Manali Tanna is one of the science toppers of Ekya School ITPL with 93%. She is a very organized person who follows a fixed pattern of study. She prepared for her board exams while she was also gearing up competitive exams. According to her grasping the concepts well and the availability of teachers to clear the doubts any time of the day has contributed to her success.
Read on to know more about her approach to success in board exams and her memories from the time spent at school.
Did you really expect to top the school?
No, I did not expect to top the school as there was great competition and I knew that my fellow students had studied hard throughout the year. Given the amount of time that our batch had, we were stressed about performing well in boards, and we’re glad that we made it through.
Did you have a fixed pattern of study? How did you prepare for the exam?
Yes, I did have a fixed pattern of study. I’m an organized person and made my time table to plan out my studies and how to effectively finish portions and revision on time. Although, I had very less time considering the competitive exam JEE was conducted in Jan this year.
I prepared for the exam by going through the NCERT Textbook first, preparing my notes which I can use for revision later on and then solving every question in the textbook. Once this was done I would move on to solving extra questions from different sources.
Do solving old question papers help?
Solving past question papers help. Not only do they give you an idea about how the upcoming exam would be but also reflect on which topics need improvement. Towards the end, solving these papers along with CBSE sample papers within a time limit helps you gain confidence.
What was your day like during the study holidays?
During the study holidays, I would normally study 7-8 hours a day with a few breaks in between. I’m not a morning person and preferred studying in the night and afternoon time when the environment was peaceful. During the study holidays, I would try to wake up early every day to get used to waking up early on the day of the exam. Getting sleep during the days of the exam is important and I know its hard to sleep considering the stress but that’s the reason why I tried to get into the habit of sleeping and waking up early during the study holidays. On the morning of the exam, I wouldn’t revise much as it would only make me more anxious.
What was your coping mechanism during the exams? what was your stress-buster?
During my exams, I would play and spend time with my friends. This was a stress buster. I feel like no one should restrain themselves from spending time with friends and family during the exam. Doing so would only give you more stress as you’re isolated and tend to overthink about the exam. Study within your capability, give your 100% and everything will work out just fine. I always felt like I could’ve done better but then I realized that I shouldn’t push myself too much.
What was the highlight of your success?
The highlight of my success was the fact that my hard work paid off and I do not regret anything. My parents and close ones are proud of me and that makes me happy. In a way, it also gives me confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
And in the age of digital distractions, did you have to stay away from gadgets for the month,
Yes, I did not have a phone for a month or two during the exams but I would always use my parents’ phone to get in touch with my friends. At least once a day I would watch funny videos on YouTube and that would always help me be fresh and light-hearted. I would advise students not to isolate themselves from the rest of the world during exams but just practice self-control and not waste a lot of time doing things that can be done after exams as well.
How did Ekya help in your preparation for the Boards?
EKYA helped me in grasping the concepts well and the teachers were ever-ready to clear my doubts any time of the day.
How did it feel with the spotlight on you?
It felt great with the spotlight on me.
The success mantra that you want to share with other students?
The success mantra that I feel every student must keep in mind is never give in to the pressure of getting good marks, But just grasp concepts well and always make it a point to understand what you are learning. Don’t study to get good marks, But study to understand. This way you will always remember what you have studied. Also, try and make studying fun. I would make colorful notes and listen to music. This would help me get out of the monotonous schedule.
What are your best memories from School?
My best memories from school are the times that I’ve spent with friends. I’ve been in this school for 2 years and I still remember the first day I saw my new 11th-grade class. Time flies. PE period, lunch break and free classes were the best times ever. I remember the tiniest details. All the inside jokes still crack me up. We’ve had so much fun together and we’ve made the best memories of our lives.
Leave a reply