FENG SHUI 16 Tried And Tested Tips To Scholastic Brilliance

In a world increasingly reliant on paper qualifications, examination results have become the open sesame to everything. Never has the quality of qualifications been of greater importance and from an absurdly young age, children (and their parents) are pressured to show results – as soon as kids enter kindergarten there is competitive pressure. From then on through school then College and University, every step of the way they are expected to pile up the certificates, diplomas and degrees - paper qualifications that define them as potential employees. No wonder modern parents get stressed over the education of their children.

Can feng shui help?

Is there a secret formula to getting straight A’s, obtaining impressive exam results, and perhaps reducing the pressure a little? Decidedly so. Feng shui can indeed create the kind of environment that brings out the best in anyone, in terms of inputting knowledge (studying with good concentration) and outputting knowledge (taking your examinations) to get excellent results. Feng shui offers a competitive edge to the young student in terms of creating good exam luck. But success of course is also about knowing the system and learning to beat the system. JENNIFER TOO shares 16 sure-fire feng shui and non feng shui tips she found helped her get excellent grades all through School and University.


1. Engage the yang chi- make notes as you study

Effective studying requires the use of the input-output method all the time every time. So get into the habit of taking and making notes. Merely reading textbooks without making notes creates study frustration, as it is a yin activity. When you only read, you are only performing input, not output. So come exam time you will find it harder to output. This results in very frustrating feelings.

You know that you know what is being asked, but you simply cannot show that you know! You cannot output what you know and this is because you are engaging only yin energy when you study. When your hand moves across the pages of a notebook making notes, you are engaging yang energy, and then study becomes auspicious and far more successful.

2. Mind-mapping

I used to develop plenty of mind maps in my time. I want to recommend it as a powerful study tool. Developed by Tony Buzan in the late 1960’s, this is a powerful graphic technique that unlocks the potential of the brain. I used this very effectively in my college years to refresh my memory just before stepping into each exam. Essentially, you create a map using colours, images and symbols to unlock pockets of knowledge in your mind.

Only make a mind map once you have made notes in the conventional long-form format. When you have a good overview of your subject, start mind mapping. Begin at the middle of the page and branch out like a spider to the outer edges of the page, using a different leg for each theme. Each leg of your spider can in turn have more legs as you move into sub-themes. What I always did was to make one mind map for each topic within my subjects and paste them around the room to look at while changing, brushing teeth and so forth. Before going into an exam, I would bring along the relevant mind maps and have a last read just before sitting the exam. They work!

3. Sleep with your head pointed to receive good chi

The next most important thing is to make sure you sleep with your head pointed to any one of your auspicious directions. Choose to have your head tapping your Fu Wei, and if you can’t, then tap your Sheng Chi. Your mind does not necessarily sleep when your body sleeps; a lot of your activities through the day make their way into the inner recesses of your mind when you lie asleep at night. Make your sleeping hours work for you by ensuring that the chi that enters your head is energy that brings good luck. This will multiply your chances of success enormously.

4. Allow time for the mind to warm up

If you have too many things on your mind, you cannot make the most of any single thing. To learn something really well, you must focus. The best way to achieve focus is to allocate enough time for each subject, and when you are working on that subject, stick with it for at least several hours. Your brain needs to warm up to the job when you’re trying to learn something, and scheduling one hour learning periods for each subject is definitely not enough.

Budget to spend at least a half hour for warming up before getting into the nitty gritty of the subject. Allow at least one hour to learn, and do not go beyond an hour and forty minutes. Then allow a half-hour to wind down.

5. Improve concentration with the pagoda

If you’re finding it difficult to concentrate, or fall asleep whenever you open your books to study, wear a jade pagoda around your neck as a talisman. The pagoda is an excellent energizer which will help you sort out your life priorities. It is sure to keep your mind from drifting elsewhere, so it prevents distraction from steering you off the right track.

It is also a great amulet for children who are unruly, strong-willed or difficult to control. If you don’t like wearing pendants around your neck, you can simply display a Pagoda in the Northeast corner of your study room or of your desk.

6. Give yourself a holiday break

Just as feng shui is about yin and yang, it is exactly the same when studying. You need time to work but you also want time to rest. Balance in life does not mean mixing rest and play. It means organizing your life to have distinct time set out for work and distinct times for play. The boarding schools of England have got it right in the way they structure their terms.

During term time, usually 2.5 months each, study is intensive. But during holiday time, my headmistress used to insist to my parents that I should not touch my books, nor be forced to endure any private tuition work. She insisted that holiday time is meant for resting, refreshing and rejuvenating the brain. As a result, at the start of each term, I was readier than ever to tackle ever harder and heavier stuff. So to get straight A’s you also need a Mum who is as relxed as mine. I think it is something of a record, but I believe I am the only one I know who never had to endure a single day of private tuition.

7. Make lavish use of scholar symbols

There is something to be said about symbols. Fools call this superstition. Those who know better know that symbols, correctly placed, will often bring quick results. How symbols work should not matter as long as we get results. The Chinese believe that four symbols bring scholastic luck and success – the lute, the chess set, the book and the painting – these signify the four accomplishments that make up the complete education of a nobleman, fit to serve the Emperor. Each of these symbols has its own attribute. The Lute represents music.

The Chess Set signifies a person who can think several steps ahead and is a good strategist. The Book represents learning, while the Painting signifies creativity. When displayed as a complete set as decorative symbols in the home, these symbols attract good fortune in attaining educational success. Display these symbols in the NE or wear them to attract marvelous education luck. I grew up with these symbols, so it is no surprise I love music, art and reading in equal measure.