Parents’ Testimonials
As a parent I found these modules very comprehensive filled with great examples that students can relate to. It was great to see a selection of tools used: audio examples, diagrams, real life experiences. All modules gave great strategies that could be applied by students of all levels. Vijay is an excellent facilitator and his experience and knowledge enhances the quality of this course.
Parent, Year 12 Student. March 2010
P.S This parent drove her child from Melbourne to Bendigo over four weekends to attend this course.
After attending the course my son Stephen has been saying some quite mature things about school and how it is better to keep up than catch-up! He got 48/50 for a geography test- top of the class (that is a first). Of course, Stephen said the course didn’t help him with the mark but something obviously has.!
His attitude has also improved and there has not been a resistance to study.
Parent, Year 7 student, September 2006
I noticed that Ben was able to stay focused more easily and was able to be “on a roll” with lots of school work. He seems to have more confidence when it comes to his school work.
Parent of year 10 student, Lake Memorial High
Yes he is more organised, multitasking and focused on what he has to complete.
Parent of year 9 student, St Ives high school
He is applying himself better – e.g. he was happy to do assignment work while visitors were here and made good use of his time.
Parent of year 9 student, Asquith Boys High
Steven has a more positive attitude to doing his home work and study. We thought the motivational movies were good support material and enjoyable to watch.
Parent of year 10 student, St Leo’s College
Lauren enjoyed the classes. She could not believe how quickly the 2 hours went each week. She seems more organised and her marks seem to have improved.
Parent of year 10 student, St Leo’s College
Dear Vijay,
I am still very thankful of your presentation slides to make my daughter understand what she wants for the future. Ruth can study so well today is the impact from your study presentation message that she received 5 years ago when you did the “Life Skills” preasentation at the Sheraton Hotel in Perdana, Malaysia.
Sunny Heng
General Manager, Sheraton Hotel Pardana, Malaysia
5th November 2005
I have noticed a big change in my son this term. His attitude towards school has changed a lot. For the first time I have seen him studying.
Parent of year 9 student, Asquith Boys High
To Vijay Patankar
Facilitator of Study Success Program
7th September 2005
Hi Vijay,
This is a note to say that even 18 months after the “Study Success course” that Riana completed with you, she is using the methods suggested and achieving great results. The transition from Primary to High school was easy, but, the more rigorous tests showed a few weaknesses. Without any prompting she then started to summarise and revise, attempting to increase her test results. The result, from 16th to 2nd in 6 weeks.
Thanks again.
Stephen King
Parent year 8 student, Riverside Girls High, Gladesville
I have noticed a greater degree of responsibility, especially where academic achievement is involved.
Parent year 10 student, June 2005 batch
This study skills course has most definitely made my son realise the importance of studies and his future. He was always looking forward to Thursday evenings and really enjoyed the sessions. He has developed a more positive approach with his studies and I have noticed a vast difference in his attitude and behaviour and appears to be a happier and confident boy.
I will strongly recommend this course to every student. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Patankar for all his efforts and for imparting all his knowledge to my son.
Parent year 8 student, Pennant Hills High
So far Daniel has shown a marked improvement in the way he lays out information in his master summaries for different subjects. He seems far less stressed and is getting great feedback from his teachers at school. Thank you so much.
Parent Year 11 student, Ashfield Boys High
Our sons Kiran (16) and Shaun (15) have been on this program only for about 4 weeks. They have both shown good progress in organising their school work and have developed better listening and analytical skills in dealing with their school work. We, as their parents would recommend the Study Skills Program to all students who want to reap the best of their academic lives.
Parent year10 & 11students, November 2004
For the Love of Beauty
Tel: (02) 9476 6090
February 22, 2005
Vijay came into my beauty saloon to talk about his concept of helping children study, at the time I was feeling very frustrated with my daughter Tilly’s inability to remember things and just trying to get her to concentrate on her studies and homework was so stressful for me and I really didn’t know how to help her.
So when Vijay explained how the program worked I was totally convinced that this could only help our situation, if she only received a small amount of benefit from the course it would be an improvement on what we had at the time.
