How to cope in school after 15 months of absence

Student:
​[real name hidden due to privacy issues]

Good afternoon Sir?My name is XYZ. I'm a form four student this year after being out of school for 1 year 3months. I was in form three then. I was a good student who scored nothing below grade C. My form three year was rocky and I didn't get to be in class all through but still I managed my grade. The reason I'm writing to you is to seek advice on how to catch up with the rest and score a good grade in my final exam. In the one year and three months I never had access to any reading material for grave reasons.In case you're wondering why I chose form four instead of three? I am a good learner so I had confidence in myself. I needed advice from a teacher which is where you come in. Your soon reply will be appreciated.

Tr. Atika:

I would like to commend you for considering to go back to school once more. This is a brave decision and am sure you will never regret ever. Even though you didn't specify the cause of your dropping from school, it's now in the past anyway and you should focus on the future.
In one sentence, I can describe you as an aggressive young man this is because you didn't let 'kuteleza ikawa kuanguka'. I admire your self confidence and it's through this confidence that will realize every dream you have been dreaming to achieve. Success starts from the sub-conscious memory and I have no doubt that you have already set your mental attitude to challenge for success wherever it can be found.
I also had the same challenges early in life but I was able to amicably solve them and move on in pursuing my dreams regardless of whatever it took.

How to catch up with the rest

Since I am convinced that you are now psychologically prepared to pursue your dreams in education which is very fundamental, The best decision you can now make is to analyse what you have lost, look at your weaknesses, strengths and finally come up with resolutions. I tend to see that good learners have the following characteristics:

1. Have a strong desire when pursuing something and can compromise anything to get a solution to it even if it means getting punished.
2. Good students have a very strong mental attitude; in addition, they are positive thinkers.
3. Good students have optimal confidence. Hence will look at things not as problems but as challenges.
4. Good students are good at keeping time and utilise the available time to pursue anything that can add value to their lives.
5. Good students are risk takers, dreamers, innovators and creative.

I now want you to weigh yourself using the category of a good student listed above and embrace what you are missing.

How to catch up on curriculum

The following factors can help you catch up with other students on curriculum coverage before November examinations:

1. You should not necessarily work hard hard hard, I want you to work extra-ordinary and extra-smart. By this I mean know your priorities and group them in the precedence of their importance.
2. You need remedial classes to cover the missed syllabus. organise with your parents and teachers if possible.
3. Don't let history haunt your future, forget the past and start a new beginning.
4. Exercise frequent revisions especially from from 1 to form 3. These classes contribute at-least 80% of what is set in KCSE examinations. [We have cheap, quality revision papers you can use that can make a mountain of differences. Click here]
5. Continue seeking for answers from parents, teachers, clergy, elderly and people who matter most in your life.
6. Last but not least. 'Never ever Give Up' follow your dreams.