Study and Related Pleasure/Problems - Your Comprehensive Guide
Hey everyone! Welcome to your study notes for the module on "Study and Related Pleasure/Problems". School life is a huge part of being a teenager, and it's full of ups and downs. We'll explore the good parts (the 'pleasures') and the tough parts (the 'problems') of studying.
Why is this important? Because these topics are super relevant to your life and often appear in HKDSE exams – in reading, writing, listening, and even speaking! Mastering this topic will not only help you get better grades but also give you the language to talk about your own experiences and solve real-life problems. Let's get started!
Section 1: Building Your Word Bank (Vocabulary)
To talk or write well about a topic, you need the right words! Let's build your vocabulary. Don't just memorise them – try to use them in a sentence today!
The 'Pleasures' of Studying
Studying isn't always boring! Think about these positive feelings and experiences:
Sense of achievement: The great feeling you get when you finally understand a difficult concept or get a good grade. e.g., "I felt a huge sense of achievement after passing the mock exam."
Intellectual curiosity: The desire to learn new things just because they are interesting. e.g., "My intellectual curiosity led me to read more books about space."
Fulfilling / Rewarding: Something that makes you feel happy and satisfied. e.g., "Helping my classmate with his homework was a fulfilling experience."
Enlightening: When you learn something that gives you new understanding. e.g., "The documentary on climate change was truly enlightening."
Broaden one's horizons: To increase your knowledge and experience of the world. e.g., "Studying history helps to broaden my horizons."
The 'Problems' of Studying
We all face challenges. Knowing these words helps you describe them accurately.
Academic pressure: Stress that comes from the need to get good grades. e.g., "Many students in Hong Kong suffer from immense academic pressure."
Procrastination: The habit of delaying something you need to do. e.g., "My biggest problem is procrastination; I always leave my assignments until the last minute."
Burnout: Feeling exhausted and losing interest because of working too hard. e.g., "Studying 12 hours a day can easily lead to burnout."
Peer pressure: The influence from friends to do things you might not want to do (can be positive or negative). e.g., "He felt peer pressure to get the same grades as his friends."
Overwhelmed: Feeling that something is too much to handle. e.g., "I feel overwhelmed by the amount of homework this week."
Useful Idioms & Phrasal Verbs
Using these makes your English sound more natural and impressive!
Hit the books: To start studying seriously. e.g., "The exams are next week, so I need to hit the books."
Burn the midnight oil: To study or work late into the night. e.g., "I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my project."
Fall behind: To not make progress at the same speed as others. e.g., "If you miss too many classes, you will fall behind."
Catch up with: To reach the same level as others after falling behind. e.g., "I need to work hard this weekend to catch up with my studies."
Sail through: To pass something (like an exam) very easily. e.g., "She studied so hard that she sailed through the test."
Key Takeaway for Section 1
A strong vocabulary is your foundation. Try to learn 3-5 new words or phrases from this list each week and use them in your writing and speaking. This will make your ideas clearer and more engaging!
Section 2: Applying Your Skills - Common Scenarios
Now, let's use our new vocabulary and practise the four key language skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
Scenario 1: Giving Advice to a Stressed Friend (Speaking & Interpersonal Skills)
Imagine your friend, Alex, tells you, "I'm so stressed about the DSE! I can't sleep and I feel like I'll never be ready." How can you help?
This is a test of your interpersonal skills – showing you understand and care.
Step-by-Step Guide to Giving Good Advice:
Show Empathy: First, show you understand their feelings. Don't just jump to solutions.
"I understand how you feel. It sounds really tough."
"I'm sorry to hear you're going through that."
Offer Suggestions Gently: Use phrases that are not too bossy. Use modal verbs like should, could, or might.
"Have you tried making a study schedule?"
"Maybe you could take short breaks every hour to relax."
"If I were you, I would try to get at least 7 hours of sleep."
Be Encouraging: End on a positive and supportive note.
"Don't be too hard on yourself. We're in this together."
"Just try your best, that's all anyone can ask."
Common Mistake to Avoid!
Avoid saying unhelpful things like "Just don't worry" or "It's easy". This can make your friend feel like you don't understand their problem. Instead, offer practical and supportive advice.
Scenario 2: Writing a Blog Post on Study Tips (Writing & Organisation Skills)
Your school's student blog wants an article called "Top 5 Tips for Beating Exam Stress". This requires clear, organised writing.