So we went along to the first session and I as the parent was frustrated with my daughter’s inability to respond to simple questions, and realising she was feeling a little nervous I said to Vijay later “I don’t know where you get your patience from, I can’t stand it”.
I kept attending the sessions, as time went on I could see Tilly’s interest develop and Vijay’s method in teaching made an impact on Tilly, she started to change and relax and enjoy a laugh.
Vijay was dedicated to helping her develop her study skills, from that time on she was happy to go to study group, probably on the 3rd lesson she started to enjoy it.
Now Tilly is in year 10 at Mercy College and she had lots of comments from her teachers on how much more improved she is with her school work, she is more focused and more organised and excited with her subjects and teachers.
I can only tell you that Tilly has changed in her behaviour and manner and it can only benefit to encourage our kids to do as well as they can, especially if they lack the confidence, because when they understand what they are doing in their school work, their confidence shoots through the roof, which is a plus, plus, plus.
Parent of year 10 student, October 2004
To Vijay Patankar
Facilitator of Study Success Program for year 5 & 6 Primary School
From Stephen King
Parent, Annandale North Public School
Hello Vijay,
I am wirting to you in response to your request for feedback on the Study Success Program that concluded on 6/09/2003. My Daughter and 3 other classmates signed up for the program, as parents were invited to attend I also had a chance to participate. Both myself and the other parents that attended were quietly surprised by the simple yet effective strategies that were presented. We concluded afterwards that if we had access to these strategies our perception of how to study would have been completely different when we were studying.
I feel that both my daughter and I have benefited greatly from the experience and that we now both use thesesimple principles to our advantage. With regard to homework and study we can now realistically view how much work is needed to complete both, rather than be concerned if we were doing too little or too much. My daughter is more confident that she can learn and remember more effectively after this program, as am I.
I feel that the fact that parents are a part of the program to assist the children where they need help is a great bonus. I feel assured that I will be able to help her with any aspect of the principles discussed.
Thank you for the greater insight you have given us into the secrets of successful students. Looking forward to seeing you again at the refresher course.
Stephen King, August 2003
Excellent presentation!
My kids may not listen to me even if I say the same things that he said, but they will listen to him as he had put it in the right way – simple, effective and to the point.
P.S. Schools & Communities should make use of such presentations – very effective.
M.S.Ansari
Chief Engineer
Sheraton Hotel, Perdana, Malaysia, December 2001
Testimonials by Teachers
My name is Annette Korotkov.
I am a practicing qualified teacher and a parent whose children have experienced and are about to experience their final year exams.
I attended Vijay’s study skills class and was extremely impressed.
I believe many students go through school without having learned the fundamental ways to process and use the information that they receive.
“Go and study” is often a catch phrase used by parents to their children. However, many children become overwhelmed because they haven’t really learned how to study so as to maximise their potential or their time.
Vijay presents a course that is encouraging and stimulating. It is appropriate to students who wish to succeed but who feel daunted by the tasks that lie ahead of them.
The contents of the course and the dedication with which Vijay presents the course are commendable.
This course can really change the way students think about their studies and the way they can become successful and life long learners.
I recommend this course for any high school student.
Yours sincerely,
Annette Korotkov
Practicing teacher and a parent. February 2005
Testimonials by Students
Moama Anglican Grammar School had contracted us to deliver the Study Skills Course to forty year 11 students. The course was held at La Trobe University in Bendigo on February 10-11. Listed below are a few testimonials.
