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II Year
July 2014
I Issue

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Enabling
Superior
Level
Achievement

Back to College
Now that the summer holidays are over, its time to get back to college. During the vacation,
you had the opportunity to review the subjects of 1st year. Going through the subjects again
would have made the concepts even clearer.
However, from now on, your planning needs to be more inclusive, because you have to
make room for the college schedules and priorities. To begin with, you have to factor in the
study time for the 4th core subject, languages and work related to labs. And added to that,
the time available becomes even lesser, because you need to spend more time at the
college.
The challenge is to find adequate time for all despite falling short of the time available.

What you can do

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Do a gap analysis. What is the goal? And, where are you? Have you done enough of
what was planned to be done thus far? If not, have clarity on the gaps.

Put a system in place. Review the work plan and match it with the time available on daily
basis.

Bring home as little work as possible. Let's get practical. Normally, lab experiments can
be completed well before the allotted 2 hours for the lab sessions. So, if your experiment
is completed in less time, why not stay back at the lab and complete the record work
right there? Because, once you bring lab work home, you tend to either defer it till the
11th hour or overdo the details, both of which are avoidable. The smart thing, instead, is
to complete the task, right then and there. Likewise, use spare time available at college
well - may be some part of your home work can be done. Try it. It's possible.

Stretch the night or be an early bird. Depending on what suits you, you need to stretch.

Improving Concentration
Effective learning is no accident. Learning is enabled only by a concentrated effort. Without
concentration, it is difficult to grasp the subject and do problem solving. So, how can you improve
concentration levels?
Here are a few dos and donts.
Environment: Identify the right study place. Avoid a dingy place. Dingy places could depress you
and impede your progress. Let there be adequate light.
Eat right: Excessive junk food can affect the digestive system and thinking ability as well. Eat right,
and eat often. Overeating could result in tendency to oversleep.
Fitness: True learning is not possible until you are fit - at physical, emotional and intellectual levels.
While you are working hard on your studies, do devote some time for working out. You could
burn the calories at the gym or jog hard at the park. Only, stick to a regular schedule, come what
may.
Right posture: We often see children read while they are on the sofas or beds. Or stretching the
legs on the study table. Research has proven that with right posture, your body is able to support
longer span of concentration.
Time table: Put the priorities of the subjects and topics to be studied. With proper time planning,
you are not under the stress of lagging behind in any subject.
Preview: Before you get deep into a subject, have a preview of the subjects you are learning.
Minimum time for each subject: Every topic needs reasonable or minimum time to prime. Don't
change topics too frequently. Devote at least 2 hours on a subject at a time.
Take breaks: After every 3 hours, take a break. Come back refreshed after a small snack or a
beverage.
As you approach exams,

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In an exam, you need to concentrate for 3 hours. Can a surgeon or a pilot lose concentration at
work? Why should you? With greater concentration, your problem solving ability becomes
manifold - just like the magnifying lens. By itself, it is of no use. But hold the lens to focus the
Suns rays on a piece of paper and see what happens. It burns the paper!
Thats the power of concentration...

Why Complacent, Vincent?

Vincent (name changed) is a favourite character on the college campus. When he came to
college after his X standard, he was totally bowled over by the new environment, the friends
and the freedom. With a 3-month long break after X standard exams, he became rusty and
consequently, a poor performer in the class.
His parents became worried - how their son, after an outstanding performance in
X standard, could stoop to such levels! One of the reasons was
complacency.

From the
mentors files

Imagine a 70 year old, healthy person. He has a fall; there is a

fracture in one of his legs. The doctor suggests 6 weeks rest. After 6
weeks of treatment and rest, the doctor certifies he is normal. But, is he really normal?
No. A 6-week break at his age can freeze the joints. So, although he is certified normal,
getting back his normal walk and confidence can take a while.

Likewise, imagine you didn't use your brains for 6 weeks. You spend more of your time on
TV, mobile and friends. Your complacency can be devastating during this critical period,
when you need to become sharper intellectually. You will fall behind; and this can ultimately
lead to poor performance in competitive and board exams.
Intellectual holiday is a danger for students.
How to overcome complacency
Be consistent: When a student is consistent in his/her study habits, there is no scope for
complacency, since one is always at it.

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Avoid exam-time over-study: Over-exertion often leads to exhaustion which then leads
to extended resting. This is the time a complacent attitude sets in. So, students can avoid
cramming during exam time.

Science Olympiads
What are Science Olympiads?
Olympiads are internationally recognized competitions in various fields of knowledge. They are the highest level
examinations and are hosted by different countries every year. Participation in any of the Olympiads has
worldwide recognition and is considered as a great achievement. International Olympiads are held every year in
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy and Junior Science.

How to Participate in the Science Olympiads?

Info4U

You will have to appear for NSEP (or NSEC / NSEB / NSEA/ NSEJS) and then through the
Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO or INChO or INBO or INAO or INOJS). You may be selected for the
further stages of the respective International Olympiad Program.
The Olympiad programs in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy (Junior and Senior Level) and Junior Science
are a 5-stage process for each subject separately. The first stage for each subject is organized by the Indian
Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). All the remaining stages are organized by Homi Bhabha Centre for
Science Education (HBCSE).
The Mathematics Olympiad is conducted under the aegis of the National Board of Higher Mathematics
(NBHM).
For more details regarding enrolment procedure, fees structure and selection procedure, visit
www.hbcse.tifr.res.in/olympiads and/or www.iapt.org.in

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Mathematics Olympiad
Mathematics Olympiad has been announced for the academic year 2014 -15. The Association of Mathematics
Teachers of India (AMTI) conducts the 'National Mathematical Talent Contests' for different education levels..
The contest has a preliminary test and a final test. The preliminary test will consist of objective type questions in
multiple choices and fill in the blanks, each about 50% of the total. The final test will have essay type questions.
I am sure many of you would be interested to take this up. Qualifying in National
Olympiad will make the student eligible for direct admission into the reputed `Chennai
Mathematical Institute'

Info4U

The details of the application form and information are attached along with this mail.
Who can apply?
1

Primary

Gauss Contest

V and VI Standards

Sub Junior

Kaprekar Contest

VII and VIII Standards

Junior

Bhaskara Contest

IX and X Standards

Inter

Ramanujan Contest

XI and XII Standards

Enrolment for the Contest can be done through schools / Colleges or even individually. Individuals applying will
be intimated the center at which they should take up the examination.
For more details on Mathematics Olympiad, visit www.amtionline.com

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