So, you’ve signed up for TSV’s math tuition programme classes, and are about to join your online tuition class.
But wait! Someone just pinged you on Discord. Oh, perhaps your room is too quiet – let’s play some music in the background. And maybe, you’re in the mood for an early dinner, so you order delivery from your favourite fast-food chain.
Two hours fly by – and you’ve barely remembered a single thing. Why? Well, the Discord ping turned into a half-hour chit-chat with an old friend. You ended up remembering the songs that you listened to instead of the formulas you covered. Oh, and you had to open the door for the delivery man – and resist the aroma of fried food while the lesson ended.
One way – the seemingly more easy way – is to make use of the on-site tuition classes you as a TSV math tuition student are also provided with the option to attend. But there’s very real reasons to want the accessibility and convenience afforded by online classes – just look at the list of pros we listed in this article. How can we get the best of both worlds?
Well, the answer lies in our study habits. In this article, we’ll cover 3 key study habits that different students often have different preferences for.
Simply put, to focus on anything, we need to eliminate distractions – and the biggest source of distractions often comes from the very same device we use for online classes.
While we might be reluctant to admit it, many of us spend more time on our phone and computer screens than we’d like. A bitter pill to swallow, there’s no getting around the fact that the excessive time spent has shortened our attention spans – and in turn, often gets in the way of our learning.
In fact, the problem is so pervasive it spans well into adulthood – a 2021-2022 survey by IMH reported just over a third of its sample of 15 to 65 year olds having problematic smartphone use behaviour, with nearly half of the sample’s 15 to 21 year olds facing the same issue.
Small wonder then, that MOH came out with new Guidance on Screen Use in Children on 18 Jan, alongside its new initiative on 21 Jan – Grow Well SG. While the initiative currently does not target those beyond the age of 12, it intends to in the future – and with the statistics reported above, it’s not hard to understand why.
The gist of studying with music is simple – it can improve your motivation to study, but at the same time can negatively impact your ability to focus, and to recall information learnt later.
At TSV, our passionate teachers always seek to make lessons as engaging and enjoyable as possible, to help our students with their motivation to study maths. Coupled with the negative impacts of music aforementioned, it is probably not beneficial for most students to play music in the background while listening to lectures and tutorials.
However, as with most things, there are caveats – for independent learning while doing worksheets, for instance, music can be beneficial for some students, to keep up motivation while drilling practice questions. Some students also find music to be beneficial when revising alone, to ease the sense of isolation that they may feel.
At the end of the day, this depends on your learning style – and can vary even then. If you struggle to focus or stay motivated when studying, it’s probably worth a try to see what works best for you.
Based on personal experience, I’ve met people with all sorts of preferences – from those who need pin-drop silence to study, to those who study with lo-fi or the radio, and even a few who study best with heavy metal played on repeat. There is no right or wrong when it comes to learning, and no one-size-fits-all approach – only what works for you.
For most people, it’s actually fairly difficult to actually keep full focus for two hours straight – and it is for this reason the Pomodoro Method is so effective. However, how should you spend the five-minute breaks recommended between 25-minute study sessions?
Well first, let’s cover what you shouldn’t spend it on – screen time. There are reasons why MOH would advise against using screens one hour before bedtime – besides the blue-light that may affect your ability to feel tired, the content on screens can often be overstimulating without us really realising. This means that you end up even more mentally drained after your break, and possibly distracted – after all, so much content on the internet is designed to be addicting.
Besides stretching and perhaps taking a walk, you could try to take a healthy snack or two – and drink some water while you’re at it. This can help to “top up” those energy levels, and allow you to return to studying feeling more refreshed.
However, it’s important to note that snacking while studying is subjective for everyone. Some people can find it harder to retain knowledge, or feel tired after eating snacks. Others may eat out of stress, and end up consuming more than they meant to. Ultimately, it’s important to do everything in moderation, and based on what works specifically for you.
Study habits are subjective – as mentioned earlier, the actions we should take to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of our learning varies greatly from person to person. While some study habits can be generalised – ensuring you have enough sleep, and allocating dedicated time just to eat proper meals – most of them still have some level of subjectivity based on the individual involved.
At TSV, we offer all our students an alternative method to keep their focus during tuition – to attend on-site classes at our Bukit Timah outlet, just next to Beauty World MRT (DT5). However, the very same tips and considerations apply once tuition classes end – be it when revising in your own free time, or even doing school homework at home, it’s important for each student to find their own way of studying.
In truth, there are far more than just the 3 study habits we’ve covered today. With good study habits that work for you, learning will become far more enjoyable – and in turn, help to motivate you further.
At TheSequoiaVision, we’re passionate about making math fun and accessible for everyone! Whether you’re in Primary School, Secondary School,, or preparing for your JC H2 math, we’ve got the perfect support system for you. With teachers who are math experts with strong teaching experience, be prepared to excel with us through our proven track record!
Join us as one of the leading math tuition center in Singapore, where you’ll find plentiful resources – from in-depth math analysis and handy worksheets to 24/7 WhatsApp support and easy-to-understand cheat sheets. Plus, our expert consultations are always available to give you that extra boost!
Here at TSV, we understand that our students may have a tight schedule which is why we offer flexible class schedules that fit perfectly into your routine, perfect for your needs. Not forgetting those who love extra goodies such as keychains, stickers and cheat sheet, check out our exclusive TSV shop!
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We are located at Upper Bukit timah, just 1 minute walk from beauty world MRT! We are also right in front of a bus stop, that makes our location accessible to students from anywhere in singapore!
By bus: 67, 75, 170, 173, 184, 852, 961, 961M
By MRT: Downtown Line (DT5, Exit B)
TSV is a Math Specialist Tuition centre that focuses on Primary, Secondary (N and O Level), JC and IB Math – using their proven FLAME pedagogy.
Onsite and Online Math classes are available for all students.
