Be an "A" Grade Student or Pass Better Trying

By Mallam Awal

Written in simple, upbeat conversational style, this book guides you to mend and improve toxic academic attitudes, build skills, tools and techniques for study, test/exam taking, delivering presentations, research and academic writing.

You will learn principles, skills and techniques to study & overlearn to perfection, answer test/exam questions unerringly, make that super presentation at your class, club or faculty seminar, give that inspirational pep talk to your hommies, or write that masterful essay for LAD 305 etc. You will develop agile study, test/taking, presentation skills, able writing and referencing techniques and develop intellectual discernment in evaluating facts and sources, intellectual integrity by avoiding inadvertent plagiarism and stating the facts only.
In this book you will also learn how to use resources, skills and techniques that foster your success, first as a stellar student and later, a stellar human being and professional. The book provides tips and tricks, oh loads of them, to help build not only study skills but develop grit, deal with stress, emotional issues and study detractors.
This is the real deal: no hype. no bs.
In the book you will learn:
•Chapter 1 & 2: You were born to be an A-student & why you have not been
•Chapter 3: The mindsets & manners of & How to develop Habits of A-students
•Chapter 4: Effective, Smart Study Techniques – Reading, Comprehension & Memorisation techniques – paced reading, active study, JS2R technique, Teach grandma, ADEPT, Mindmapping, latching, Memorisation using acrostics, music mnemonics, mind palace, chunking, The master study system - SQP RAVEPT – 3RO system etc.
•Chapter 5: Knowledge Deployment, Intellectual Discernment & Integrity Skills: evaluating papers & sources, Note taking & Cornell notes, Research, Presentation & Academic writing skills, Knowing & avoiding plagiarism, forms, content & formats of academic writing (essay, research papers & thesis, critiques, case study analysis, review papers, literary appreciation, position/opinion papers).
•Chapter 6: Developing Grit & managing stress, emotional problems & study detractors.
•Rise & Shine! Time to Go Get your As!!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mallam Awal
• Release date: Feb 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463086339

Mallam Awal

Mallam Awal (birthname, Mohammed Awal M.) is a life-long student who loves to devour everything readable, and most of all loves to share ideas and knowledge. I am hot for ideas and always tunnelling for new insights about this complex world of ours. I have wide ranging interest and qualifications in disciplines ranging from mechanical engineering, project management, accounting, education, computing, programming, writing and poetry.When I am not teaching or consulting, you will find me researching things, answering questions on Quora, composing poems or enjoying entertainment from those cool cats at WWE.

Book preview

.

Be an A Grade Student,

or Pass Better trying

The Science of How to study for Academic success

*** ~~~ ***

By

Mallam Awal

at SMASHWORDS

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Copyright 2020

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Chapter 1: You were born an A Grade student

Chapter 2: Why you have not being A Grader

Chapter 3: How you can be an A caliber Student: The mindsets & manners of an A student

The 4As of an A Grade Student

The Habits of A-Grade Students

Bad Study Habits

Chapter 4: Studying for Straight As: Effective, Smart Study Techniques

Knowledge Acquisition Techniques

Reading Techniques

Techniques for comprehension

Model the Knowledge - Get ADEPT

Knowledge Retention Techniques

Brute memorisation techniques & Mnemonics

Mnemonics for Maths & Numerical Content

The Master Study System –SQP RAVEPT 3RO

Chapter 5: Techniques of Accessing & Deploying Knowledge

Discernment Skills: Evaluating content sources

Techniques of Gathering Learning Content Note Taking&Making

Research Skills & Techniques

Principles & Techniques for Taking Tests & Exams

Principles & Techniques for making presentations

Principles & Techniques of Academic writing&Essays

Forms & Formats of Academic writing

Chapter 6: Dealing with Study Detractors & Developing Grit

Dimensions of Grit

Techniques to Develop Grit

Dealing with Stress & Emotional Issues

Chapter 7: Rise & Shine with Glory

References

About the Author

Connect with Mallam Awal

Acknowledgements

This book will not have been possible but for the labour of love of many, too many to mention all here for want of space. First, great thanks to my late grandma, Kakalami who prepared me to be a teacher for life by her incessant demand that I explained everything I was taught at school to her from when I was five. She had no formal schooling but wanted to know and made me teach her from so early an age.

