Before passing 2nd time, I have stopped doing or studying IELTS materials, during the 3-4 years after my first attempt, I just exposed myself to English language, learning and getting better as it was my job. When I finally started my 4-5 month preparation, I decided to take it seriously. I had much more motivation this time, If I could get a band 8.0, I would be earning more money to provide for my family and to build the brighter future and many more.
🌿First thing was to plan my preparation. I wanted to study only best books as I had short time, 3-4-month is a short time to get band 8.0. I wanted to study at an IELTS course and as well do something myself, not to depend only on my teacher. So I made an action plan and decided to spend 2-3 hours every day to realize my goal. You can download a sample of action plan here.
I was very lucky as the first book I read was "The key to IELTS Success by Pauline Cullen".
☘️Second thing was to change my thinking. If you repeat to yourself, you cannot do this or that, you will only make your life worse and your negative thinking will do nothing to improve your life or studies. I started to watch or read mini stories of successful people, and imitated their lifestyles. I have become much more optimist person, disciplined as a result. My family and my English teacher Mrs.Tafkilevna played a big role. Most students ask their teachers, can you send me articles, or podcasts, information on this or that. I have become an independent and proactive learner. Whatever, I did not know I googled and searched on YouTube. I also checked whether information found online is reliable or not.
🌳Third thing, I took a holistic approach in learning, Instead of just improving only one skill, I have decided to improve my General English and all skills. I have already become reader before my preparation, I started to love listening, writing and speaking much more than I did in the past. As a result, I opened series of channels to help me and others on telegram such as @welovereading to share books for all levels of English, original bestsellers, @welovelistening to share audiobooks and my blog @ahmadqodirovcom. I started to share my progress daily and weekly on my IELTS channel. Although, I was really busy person, I tried to spend every minute of my life for something useful. Instead of saying, I don't have time to read or listen, I asked myself. Okay Ahmad, How can you find time for a little reading, or listening? As a result, my mindset has completely transformed, and I came up with wonderful ideas to find time for all of these self-study. While I was walking to a bus station, I would listen to podcasts or audiobooks from my channels. This habit played a big role to achieve a high score in Listening. I started to carry books or printed version of articles always with me, I would read them while I was waiting for my bus or inside of it. I would also take one book to an appointment to read in case they arrive late. I would read while waiting for my dentist to become free or whenever possible. I wrote my thoughts on my blog regularly and I started to organize free speaking clubs not only to improve my speaking, but to help dozens of other students. I felt blessed 😇to see the happiness, joy and boost of energy in attendees to my speaking club and events. 🔥
🍃Certainly, it was really difficult to maintain my study habits, at times I thought of giving everything up, at that moment, I remembered why I started this IELTS Journey and my promises to myself, my family, After taking a break for few days, I was back in studying again. I would say the key to my success was CONSISTENCY in my efforts. I was not learning 50 new words one day or for one week, then disappeared for no reason. I was doing less, but almost all the time.
🌿First thing was to plan my preparation. I wanted to study only best books as I had short time, 3-4-month is a short time to get band 8.0. I wanted to study at an IELTS course and as well do something myself, not to depend only on my teacher. So I made an action plan and decided to spend 2-3 hours every day to realize my goal. You can download a sample of action plan here.
I was very lucky as the first book I read was "The key to IELTS Success by Pauline Cullen".
☘️Second thing was to change my thinking. If you repeat to yourself, you cannot do this or that, you will only make your life worse and your negative thinking will do nothing to improve your life or studies. I started to watch or read mini stories of successful people, and imitated their lifestyles. I have become much more optimist person, disciplined as a result. My family and my English teacher Mrs.Tafkilevna played a big role. Most students ask their teachers, can you send me articles, or podcasts, information on this or that. I have become an independent and proactive learner. Whatever, I did not know I googled and searched on YouTube. I also checked whether information found online is reliable or not.
🌳Third thing, I took a holistic approach in learning, Instead of just improving only one skill, I have decided to improve my General English and all skills. I have already become reader before my preparation, I started to love listening, writing and speaking much more than I did in the past. As a result, I opened series of channels to help me and others on telegram such as @welovereading to share books for all levels of English, original bestsellers, @welovelistening to share audiobooks and my blog @ahmadqodirovcom. I started to share my progress daily and weekly on my IELTS channel. Although, I was really busy person, I tried to spend every minute of my life for something useful. Instead of saying, I don't have time to read or listen, I asked myself. Okay Ahmad, How can you find time for a little reading, or listening? As a result, my mindset has completely transformed, and I came up with wonderful ideas to find time for all of these self-study. While I was walking to a bus station, I would listen to podcasts or audiobooks from my channels. This habit played a big role to achieve a high score in Listening. I started to carry books or printed version of articles always with me, I would read them while I was waiting for my bus or inside of it. I would also take one book to an appointment to read in case they arrive late. I would read while waiting for my dentist to become free or whenever possible. I wrote my thoughts on my blog regularly and I started to organize free speaking clubs not only to improve my speaking, but to help dozens of other students. I felt blessed 😇to see the happiness, joy and boost of energy in attendees to my speaking club and events. 🔥
🍃Certainly, it was really difficult to maintain my study habits, at times I thought of giving everything up, at that moment, I remembered why I started this IELTS Journey and my promises to myself, my family, After taking a break for few days, I was back in studying again. I would say the key to my success was CONSISTENCY in my efforts. I was not learning 50 new words one day or for one week, then disappeared for no reason. I was doing less, but almost all the time.