Advice and Guidance To Solve OUM Students' Problem

Last night I got sms from Linda, "hi, i need yr advice n guide me. how 2 get gd result? studie? i f prob bse unable 2 remember wat i been studies n wat 2 studies for english?"

I just notice her sms this morning around 4.30am. And reply to her, "sorry. last nite i sleep early. just read ur message. normally i study early in the morning. i will try to answer this in my blog n will let u know the link."

She replied back, "thanks a lots friend".

Linda is actually a friend of mine last semester for subject English for Oral Communication. She is an Indian woman who works at Singapore, a wife and a mother of 9 years old daughter if I've not mistaken.

How to get good result? How to study smart?

First thing, we must identify when is the best time for us to study. Study smart, don't study hard. For me, the best time to study is after I wake up from sleep. Could be 4.00 am. Let's say we spend 1 and a half hour to study. Don't be so greedy to cover all the topics in the book. Just choose 1 or 2 topics and read through calmly. If you feel tired, then stop! Don't continue. Do other things first then continue back. In 1 and a half hour, you could spend about 80% doing study.

The next thing to be considered is when first time you read the topic, you won't understand what you've read. Don't panic. Relax. Just read through until finish. The next time, you read again. Later, you will understand and begin to jot down the important points into short notes or simply underline with highlighter in your book. These short notes are important when you want to sit for your exam. Just simply read through and memorize the important points. Do not read the whole book on the night before exam, you will be very stressed and end up with nothing in your mind.

Make dictionary as your best friend. Whenever you confuse or do not understand the English terms, in the books, try to refer it to dictionary for better explanation. Do not try to predict the translation if you don't know. What I do the most is watching movie in the television that has English subtitle (as usual TV3 Cerekarama on Saturday night), watching TV3 midnight news at 12.00am (normally twice per week), reading English articles, write in English in my blog (this is what I am doing now) and others. You could have your own way to improve your English, could be speaking during working hours, on the phone maybe... 

Just to let you know that in myVLE system there's a link to e-Gate, Electronic Gateway to English Resources under Resources Menu. Do have a look at it. A very useful site to learn and improve English.

First page of e-GATE online learning

If possible, do not skip your class (or tutorial). Lecture is very important. You may ask and clarify with your lecturer anything that you do not understand during your study at home. Before attend the class, kindly read your book first (just on topics to be covered) so that during class you will understand more about the subject.

Friends also important. Try to make friends with others. Discussing with friends in library may help you also. I insist, it is very difficult to practice this in OUM as most of the students usually don't have time to sit and study together. Try to find a friend who really wants to learn and to spend time with us for the study. Don't be selfish if your friend need your help, maybe giving lecture notes and discuss the assignment. (like what i'm doing right now, try to motivate you)

Make full use of online forum in myVLE system. The online tutor will help to answer your questions. You also can discuss with your friends (OUM students in Malaysia who are taking the same subject) virtually.

Do get support from your family. Especially your husband. When you are really busy doing assignments and preparing for exam, he may helps you to do the house works and taking care of the children.

Before exam, do have enough sleep. Try to relax and don't panic. During exam, try to answer the questions. Don't leave blank. Just answer whatever possible. When finish, do check back your answer, maybe you left important points behind.

Health is very important. Do take any nutrition and supplement such as Omega 3, Vitamin C, Calcium and others. Don't study when you are tired and exhausted. It will make your study become worst

If really you do not have time to study, just apply for leave. Then study yourself at home. Don't mix up your study with your work. Try to balance the needs.

Login page to enter myVLE system for OUM students

 My first page in myVLE system

Hoping that this may answer to your questions. Sorry for any inconvenience in this entry. You may comment this entry using Name/URL identity.

Thank you for the trust given to me. It's not easy to be in dean's list every semester and an OUM Dermasiswa holder for this year. I also face a lots of problem too, and try to manage them wisely. Don't demotivate yourself when your result is not what you expected for. You can try to sit for the final exam to upgrade the subject  result within a year. May these will help other students as well.

p/s: Finally I expose how I study. Indeed... time is not enough but we must make that time enough for us to study... good luck!