Grade 8 is seen as an important stage in secondary education where students learn about various new things. An insight into new subjects is provided to students in this standard. The exams held in class 8 have a lot of importance in determining the student’s understanding and interests in the subjects. While the exams are held internally by the schools, it is necessary to obtain a good percentage in these exams.
While preparing for class 8 exams, students often underestimate the importance of internal examination and developing a thorough understanding through regular practice. Developing the habit of studying a few nights before the exam, trying to go through the whole syllabus should be avoided by each student. It is necessary to understand the importance of preparing a timetable to study so that the syllabus can be covered in time for revision and practice with proper knowledge of all subjects.
Science is one of the main subjects that seem difficult to a lot of students in higher classes. The subject is divided into three branches: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Students may find any one of these or may all of them difficult to study. This is mainly due to an improper and weak understanding of the basic fundamental concepts that are taught in class 8. If students fail to grasp any topic in class 8 Science, it is very difficult to understand topics in classes 9 and 10. This may also lead to poor scores in their exams.
Hence, here are some simple tips to help students prepare a study schedule so that a deep understanding of the subject and good marks can be achieved:
● Know your requirements
When making your study schedule, it is important to be flexible based on your strengths and weaknesses. Make a note of how much time you need to spend on each topic, as topics with poor grip may require more time and practice than others. There may also be some topics that seem more difficult to grasp than others, and being well prepared for them will help you score better marks. Consult with your science teacher's suggestions for chapters or concepts that might require extra attention or have a scope of improvement during preparation.
● Fix appropriate hours
Studying up to 6 hours a day outside of school is sufficient to achieve good results in the 8th-grade exams. Take a nap for half an hour or an hour after school to rest your mind and body. This will leave you refreshed enough that you can study without feeling drowsy. However, it is not recommended to study continuously for 6 hours. In one sitting, study for 1-2 hours at maximum.
● Take breaks to do other activities
After 1-2 hours of studying, take a 30-minute break to give your mind time to rest and recharge. Try to avoid using electronic devices such as televisions or phones, it will only lead to burnout. Consider taking a relaxing walk before you start studying again to avoid exhaustion.
● Divide your day into session
When planning your schedule, divide the total number of study hours in the day into sessions of 1 or 2 hours each. Specify the goals you need to achieve at the end of each study session. For example, the goal of a 30-minute study session before you go to school may include reviewing the topics for a summary and planning what you need to study in other sessions that follow.
● Prepare a topic from each branch
Science exams until class 10 include all the three branches together. It is important to prepare well for each of these as they hold equal weightage in terms of marks. It is suggested that students practice or study one topic from each of the branches daily. Questions that are given in the
ncert science class 8 pdf, as well as the exemplar, can be solved from one chapter every day.
● Appoint a session for revision every day
At the end of each day, reserve the last session for a revision. This shall help you recall every topic that you studied throughout the day. This way, you do not forget everything the next day. This will also help you retain the knowledge for longer.
● Study difficult topics more frequently
There may be certain chapters, topics, or theories that seem more difficult to understand than others. Try to reserve a session on these topics on alternate days to help understand them better. For other topics, you can study them at a gap of a week or 4-5 days.
● Segregate hours for other activities
Do not spend the entire day studying after school. It is a very well-known saying that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. Similarly, if you do not invest time doing other activities of your interest, you may exhaust yourself mentally and physically.
● Begin the day with yoga
Practicing yoga or meditation for at least 15-20 minutes each morning upon waking up will help you feel refreshed and improve blood circulation among many other benefits. Your body will also feel better throughout the day.
● Schedule for holidays or weekends
On holidays or weekends, attempt solving one sample paper or have a written test that can help you do a weekly revision. However, try not to spend too many hours studying on Sundays. It would help you feel refreshed and get a break before the new week begins.
● Make notes for each session
It is important to write down the main points or important details of each topic or chapter. Take these notes with you so you can refer to them at any time for quick revisions before moving on to the next topic. This can also be used during your daily revision or the day before the exam.
Conclusion
It is also crucial to maintain your mental and physical health. Do not lose sleep hours while trying to study late at night. Eat a proper and balanced diet to keep your health in check.