Do you consider yourself one of those students who have the least idea about the goings-on in the world? Do you often find yourself silent and unconfident when the people you’re standing with are discussing left wing and right wing ideologies? Have you not the obscurest hint about how demand and supply affect economic inflation? Do you start getting collywobbles long before you attempt an entrance exam that has a GK section too? Then fret no more, mate! This is precisely what you were rummaging for all these days. With the new session waiting to begin, many of you must be eyeing colleges that make you go through those merciless entrance tests, and more often than not, they tend to test your general knowledge too. So here are some of the ways that are surely going to help you cakewalk through your tests and stun all your friends with your knowledge.
1. Make friends with YouTube
Yes! YouTube videos top the list when it comes to fun ways to enhance your GK. If you want to get an all-aspect covering report on some issue or simple news and boisterous laughs at the same time, just skim through the different channels owned by the many comedians of this era. Yes, you heard that right. Videos and Stand-up by many comics are dedicated to issues and the happenings taking place around the globe. EIC Outrages, Last week tonight with John Oliver, Daniel Fernandez’s stand-ups are some of them.
2. TED talks
If you don’t know what TED Talks are, just know that all those years that you spent refuging in Mount Kailash to escape the world were not needed. The world is not that bad a place. Now, go over to www.ted.com right away and take a look at any one of the videos. Seeing is believing. In short, TED Talks are short videos from some of the most engaging speakers around the world covering an endless range of topics, initially about Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED), but now incorporating any number of subjects. So that basically means loads of knowledge. Some renowned TED speakers include Bill Clinton, J. J. Abrams, Bill Gates, Stephen Hawking, Jane Goodall and Maz Jobrani.
3. The knowledge testers
Remember the days when you used to play that God-forsaken KBC on your computer? Internet offers a plethora of better games that can actually help you acquire some knowledge. You just need to find the right ones for you (based on your level, if we may say so).
4. Because GK is for the players!
Forget all that Antakshari, Dumb Charades and Chinese whispers claptrap, GK Quiz is where you need to head. Bored? Try getting into the shoes of Derek O’Brien and if that seems too mammoth a task, play one of the competitors (level has a role, you see). You can also attempt playing The Newshour with Arnab Goswami (just a suggestion).
5. Walk GK, Talk Gk!
The social-networking sites are perhaps the greatest source of news for today‚Äôs youth. Many pages on Facebook and Instagram are dedicated to posting news content. Like them, stalk them, worship them and grow with them. Install Twitter, make an account, and follow all the influential personalities that you’ve heard of. From politicians and actors to authors and journalists, just shower them with all the love that is there in you and take them for coffee, if possible. And yes, for that, you‚Äôll have to take a break from stalking those girls because an extremely great person once said, ‚ÄúJibana ta dukha, sansara ta mohmaya‚Äù (okay, I know I quoted Biswa).
6. Classmate, the helping hand
It is common knowledge that notebooks of many brands come up with interesting facts on their last one or two pages. Just awaken the super-hero inside you and rescue all the Classmate notebooks currently tasting dust inside that almirah, eagerly waiting to see the light of the day and Voila! Get knowledge in return.
7. When music shows the way
We all love music, don’t we? How about listening to your favourite tracks and boosting your GK together? Apart from listening to the songs on the FM, start paying attention to what the Radio Jockeys say. A lot of information and viewpoints could be gathered.
So what are you waiting for? Tie that muffler round your forehead, put that tilak and set out for the great adventure and show the world that even you’ve got the knowledge-keeda. All the best!
