The dos and don’ts of studying

Feb 3 2022

With the impending fear of exam season on the horizon, studying can seem like the most strenuous task in the world. Scrambling to find last semester’s work and plastering the walls with sticky notes with hopes of remembering everything is common practice amongst sixth form and University students. However, studying should be approached with a calm and collected mindset, resources and a winning mentality. That said, here are some dos and don’ts you should take note of while studying.

DON’T: Take long breaks

We’ve all been there. In between the exhaustion of trying to comprehend an entire syllabus before an exam and the fear that you may not manage to study everything in time, it’s easy to just disconnect and run away from your work. Breaks are important whilst studying but what is more important is keeping them concise to avoid zoning out of study mode and losing all interest in your work.

Once you zone out it’s difficult to get back in so stay focused and keep your head in the game.

DO: Take short breaks regularly

Rather than long ones, take short 5 or 10 minute breaks every now and then to allow yourself to stretch, replenish and re-focus before jumping right back in to your studies. During this time, allow yourself to hydrate, nourish yourself on some nutritious snacks, rest your eyes from your computer screen and stretch to avoid developing back and neck pain.

KPMG take pride in the prioritisation of breaks from the daily routine with activities such as sports, hikes, virtual catch-ups and coffee breaks.

DON’T: Try to do everything at once

Most students start their study period with all of the enthusiasm in the world which eventually fizzles into nothing. With an energy drink in one hand and an academic avalanche of assignments and notes in the other, students often approach studying like it is a mentally-intensive, never-ending journey. That’s why you shouldn’t multitask excessively. Trying to do everything at once will only hold you back from finishing tasks, which is why you should follow the next tip religiously…

DO: Take one step at a time

Structuring your workflow is one of the best things you can do. Our brain can only handle so much information at one instance, which is why breaking your study session down into a step-by-step process always carries its benefits.

Methods such as ‘chunking’ make it easier to remember large volumes of information. For example, remembering 155326894487 will seem difficult but breaking it down into 155 326 894 487 makes it easier to remember due to its structure. That, paired with a structure checklist of things to do will help you approach the light at the end of the tunnel with energy and optimism.

DON’T: Leave yourself in the dark

A common mistake done by most students is that they often plow through their notes, jotting down shorts notes and mindlessly repeating the syllabus with hopes that everything will come to mind when the exam starts. If students don’t gauge their performance throughout their studies, they will not know which areas need further improvement and increased studying, failing to capitalise on their time.

DO: Gauge your performance

Periodically testing your knowledge is the key to achieving great marks. Trying out past papers and doing worksheets does not only allow students to get a first-hand feel of going for an exam, but invites others to check out your performance and provide an honest critique on what needs to be worked on. That way, students will be able to go for an exam with a confident mindset, knowing that they have everything under control.

BONUS: Stay active

Prioritise physical activity at all costs as it can be one of the best motivators whilst studying. Introducing such activity into your daily routine contributes to strengthened memory, better concentration, improved mood and increased energy levels. Thankfully, KPMG promotes healthy lifestyles through different mediums such as sports days, fitness challenges, steps competitions, OCR challenges, football tournaments and much more!

Whether you’re starting your studies, gunning for an internship or approaching your student life’s finish-line, KPMG are here you to assist you in your journey towards graduation! From a super-helpful buddy system to an unmatched sense of team spirit, they are definitely worth getting in touch with. Interested in joining the KPMG family or kickstarting your career? Click HERE to apply.

Send this story to someone who suffers from exam stress.

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5 delicious things you can do with Nutella

Feb 3 2022

Let’s face it, deep down we all love Nutella. Whether purely out of nostalgic wander or sweet, sweet indulgence, Nutella is more of a global phenomenon than a chocolate-hazelnut spread and today, we celebrate it in all of its glory. On this very special Nutella Day, here are 5 delicious things you can do with the iconic spread.

Nutella French Toast

This drool-inducing recipe is equally romantic as it is indulgent. With Valentine’s Day coming up, you may want to invest some time into perfecting your french toast game because all you need to win your significant other’s heart may be some brioche bread, Nutella spread and icing. If you’re feeling adventurous, you might also want to throw in some sliced strawberries or bananas to add a bit of colour onto your plate.

