Nidhi Dhanani – AIR 3

Nidhi Dhanani, a student of VIBGYOR High, Goregoan West, Mumbai secured AIR 3 in ICSE (Grade X) board examinations. She is an avid reader and loves to paint. She is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and has completed Arangetram. She will be pursuing commerce at the reputed NM College. In this interview to Priya Sarin, she shares some study techniques to help you become a better student.

How did your school and parents help you achieve this feat?

>>     The complete credit for my success goes to my parents & teachers. Had it not been for their persistent and unrelenting support I don’t think I would have been able to achieve what I have. They stood by me, guiding and encouraging me every step of the way. I was blessed to have such wonderful teachers and loving parents.

Thanks to our hectic lifestyles, nowadays most people find it hard to prioritise their life. But your results show that you surely know how to manage your priorities and create a balance in your life. Can you guide others on the same?

>>     Each one of us has exactly the same amount of time and it is up to us whether we waste it or utilise it. Indecision, procrastination and lack of proper planning are the major hurdles to managing and prioritising our lives. If we waste time doing things that don’t matter, we end up having no time for things that do matter. Self- discipline is the only way in which we can create a balance and be in charge of our lives.

How did you deal with exam related stress and anxiety? What were your stress busters?

>>     The key to avoiding stress and anxiety was being prepared in advance and not leaving anything for the last moment. Exam related stress and anxiety is inevitable. The best way to deal with it is to have faith and confidence in ourselves and our capabilities and cultivate an optimistic attitude. My stress busters were going outdoors for a brief break and hanging out with friends.

A common complaint among most students is that they find it hard to concentrate while studying. But obviously, you know how to study with focus. Any tips on the same?

>>      Maintaining a good posture while studying will go a long way in helping you concentrate. You should set realistic goals and strive to achieve them. Keep reminding yourself of what you are working towards. It will motivate you to stay focused. Learn to say no and resist the impulse to give in to online and other distractions as far as possible.

Some students are overconfident while others are under-confident. But toppers know how to maintain optimum confidence. How did you ensure that you stayed motivated and confident?

>>     We are our best competitors. I would always challenge myself to do better to ensure that I stayed motivated. I avoided comparing myself to others because that tends to impair our performance and confidence. Nobody is perfect. You just have to be willing to learn from your mistakes and not repeat them. Give it your 100% & don’t be afraid of failure. Believe in yourself & the rest will fall into place.

Good memory is vital for success in exams. How did you ensure that you are able to remember and recall what you have studied?

>>     Systematic and regular revisions helped me ensure that I was able to remember and recall whatever I had studied. Moreover, I relied on past and sample question papers to practice retrieving what I had studied. Understanding the concepts instead of simply memorizing them is the only way you can be successful. Most importantly, you have to remain calm and self-confident.

Can you share a few study techniques and tips that you followed?

>>     Take every exam seriously and don’t rely on last minute studies. Choose nutritious food and stay hydrated. Do not sacrifice your sleep. Listen to what your teachers and parents have to say. Learn from your mistakes to optimise your performance. Be proactive. Relax, but not too much.

~ Priya Sarin
priya[at]thestudentsdigest.com

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