How To Study

Education is very important for the new generation. One way to create a good academic standing would be for the students to consider studying seriously. However, students have to enjoy their youth and their friends as well. Hence, as much as we have to study harder, we also have to learn how to study smarter.

1. Set Priorities. We have to know our goal and plan on how we could achieve them.
2. Have a specific study habits regularly. Most students study only when there is an examination. However, to be able to acquire better grades, it would be better to study regularly. This could minimize the stress during major examinations. Set at least an hour or two every day exclusively for studying. There is always time for pleasure and there is also time for studying.
3. Choose a good study area. Study area does not need to be fancy. The goal is to make sure that on our regular study area, nothing could steal our focus.
4. Ask questions. No man is an island. One person can not know everything. It would be nice to be resourceful and to ask questions to classmates, teachers and the internet. It would be nice to be in the loop.
5. Do not be absent. Make sure you are present in class everyday. How will you study a lesson you are not even around when it was discussed? sure you can surf regarding the subject matter. Sure you can also ask your friend. However, nothing substitutes physical and metal presence.

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I wrote this article this year and had been published in Quazen.
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How To Handle Money

In this promiscuous life, we all have necessities in order to survive. We have to pay our bills like electricity, internet service, cable television and so on and so forth. On top of all these, we need food to eat as well. We can go on and on with our every day needs. The question would be-How do we sustain these needs? What do we need to pay our bills? How about to buy our foods? I believe there is one answer in our mind. MONEY.

Most of us worked so hard to earn money. Especially for those who have depended. I, for one, included. Unfortunately, less people worked as hard to keep that hard earned money. In most situations, money just passes in our hands. Once we receive that pay check, the next stop would be paying those bills and debts. We end up scarce and we hopelessly wait for the next pay check.

Some may be luckier to have a higher pay. However, the more pay we got, more expenses kept on coming in. So, with this situation, how do we work as hard to keep our hard-earned money?

First, let us analyze and classify our expenses. Which among these expenses are necessities. Which among these expenses can we not do without? Which are just a tingle of self-gratification? Last month, I note down each expenses I incurred each day. These expenses were categorized as "transportation", "Cable", "Food", and so on. I realized that I spent significant amount for food expense. The food expense I am referring into are those expenses I incurred from eating to different restaurants, malls, chocolates and junk foods. These are not even the expenses intended for every day viand. When I went to the details, I realized I spend an amount that could have sustained me for two days in just one sitting in a fancy restaurant. And I asked myself "for what"? Deep inside the answer is only one. Instant gratification. Is it worth it? If we will really analyze and think about it, we may have spent so much for the things that we do not really need. And we may had spent so little for those that we really need.

Second. Let us save an amount on a regular basis. We are accustomed on this formula:

Salary - budgeted Expense/Bills = Future Savings.

How about changing the formula a bit? Try this:

Salary - Future Savings = Budgeted Expense/Bills.

I know it is hard, One might think it is not feasible. But then, think about this. If our primary source of income will not cover everything after analyzing the "real" expense, then how about a part-time work? With great demands nowadays, may maintains two jobs.

I suggest we start thinking "How can I multiply my money?" instead of What will I buy with my incoming money?"

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I wrote this article last Dec,09 and had been published by Triond.
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