Nearly every entry level examination for a job or an interview for a job lays some importance on the awareness about current events. The typical university or college education somehow is unable to persuade students to keep abreast of the events unfolding every day, either as part of a curriculum or part of an examination. Consequently the student loses track of events and finds it difficult to follow them during later preparations.
One can keep track of current events through newspapers, magazines, and TV. The newspaper is the most important source. Magazines like ‘Outlook’, ‘The Week’, ‘Frontline’ etc. serve the purpose of providing background and analysis on significant events. The same could be read through vernacular publications also.
The averseness to reading a newspaper or magazine could be overcome by forming or joining a group who come together to share and argue whatever each one reads. This would help in developing and confirming view points, opinions, filling gaps on unread events, developing debating or discussing skills and reinforce the learning. It also helps in clarifying doubts, clearing unfounded perceptions and getting newer insights.
Current events could be classified into social, economic, socio-economic, legal, government policies, sports etc. Not everyone may be interested in all types. And therefore sharing and discussing covers aspects which one individual alone may not do. The classification helps to focus on issue based reading instead of hovering about the newspaper aimlessly. If you are able to create a file with such classification and collect the cuttings of the news items it always serves as quick reference during the time of the examination. The practice can be discontinued once you succeed in an examination and settle down in a career.
It serves, to be a little disciplined, when reading a news item. A pencil/highlighter and a dictionary always help. Underline the essence of the item you are reading and also some of the words which you are not clear about. Look up the dictionary and write the meaning below or above such words. This practice helps you in many ways. It increases your level of concentration, enhances your focus on the main part of the news-item, heightens the ability to recall and adds up to your vocabulary. Initially it is tough to follow this day after day; however with a little patience it becomes exciting as it start showing its impact during conversations with your friends.
The practice on current events could continue for a year by which time you would have greatly benefited from the exercise. You would be fairly proud of yourself for widening your knowledge horizon.
One can keep track of current events through newspapers, magazines, and TV. The newspaper is the most important source. Magazines like ‘Outlook’, ‘The Week’, ‘Frontline’ etc. serve the purpose of providing background and analysis on significant events. The same could be read through vernacular publications also.
The averseness to reading a newspaper or magazine could be overcome by forming or joining a group who come together to share and argue whatever each one reads. This would help in developing and confirming view points, opinions, filling gaps on unread events, developing debating or discussing skills and reinforce the learning. It also helps in clarifying doubts, clearing unfounded perceptions and getting newer insights.
Current events could be classified into social, economic, socio-economic, legal, government policies, sports etc. Not everyone may be interested in all types. And therefore sharing and discussing covers aspects which one individual alone may not do. The classification helps to focus on issue based reading instead of hovering about the newspaper aimlessly. If you are able to create a file with such classification and collect the cuttings of the news items it always serves as quick reference during the time of the examination. The practice can be discontinued once you succeed in an examination and settle down in a career.
It serves, to be a little disciplined, when reading a news item. A pencil/highlighter and a dictionary always help. Underline the essence of the item you are reading and also some of the words which you are not clear about. Look up the dictionary and write the meaning below or above such words. This practice helps you in many ways. It increases your level of concentration, enhances your focus on the main part of the news-item, heightens the ability to recall and adds up to your vocabulary. Initially it is tough to follow this day after day; however with a little patience it becomes exciting as it start showing its impact during conversations with your friends.
The practice on current events could continue for a year by which time you would have greatly benefited from the exercise. You would be fairly proud of yourself for widening your knowledge horizon.
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