Tips!

A number of people have asked for how-to-study tips from me. Though, I don't know if whatever that come from me will actually work out for all, I do hope it helps these few people who are reading to become better and preparing for exams.

1. Being consistent.

I do not study for a long period of time but I can say I study consistently. If not in the library, I spend at least 2 hours everyday to revise on my own and I can assure that it helps a lot! Although there are days that I only do an hour, it makes me feel great to know that I did the least that I could. I also try to read the same topics repeatedly for 3 times or so (at different times) just to assure that they'll be remembered.

2. Do not pull an all-nighter.

It is not healthy to pull an all-nighter no matter how much you want to try absorbing every single thing at the eleventh hour. For someone who believes in studying consistently, I think it is not wise to pull an all-nighter because our brains need to have ample rest. Do not deprive your body from excellent health. Besides, it helps someone to focus more during the day when he/she has gotten enough sleep at night. I myself take at least 7 hours of sleep everyday and it makes me a better and focused student in classes; which also means, you wouldn't need to do a lot of reading on your own since you've pretty much absorbed 70% of what you need in lectures.

3. Exercise!

There are beliefs that you become more tired after you exercise. Wrong! I do a 30 minutes cardio session every morning after breakfast before I head to classes and it helped a lot for me to remain active. Also, I would dance everytime I go out and socialize with friends at night and that is also another form of exercise for me. A lot of people think laying down doing nothing is the ideal way to "recharge" but it works differently for me.

4. Practice Makes Perfect.

My course requires me to be able to answer and tackle question differently. I'm not saying courses like Law is a piece of cake but course like that - at most - require only your memorizing skills. If you excel at that, you won't have problems sitting for exams. The thing with Sciences and Mathematical courses are, it doesn't matter if you've memorized the equations or formulas. What matters the most is for you to be able to know WHICH one to use. I encourage myself to do ample of past year questions to help familiarize myself in preparation for exams.

5. Motivation.

It's understandable that there are days that you just feel so lazy. I'm no exception but I try to seek for anything or anyone who can gives me great drives to keep on going. I'm blessed having supportive people around me who would ask if I've studied or if my progress is all right because it helps a lot to motivate me to become better. This, however, varies from a person to person basis so I think it's essential for all students to know their greatest drive.

6. Time Management.

We all study to get that certificate - no matter how meaningless it is to some people. However, I also think this is the time that you should engage with a lot of people. Make friends and widen your connections because what I learnt during school is that, your connection from school and university helps a lot in your career. Even if they don't in your case, it's always good to have more friends. Go out and have fun. You wouldn't want to be an all-frown person and to hate your university days. That would be a great loss. Make cool histories and memories with your loved ones!

7. Study Groups.

Some people cannot study with other people but I think it is good to share your knowledge with other people. Grab a cup of coffee and sit around with friends to discuss the key points of last lectures for 15 minutes or so everyday. You're not being a nerd. In fact, it sharpens your understanding and you learn even more in the most laid back manner. Stress-free too! They can be very relaxed conversations and this knowledge exchange is so vital since a person cannot possibly know everything. Share.

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I cannot say that I'm a first class student but these little things have helped me a lot to survive Science school. Most importantly, one must always be passionate about the thing they're doing. You cannot be studying thinking how much money you'll get out of your career; this is so wrong to me. Nevertheless, how one study is always an individual kind of thing.

Good luck! :)

xx

Run for a Cause.

Hi guys!

I've been involved in a number of charity runs before like the British 10k Run, Race For Life (by the UK Cancer Research) and Virgin Marathon Run in London, the ING run and Manhattan Society run in New York but never before in KL.

So I decided to participate in this year's Standard Chartered KL Marathon scheduled on June 26th at Dataran Merdeka. Like other charity runs, they used to offer participants to show initiatives in collecting funds to give back to their preferred charity body. I'm too late, sadly, because they've stopped collection last May 31st.

There are a couple of categories to suit yourself but I'm participating on the 42KM marathon along with my beau. Other than that, there's the half-marathon category which requires you to run for 21KM or you can even go to the 10KM race or the 5KM fun run. As an experienced marathon participant, I do suggest first timers to go for the 10km or the half-marathon because the 5km one is going to be such a short one and I reckon the 21km one is just nice. :)

From a first-hand experience:

I used to participate in a 40km run in London with Hariss and I managed to reach the finishing line in nearly 4.5 hours thinking I was quick but guess how long he took? Less than 3 hours!

I think the essence to have fun in a marathon is to just follow your own pace and not to try to catch up with someone else. We usually start together but prior to starting and after our speed has warmed up, we split and go following to our own ability - fast or slow.

It's definitely going to be a fun run and most importantly, we're all running for a cause. I do hope I can reach out to at least some of you out there and to be able to persuade you to join as well.

Hope to see you there!

Warm wishes,
Freida.

RIP.

If there is one thing that I loathe attending, it's funeral. It's quite a common sense that everyone doesn't like it but I recently found out someone can be happy for the passing of a person one hates! :(

I was at the funeral of my late uncle yesterday and the whole building was filled with so much sorrow. He was such a great man and a great leader so there was an abundance sense of loss lingering everywhere as he was so close with everyone - near or far. However saddened, I do hope he's in a better place now, free from any worries, pains and struggles.

And I've faith that he will always live on in our prayers. Immortal.