How to Structure Your Article:
Catchy Title: e.g., "Survive and Thrive: 5 Simple Ways to Beat DSE Stress"
Introduction: Briefly introduce the problem (exam stress) and state the purpose of your article (to offer solutions).
Body Paragraphs: Dedicate one paragraph (or a bullet point with a short explanation) to each tip. Use topic sentences to make your points clear. For example:
"Firstly, creating a realistic study schedule is essential. A good plan helps you manage your time effectively and prevents you from feeling overwhelmed..."
"Secondly, it is crucial to take regular breaks. Studying for long hours without rest can lead to burnout. Try the Pomodoro Technique..."Conclusion: Briefly summarise your tips and end with an encouraging message.
Quick Review: Language for Giving Advice in Writing
Imperatives (Commands): Create a schedule. Take regular breaks. Talk to someone.
Signposting Words: Firstly, Secondly, In addition, Finally, To sum up.
Connectives: Therefore, As a result, However.
Scenario 3: Listening to a Discussion on Study-Life Balance (Listening & Critical Thinking)
Imagine you're listening to a radio programme where two speakers are discussing whether Hong Kong students have a good study-life balance. This requires critical listening – understanding not just what is said, but also the speakers' different viewpoints.
Before You Listen:
Predict Vocabulary: Think of words you might hear. e.g., `balance`, `well-being`, `mental health`, `extracurricular activities`, `hobbies`, `rote learning`.
Think About the Arguments: What are the possible 'for' and 'against' points?
Argument FOR a problem: "Students have too much homework and no time for hobbies."
Argument AGAINST a problem: "Schools are now promoting more life-wide learning activities."
While You Listen:
Listen for Signal Words: Pay attention to words that show agreement, disagreement, or a change in topic.
To introduce a contrasting idea: However..., On the other hand..., While that may be true...
To add a point: Furthermore..., In addition..., Another key point is...
Identify the Speaker's Stance: Is the speaker's tone positive, negative, or neutral? Do they sound worried, optimistic, or critical?
Did you know?
Many HKDSE Listening tasks involve identifying the different opinions of speakers in a conversation or discussion. Practising this skill with topics you're familiar with, like school life, is a great way to prepare!
Section 3: Putting It All Together - A Practice Task
Let's combine everything we've learned into a realistic writing task. This is similar to what you might see in the HKDSE Writing paper.
The Task:
You are the Chairperson of the Student Union. Recently, many students have complained about the heavy workload and lack of recreational facilities at school. Write a letter to your school principal, Ms. Wong, reflecting these concerns and proposing two solutions.
Step 1: Deconstruct the Task (Understand Your Goal)
Role: Chairperson of the Student Union (so you represent the students).
Audience: The Principal, Ms. Wong (formal relationship).
Text Type: A formal letter.
Purpose: 1. Reflect student concerns (the problems). 2. Propose two solutions (the pleasure/improvement).
Tone: Formal, respectful, and constructive.
Step 2: Plan Your Letter's Structure
Salutation: Dear Ms. Wong,
Paragraph 1 (Opening): State your reason for writing. e.g., "On behalf of the Student Union, I am writing to reflect some pressing concerns raised by our fellow students regarding..."
Paragraph 2 (The Problems): Explain the issues clearly. Use vocabulary like overwhelmed, academic pressure, and lack of study-life balance. Give specific examples. e.g., "...students are struggling to cope with the heavy homework load, which often leads to them burning the midnight oil and suffering from burnout."
Paragraph 3 (First Proposal): Present your first solution. Make it practical. e.g., "To alleviate this pressure, we would like to propose the introduction of a 'Homework-Free Friday' once a month..." Explain how it would help.
Paragraph 4 (Second Proposal): Present your second solution. e.g., "In addition, to improve students' well-being, we suggest that the multi-purpose room be converted into a student lounge with board games and books..."
Paragraph 5 (Closing): Summarise your purpose and express hope for consideration. e.g., "We believe these measures would greatly enhance the learning environment at our school. Thank you for your time and consideration."
Sign-off: Yours sincerely,
Your Name and Title:
Chris Lee
Chairperson, Student Union
Key Takeaway for Section 3
Success in writing comes from P.A.T. – understanding the Purpose, Audience, and Text Type. Always plan before you write. This structure can be adapted for many formal letters, proposals, or emails.
You've Got This!
This module on "Study and Related Pleasure/Problems" is all about your life. Use the language and skills here to express yourself better, both in exams and in daily conversations. Remember that every student faces challenges, but developing the skills to discuss and solve them is a key part of learning. Keep practising, stay positive, and you'll do great!