The Sharpened Pencil Learning Centre

Exam fever season is here. You have prepared well for it. Do your best and remember to eat well and rest well.

You can do it!

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Our first attempt at TikTok. 😁You have any topics for our next vid?

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To all students (and parents) taking the PSLE results tomorrow, know this:

You have done your best amidst all the odds stacked against you. 2 years of Covid-19 measures will break even the strongest, but you persevered.

We salute you for your tenacity and will of steel for taking on the challenges head on.

Whatever the results may be, hold your head high and keep striving to do better. Life will throw curveballs at you at one point in the future. It is how you overcome it that matters.

For those who did well, congratulations to you.

For those who may not have met your intended expectations, fret not. Plan properly for the next step.

This is the first of many tests you will face in life.

If you need a listening ear or advice, ( parents included ), do drop us a dm and we will get back to you.

All the best from us at The Sharpened Pencil Learning Centre!

Becoming an effective learner.

Here are some tips for becoming an effective learner:

1) A positive mindset

Start with the end in mind. Visualise your goals and take small steps towards them. When the mind is right, you will attract positivity towards your goals.

Listen, internalise and ask questions

Pay attention in class. Focus on the lessons and critique your understanding. If in doubt, always ask your teachers for help. If you do not ask, the answer will always be no.

2) Planning

Plan a route map towards achieving your goals. Segment them into smaller, achievable parts, within the timeframe planned.

3) Mindmaps

Mindmaps are a good way to find out what you know or do not know about a particular topic/subject. It will only take about 5-10mins without any reference. From the mindmap, you will see what you need to reinforce and what you really need to focus on.

4) Write and rewrite notes

Writing notes may seem to be a mundane task, but it is important for knowledge retention. Make them interesting by colour coding, adding stickers, calligraphy and tagging the pages. This should be repeated as much as possible in the run-up to the exams.

5) Visual displays

The bed is the last furniture you will be on at the end of the day, and the first one you will be off at the beginning of next day. Have your notes/mindmaps placed strategically on the walls so you will see them before you sleep and after you wake up. Doesn't take much time and effort but, this will help in recalling facts during the exam, through visual stimuli.

6) Word associations and rhymes

If you encounter difficulty to remember some facts, try associating them with things that you love. Associating with food, music and even anime characters to the periodic table, physics formulas or even mensuration formulas may help you retain the facts.

7) Practice

Practice makes perfect. Period.

8) Teach it back

If you have trusted study buddies, you can share what you learn by teaching them the topic. Stay humble, get feedback and build upon it. If you are a a little shy, you can just use a mirror and teach yourself. Talking it out will expose the rights and wrongs about your understanding.

Having trouble figuring out what would work for you when in comes to preparing for the exams?

Getting ready for the exams takes more than just studying for the subject. Feel free to share this article and tips. Sharing is caring :)

Here are 10 tips that can help you prepare better for the upcoming exams (other than mugging itself).

1. Compile all resources into 1 pile

Compile all worksheets, notes, revision guides, etc related to the same subject into 1 area. This is to check what is missing and for easy reach during revisions.

2. Find a suitable area to study

Find a good quiet spot to study. Somewhere with minimal distractions - it could be your living room, the study room or your own bedroom.

3. Ensure good lighting present

Use bright white lighting that shines directly to the workspace. Avoid yellow lighting as it may cause you to fall asleep and lose focus.

4. Create a timetable and stick to it

Here's the hard part - planning a proper timetable, setting aside some time after tuition, homework time and after school activities. Sticking to a timetable requires determination and discipline.

5. For every topic, write down a list of what you know, what you do not understand and what do you intend to learn.

Start with the end in mind. This sets your end goal. Work on your strengths, acknowledge your flaws and set small steps to achieve topical mastery

6. Ensure that revision for every topic is done at 45mins to 1hr max

Yes, yes and yes. 45mins to 1hr per session, with at least a 15mins break in between. That is the optimum time for revision and knowledge absorption.

7. Past year papers and textbook exercises

Practice the past year papers and textbook exercises. Practice makes perfect. Practice enhances knowledge retention and recall. Done with all of the questions? Do them again.

8. Take breaks

Find something that relaxes you. Take short breaks of 15 - 30mins in between revisions. Be it music, yoga or a short walk, do take some time to indulge during the breaks. A short respite will fuel your stamina for the study sessions.

9. Eat and hydrate well

Have adequate meals throughout the day. Load up on the veggies and proteins. Do limit the sweet drinks and instant foods. A healthy body fuels a healthy mind.

10. Have ample sleep

8hrs of sleep is optimal - nothing more, nothing less.

Thank you to all the Participants who were part of our first Online course on 3D Trigonometry.

We hope you had gained the confidence to tackle Trigonometric Questions for your upcoming exams and had picked up a thing or two from the tips we shared on study techniques in preparing for the exams.

End of the day, you are learning a skill in problem solving. Keep your heads up and go conquer the world with your new-found confidence!

We will be having another online course coming up in October. This time, let's tackle Algebra together.

Will be sharing details of it in the next 2 weeks. Do keep a lookout for it.

Happy Teacher’s Day!

Dedicated to all the Teachers who had taught us and imparted knowledge and values making us who we are today.

We had met many teachers who cared for us beyond the classroom and they remain as our inspiration to continue the same by coaching and mentoring our past and current students.

We are excited to launch our first Online Course during the September Holidays.

This course is perfect for Secondary 4 students who would like to revise the major topic of 3 Dimensional Trigonometry or Secondary 3 students who would like get a head start for upcoming topic before it is taught in school.

Dates and Time:

1) Session 1, 9th Sept 2021 (Thursday) 10am - 1130am
2) Session 2, 9th Sept 2021 (Thursday) 12pm - 1.30pm
3) Session 3, 10th Sept 2021 (Friday) 10am - 11.30am

These sub-topics will be covered:

Session 1 (Basics of Trigonometry)
a) Sine Rule
b) Cosine Rule
c) Pythagoras’ Theorem
d) TOA/CAH/SOH

Session 2
e) Basic Angle Concepts
f) Area of Triangle
g) Angle of Elevation/Depression

Session 3
h) Similar Triangles
i) Bearings
j) Visualisation

Format of Delivery:
Duration of 1hr 30mins
1 hour of explaining Maths concepts
Followed by 30 mins of breakout session to go through 1-2 questions together

Course notes will be emailed to the student after the course.

Plus, participants will be given access to an Online Assessment before and after the course to familiarise with the topic and strengthen their foundation of the topic.

Promotional price for this course is $135.

Please sign up by clicking on this link for the Registration, Joining Instructions, Payment details and Zoom Guidelines. https://forms.gle/biiBsVnUcaK23r3k9

Closing date is 7th Sept 2021.

Slots are limited as we would like to maximise Student - Teacher interaction during the breakout session.

Joining Instructions Please fill up the form with the details required and make payment as per instructions stated. Scope of the course is also shared.

The Sharpened Pencil (TSP) wishes Singapore a Happy National Day!

Singapore celebrates its 56th year of Independence today.

Enjoy the long weekend everyone!