm forced to learn the bus routes as majority/many people bus to and fro everywhere!

Taking the bus without student discount from my place to my campus is about $3+ a trip!

So in a day, $6+? I have classes four days, so that's $24+ for 4 days and JUST from my house to uni'.

CRAZY? Like what. I can buy a pair of heels for $24 T.T I need to go elsewhere too! Like supermarket, city, church/youth - AND my youth is in the east T.T - Like what, < $50 a week?! AAAAAH.

ok I better sort my stuff and sleep soon.

I promise I'll update soon about my first day/week of uni'!

How I study - Part 2 (Business Studies and Commerce)

G'day matey

haha I was lying in bed the other night, and I realized I've accustomed to the Malaysian slang and accents.

Not that I've gotten a Malaysian accent, but I'm starting to sound more neutral.

Oh, and of course, I've added some of their slang to my vocabulary.

Such as lah, bah, ish?

Like before, I would use ish like:

"Are you feeling better?" "ish." as in kinda/a little/around there.

But now. I use it like:

"ISHHHHHHHHH".

like omg it should be self-explanatory.

SOOOOOOO I've been delaying this post for way too long.

I was supposed to post this before May? haha. But yaknow...

Okayyyyy So here's how I study for:

Business Studies and Commerce (O Levels)

Some of my business and commerce notes and past years!

Thankfully, Business Studies and Commerce come hand in hand with each other.

Like they're literally a pair.

Business Studies(BS) is the pants in the relationship.

Get your foundation right with BS, and you'll get along well with Commerce.

So firstly, just to inform you about my school and studying habits.

I go to a homeschooling centre - well, used to.
I get several people asking me over a period of time, how it feels like, would I recommend it, etc.
Most people think that homeschoolers are hardworking and independent.
The truth is, majority of the people who ends up in my school don't actually study.
Or at least during my time there, that was the case.
But long gone are those students. They've scattered elsewhere, or decided to graduate too.

It is however, true that homeschooling requires a whole lot of self-motivation.
No one is gonna push you other than yourself.
You'll be the one to choose whether you want to excel or not.

I did not rely on my school teachers for these two subjects.
No offence, but they did not help me at all.
And I won't put the blame on them, I just couldn't study at school either.
So pretty much, majority - no, ALL of my study time for these two subjects were out of school.
What a waste of expensive school fees. *sigh.

So let's get started!

I won't go in depth with the individual subjects;
Because like I said earlier, these two come hand in hand.
I studied the Business Studies and Commerce textbooks at the same time, and they pretty much have the same base. The notes I made for BS, I could use for Commerce. And Vice Versa.

1. THE BUSINESS STUDIES BOOK IS THE KEY.
It has eveeeeerythaaang.
Like no joke, it has the terms, the diagrams, the explanation, examples, etc.
PLUS, it is much much much more interesting than the Commerce textbook.
In fact, the book itself can be your tutor.
I highly recommend it!
Don't neglect your Commerce textbook though.
As boring as it is, you still have to read it at least twice!
Once, read-through with brief understanding. Second time, highlight points and summarise!

2. CUE CARDS

I wasn't as studious in the early months of preparation.

In fact, I was a bit lazy.

But exams are coming up, what do you have to do?

MAKE CUE CARDS. SUMMARISE YOUR NOTES AND KNOWLEDGE.

A page of Business terminologies.

Business Studies has tons and tons of terminologies. Like woah, there are several pages of business terms you HAVE to know. When you take a look at the past year papers, you'll notice that they have questions that require you to explain a definition of a business term. eg. What is meant by the term 'recession'? or What is meant by the term 'sole trader'?

Use different coloured pens! I personally recommend STABILO point 88!

They're a bit pricey compared to normal ball point pens, but that's because they have a very fine tip and many attractive colours to choose from! You can buy them individually at any stationary store, such as Popular or AA. 

This is the pack that I use! :)

Cue Cards come in handy for on-the-go study and when you don't feel like staring at your textbook for hours! I use it for my 'lazy' study time. So I go through the terms and get someone to test me. It's super useful to begin your preparation for these two subjects!