“I learnt that I should set a timetable and stick to it. That reading something once doesn’t give you full understanding. They will help me manage my time more. Nothing is achieved through no commitment, concentration is key and we can achieve anything.” Year 11 student –Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“I learnt how to study better and manage my time so I could reach my full potential during year 11 and 12. It will help me to be more organized and study more effectively.” Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“I learnt the importance of all the study skills required to be successful at higher education. I will now take these strategies and apply them better at home which in turn will improve my grades. Three key messages that I take home are the importance of listening, being organised and note-taking”. Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“I learnt about how to study for exams + weekly revision are just as important as each other and that I need to manage my time better and be more assertive. I think this will help me with my revision/study skills and management of my time”. Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“I learnt the summary sheet which could be quite useful and will help me to revise topics. The skills I learnt will help me concentrate more and will help me with organising my learning”. Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“Starting the presentation was immediate help in all areas of study. From everything such as listening, reading, and memory skills to summaries and strategies. All of this will definitely help my schooling, home, social life… My WHOLE future in fact”. Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“I leant that I should set a timetable and stick to it. That reading something once doesn’t give you full understanding. They will help me manage my time more”. Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“I learnt how to better prepare notes and how to do master summaries. Also skills to help listen and read for better and longer. This will benefit greatly for school and home by better preparing for HSC”. Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“To have a tidy area and concentrate hard on the task at hand. It will help me do my work without distractions”. Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“I learnt that I need to seriously concentrate and block any distractions when studying”. Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“This will change the way I studied with the different techniques”. Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“I learnt many study skills techniques but I liked the master summary technique the best. I think they will help me with remembering a lot more content about chapters and will help me to revise easier and better prepared for exams”. Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
“I learnt how to study better and manage my time so I could reach my full potential during year 11 and 12. It will help me to be more organised and study more effectively”. Year 11 student – Moama Anglican Grammar School. February 2011.
Doing this Study Skills Course helped and motivated me to start doing a regular study plan. It also helped give me a greater understanding of what studying actually is and what I should do with study time. Doing this course helped to give me some practical skills that I can take away from the course and use in my schooling and study time.
Year 11 student, Scorch College, Melbourne. March 2010
P.S. This student’s mother drove him over four weekends from Melbourne to Bendigo to attend this course.
This course has done a lot of things for me. I am now muchmore confident learner and I getting more out each class. This course helped me to become a better listener and helped me with conversational skills.
Year 7 student. Bendigo South Secondary College
February 2010 class
This course taught me how to organise my work, my study time and how to revise effectively.
Year 12 student, B.S.S.C Secondary College
February 2010 class
At the very start of this course I was motivated to learn more about achieving my goals. Some of the modules I had learnt before, but there were some interesting aspects of some modules that I think will definitely contribute to becoming more knowledgeable and organised.
2nd Year uni student (La Trobe, Bendigo)
February 2010 class
This course made me think about how I behave and go about my schooling. It was very good grounding for the start of the year.
Year 12 student, Catholic College Bendigo
February 2010 class
Dear Vijay,
I am glad to inform you that I have moved up 17 places in my year and have made a significant improvement. Some subjects need a little more attention however, this showshow effective your course was. Thank you for all the help.
Sincerly,
Year 9 student.
Sydney Grammar, August 2009 class.
The study skills course has helped motivate me and has taught me helpful morals to apply to life through its helpful quotes and audio clips.
Year 8. August 2009, Sydney Grammar School
The Study skills course made me aware and taught mevaluable life and study skills that will not only be helpful in school but throughout my life.
Year 9 student. August 2009, Sydney Grammar School
This course has helped me to realise how to study for exams and achieve good grades. These essential assets are not things that we learn in school and can be rarely be picked up naturally. Thanks to this course I will now be able to achieve great grades. Thank you!
Year 9. August 2009, Sydney Grammar School
This course has helped me because even though I know a lot of this it was good to know how to use these skills that we are taught as a tool to finish our project (exams). There are inspirational quotes by psychologist that we learn and can use to study.
Year 8. August 2009, North Sydney Boys
Even though some of the skills we were taught were already know, Vijay showed us many of the techniques which would help us improve in our learning skills. This course has motivated me through the study notes provided by Vijay. These will help me in my future exams when I apply the lessons taught.
Year 9. August 2009, Homebush Boys High
This course has given me the drive to achieve well in my studies and in my exams. It has shown me skills that I can use towards getting better grades.
May 2009. SSC Leichhardt, Year 10 student
This course has helped me by giving me more techniques to getting better grades throughout school. It has also given me more ways to stay focused in class. Using these skills can help me to do better in my exams.
