It’s easy for teachers to dish out advice and they’re all the same – study harder, work harder or you won’t have a bright future. But, it’s a little different when you’re getting advice from friends and students alike. After all, they know what it’s like studying for SPM – it isn’t that easy! So here’s some valuable advice from other students who are sitting for the all important exam.

Setting a timetable

True – not many people end up strictly following their timetable. However, it’s always helpful to work according to a schedule. This requires discipline, but if you veer off it for a day, you’ll realise how far you’re lacking behind. Set a time to study, to rest, to exercise and to have fun. If you know that you study better from 5pm – 10pm, then dedicate that slot for revision. Trust us, there’s no point forcing yourself to sit down and study if you’re not up for it. That’s just a waste of time.

Get the right materials

Gather everything you need; from book references and exam papers to revision notes. To improve on basic subjects like Biology, Chemistry and Physics, go for the Pan Asia exercise books. The exercises are based on topics and the answers are accompanied with explanation. This will help you to identify mistakes and learn why. It’s a good idea to organise group studies too because you can seek help from friends if you fail to understand a lesson. The more exercises you look at, the more familiar you’ll be with the types of questions you’ll face in SPM.

Set your goal

Working towards a goal will keep you on the right track. It’s nothing to be ashamed of if you’re working hard so that you can go on the holiday to Japan your father promised you, or you’re targeting straight As because you want to apply for a scholarship, spread your wings and leave home. Whatever your intentions, they have to be very strong to drive and motivate you to work harder.

Eat healthy

Leaves from the Ginkgo Biloba tree have been a common treatment in Chinese medicine. Many people take ginkgo supplements as it’s believed that they will improve memory and sharpen thinking. To increase your memory power, take Ginkgo everyday. Check with the pharmacist as there may be other alternatives.