In fact, it also benefited me after my exams. A friend (and school-mate of mine) offered to buy them off me. TEEHEE. I made Rm 10 just for my cue cards! Some people are lazy to make their own. But it's really not that hard!

Maybe I should make a post on 'How to make your own cue cards' or 'How to make your own notes' for my next study session! (I plan on re-studying these subjects again before A level begins :D)

3. Try different ways to learn and understand

Both Esther and I study differently.

We also study different things.

Esther is in the Science stream, and I'm in the Commerce stream.

Esther is really good at taking notes as well - in class and at home. (I don't study at school :x)

When it comes to studying outside of school, Esther likes to read her notes out loud.

Over and over and over and over.

For her, she is an audio learner. I used to be more of a visual learner, but I'm leaning towards kinesthetic now.

Try to combine all three;

Audio, Visual and Kinestethic.

Adjust to which kind of learning styles you prefer.

Try a bit of writing, listening, drawing..

On the above, I copied the visual diagrams from my textbooks.

They make a good summary. And definitely look much more alluring.

But I prefer things more explained and listed.

Such as this. I like things looking neater, like a list.

They help me memorise better and identify and refer to individual terms easily.

4. PAST YEAR PAPERS

Majority of the past years that I completed

My dad once told me that it is extremely vital to look and DO past year papers.

Now, my school provides past year papers for our mocks, and a bit more for preparation before our exams. But that's not enough. You need to take it up a notch.

The exact url for O level students are here:

XTREMEPAPERS FOR O LEVELS

You need to take it to an extreme. (See what I did there?)

YES, this magical website is absolutely useful and helpful for you!

Many students don't take advantage of such a useful website!

My principal gave it to us awhile ago, but not many students were efficient on checking up on it.

BUT I DID.

And I found a pot of gold.

The website provides past years from the very beginning of time 'till the most recent year.

They even have revision notes for O Level and A Level Subjects!

The website is suitable for O Level, A Level, EdExcel, IELTS, SAT, etc.

Check it out yourselves!

They also have additional information like the syllabus explanation, frequently asked questions, etc.

(These are usually at the bottom of the past years. You'll have to really dig well to find the gold :D)

So this is the website where I print all my past year papers.

I try to complete as many as I can. Usually from the year where the marking scheme is fixed.

So for some subjects, they updated the marking scheme at 2006;

So I will print all the past years starting from 2006-2013.

Now, it can be slightly complicated, as they don't state it all down in words.

I'll summarize it for ya.

To find O Levels Subjects:

1. Click 'Papers' - The second box next to 'Home'.

2. Click 'CIE' (The 3rd one down)

3. Click Cambridge International O Level (The 4th one down)

4. Click on your chosen subject; They are listed in alphabetical order.

Business Studies (7115) Commerce (7100)

The numbers in the brackets are the code for your past years/Subject code

5. Now, you'll see a whole lot of files. This is when things can get slightly complicated.

The more you use the website, the more you'll get the hang of it.

(eg. Business Studies)

You'll notice the files are pretty similar, and can only differentiate the type by the differences.

Eg, File name:

7115_nos_sw_1.pdf

7115_nos_sw_2.pdf

7115_nos_sw_3.pdf

etc

These files are the 'additional information'.

7115_s03_er.pdf (Shows your the examiner's comments for year 2003)

To find the past year,

7115_s03_qp_1.pdf

7115_s03_qp_2.pdf

To identify the past years, qp 1 stands for Question Paper 1.

qp 2 stands for Question Paper 2.

You'll see a whole bunch of the same thing.

Notice that they don't put down the date either.

So from the first encounter with 

' 7115_s03_qp_1.pdf '

I suggest that you click on it, check the year of this paper.

It should say M/J (May/June) 2003

Start counting the years from then.

So the next ' 7115_s03_qp_1.pdf ' after the one above (qp1- 2003),

it means it is the M/J 2004.

' 7115_s03_ms_1.pdf ' will be the marking scheme (answer sheet) for the year.

This file will usually be listed after the past year for the same year.

