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| ACCA Newsletters - Feb 09 - Study my way |
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| Tuesday, 03 February 2009 | |
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Study my way
Many of our readers had strong opinions as to the method of study that works best for them, with distance learning receiving much support. UK-based ACCA Qualification student Riz Umar, says: ‘It gives real value for money, quality materials and support, as well as flexibility; I can learn at my own pace and in my own time.’ Some students liked the way that distance learning doesn’t eat into office time – especially now that employers are keeping an eye open to see which members of staff are demonstrating the greatest dedication. Muhammad Assad Niazi, a Pakistani student who lives in Saudi Arabia, says: ‘Tuition classes require giving up work commitments to attend lectures, which can be counter-productive. Instead of having to take time out to attend a lecture, I can accommodate studying into my daily routine, and visit the online forums to interact with other students if I need to. This flexibility means that if I’m sleepy or bored, I can choose not to study at that time, and instead go for it when my brain is ready and receptive.’ However, not everyone’s a fan. Carol Cheong, who studies in Singapore, prefers direct contact with lecturers: ‘If I don’t understand certain topics from the text, the lecturer might illustrate it with an interesting case study or personal experience – and I can also record the lesson to replay later and catch up with certain parts I may have missed during class.’ Sunday Babalola, a finalist from Nigeria, points out that self-study by distance learning is best augmented with supporting material, saying: ‘One month before the exam, I read the examiner’s reports for the paper, as well as articles in student accountant.’ These reports and articles can all be downloaded from www.accaglobal.com/students/study_exams where you can find plenty of other resources to boost your revision. To read the rest of the article, click Read More With the advent of better technology, recording lessons is emerging as a growing trend in accountancy tuition. Many of our readers – like Russell Thorpe, a trainee who works at the Body Shop in the UK – like to transfer their lectures on to their MP3 players. ‘Listening to the audio files on my iPod during the two-hour cycle to work goes some way towards reinforcing ideas,’ says Thorpe. Adaiah Bascom, a CAT student in St Lucia, says: ‘I summarise a chapter from my textbook and, using the computer, record all the key points on to audio files, then load them on to my iPod. Once I’m done with that section of the text, I further condense my chapter summary in Mind Map format, using the iMindMap programme.’ Mind Maps are proving another popular way to retain revision material. Mahamud Rashed Jahan, who began his ACCA studies in Bangladesh with the CAT qualification, says: ‘Creating my own Mind Maps is helpful for revision.’ Suwani Al-sayeeda, in Kenya, advises: ‘Mind Maps provide you with a picture of what you’re trying to learn and show how the different pieces fit together – and pictures are much more easily remembered than long lists of words. If you use them as often as you can, then in the process of making them, you’ll also learn and understand as you go along.’ He goes on to say, ‘Mnemonics are an old-fashioned but also highly effective way to learn information. Acronyms are probably the most common – but they work.’ Have a positive attitude You can be as technically able as the best candidate – but without the proper mental approach to your studies, an aptitude for figure-work alone is unlikely to smooth the way to qualification. ‘You have to make the studying process fun and exciting,’ says Kiret Singh in Malaysia. ‘Find something that motivates you and think positively. After all, what’s the point of entering the exam hall if you have already programmed your mind to fail?’ Once you’re in that positive state of mind, he advises, try to vary the places in which you study: ‘It can be refreshing to read by a lake, under a tree – anything but your usual desk, as it’s a breath of fresh air and a change from your normal routine.’ Choose your time carefully For many students, the concept of studying early in the morning before getting up and going to work is an abomination. What: get out of bed to read my accounting textbooks? Yet more often than not, this is the time of day that presents the least distractions, and allows you to make the most of a brain refreshed after a good night’s sleep – and not at the end of a busy day in the office. ‘I have found that studying from about 3am to 6am is invigorating,’ says ACCA student Alfred Baveghems from Grenada. ‘My brain is more likely to absorb, understand, and retain different aspects of my study materials. It’s also more convenient for me to study in those hours, as it’s quiet and conducive to learning.’ Dalton Mwaghogho, who works for an oil company in Nairobi, Kenya, agrees whole-heartedly: ‘I have a wife and three kids, and my job covers five East African countries and Indian Ocean islands. So for me, the best way to study ACCA is to wake about 3am, read for just over a couple of hours, then go back to sleep for 45 minutes before showering, dropping my kids off at school and going to the office.’ Mwaghogho is unable to find time to read his study texts during the day, but attends classes after work and carries his books with him on his travels so that he can continue his early-morning reading ritual – meaning he doesn’t miss out on opportunities to socialise and network with colleagues and contacts. And should you regard his study hours as somewhat drastic, he even says he will ‘miss reading in the morning when I complete my studies’, and therefore plans to start an MBA or CFA qualification shortly afterwards. One critical theme shone through many of the answers we received from students – which was the importance of formulating some form of study schedule, and sticking to it. ‘Decide the time that best suits you for studying, and set up a timetable depicting studying times as well as time available for yourself,’ suggests CAT student Basil Bedessie from Guyana, concluding: ‘Be sure to adhere to your plan and start each session promptly.’ STUDY YOUR WAY Make your own personal plan and put it into action: * Work out what works best for you – if you already have a winning formula, try exploring other options as they may suit you even better. * Consider augmenting your current study regime by learning new techniques – such as speed-reading, Mind Maps and memory-enhancing games – which can make study more enjoyable. * Find the time of day when your powers of concentration and retention of information are at their height, and be self-disciplined enough to put that time aside for more productive study. * Think also about where you study – could you accommodate bite-sized chunks of revision on the journey to work, on your way home from lectures, or even before breakfast? * If you prefer to study late into the evening, do something relaxing before bed; even 10 minutes of reading, watching TV, walking, or just daydreaming or meditating will help you enjoy a good night’s sleep. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 03 February 2009 ) |