My thanks also to several of my teachers who taught me how to learn by the ear or by the hand. I am indebted also to several painful experiences that came my way as people in the course of studies. Experiences that drilled into me several lessons in effective learning and managing distractions. Very special thanks to the more grossly incompetent teachers that made me learn to learn independently in spite of them.

Then of course, I am indebted to several authors, blogs and other material (both referenced and not) whose works shaped the writing of this book. I suppose it was Newton who said we all climb on the shoulder of the greats to become great. I climbed many great shoulders in writing this book. Too many to be contained in a book. Particularly, I am grateful to my pen hero Robert Greene, whose delightful prose especially in his book The 48 Laws of Power shaped the way I lay precepts to my wise student in this book.

Then I will like to thank my family especially my wife, Aisha Agnes O. to whom I was almost AWOL while writing this book. My deeply felts thanks to my daughter, Fatima Kaka M. for being my beta reader; her numerous comments and suggestions made a better work of this. Also, to my other great beta reader, my friend H. Patiks with whom we saw much and went through much. I love you all for being there in spite of me.

Back to top

Preface

You are an A-student or even better!

Yes, you heard me right. You can be an A CGPA student or at least pass better. You have to be an A student or pass better trying. You were born to be an A student. I know… you are telling yourself already this one is trying to psyche me up! Right?

Ok. Hear me out.

Here’s the deal: We were all born with enough brains to get A+. Gardner, the scientist that postulated multiple intelligences put this poignantly thus:

My theory of multiple intelligences provides a basis for education ... According to this theory, all of us as human beings possess a number of intellectual potentials. (Gardner, 1999).

So other Psychologists tell us. They say only a few of us may come with deficiencies, and then another few with exceptional brains. The type that rise beyond the roof – the ‘genius’ type. Remember Einstein or Prof. Hawkins, good ol’ Steve H. Hawkins? The beauty is: Science & special education practice has shown that even those with severe disabilities CAN LEARN. That’s why we have the discipline of SPECIAL EDUCATION! If those with disabilities (mental or otherwise) can be taught and learn, how much more of you with none? See?

Come to think of it. It makes sense whichever way you look at it. Ok. If you were the religious type, remember the good Lord is a merciful and equitable God. Does it not make sense that if He equipped all of us with two hands, two legs, one mouth, one head, then he could have equipped us with one brain with same capabilities? Doesn’t your baby learn to babble, then learn to smile, then learn to talk, learn to walk, go to school and learn to read? Are there babies that don’t do these? I have seen no baby that came fully reading first day. That is ample proof we have the same latent capabilities.

Our circumstances and the school system have a way of contriving to make a rubbish of you. Then they turn around to blame you for what was their bad work! You may not know this. There is this story about Einstein being rejected at first by the school system as incapable of learning! In his early school, his teachers said he was too dull to learn anything in school. They rejected him. His mother took him home. Hired teachers for him. Einstein learnt and became one of the greatest Physicists of all time! See?

We all have potential to learn to the best we desire. What varies is how fast and the circumstances in which we do the learning. Some have enriching environment. Others begin with impoverished environment. Whatever your situation was: you can learn to learn and overcome the initial drag on your being an A student.

Yes You Can! Let’s say it loud: YOU ARE AN A Grade STUDENT!

It is left to you to actualise this potential. If you will resolve today to be what you are (an A student), learn the skills in this book and diligently apply them; sure you’ll be there sooner than you even think. It is to let you see how you can overcome all the obstacles delaying your attaining As in all subjects that I brought this book. Now get into the mindset of an A student. YOU ARE! I am shouting it.

You were born an A student.

You are an A student in the waiting.

THE TIME IS NOW TO STEP UP AND CLAIM YOUR As.

Get on the bus!

Chapter One

You are a Winner Any day, Born to be an A student

That’s just it!

Don’t listen to all these talk about you being a dumb ass or sorts. Nor listen to your own self-defeating talk. I am not good at Maths, I am not cut for academic work, I am not… I am not… blah! blah!! blah!!! All day long, all year round.

You hear this talk every where.

It is just … NOT true!

Yes, you might not have been doing well in your studies this far.

Yes, things could be better.

Yes, it appears like you are not cut for it.

But that is just it: it appears! But it is not it.

The reality is:

we are all born with some combination of brains, IQ, and basic survival skills as humans. Our upbringing and exposures further help or hinder these potentials.

