Monthly Thought

May 2008

First of all let me get rid of the poor joke that appeals to those who love a little chuckle. If you are reading this on the 4/5/08, then may the fourth be with you. If not hopefully it still sends a small giggle through your tummy.

If you are reading this on the 4th May then I guess the majority of you over the age of 14 will be looking forward to the examination season. Whether it is SATS, GCSEs or A-level, National Diplomas, HNDs or Degrees the pressure is on to perform from parents, teachers, lecturers, schools, and universities, and I bet the most pressure comes from us. I am a teacher and believe it or not, we who are charged with helping, calming and supporting you guys at this time, feel the pressure too.

So how can God help us at this time? Many people at this time will be offering up wishes and wants to the heavens; “please can I have that A to get to uni” or “please can I just that C in maths”.

We need to remember that even though God loves us and wants the best for us, we won’t necessarily find the results we hope for in the envelope just because we prayed. We still need to put the effort in; to revise smart, rest well and to get help from the people that God gives us to help us to achieve our best. I’m not saying God will abandon us at this important time but he is teaming up with us.

Many years ago, as you were reaching your 1st birthday you were probably learning to walk. You wanted to walk and gain more access to the world, be able to be more independent. You had to put the energy in to lift yourself up, keep balance and have faith in your own ability. No one could get you walking but you. However you probably had support from someone else, to catch you after a few steps, to encourage you, to demonstrate to you, who cared for you, who wanted you to succeed. In the same way Jesus can be your friend, supporting you, encouraging you, helping to maintain your focus; the holy spirit can help with making your preparation for and taking of your exams easier to manage through praying.

As I got older and took more exams the more important they seemed to get; the day I had faith in God to help me focus on revision, asking him to help me remain calm, to rest and be wise in my management of them, the day they got easier to take. The actual exams were still challenging, but knowing that God was in the exam hall, in my bedroom when studying, helping to relax in the important breaks helped to realise pressure

So as you reach your study time take the advice of your teachers, and there is some below, and dedicate every part of your exam preparation to God.

• Revise in 20-30mins (max) chunks
• Give yourself 15-20min breaks in between with a good 1-hour break every 2-3 hours.
• Plan these into a revision timetable
• Ask someone to keep you accountable to the times you set in your plan. They could pray for you too and encourage you.
• Drink water or squash regularly, dehydration of 5% can effect your work efficiency by 20-30%
• Plan God slots into your timetable, 5min at the start of your revision, and maybe at lunch, and at the end praising and thanking God for his help.
• Commit your exams to God.
• When you pray, ask God for help with:
  • Clarity of thinking,
  • For stamina and to take away distractions
  • For a good nights sleep
  • Focus during revision when you have a tough topic ask for extra understanding,
  • During the exams ask for peace and calmness and faith in God’s support of your hard work

The force may not be with you; however God is loving, supporting, encouraging, and guiding you all the way!

Owen