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1                            2                        3                        4
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MSOU               PEN                    CROW            RAJU

WKPG               CAMEL               PARROT        MARRIED

FLPNNY           COAL                 KITE                USHA

RBAGYE            PEAK                DOVE                YESTERDAY

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If you try to learn the words in the four columns and try to remember them, you will find that the first column is a real challenge to anyone, since they are nonsense syllables. The second column seems easy, since the words have some meaning. The third column is easier, as the names are from the same family. The fourth is of course is the easiest. By just glancing it once, you will  be able to repeat the words, as they represent a simple idea.

Many of us often fail to master certain lessons, since the words do not convey a clear idea into our minds. The learning process involves getting at the meaning of the words and the idea they convey. Perhaps we may be able to make the idea an extension of something we know already. In fact, good teaching attempts such conversion of the text into intelligible ideas before the pupils.

The family Chinese philosopher Confucius (BC 551 - 449) said, ” I hear i forget, I see I remember, I do I understand”. Some of the modern psychologists tell that we remeber

20% of what we read

30% of what we hear

40% of what we see

50% of what we say

60% of what we do

90% of what we read, hear, say, and do.

Any learning attempts to retain something in our memory; so we have to keep in mind the use of multiple methods.

There has been to be motivation for any learning. You should remember the benefits that come to you as a consequence of learning. This feeling would be a motivating influence that propels you in your learning efforts.

From practical point of view, every student expects good grades if he puts in hard work. He may not succeed in achieving this objective, unless he follows sound methods and strategies for effective learning. In lower classes, high grades may be easy since the volume of lesson contents is relatively small. But at higher levels where the student has to handle large volumes in diverse subjects, he has to optimize his efforts and ensure quality in his learning style, if fine results are to be achieved. In other words, he should identify sound strategies to secure effectiveness in the learning process.

Another aspect to be considered is the style to be followed in answering examination questions. We know that a student who knows most may not score the highest marks in any examination. A lot depends on how he handles the questions and what strategies he adopts in presentation.

Let us analyze this problem in some detail. We would focus on learning with particular emphasis on academic studies aimed at examinations. Even though, examinations are only instruments for evaluating the achievement levels of students, our universities and other bodies often put the cart before the horse. “A cynic once remarked that the present system of learning and examination reminds us of ‘the tail wagging the dog’”. Be that as it may, we would look at various aspects of learning for examinations.

High achievers in examinations invariably keep in mind the types and standard of questions in the examination, during their preparation. They anticipate the test style and prepare to meed it effectively. The first step should therefore be a review of previous question papers .

As a student, you may face pressure from teachers and parents who raise the expectation level of your performance in the examination. the best approach is to take it as a positive influence. There may be several kinds of suggestions and advice from well wishers. Obviously you cannot follow all those. Process them in the crucible of your mind and arrive at your own style and approach in learning. Your burning desire for excelling others would also contribute to examination pressure and consequent tension. You must face the challenge calmly and attempt to do your best during the preparation and in the examination. Will be continued in the next post……

1. Advertising, Mass Communication.
2. Civil Service Exams.
3. All India and Central Services.
4. Banking, Insurance, Finance.
5. Indian Economic Services Examination.
6. Combined Defence services Examination.
7. GRE, TOEFL
8. Mangement.
9. Film Studios & Technology etc.
10. Drama and Theatre
11. Defence, Protective and Paramilitary Services.

1. Banking Service Exams.
2. Competitive exams conducted by various Railway Recruitment Boards.
3. Exams conducted by Staff Selection Commission, New Delhi for Clerks, Stenographers, Assistants etc. in various Central Govt. Departments.
4. Competitive Exams by various State Staff Selection Commissions of various states for recruitment to Clerical and Secretarial posts.
5. Then you can apply for the various jobs offered by the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Para Military Forces like CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP etc. and RPF, Central Police Organisation etc.
6. Jobs in the Insurance sector like LIC of India, GIC etc.

• Ideally, the choice of a career should be an individual’s own decision because it is the individual who will face the consequences. Any kind of pressure, be it parental or from the peer side, can prove detrimental to his or her interests.
• An ideal career for you would be one which ensures a perfect match between your interests, aptitudes, abilities and the requirements of the profession, besides giving you job satisfaction both in terms of work and returns. In no case, choice of career should be based on misleading aspirations.
• The right choice of a career begins with a dream. A dream is where you want to see yourself one day. It could be flying an aeroplane, performing a complex surgery, leading an biotechnologist, film actor, mode, singer, musician, ad man and so on. A chinese proverb says, “People who don’t have dreams, don’t have much.”
• Dreams help us to have a goal. If we go through the success stories of the people who reached the pinnacles of success and analyse the secrets behind their exemplary achievements in life, one common thing they all share is to have a goal. In this sense, your dream, turning into a goal, will define the direction for action.
• To realise your dream and achieve your goal you have to plan your career as early as possible. Postponing this essential activity could cause delay in fulfilling your career aspirations.
• The biggest advantage of career planning is that you get on to the job of choosing your career in the right earnest - one of the essential conditions for making a meticulous decision. You get focused.
• Secondly, in the process of career planning you may come across several viable options that you may not have even dreamt of. For this purpose, you have to go through relevant information in the form of career literature i.e newpapers, magazines, internet, TV,etc., consulting your parents, teachers, seniors, career counsellors or knowledgable and experienced persons.
• Next essential step is to know yourself, discover your talent and determine your interest i.e what you love to do. Interest is one of the driving forces that can enable you to turn your career dream into a reality by fulfilling all the requisite conditions attached to it. You have to be honest with yourself while assessing your interest, aptitude and abilities.
• Similarly, there is an equal need to identify your skills, upgrade or learn new ones in accordance with the requirements of the profession.
• Career Planning, being a life process, there is need to review if from time to time with reference to the changes taking place in the dynamic world of work.
• Personality and one’s outlook towards life, in general, and career, in particular, makes a significant difference with regard to the fulfillment of one’s career goal. Thus, you need to match your personality with your career.
• While academic merit is generally the basic requirement, an individuals level of understanding, his application of knowledge and professional training should also be taken into account.

Choosing your career is a crucial step as it involves your entire future career prospects. Often, it is observed that a large number of students are unaware of what they want to be. This confusion amounts to aimlessness and can be compared to a situation like boarding a train without knowing one’s destination. Undoubtedly , it may result in waste of your precious time, efforts as well as money, resulting in repentance, disappointment and frustration.

This underscores the need for exploring the various career options available and their suitability with reference to your career dreams, qualifications, interests, strengths and weaknesses, career growth potential in proposed career option. It is important because setting an unattainable goal would prove incoherent.