PREPARATION FOR EXAMINATIONS

The subjects can be segregated into three types based on their nature:- 1.Humanities(language, history, geography,etc...) 2.Science(physics,chemistry,zoology,botany,etc..) 3.Mathematics and allied subjects. All these three categories require different kind of preparations. Language papers: A few students are found to have prejudice against learning particular language. It creates a mental block and prevents them from attaining proficiency.Some of them have an allergy towards this language papers.Aversion towards a language will make a person totally incapable of learning it,in spite of his intelligence.So the first prerequisite is to have an open mind free from bias.Language is beyond logic.It os arbitrary in nature.One cannot question the wisdom of the people who coined a term and compel them to give reasons.However,one can shift the etymology of a word to trace the root.Still,the basis for root word cannot be arrived at.Therefore,we should not harbour any preconceived notions about a language. Terming a particular language as a superior one is a sweeping statement sans foundation. Fear causes the next hurdle in attaining language skills.Labeling a language as difficult closes our mind.It is said that mind is like a parachute and is useful only when it opens.Hence,alien language is to be approached with love, curiosity and care.Phonetics,diction and spelling are perfected by rigorous exercises.There is no substitute for hardwork in achieving efficiency efficiency in language. Reading newspapers regularly will improve vocabulary and usage.A new word we come across should be underlined and referred to for knowing antonyms and synonyms.Pronunciation key should be studied and learnt.In English mispronounciation may altogether give a different meaning.One may read aloud to check proper pronounciation.He can write the word and spell check it for his functional use.Reading books will improve conversation in that language and may provide a rich catalogue of popular slang.Conversation with peer group in that language will facilitate further progress. To improve fluency: Words are meaningless.Even the word 'meaning' is meaningless unless we mean it.Language itself is arbitrary in nature.That is "which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet".We use words as symbols to signify objects, feelings and emotions.Apt usage of words is correct communication.Minimum words to convey maximum meaning is the thumb rule for communication.Thoughts are more powerful and could not be exactly encoded in words. As Julien Green observed,"Thoughts are akin to lightning and words to thunder.Words are mere translations.Often,we fail to express that we desire and the gap is always evident.T.S.Eliot in his'Four Quarter', correctly opines,"Words strain,crack and sometimes break,under the burden,under the tension slip,slide,perish,decay with imprecison,will not stay in place,will not stay still". The Gospel of John starts by saying,"In the beginning was the word and the word was with god and the word was God." When the word became flesh and blood,it became godly.When flesh and blood transform into words,they become poesy.