We all go through study stress at some point in our lives. Some take too much stress, while others try to manage it and move on smoothly. But for students dealing with it right now, my advice is simple: don’t worry.

Today, I’m going to share a technique that can help you prepare in just one day and reduce those sleepless nights. How does it work?

I call it the ‘read, learn, explain and write’ technique.

First, read the topic. For example, if it’s a science paper on photosynthesis (the process by which plants make their food), read it aloud in a quiet room so you can hear yourself clearly.

Next comes learning. This means memorising key points in your own words. Learning in your own language makes it easier to remember compared to relying only on textbook wording.

Struggling to stay focused while studying? Here’s a practical approach that actually works

The third step is explain. After reading and learning, close your eyes for five minutes and go over everything. Then imagine you are teaching a class. Open your notebook and explain each heading and subheading in your own words.

If you can explain it smoothly, it means you understand the topic well. If you keep pausing and checking your notes, repeat the learning step. If it’s still difficult, take a 30-minute break and start again from reading.

The final step is writing. Write down what you explained and check for spelling and grammar mistakes.

And that’s it — you’re done! This is what I call the one-day method. What if the topic is not in the book?

Sometimes teachers give topics that are not directly in the book. In that case, you can still use this method in two ways:

1. Lectures: Pay attention in class. Lectures often provide extra explanations, which help you recall ideas even if you forget exact wording. If you don’t take notes, start doing it now.

2. Internet: You can find helpful videos on platforms like YouTube. But try not to rely entirely on AI tools. They can limit your originality and creativity. It’s always better to use your own thinking and understanding.

Try it out for yourselves!

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 4th, 2026

Oh, what dumb viral trends

This is with reference to the article “Oh, what dumb viral trends!” by Haniya Fatemah Kharal (YW, February 14). It was a lovely and to-the-point article elaborating on the viral trends that teenagers blindly follow. For example, the dangerous sanitiser trend.

The underlying theme and the pressure of fitting in explained a lot about why people follow such trends, even when they not comfortable.

I liked how the writer balanced humour with a serious message. It wasn’t just about mocking these trends, but also about understanding the mindset behind them. The idea of JOMO at the end stood out as a refreshing takeaway, reminding us that it is perfectly fine not to follow the crowd.

Areeba Khan,
Multan

II

I really liked the article “Oh, what dumb viral trends!” by Haniya Fatemah Kharal because it was relatable to the youth and trends of today.

The article leaves readers with, first, self-awareness: just because something is popular doesn’t mean it is worth doing. Second, it introduced the idea of JOMO, the joy of missing out, as a positive alternative. Choosing not to follow every trend, thinking for oneself, and staying safe and sensible is also empowering.

Sadia Iftikhar Shafi,
Peshawar

A driving lesson from my mum

This is regarding the story “A driving lesson from my mum” by Amna Tabassum (YW, February 14). The story was simple but very relatable, especially for anyone who has tried learning something new and struggled with it.

The writer beautifully balanced the story with the lesson that learning comes with discomfort, and sometimes the people who push us the most are actually helping us grow.

The mother’s strictness may seem harsh at first, but we should understand that it comes from care and responsibility.

Muhammad Usman,
Faisalabad

An embarrassing day

This is with reference to the story “An embarrassing day” by Ahmed Umair (YW, February 21).

The story was light and full of humour. It showed that embarrassment, no matter how intense it feels in the moment, like freezing when asked a simple question or spilling a drink on your clothes, is temporary.

What matters more is how you respond to it. Instead of letting shame or self-consciousness take over, the writer chose to keep enjoying the day, which made the experience memorable rather than miserable.

Aliyan Qazi,
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 4th, 2026