Usually, I dismiss the first few files. So I don't use the first few years provided because the marking scheme has changed. You'll know why if you start to examine each past year one by one, you'll notice that the first few years don't matter.

So let's take the eg for year 2007:

7115_s03_qp_1.pdf     - paper 1

7115_s03_qp_2.pdf     - paper 2

7115_s03_er.pdf     - examiner's remarks

7115_s03_ms_1.pdf     - marking scheme for paper 1

So yeah, pretty complicated huh?

But it gets a bit more complicated.

The past years are sometimes repeated.

You'll know this when you see:

7115_s03_qp_11.pdf

7115_s03_qp_12.pdf

7115_s03_qp_13.pdf

This shows that the three are all paper 1. But there's a paper 1, version 1. Paper 2, version 2. Paper 3, version 3. This also happens for paper 2 and the marking schemes.

The contents are usually the same, just shuffled around.

Oh, another thing!

You'll notice the files listed in such a manner:

M/J 2003

M/J 2004

M/J 2005

.

.

.

M/J 2013

O/N 2003

O/N 2004

O/N 2005

.

.

.

O/N 2013

So the past years are listed in what comes first;

The first half of the files, May & June Past Years from 2003-2013.

And the second half, October & November Past Years from 2003-2013.

The end of the files are additional information.

Hope I explained it as clear as I could!

5. Multiple Choice

This is for Commerce and perhaps any other multiple choice papers you have!

REPETITION - that is the main thaaaaang.

I know multiple choices are usually looked down on and assumed to be easy.

But because it's multiple choice, the questions are more likely to be tricky!

Don't be fooled and actually study hard for this.

Each. mark. counts.

Round 1, I do the printed past years.

For Multiple Choice, this will be in Commerce Paper 1.

After doing several past years, you'll notice your mean score.

Now, it's most likely you didn't get 90% or more for it, so that's where practice makes close to perfect.

So repetition. How?

The past year papers are on xtremepapers.

Instead of wasting paper and ink to print out more papers, you go on the website.

Round 2. You write the answers on your exercise book or a piece of paper.

For example, like the above. You write the date of the past year, and the Q. numbers.

Round 3: You do it again. Yes, you repeat the past years, again. Total up your marks and compare them these time. Identify the questions that you seem to get wrong frequently.

You'll notice after doing tons of papers, they actually repeat a few questions!

YES, your examination paper will likely have one or two repeated questions too! And several that are very similar. And a few that are completely unfamiliar.

When you compare your score, make sure you go through each question individually.

Take a look at why you got the answer wrong, and why the other is correct.

This helps you apply your knowledge of the subject.

Round 4: Now, you think you learned well?

I think not. This time, write out the questions and answers that you got wrong.

YES, write them out. and then, do them.

Like so, target the questions you got wrong and write them out.

Writing your questions and answers out will help you remember which one are you likely to get wrong. You can start to see the pattern and your weakness in the multiple choice paper.

Round 5: The ones that you get wrong from the questions your wrote out, write it another time and do it. You'll probably start to get a bit frustrated at yourself. And in order to prevent yourself from writing it another time, you'll put more effort and thought towards understanding the question and finding the right answer.

What I do is that I will continue to write out the questions I get wrong, until they become correct.

Do this until the day you go for exam, and you will likely score well for your multiple choice.

I know friends who take multiple choice really lightly.

Now, to ensure top marks, you need to get only 2 or 3 wrong at max' for your paper 1!

So why don't you lower the chances of getting more wrong?

6. STUDY MUSIC

YESSSSS, study music sets me in the mood to study.

I make a private playlist on youtube for studying.

At first, I would listen to my personal favourites for studying.

But I realised that I start to sing to the lyrics, or the lyrics of the songs get me distracted..

So I found some awesome study music on youtube, and I think it's very enjoyable!

(Although Esther hates it)

It's instrumental, most of the study music are.

Click below to hear my favourite study music:

My favourite study music

And ta-da!

That's it!

Six of my tips to how I studied for these two subjects.

happy studying!

All the best :D