“Life cannot have had a random beginning… The trouble is that there are about 2,000 enzymes, and the chance of obtaining them all in a random trial is only one part in 10^40,000, an outrageously small probability that could not be faced even if the whole universe consisted of organic soup.” - Fred Hoyle

Does the quote fascinate you? If the answer is yes, then my friend Science is your favourite subject. Science is “the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment”. It has a vast and deep area of study just like the ocean. No matter how far you try to sail or go deep inside, there is no end to it. Science is the third most important subject after English and Maths which holds a strong position in your results and your future. As you reach your 8th grade, it is important for you to understand that it is the base for your 10th grade as well as a base of knowledge for the higher grades. Exams can be stressful but if you study hard and stay dedicated, you will pass with flying colours. The class 8 Science syllabus is going to be a little tough because till 7th grade you learned the subject as a whole but now you will be introduced to Chemistry, Physics, and Biology individually. So now you need to focus on each of them. 

Students can face a couple of problems during the exam and before the exam due to various reasons which can range from not being interested in the subject to not studying thoroughly to forgetting answers. Each student has a different skill set which makes them stand out. Listed below are some of the common problems faced by students :

• Missing out on important steps
• Forgetting formulas
• Getting blank during the paper
• Getting nervous and tensed

Now that you are familiar with the problems, let’s try to find some solutions for them. Here are a few tips and tricks that you can follow to score well in exams:

1. Textbook - Keep your textbooks always handy. Use different coloured pens and underline important parts for future references. Use a highlighter to highlight the chemical formulas and equations for physics. Read your textbooks thoroughly. Don’t miss out on any point at any cost. Your textbooks should be your first and last resort as the questions in the paper will be asked from them.
2. Other study material - Use reference books as much as you can as they will act as the extra and secret source of knowledge. It will help you by increasing your knowledge of the topic.

• Digests - Digests can be really useful. They are designed in a way that can help in simplifying difficult topics by explaining them in a different way. An extra set of questions is provided at the back of every chapter which can give you a little boost.
• Teachers/Friends - Talk to them about your difficulties with the subject and ask them to clarify them. Your friends can be of great help when you are confused with some chapter late at night and you just want to understand it. You can also consult your teacher regarding the issue to get double assurance.
• The internet - Using the internet will help you to understand a difficult topic as there are millions of videos available. There is also a very big scope of research papers and articles which can be used to get insights.

1. Cramming/Psychology - Psychology works in the weirdest ways. Cramming is one of the major issues faced by the students either because they don’t like the subject or they have the habit to learn everything last moment. Even if you don’t like the subject, you need to understand that you have to study it. So condition yourself in that way and start finding topics that can interest you. Keep your head clear while studying and try doing some physical activity before your study session. This will help you stay focused and motivated. 
2. Subjects - Give enough time to each subject. For chemistry, write down all the chemical formulas on a piece of paper and paste them in some place where you can see them every day. For the rest of the chapters, keep reading them from time to time and try to learn fundamentals. Physics can be hard at times, so it’s better to use the same technique as Chemistry for the equations. The remaining chapters can be dealt with slowly. For Biology, draw all the diagrams twice and use different pens while labelling. This will keep your creative side up and you might also enjoy drawing. Go through a lot of diagrams, graphs and examples to understand the topic better. If you study for a 3 -hour stretch, divide your time into different parts. Shed light on the important topics and less time on the least important ones. Once you have decided on it, make sure you do not have any distractions and have a peaceful environment for study.
3. Solve papers: Solve different papers and you will figure out different ways to answer the same question. This will also help you assess your weak and strong areas. Try to read important chapters and topics multiple times. Slowly, it will help you understand the concept and recollect easy methods and formulas. Download the NCERT solutions for class 8 science if you need help. 
4. Avoid distractions: Many students like to listen to music while studying, which can reduce their productivity. Multitasking is not recommended. Do not do two things at a time. Avoid any kind of disturbance. Make sure you do not have a phone with you while you are studying. You can request your parents to keep it in a locker. Little things make a big difference. 

Keep focusing on yourself and work hard. With dedication and hard work, there is nothing impossible in this world and you know that. Best of luck with your exams!