Golden advices !!!

Don't get hung up trying to understand everything at the outset

The biggest challenge you face at the onset of any new project is that there is a huge (seemingly overwhelming) amount of stuff you need to know to tackle your problem properly. While this phenomenon is true in the small for the beginning researcher, it is also true in the large for any research project. So learning how to cope with this challenge is an important skill to to master to become a good researcher. In contrast, blocking your action and progress while waiting for complete knowledge is the road to failure.
Coping mechanisms employed by winners include:

• prioritizing (what do I need to know most)
  
• read (everything made available to you, and seek out more; but don't put months of reading between you and getting started doing things.)
  
• multithreading (when blocked on one item or path, is there another I can productively pursue?)
  
• pursuing multiple, possible solution techniques (maybe some have easier/less blocks paths than others)
  
• wishful thinking (ok, let's assume this subproblem is solved, does that allow me to go on and solve other problems?)
  
• pester people who might have some of the information you need (you might think they should know what you need to know, but often they don't have a clear idea of what you do and don't know; start by getting them to give you pointers to things you can use to help yourself. Show respect for their time and always follow up on the resources you've been given before asking for a personal explanation.)
  
• propose working models --- maybe they are wrong or different from others, but they give you something to work with and something concrete to discuss and compare with others. You will refine your models continually, but it's good to have something concrete in mind to work with.
  

Losers will stop the first time they run into something they don't know, cannot solve a problem, or encounter trouble slightly out of what they consider ``their part'' of the problem and then offer excuses for why they cannot make any progress.
Winners consider the whole problem theirs and look for paths around every hangup.
Losers make sure there is someone or something to blame for their lack of progress.
Winners find ways to make progress despite complications.
Losers know all the reasons it cannot be done
Winners find a way to do it.

Revision Tips


1. Start NOW. Don't leave it until the last moment. With careful planning you should be able to take the exams in your stride.

2. Identify the subjects that require a lot of learning and the areas that you feel weak in. Work on these.

3. Your concentration will lapse if you try to do too much on a subject at once. Between half an-hour and one hour will probably be the optimum time. Efficiency will fall after a few hours, so do not attempt to revise continuously. Three hours at a stretch should be the absolute maximum. Allow a break of at least five minutes an hour.

4. Make out a revision program based on the time available. Set yourself a realistic task - one that can be achieved with effort (e.g. to use any excess homework time you may have + an extra half hour a day + an hour a day at weekends). For the holidays the formula will be different. Try to make your revision timetable organized and detailed, timetabling breaks and noting particular topics you intend revising. (e.g. not just Geography but "location of industry" etc...) Work out how many hours you have allocated to each subject. Have you allocated your time in proportion to the quantity of notes to be revised? You could possibly spend a little time on your weaker subjects, but do not neglect any subjects.

5. Make your revision active. Don't just sit in front of a book staring at it!!! It doesn't work!

(a) Revise a small section for 5-10 minutes. Whilst you are revising make summary notes (or try making maps, diagrams, lists of key words, or rank and number brief points) this will be more productive than just reading.
(b) Then test yourself on the facts/ideas studied, either through talking into a tape-recorder or writing down everything that you can remember.
(c) Possibly work through past questions or essay titles to ensure that you can apply your knowledge.
(d) For some subjects brief summaries of a topic / model-answer can be usefully made on to postcards or index cards. (These can be very useful as last minute revision.)
(e) If there are problems, see the teacher who teaches you... even if they are a bit unfriendly... but hey! they're teachers - what do you expect!!! ( )

6. Various revision aids are published for different subjects. (These are available at our online shop) If these help you, by all means use them, but they are not a substitute for the hard work which is essential for success.

7. Above all, don't deceive yourself that late night revision the day before the exam is either desirable or helpful. In the exam period you will need a clear head and a good night's sleep. Cramming at the last minute will only muddle you. You should only consider glancing through your summary notes the night before an exam.

8. You will have some topics that you understand really well and that you hope will come up. Learn these very thoroughly.

9. Relaxation is also important. You must achieve a balance between this and work to make your revision really effective. You should certainly be able to complete your work and revision, and still play sport, belong to a Youth Club etc...

• Work out how much time you have to revise before your exams start. Obviously, the more time you have will mean that you can do more revision.
  

• Draw up a plan on a sheet of paper which you can have in view all the time so that you can track your progress.
  

• On the plan take into consideration times when you won't be able to do as much revision (e.g. days you work)
  

• Each day can be used to revise multiple topics from multiple subjects. In fact, revising one subject all day will most likely have a negative effect upon you and your revision. Breaking up your revision makes it easier for you to concentrate and retain the information you are revising.
  

• Try not to revise any more than 3 subjects per day though.
  

• Make sure you plan enough time so that you can cover all topics in each subject sufficiently. Harder topics can be allotted slightly more time but be sure not to forget revising the topics you find easy. By the time you sit your exams, you'll most likely be less confident!
  

• Listing all the topics in the subjects you are studying will help you make sure that you revise all of them.
  

• Try to allot time early in your revision schedule to cover the harder topics. This will help you keep calm for exams nearer the time of your exams as you won't be trying to tackle all of the topics you find hard in a short period of time.
  

• Take 10 minute breaks every 40 minutes or so. Your brain will work much better with breaks!
  

Putting a little bit of effort into preparing a revision plan as outlined above will give you a much greater chance of success in your revision and exams. Don't waste time planning though. It should only take a couple of hours maximum to sort out a solid revision plan. Getting your parents to help you may be a good idea also.

Keeping calm

If your anxiety is being caused by worrying about certain subjects try to tackle the problem by getting help with that subject or speaking to someone about it. Don't sweep it under the carpet!


Don't keep problems to yourself. Talk to someone you trust about how you are felling if you do start to feel stressed.


It may seem a bit drastic, but if you feel yourself becoming overly stressed, try use a breathing or relaxation exercise to calm yourself.


Eat and drink properly. Avoid "snacking"! For example, drinking too much coffee can cause stress on its own. Don't miss out on meals.( )


Get enough sleep. Avoid those late nights and try to get 8/9 hours of sleep a night.


Don't let things get out of perspective and try not to take your work overly seriously otherwise you will become stressed and the quality of your work will consequently suffer.

Hey Houssem

You're right , but I will add something very important: there are two basic things for any succeess : Believe in God first and in yourself second !!

May allah help us all