May 2009. SSC Leichhardt, Year 10 student
I know now where to begin and get started in studying. The master summaries are fun to do and make it easier in my head to remember what I am learning. I am now a keen listener in the class and I am not easily distracted.
Year 12 student, Ultimo TAFE, February 2009
This course has motivated and helped me by teaching me how to study better. Using and improving skills to get more knowledge out of everything I learn. This course has helped me with my reading and listening skills.
Year 12 student, Asquith Girls High School, February 2009
The course has helped me learn how to study in an easier and better way. It’s great and it makes my school life much more easier.
Year 9 student, February 2009
I have learnt to notice what I was doing wrong in the class. I also learnt to notice hints from teachers about HSC exam and questions. I learnt how to study and take notes.
Year 12 student, Ultimo TAFE, February 2009
The Study skills course has been effective in showing me the importance of constant revision and the connection between constant revision and good exam marks. Constant revision dominates cramming information, any day of the week!
Year 12 student, Christan Community High School, February 2009
It has helped me because before I did the course I didn’t really know how to study, also I didn’t want to study. But now I know how to study and I want to study.
Year 7 student, Golston High, September 2006
I have learnt about commitment, tolerance and concentration, these skills can be applied to any situation. I have learnt many study skills that not only help me with my grades but increase my overall understanding of life and of difficult subjects.
Year 10 student, Hornsby Girls High, September 2006
The study skills program has given me knowledge on the different types of study skills and life skills available. It has shown me advantages of study that will be useful both in and out of the learning environment.
Year 10 student, Ryde Secondary College, September 2006
I have actually started concentrating in my class, my writing speed has increased and I am getting good marks in my test. Master summary technique really helped me out. I learnt some study techniques and I have started working hard. The movies were very motivational and interesting.
Year 9 student, Turramurra High School, September 2006
This course has helped me by teaching me how to study more efficiently; I am getting better marks in tests and in home work. I got 18/18 for a big assignment in Science, and I had never got 18/18 in a science assignment before.
Year 9 student, St Ives High, April 2006
This has helped me already. I have noticed change already and improved marks. It has not only helped me at school but made me more organised.
Year 10 student, St Leo’s College, April 2006
It has shown me how to revise properly and set my priorities straight.
Year 10 student, St Leo’s College, April 2006
Besides teaching me a few good techniques for studying and a few good life skills, this course instilled in me a great amount of enthusiasm and energy for attacking problems, staying focused and working full steam ahead and not letting anything distract me.
Year 10 student, Lake Memorial High, April 2006
This course has taught me to study harder and has helped me to take notes in class.
Year 9 student, St Leo’s College, April 2006
This course has taught me to rely on myself and not others to get work done. It has also taught me to set goals and strive to reach them until I reach them and then set more goals.
Year 10 student, Arder Anglican School, April 2006
Going through this course, I have learnt many new skills. Watching the movies and Vijay’s examples has motivated me to make myself a better life.
Year 9 student, Marist College, Kogarah, April 2006
The quotes through this course have motivated me a lot in my study and sports. Every section we have done has helped me to gain more marks and more understandingon how to study.
Year 10 student, Knox Grammar, Dec 2005
This course has shown me how I can be more organised, for preparing for my exams. Since learning how memory works, I have been able to recall a lot more information that we have been learning. My concentration isn’t such a big issue any more, e.g. my daydreaming. It has helped me in being prepared for my school work and in general.
Year 9 student, Northholm Grammar, Dec 2005
I think it’s amazing the way he goes into so much detail and shows how basic things can add up to be effective!!. I accidentally have found myself being more attentive, knowledgeable and generally paying attention to my surroundings. I didn’t want to do the class at the beginning but I have learnt a great deal without really realising it. Thank you so much Vijay, you have put so much effort and its paid off.
Year 9 student, Brigidine College, St Ives, Dec 2005
Through this course I have been motivated to create master summaries and implement study skills straight away. Not only it taught me study skills but also showed me “Life skills” which I can take away after my education finishes.
Year 11 student, Asquith Boys High, Dec 2005
It has taught me how to study. My school says to study but doesn’t tell you how to study. So this course has helped a lot.