Nutella Crepes

While a fat stack of pancakes often goes hand in hand with a generous spread of Nutella, the simple yet elegant French-style crepes may be the way to go this Nutella Day. While very thin and delicate, crepes are surprisingly easy to whip up and render extremely satisfying results. Top it off with some sugar, icing or maybe some crushed biscuits and take yourself on a trip to France.

Nutella Hot Chocolate

Potentially the most surprising on this list but trust us when we tell you that it is amongst the most satisfying. This super simple, two-ingredient recipe only takes 5 minutes but it’s definitely worth it. All you need to do is heat a cup of milk in a saucepan until it begins to steam (don’t boil it) and then just stir in some Nutella until it dissolves evenly.

Top your concoction with a little bit of marshmallows and you’re set. If you have guests over, roast the marshmallows just slightly for a bit of pizzazz, drink and thank us later.

Banana and Nutella Sandwich

This stone-cold classic tiptoes on the fine line between comfort food and over-the-top sweet extravaganza but trust us when we tell you that it’s worth it every single time. With 1 pan, 4 ingredients and 10 minutes you can do absolute miracles and create a crispy, warm bruncheria-level sandwich in the comfort of your own home. Slice some bananas or strawberry on top and maybe consider some peanut butter for added measure.

Straight from the jar

You really can’t ever go wrong with a cheeky spoonful (or two) of Nutella straight from the jar. Curating ingredients and following a recipe is always a fun time but sometimes you just need to get that delicious spread from point A to point B in the least amount of time possible. In addition to that, the recent drop in temperatures allow the Nutella to thicken and harden slightly, making for the perfect marvellous morsel to tuck into when no one is looking.

What do you think of these recipes? Do you have a favourite which we didn’t mention?

#MaltaDaily

Maximum penalty for femicide if someone is found guilty of crime, says Minister

Feb 3 2022

Source: Ġustizzja (FB)

In a press conference addressed by Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis and Reforms Minister Owen Bonnici, a number of legal amendments on the introduction of femicide into the Maltese criminal code were discussed.

Minister Zammit Lewis stated that through this legal draft, the government plans to move away from a Maltese society which is patriarchal and built on gender stereotypes. The legal amendments propose that the court gives maximum penalties in cases of femicide if the circumstances are satisfied. The minister went on to state that such amendments will not exclude gender as the circumstances are not exclusive to women.

The bill also aims to remove the defence of crimes of passion in cases of femicide due to the killing of a woman being ‘unacceptable’, said Zammit Lewis. Crimes of passion are often used as a defence with aims of getting a lighter sentence; if the femicidal circumstances being proposed are approved, this defence will no longer be accepted.

Source: Ġustizzja (FB)

In a recent Facebook post, the Minister stated that the government is humbled and united in its communication with the people and takes decisions without any delays. He went on to thank Prime Minister Robert Abela for his direction and political push as well as fellow minister Owen Bonnici for his work and collaboration.

Dr. Lara Dimitrijevic, Women’s Rights Foundation leader, state that such a draft is a historic step in political commitment by which the legal draft shines a light on the reality of femicide and sends a strong message that violence is not accepted in our society.

The legislative process of this bill within Parliament will start with immediate effect.

What do you make of this bill?

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Mater Dei patient visits in 2020 hit lowest numbers in 10 years

Feb 3 2022

Figures tabled in parliament have revealed that 587,101 patients visited Mater Dei Hospital in 2020, marking the lowest figures since 2011 at the very least.

These figures have reportedly confirmed what health professionals feared back in 2020, which was patients cancelling their hospital commitments to avoid potential contact with COVID-19. The figures for 2020 included emergency room visits, day cases, in-patient visits, outpatients visits, ward attenders and dialysis patients within the Renal Units.

Many reportedly expressed fears of going to Mater Dei and cancelling appointments due to potential exposure with COVID-19. The emergency area was reportedly empty at a point; a negative sign since people requiring treatment would eventually visit hospital at a worse state, thus requiring more resources.

2013 saw the highest number of visits, with 847,579 total visits by the end of the year.

#MaltaDaily