Examination is the assessment of the
knowledge gained by a student at the end of a period of training. The desire of
any student going for examination is to succeed. However, some have experienced
failure in examinations over the years. Consequently, such now discouraged and
have even lost confidence in themselves that they could ever succeed. Failure
in any examinations is generally a cumulative effect of several factors. Prominent
among these factors is the inability to read and comprehend. As a student, you
are to be reader because ‘readers are leaders’.
You are not only to read, you are
also to ensure that you comprehend what you read. A lot of students do not comprehend
what they study not because they cannot, but because they have not learnt the
principles of reading for comprehension. This ignorance is what has led many
into the captivity of failure.
Comprehending what you read initially
may seem difficult, but if we follow the principles, we would discover that is
it possible. The secret behind great leaders whether secular or spiritual is
that they are given to effective reading good materials. Not only are they
given to reading those good materials, they also comprehend the points in the
material and apply them at the appropriate time. Reading and comprehending what
we read would make us masters of our subjects. It gives us confidence to
approach examination and excel. It will also promote u, bring us into favour
and help us to excel in leadership position.
You can get to unimaginary heights
through reading of good materials. However, reading bad material will lead you
to the depth of corruption and backwardness in life. Comprehending and
remembering what we read besides being beneficial, is quite possible.
George
Washington: Who
was reportedly able to call every solder under his command by name.
Winston
Churchill: this
man was said to recall so much of Shakespare’s work from memory that when he
want to play he would often recite the lines from the audience and distract the
actors.
The poet
John Milton: who
was blind, composed ‘’Paradise Lost’’ in his mind 40 lines at a time and then
recited them to a scribe.
Bill Gate: founder of Microsoft, has been
known to amaze his colleagues by remembering hundreds of lines of source code
from the original basic programming language he developed.
Julius
Caesar’s memory
was so sharp that he could dictate four letters to his secretaries
simultaneously. So, you can be the next
success story.
To overcome poor reading habits, we
need to attend classes, seminars, and conferences regularly and punctually,
listen attentively in these occasions, while the instructor, seminarian or
lecturer lectures and also take down good notes during this period. Listening
is a skill, which can be hindered through:
Day dreaming: this is when the mind wonder from
one place to another when the mind is occupied with one thought you cannot
concentrate on any other thing at the same time. That is why many students
after a lesson cannot recall a word of all the teachers has said.
Lack of interest: another phenomenon is lack of
interest in a particular subject. This makes it awkward for some to pay rapid
attention when you subject is being discussed.
Noisy environment: An environment polluted with noise
dot makes reading and comprehending uninteresting. Though, some students can
read under this atmosphare while others would find it disgusting. However, it’s
advisory to read under zero degree polluted environment as most library were
formed in this manner.
Distraction: distraction here takes divers form.
It could be from friends, fellow student or course-mate, or the use of handset
or cell phone during reading period.
Poor reading techniques: the read techniques adapted will
also determine to what extent people will read and comprehend. Some students
formed the habits of reading on their feet, reading while walking, etc. this
may not be good reading techniques to everyone, perhaps it should rather be
discouraged.
The following tips would help you to
be a good listener, though not limited to this:
1. Read ahead the teacher
2. Listen carefully to understand the
meaning of what is being taught and examples given by the teacher to support
the points made
3. Do not hesitate to ask questions in
class when you are not clear
4. Avoid day-dreaming and wandering
thought.
5. Create interest in the subject and
the teacher
Note-taking is one of the memory aids
that help mental rehearsal, retention and consequently comprehension of the
subject matter. The combination of thinking and writing, results in more
effective processing of information. It helps careful listening in classes and
aids comprehension. Note-taking in your own handwriting will help you to
understand and remember. Class note combined with note from textbooks are
excellent source of review. A good note should include all main ideas and
enough subordinate points to enhance understanding; all formulae, rules, and
definitions; all teacher’s illustration and examples used to clarify important
ideas should be noted down.
The following will help while taking
note:
1. Take all necessary materials with you
to class
2. Arrive in class early, stay actively
engaged and participate in class
3. Keep your attention focused on what
your teacher is saying
4. Shut out all wandering thoughts
5. Be thorough: write down the date and
topic of each class
6. Emphasize key words, main points,
examples, e.c.t in uppercase
7. Note down unfamiliar vocabulary and
terms for further studies and clarifications
8. Improve on your handwriting if need
be
9. Draw legible diagrams and
illustrations that can aid your handwriting
10. Compare your notes with a
serious-minded friends for any omission and correction
To comprehend during study, it must
be done at the appropriate time and place by using the right techniques. The
major two study techniques highlighted below have been very helpful if properly
applied:
The first is SQ3R approach
S - Survey
Q-Question
3R – i. Read, ii. Recite, iii. Review
3R – i. Read, ii. Recite, iii. Review
Survey: this assists to get the main ideas
before commencing the study. It involves looking at the title, subheadings and
any summaries or abstracts
Questions: this context has to do with making
a list of questions relevant to your subject
Read: read the text at least twice
Recite: recall what you have read after
closing the note and then make your own note
Review: review the process by checking the
accuracy of your notes with the original note. This will inevitably yield great
success.
Secondly, the R6 approach. The
approach gives you an opportunity to:
1. Record facts and ideas in phrases
2. Reduce to questions important ideas
learnt in the class
3. Recite facts or ideas brought to your
mind by key words or questions
4. Reflect on the facts and ideas that
you have learnt
5. Review your notes regularly
6. Recap by summarizing each main idea
with good sentences during study
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