Year 9 student, Normanhurst Boys High, Sept 2005
This study skills course helped me understand how important my attitude towards life and study really is and that it needs to develop into a good habit now.
Year 9 student, Asquith Girls High, Sept 2005
Due to this course I have learnt a lot. It has helped me to study, before I never studied or did much work. From this course I have learnt how to study effectively. Also it has motivated me to try harder and attempt to reach my goals.
Year 9 student, St Leos College, Sept 2005
After coming to the study skills course, I feel more motivated to study and try hard; it is clearer why we have exams and homework and also how beneficial the right studying can be. The tips he gave us were really helpful and easy to apply. Overall it’s a really good course and will definitely help me going into year 11.
Year 10 student, Hornsby Girls High, Sept 2005
This course has given me the confidence and the ‘know how’ on how to actually study and benefit from it, as opposed to spending pointless hours thinking that you are studying. The Master summary format was particularly helpful and will help me a great deal in achieving my goals at school.
Year 11 student, Ashfield Boys High, June 2005
This course has shown me that there are many ‘Life skills’ which will help me in the future. The study skills course has taught me most effective ways of studying and has motivated me to get higher grades.
Year 10 student, Marist College, Eastwood, June 2005
This course has helped me to understand what I have to do in order to achieve better grades at school.
Year 12 student, Cherrybrook Technology High, June 2005
On this course I learnt the importance of studying and howit determines my future. I now have an advantage over other students on how to study effectively and obtain higher grades.
Year 8 student, St Pius College, Chatswood, June 2005
In the past I wasted a lot of time when studying, but now I can study more effectively as I have learnt effective ways of studying. Now my aim is to use these effective study techniques to get good grades and to manage my timemore effectively.
Year 10 student, St Leos College, June 2005
This course has motivated me to keep up with summaries and with time management. Vijay has taught me about different learning strategies, these simple but effective strategies are already helping me a lot with my studies.
Year 10 student, Kuring-gai High, June 2005
Wow! This course has changed the way I apply myself to my studies. It has taught me many different ways on how to approach the work I need to learn. I would recommend this course to everyone as it can change your life and make learning a whole lot easier.
Year 12 student, Pennant Hills High, April 2005
This course has helped me open up my eyes and see how important these last 3 years of school are! It was taught in an easy to understand format and it was easy for me to ask questions. The modules were awesome they help you so much. I highly recommend you going to Vijay’s Study Skills course.
Year 10 student, St Ives High, April 2005
I thought this course was excellent, because now when I leave the class, I have better understanding of what has been taught during the lesson. Now I combine all the study skills we learnt and I have already begun to see drastic changes in my work and test results.
Year 10 student, Asquith Boys High, April 2005
I think this course has both inspired and motivated me in many different ways. I enjoyed the unconventional method of teaching, and my study skills have improved. I now set out to study with a set goal in mind. I think I have also leant important life skills for the future. I would recommend this course to anyone who wishes to understand how to study effectively.
Year 9 student, Hornsby Girls High, April 2005
This course has motivated me and helped me because you can have the best study notes and listening in the world but you can’t study properly. This course helped me do this (action plan). It gave me every chance of increasing my grades and I have gone from the middle of the class to the very top. It is a great course.
Year 8 student, Normanhurst Boys High, April 2005
The course has shown me new ways that I can use when I am studying; it has also taught me how to study properly.
Year 10 student, Knox Grammar, April 2005
The master summary technique has helped me to brainstorm effectively, as a method of remembering ideas when writing essays. The movies and motivational quotes inspired me to work to my level best and realise my true potential.
Year 10 student, Epping Boys High, April 2005
This course helped me a lot. It showed me where my weaknesses were and what study skills I was lacking. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to get the most out of their study or need that little bit of added motivation.
Year 11 student, Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High, April 2005
It taught me how to study as a part of my every day routine, how to manage my time with study, sports and social events. Also the use of motivational movies and quotes has inspired me to work harder.