Before now, you have been a passive recipient of what your upbringing, your schools and teachers tossed your way. You had no wherewithal to take them and shape them for better you. You lacked the mindsets and skills to take what the world tossed at you and shape it all for your academic and general well being.

Which is why this book is here.

From today, you will never accept any talk about you being a failure as gospel.

Your are NOT a loser!

Or that you lacked the capacity to learn and be the best you can! Why?

Consider this: No one taught you the computer games you play, and some of these games are way more complex than the stuff teachers and professors dish out at school. No one taught you to do those complex things you do with yours or your momma’s smart phones. If you could learn and be proficient at these, who says you cannot learn school stuff? See?

"A" Scores or better!

Back to top

Chapter two

Why you have not been an A Grader

You might have wondered if it was possible to learn to be the student that consistently delivers A results; why have you not?

Right?

I will tell you a personal experience. I was in a commercial bus going home one day. It was these long 18-seater bus with seats facing opposite. As is usual in Lagos, the bus was packed full. I noticed a woman that kept looking at me. At first she stared long at me and when she saw my gaze, tried to avoid appearing to look at me. My interest was piqued but I pretended I did not notice her. Along the way, the bus got to a bus stop where some passengers disembarked and some came on board. It appeared one of the new passengers that boarded knew her. I noticed she was telling the lady something animatedly and pointing my way.

I was beginning to be uncomfortable. I did not know the woman. Have not met her, ever. There she was pointing at me, and excitedly telling the friend about me! What could be the matter? I kept my cool on the surface. Acted like I wasn’t aware of her antics. We got to my bus stop for disembarkation. I got down from the bus only to turn round to her face smiling at me. My heart leapt. Is this not Mallam Awal she asked. I assured her I am. I enquired where she knew me. She said I answered one of her questions about education on Quora. She said my answer saved her thesis from being rejected, and since then she had kept watch for my answers in the various topics she follows on Quora. My agitation was at last rested. She said she lived in the area. As we trekked along, we got talking and she told me about her daughter. She asked if I could advice.

This is the daughter’s story.

She had this girl she enrolled in a neighbourhood primary school. The girl had slight speech challenge and was often reticent due to the speech difficulty. At school, she told me, the teachers would insist the girl participated in class chants and discussion but her girl will not budge. She kept mute. They pressured the girl so much she began to hate school. By the end of the first term, her girl came home crying. She had flunked the papers and was the last in position in the class. She was distressed because the other siblings were doing quite well in their report card. When the holidays were over the daughter would not want to go back to the school. She cried and fretted but the mother insisted she had to. The mother followed her to see the class teacher to enquire what the problem was. She was told by the class teacher her daughter was unteachable!

Given the attitude of the teacher, she withdrew her daughter from the school. She enrolled the daughter in another nearby school. The same happened again. She now sought my advice what to do. I told her I did not know enough of what transpired at the daughter’s schools to give advice. I advised her to enquire lovingly of her daughter what is it she does not like about the schools or what was making her fail. It is on that basis a decision can be taken. I however, recommended a school I knew that had special education teachers who will be more sensitive to children with disabilities or learning difficulties – I suspected the daughter needed more support than the usual child and could do with some special educator attention. I gave her my phone number and we departed.

I heard nothing from this woman till six weeks after. She called one hot afternoon while I was drowsy and about to drop off to sleep. She narrated to me her discussion with the child as I advised. That the child would refuse to talk in class because she was being mocked by her classmates for the speech defect and stammer. When because of this she refused to answer teacher’s questions, the teachers will shout at her and call her dullard (in that part of the world, they use the word, "olodo", big for nothing head - to mean dullard).

Seeing that the teachers weren’t understanding her daughter’s predicament, the woman said she followed my advice and transferred the girl to the school I recommended. There the teachers were more sympathetic and got the girl out of her shell. The happy ending to that story is: the daughter now feels comfortable going to school and even scored 35marks out of 40 in her first test for that term.

Why did I tell you this story? To draw lessons from it. Your life might have been like that of the daughter of my Quora fan.

The teachers did not understand or try to understand her

Her teachers tried to beat the reticence they and her class mates induced, out of her

They piled so much pressure she lost her love for school

The system failed the girl and turned round to accuse her of being unteachable!

