My Most Profitable Risk

Just a few lines to say thank you for all the information and skills you equipped me with at the CALM Life Skills Seminar [some time ago]- it was fantastic! I feel so excited knowing the difference that using the skills will continue to have in my life.

I just wanted to take a few lines to summarise what I have already gained, simply by using the suggestions and skills you give in your book Students Steps to Success also (Instant download now available). Just 10 days before my second year Psychology exams, a friend lent me a copy of this book; it appealed to me greatly as I was fast running out of time to study for these exams. My study required the reading of two 100,000 word Psychology text books - it seemed impossible to achieve this and learn the material. I skimmed your book and was immediately drawn to the chapter on ‘speed reading’. However, with such little time left till exams and my scepticism about whether I could actually learn speed reading in time for my rapidly approaching exams, I wasn’t sure it was worth the risk of trying your methods. Well, all I can say is that it was the most profitable risk I have ever taken. I spent no more than one hour actually practising the techniques before I ‘tested’ myself by reading a Psychology Journal article. It took me less than a minute to read the article. However, still sceptical of whether I had actually taken in what I had read, I decided to write out all the points I remembered, and to my delight and surprise I had missed only one important point!

The following night my husband gave me a four page article about a caving trip he was planning to take. After reading the article in less than 90 seconds, I handed it back to him. He thought I hadn’t bothered to read it and must not be interested. Can you imagine his surprise when I proceeded to tell him every detail in the article!

Well, by now I was convinced that the techniques in your book work, and work well. In just three days I completed reading and studying the required text books. I practised going to my Peaceful Place and while I was there decided to imagine myself in the exam. I visualised myself sitting in the exam room feeling peaceful and confident and knowing the answers. Well it worked!!!! I actually enjoyed the exams and felt totally confident throughout the exams (with a little help from the odd visit to my PP). However, when I met with my friends following the exams I was a bit shocked to find that most of them had found the exams difficult and very stressful. My confidence started to take a dip. Five long weeks later I finally received my exam results, and to my delight I achieved Distinctions for both exams. While I had put in a really hard three days studying, I had previously taken at least three weeks to cover the same amount of material - I was totally delighted!!!

Again, thank you so much for passing on all the information you did at the seminar. I just can’t wait to see the results as I continue to practise what I have learned.  T.H. NSW