| Let's face it. | | | | |
| | | | #2. Develop problem-solving skills |
| The job market is getting tougher every day. | | | | |
| | | | Practicing mental activities like quizzes and |
| Computerization is making many jobs | | | | crosswordpuzzles helps nurture the |
| redundant. | | | | intellectual problem-solving partof the |
| | | | brain. |
| The Internet and modern telecommunications | | | | |
| have allowedcompanies to outsource jobs to | | | | It also develops other important skills like |
| third-world countries wherewage costs are | | | | concentrationand creativity. |
| much lower. | | | | |
| | | | So get your kids into the habit of solving |
| In fact thousands of jobs have already been | | | | problems everyday. |
| shed in the | | | | |
| | | | Their exam skills will develop naturally, |
| United Kingdom as several major banks have | | | | plus they'll beable to solve problems more |
| outsourced theircall center operations to the | | | | easily in the real world outsideof the exam |
| Indian subcontinent. | | | | hall. |
| | | | |
| Other companies are following suit, sending | | | | #3. Encourage the study habit |
| their back-office and Information Technology | | | | |
| jobs the same way. | | | | Who hasn't tried to cram themselves full of |
| | | | information thenight before an important |
| This is a major trend that's only going to | | | | exam? |
| accelerate. | | | | |
| | | | Unfortunately, that's doing it the hard way. |
| Have you ever wondered how your kids will get | | | | |
| on when it'stime to look for a job? | | | | "A little, often" works much better. |
| | | | |
| With the population increasing and with more | | | | Ensure your kids set aside at least 20 |
| peoplecompeting for fewer jobs, companies can | | | | minutes a day forpeaceful study. Every day. |
| now pick and choosefrom the very best | | | | |
| applicants. | | | | After a few sessions of enjoyable learning, |
| | | | you'll find theyactually look forward to |
| But wait a moment.... | | | | their study period. |
| | | | |
| What do we mean by "the best"? | | | | #4. Learn exam technique |
| | | | |
| Whether you like it or not, "best" generally | | | | Studying for exams includes studying exams. |
| means the bestqualified. | | | | |
| | | | Get hold of some past examination papers - |
| Employers, of course, have always used | | | | you can buy thesecheaply in most bookstores - |
| academicqualifications to shortlist job | | | | and have your kids study thequestions. |
| applicants for the interviewstage. | | | | |
| | | | Exams have a consistent formula, and once you |
| But what is emerging now is a reliance on | | | | know theformula, you're halfway to success. |
| exam results foreven seemingly ordinary jobs. | | | | |
| | | | Familiarity also instills confidence - an |
| For example, did you know that the average | | | | important qualitywhen it comes to facing a |
| call centeremployee in India is educated to | | | | real exam situation. |
| degree level? | | | | |
| | | | #5. Pay for performance |
| Qualifications are becoming more important | | | | |
| than ever before. | | | | If all else fails, or your kids are having |
| | | | trouble gettingmotivated towards a |
| And while not everyone is a natural-born exam | | | | forthcoming exam, try offering them an |
| prodigy, thereare steps parents can take to | | | | |
| help their kids gain betterexam passes. | | | | "incentive". |
| | | | |
| Here are 5 tips to get you started: | | | | (Well they have to learn about |
| | | | "performance-related pay"someday.) |
| #1. Make learning enjoyable | | | | |
| | | | You'd be surprised how a little motivation |
| We all do things better when we enjoy them, | | | | can improve examresults! |
| so bring out thejoy of learning for its own | | | | |
| sake. | | | | Whichever way you do it, try to help your |
| | | | kids get the bestgrades they can. |
| One way to achieve this is by having family | | | | |
| discussionsabout exam-related topics. Try to | | | | "Qualifications doth not a person make." |
| inject some drama (or atleast some interest!) | | | | |
| into the topic. | | | | But they certainly help when it's time to |
| | | | earn a living. |
| Another way is to embrace different | | | | |
| technologies outside ofthe classroom. The | | | | 'Fun With Figures' shows anyone how to gain |
| Internet, multimedia CD-ROMs, and TVservices | | | | an unfairadvantage in math. Visit the website |
| like The Discovery Channel all help to liven | | | | today and find outwhat they didn't teach you |
| uplearning. | | | | in school. |