That is the fate many of us suffer. & that is where our inability to get As started. The system might have abused you too in some way along the line as you studied. It could be at your primary school. Could have been in junior or senior/high school.

Clueless teachers or society might have beaten the bad things into you.

Made schooling such a nightmare to you.

You developed a negative affect for schooling and learning. The experience wasn’t pleasurable and it made you hate school, and view school stuff as boring or noxious. But still you tarried in school and bravely fought on till now. But you had no guidance. No one told you how to study right. Everyone just told you to study hard. They told you to be serious with your study. But they do things that undermine your commitment to the study. Worst of all, no one told you how to study! I don’t know if someone did for you. But me. No. I was to figure it out as I went on till later at my tertiary level. Then I began to learn and to study how to study.

In spite of these, you held on and kept keeping on till now.

Bravely.

A salute to you for your dogged determination to learn so far.

We are all victims of an educational system and a society that admonishes hard work in learning but at every opportunity undermines that learning with clueless practices and rigid, archaic codes of conduct that kill your love to learn. But as with our young girl in the story earlier, where there is wrong, there is always a remedy. That is one of the most redemptive rules of equity.

Your remedy is here. This book. You can unlearn those hurts, the negative attitudes and habits you got driven to by the system this far in your life.

You can rise above the mediocrity.

You can rise above the system rigidities – at least Einstein did, so you can.

Einstein, when he was about fourteen years old got so pissed off with the rigidities and drags of his country’s educational system. He dropped out and had to be enrolled at another study centre which allowed him to study more on his own. He came out ultimately the best Physicist of the twentieth century and one of the all-time greats!.

He did. You can. Don’t mind the myth about him being special.

Everyone has a minimum gift of brains for A in something.

Find your something! & you cannot find it until you try. So work at it bro/sis.

You can shine.

Say it loud: I CAN SHINE TOO if that Einstein the professors condemned can!

So, what is required now is a change. That’s what we (me, you) hope to accomplish in this book

A change in your attitude to school and study

A change in your self-belief: you can be an A getter. Yes You can!

A change in what you think is study: reading isn’t study. Study is more than reading

A change in how you study: study is smart not hard. Don’t overwork for mere C or D.

A change in how you engage in study: study is not passive but active

A change in your approach to study: study is systematic and informed not haphazard

In this book we shall explore tried and tested methodical (scientific) ways of getting on with your studies that bring results. As with all change, too much too soon breaks the joy. So we start small. We proceed with tiny, little changes you make. Tiny little changes that bring big results.

Welcome on board the A- getting journey.

A word about how to use this book. You will be treated to principles and practices of effective study and studentship here. You will read what needs to be read. In the end, reading will not make you a better student that consistently delivers A results. You have to practice what is learnt.

As you read, keep that in mind. At each point where action is required from you I will call you to action with a section called "Action Points" .

Stop at such points to complete the exercises or develop the plan the section calls for before continuing with reading. The idea is to ensure the science of study you learn here are translated to practice to better your study and life as a student. The goal is to become an impressive, all-rounded student that gets excellent results and is a great person. Please oblige me. Thanks in advance.

To make this book more helpful to you I have adopted the APA citation style. Where I borrow ideas from other authors or sources, I cite APA style. Most academic institutions now insist you use APA citation. Yet many students have poor understanding of it. This book will in addition to teaching you to study better and score better, also provide you illustrations of APA citation. Use them as examples when you need to write assignments and essays.

If you faithfully, practice what you learn in this book, I assure you our mission will be accomplished monumentously. You will continuously work at delivering A+ scores in your subjects and even when you fail to do so, you will only fall down to at least A. So it is bye to B, C, D and fail. You can only pass better – nothing else. Which is why this book is about working to be an A student or failing which you can only end up passing at A+. Nothing less.

Back to top

Chapter Three

How you can be A-caliber:

The mindsets & manners of an A student

3.0 Who is a student?

Student hood implies being one who learns and submits to the discipline required to learn. People use the word student in different ways. A popular conception of the student is a person who studies at a school. This is the spirit of the definitions of student by Wikipedia, Collin Dictionary and some others.

While these definitions are okay for most purposes, they fall short of my purpose. I am more inclined to agree with Professor Alastair Hudson who defined a student as someone who studies (Hudson, 2009). To me, a student is someone whose sole business is studying. Whether the student is taught by