Before The Exam: Setting Priorities

SPM is around the corner. Here’s where things will start to get serious. Worry not, Nashrah Ghazali helps you prepare.

SPM is the most anticipated exam in high school. What comes before the exam is more than just preparation. You need to also plan for your next step after SPM.

Effective study method

Everyone has different practices when it comes to study methods. If you still can’t figure out what your study method is, it’s high time to do so. Finding an effective study method may be challenging – but don’t give up. Widen your horizons and try new methods such as study groups. Who knows, perhaps you work best with your peers and engaging study sessions would help you stay focused. Or, you can make notes by using acronyms, it may help you remember important facts easier. Find a study method that is the most effective method for you.

Prioritising subjects

Nine. That’s the average number of subjects for a SPM candidate. And juggling two years’ worth of information for each subject can be overwhelming. What you need to do is to prioritise the subjects that need more attention. For instance, you should focus on Bahasa Melayu if that is your lowest scoring subject, while your other subjects are above average. Start early by listing out the subjects that require more effort. This is to help you sustain good grades for the rest of the year before you apply to college.

Gaining needed skills

While your exams are still months away, you should use the time you have left to the fullest. Besides good grades, you will need to equip yourself with the needed skills – to be in the spotlight in comparison to the other applicants. It could either be soft and hard skills, or both. When in school, you are given the platform to polish your hard skills more than soft skills. Skills like writing, language and mathematics are examples of hard skills you can polish. If you aren’t sure what skills you should work on, just scan this QR code to find out the needed skills for different courses.

Time management

No matter your age, you should always manage your time accordingly. Especially as a secondary school student, you will have school, homework, tuition classes, seminars and many more to balance out. To avoid feeling constantly fatigued, you need to have a proper schedule so that you will get enough rest and make sure to not overwork yourself. You will thank yourself for doing this now and you will see how it helps keep your life organised. You can create a daily, weekly or monthly schedule, whichever suits your workload the most.

Now, you’re so close to your freedom from being a school student and it feels so surreal. With SPM just around the corner and university life approaching you, it can get super stressful. Remember to stay relaxed and know that you’re not going through this alone.

What you need to do is to prioritise the subjects that need more attention.