#14 - ARE YOU A STUDENT? PLEASE READ THIS

Do you ever wonder what differentiates students who get A's and those who do not?

It's a question I always picture in my mind. I'm sure you do that also. Getting excellent grades is definitely not a movie magic kind of thing. It's not something that happens just like that.

It takes a lot of hardwork.

And please, spare me the “he is just talented kind of talk.” It's a clichéd expression that those finding excuses to succumb to mediocrity ascribe to.

Now, you probably think I'm talking nonsense or I'm being harsh.

The cold splash of truth is, people who achieve great feats don't just rely on talent. They work hard. They don't find silly excuses to justify inadequacies. They are not lazy when it comes to creating that spark in their life.

They don't sleep without putting reasonable effort into their work. They are not prayer warriors who pray all night fantasizing about being great without doing anything about it.

What differentiates them is quite clear—one works hard and eventually masters the tools of the trade while the other doesn't. One complains without taking action while the other takes action.

Hell yeah, they are fucking geniuses.

Want to know what differentiates excellent students from not so excellent ones? Well, brace yourself. We are just getting started.

SO YOU WANT TO BE AN EXCELLENT STUDENT?

LESSON #1: Quality is The Crux of It All

I know you've been told you need to read till the day breaks in order to be excellent. Somehow, you've been persuaded into believing studying for long hours is the secret to getting it right.

But that's bullshit. It doesn't work that way. In fact, those who work in this manner often end up not yielding results because they are placing priorities disproportionately.

Placing value in the quality of work you put in is the crux of excellence in any field, not the other way round.

Quantity without quality doesn't yield excellence. But quantity (prolonged hours of study) coupled with quality (effective reading techniques) yields excellence.

Being excellent at anything is not a measure of only prolonged hours of practice. It goes beyond that. It has to do with the quality of that practice.

Combine the two and you'll get it right.

When next you read, don't fixate on spending hours on reading. Focus less on that. Put more effort in seeing that you understand what you're reading very well.

It pays off than spending hours reading, reading and reading just to finish and not be able to recall anything.

If your friends do pull-up an all nighter, let them be. Besides, you are different. They are different. What works for them might not necessarily work for you.

Focus less on prolonged hours of study and focus more on the quality of work you put into your study.

It works pretty damn well. It worked for me. I believe it'll work for you also.

LESSON #2: It's Okay to Feel Overwhelmed

Ever read so hard just to finish and not understand anything? Well, it sucks right?

Imagine you have a lot on your table right now ranging from notes to copy, assignments to do and a test to prepare for.

It's overwhelming right? I can't imagine how many times I've walked that path. No one likes that feeling. Its a feeling that makes you feel like a piece of shit who isn't good enough.

Well, I'm here to burst your bubble. To tell you it's alright to experience such feeling and to appreciate you for who you are—yes right, to appreciate your human nature.

It's okay to feel overwhelmed because it's an intrinsic feature of the human psyche.

Imagine how your life would be if you tell yourself it's okay to feel overwhelmed by the tasks before you. 

It's amazing. Isn't it? 

I've grown to understand that feeling overwhelmed or having doubts is entirely okay as long as I'm doing my best to manage it.

Now, I don't want you feeling like a piece of shit the way I did. So...

When next you feel overwhelmed, tell yourself it's alright to feel so. Simply restrategize your tasks by finding effective ways to execute them.

LESSON #3: Chop Life Chop Book

There's this saying that all work no play makes Jack a dull boy. I totally agree with it. I bet you'd agree with it also.

It's the truth. The kind we all want because it's not the uncomfortable kind we all like to shy away from.

I even wrote an article last week  

emphasizing the importance of catching up with the social aspects of life while in college.

It's very important unless you're planning to become the next dull boy, probably not.

I know you want to ace your tests with flat A's. As such you spend hours reading, reading and reading. But here's it...

Prolonged hours of work without taking time off to relax and revitalize your thought process is somewhat a death sentence.

Taking time off will recharge your cognitive power and make you more focused when you resume work. Excellent students know this quite well, thus, they use it effectively.

Humans are not machines. You need rest or else you'll knock yourself out. Whenever you work hard for a long period of time, find time to relax and socialize with loved ones.

Take a walk, attend a social event or do anything that makes you feel relaxed.

But wait, let me tell you this: don't involve yourself in stupid things because I said you should socialize.

All I'm saying is if you chop book, slow down and chop life provided you won't go astray.