Year 12 student, Pennant Hills High, April 2005
This program has been one of the most exciting, interesting and worthwhile thing I have done to help me study and meet my full potential. Mr. Patankar is a great mentor and I recommend this program to anybody and everybody. I thank Mr. Patankar for his time, wisdom and help.
Year 10 student, Asquith Girls High, Nov 2004
This course has given me a wider understanding of the different types of studying skills you can have. I am now interested and eager to go to class and wanting to learn. I can’t believe it, I am starting to become more organised than ever.
Year 9 student, St Leo’s College, Wahroonga, Nov 2004
I really enjoyed the whole course as it helped me to improve what study skills I had and showed me how to properly implement them. I am now working harder and achieving more of my goals where as before I was just procrastinating and putting off for “tomorrow”.
Year 11 student, Gosford High, Nov 2004
I am a student of year 10 going into year 11 and I came across this Study Skills Program. Study skills is a great course which didn’t just teach me study skills but it also taught me life skills, which I will definitely benefit from not only through high school but through further education and life. Vijay also supplies you with simple equipment so there are no excuses for forgetting your book and pens!
Year 9 student, Asquith Girls High, Nov 2004
The course helped me to put everything in perspective, and elaborated on the minimal skills that I already had. It showed me the benefits of study that will be useful both in and out of the learning environment.
Year 11 student, Gosford High, Nov 2004
I can actually get out of bed have a shower and get stuck into writing master summaries or reviewing chapter, to get a head start – in all it is a great course.
Year 10 student, Asquith Girls High, Nov 2004
The course has helped me to understand many ways and forms of learning, and also to develop my own learning style. It’s also great to meet new people.
Year 9 student, Asquith Girls High, Nov 2004
At the beginning I felt that I was not smart enough to do the course, but after a few lessons I did enjoy going, I was going of my own free will, not my mum pushing me to go. I am so much more focused, now I have started year ten, I feel much more confident and I know how to go about studying and doing assignments, and even the relationship with some of my teachers that I did not get on with is really good now. I suppose I have changed and they can see that.
Year 10 student, Mercy College, Nov 2004
I have been on this program for only four weeks and enjoyed every bit of it. It has strengthened my understanding of what has been taught at school more effectively and precisely. I have also been able to grasp highlights of every lesson rapidly and am grateful I had the opportunity to attend this course.
Year 10 student, Carlingford High, July 2004
I am 52 years old and not planning to undertake any studies in the near future. During my school and university years I always struggled to keep on top and never found a suitable study method that would help me achieve better grades. I came across Vijay’s study skills program and decided to enrol in his course; just to find out what was missing in my approach to study that caused me so much stress over the years. After completing this course I feel at peace and confident about my learning abilities. I feel I can study anything without getting stressed and can achieve high grades. I strongly recommend this course to anyone who is studying. After learning how to study effectively I am now confident that I can help my two teenage sons with their school work at home.
May 2009, Adult student.
Community Youth Services – Testimonials
Dear Vijay,
I would also like to thank you for the opportunity of sitting in on your program, it was quite enlightening and it was wonderful to see how the students interacted with you with such confidence.
Every child should have the opportunity to learn in such a way where they feel comfortable, want to learn and therefore tap the potential that may be hidden because they have been undermined somewhere along the way.
Well done Vijay – children are all individuals and they all learn differently. This needs to be recognised by the Department of Education and some teachers.
Carroll Howe
carroll.howe@tpg.com.au
Chair, Kuringai Police & Community Safety Committee(Dec 2004)
Excellent Presentation!
It’s a “really wakeup call “ for our Management trainees and Lankawi children.
Thank you for your effort and time. God Bless you.
Sunny Heng
General Manager
Sheraton Hotel, Perdana, Malaysia. (Dec 2001)
“Very useful for the children and even adults”.
Meliza Mohamad
Training Manager
Sheraton Hotel, Perdana, Malaysia. (Dec 2001)
My children may not listen to me even if I say the same things that he said, but they will listen to him as he has put it in the right way – simple, effective and to the point.
M.S. Ansari
Chief Engineer
Sheraton Hotel, Perdana, Malaysia. (Dec 2001)