Studying smarter not harder, knowing your fee status, and why it’s not always best to be the smartest person in the room.
😊 Welcome
This week, we look at three techniques that can help you study smarter, but not harder, for your mock exams.
We look at a super useful website for those unsure of their tuition fee status.
And we find out why it is not normally a good idea to be the smartest person in the room.
✍️ Three tips to help you study smarter (not harder)
The Christmas holidays might be just around the corner (yay!), but for many of you this will mean that mock A-levels (or other exams) will follow pretty shortly after that (boo!).
And so, lots of you will have teachers and parents telling you that now is the time to work harder; now is the time to revise and make sure you know your stuff.
The conscientious amongst you will do exactly this, and will spend lots of time re-reading all your notes. The less conscientious won't, but will probably pretend to be working while actually doing something completely different.
But what if there were ways that you could use your study time more effectively and more efficiently?
For the conscientious, you'd be able to do more in the same amount of time. For the less conscientious, you'll be able to work faster, and have more time for other things.
That would be a proper win-win wouldn’t it?
If you agree, read on…
💡 Did You Know?
UK universities generally charge different tuition fees, depending on whether you are a “home” student or have “international” fee status. Your access to student loans and other funding also depends on this (and other factors).
If you aren't sure about your fee status, you can find all the rules, plus a whole load of guidance at UKCISA (The UK Council for International Student Affairs):
UKCISA Home or Overseas fees: the basics
📢 Quote of the week
“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.”
Unknown
This is one of those unattributed quotes that’s usually shared amongst entrepreneurs and managers.
Essentially it is saying that in business it is always best to surround yourself with people who are smarter and more able than you, especially if you are the one in charge. And in business it’s kind of obvious why.
But I think it applies equally to those of you still at school and university.
The people you surround yourself with are so important. They can help pull you upwards and forwards, or they can hold you back. They can help you be inspired to learn and grow, or they can put you off learning altogether.
The really smart people are all about learning and growth.
I reckon it’s probably best to hang around with them!
Thanks for reading!
Jonathan
🎯 In case you missed it
Falling in love... with learning
📅 Next week
Coming up next week: A growth mindset; and it’s nothing to do with just being smart
