How to Start Class 11 Preparation?

How to begin Class 11 preparation?

So, finally, you are here to find the answer to the above question i.e., how to start your class 11th preparation and what should be an ideal way to complete your higher secondary. First of all, let me congratulate you as you have successfully completed 10 years of your formal education and passed the first important examination of your formal education. In this article, I will try to provide a broad strategy to be kept in mind while preparing for classes 11 and 12. These tips will help you to properly plan your studies irrespective of the subject/stream you have chosen. So let us start:

1. Get Settled

By 'Getting settled' I mean do not get too much perturbed by the stream selection. Whatever stream (science, commerce, or humanities) you have chosen, be it by your own choice or by your parent's choice, just let it be. Do not try to compare with your friends or siblings. In the long run, all the streams have more or less equal growth opportunities. All that is needed is a proper strategy and hard work in the right direction with positive intent.

2. Overview of Subjects

Now that you have chosen a stream, it's time to have a look at the subjects in that stream. Now some of these subjects you have already been studying since your previous classes. But here the majority of the students make a mistake. They try to judge the subject, based on their past experience, which is not advisable. Subjects and their curriculum in higher secondary is quite different from your secondary standard (i.e., Class X), particularly in the Science and Commerce stream. So, your task here is to have a look at the detailed syllabus of each subject you have chosen. You can download the latest curriculum from the official website of your board (CBSE, ISC, NIOS, or other State Boards).

3. Find  Teacher(s)

Now you have done two main jobs (i. Stream selection, ii. Syllabus view). Now you need someone who can guide you in the subjects. That is, you have to find a teacher who

i. should have proper knowledge  about the subject, and

ii. should be able to make you understand the complicated concepts in simple and lucid language.

A teacher is like a driver who makes your journey smooth. Having a good teacher is very important to excel in any area of life. The teacher can be an offline one or on online platforms (YouTube, Unacademy, etc.). It is up to you to decide depending on your comfort and affordability.

4. Back to Books

After teacher selection, it's time to buy books on the subjects. Here you should be careful. If you are from CBSE or from a State board that follows the CBSE curriculum, then you must have NCERT Books. Besides NCERT, you should have one reference book/Question Bank for each subject. This you should buy on your teacher's guidance or on your school's recommendation. Just remember not to buy too many books for a subject as this will clutter your mind and make you confused. Just one NCERT and one Question Bank are sufficient to crack your board exam. Prepare these two books thoroughly and revise them multiple times to score high in your exams.

5. Follow the School

In this digital world, students sometimes get misguided and deviate from the normal education process. They make their own goals and tend to avoid school exams. This should not be done. Students should seriously take the tests and examinations of the school. While studying, always try to keep up with the school. First, prepare the chapters which are going to come in your upcoming school examinations. This will keep you on the proper path and prevent you from getting distracted.

6. Be consistent

This is the most important tip. Make a proper realistic study timetable and follow it. Just try to give at least 2 hours for self-study apart from school, tuition, YouTube videos watching, etc.  This is because no matter how much time you spend on watching videos or on tuition, it will go worthless if you do not study and revise it yourself. And if you have Mathematics as a subject (which I strongly recommend students to take) then try to practice it daily at least for 0.5-1 hour. If you follow this, then believe me you will be in love with Mathematics.

7. Identify your interest

Only studying is not enough. Also, try to notice and find your interest field. Do not try to haste in this process. Take your time and try to observe the fields/subjects in which you are more interested. Then have a look at the future prospect in that field or subject. For this, you can take help from your teacher/YouTube/Google, etc. This will help you to decide your path ahead after the 12th.

8. Use Social Media Cautiously

Social Media apps (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, etc.,) are like a double-edged sword. It has the capacity to build your life but at the same time, it can destroy you too! If you are beginning to get addicted to these apps then this is the right time to minimize their use. And if you are thinking that, you watch only educational and self-development videos, so you will make your future bright, then you are mistaken here. NOT all knowledge is useful. Try to learn only those things that will help you at present to achieve your immediate next goal. There is no point in watching Financial planning, Japanese Secret of Success, or any other such rubbish stuff. These are of no use to you at present. This will only waste your time. If you don't feel like studying, then just do some physical activity or take a nap instead of wasting time on mobile phones. Remember, the only thing that matter here is ACTION.

I will keep this article short and end it here. Hope you will try to implement the above steps. These are simple, practical yet most effective tips from my side. Hope you liked it! Do comment your views/suggestions/queries in the comment box below.

All the Best!