History is full of some of the most fascinating stories ever told, including love stories, pirates, treasure, mysteries, and adventures.

There is a history of every topic and field.

Whether you are interested in music, gaming, fashion, movies, science or economic issues, there is a history to go along with it.

Dive a little deeper into any topic’s history and you will be surprised by what you might find in the process.

History allows us to study both continuity and change over time.

It helps to explain how we have changed throughout time, and covers all aspects of human society.

Technological, cultural, religious, political, scientific, military, social, medical, intellectual, and economic developments are all part of History.

Non-historians often say that “history repeats itself” or that “things have always been this way”.

History cannot repeat itself because it is not a living, thinking being.

History is an intellectual discipline that is practiced by historians and researchers who try to understand and appreciate the past.

Because History is about change, nothing was ever “always the same” in a specific way.

Non-historians often romanticize the past and speak of “the good old days” because they believe that things were better than at present.

Processes of historical change cannot be categorized as either simple progress or regression.

Rather, historical activities do involve complex relations between interrelated factors.

Historians know that all sources – even those distinctive to a particular historical time period – have some biases, contradictions, omissions or other multifaceted limitations.

There are many different interpretations of the transformation of societies and civilizations over time.  

Historians must recognize the difference between facts and interpretations in their field.

No historian can be 100% objective, but historians try to recognize their own limitations and biases.

They try not to place the behaviours, attitudes, beliefs and values of the present onto the topics that they study.

Instead, they try to reconstruct the diversity of how profoundly people have differed in their ideas, cultural practices and institutions in those eras, and not in the context of how people think and behave in today’s societies.

This means that historians need to conduct thorough investigations in order to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of different original sources and archives of information to support their conclusions.

History helps us understand change.

History is full of transitions that have altered the world’s story.

It gives us a clearer picture of how the different components of society – such as government systems, health, education, entertainment, and even the community as a whole – functioned in the past, so that we can understand why it came to work the way it is now.

HISTORY TEACHES YOU THESE PRACTICAL SKILLS

History students learn diverse skills that can lead to career paths in many sectors.

The sophisticated research and analysis techniques you gain through your syllabus are arguably more important than the specific facts you memorize.

They act as investigators, studying the past for clues to better understand history and link past events to the present.

To generate information and conclusions, a history student learns to objectively find and assess relevant and reputable sources so that they can decipher and evaluate the accuracy, and reliability from various factual perspectives – and are not just the writers’ opinions.

Historians choose information from multiple primary (written at the time) and secondary (written about a time period, after the fact) sources, as well as other documents to identify relevant information to enable arguments based on their analysis.

History students often use vital analytical skills when writing in-depth research papers about historical events, integrating their critical analysis of information into a well-reasoned persuasive argument supported by evidence.

Learning History equips you with many transferable skills that can prove to be an advantage in the business world.

After all, the core of History is the study of people and the ways in which they behave when encountering different circumstances.

Even if you’re not in a customer-focused industry, having a strong understanding of people and what makes them behave they do is beneficial in any business.

When you explore your career options, you might find there’s a perfect place for history buffs like you in an industry you might not have expected.

By learning to become users of historical information, students understand:

• The development of transferable techniques that include investigative, problem solving, research, decision-making, and analytical aptitude
• You will gain analytical dexterity, have an enquiring mind, and sharpen the ability to think logically
• The thorough and methodical approach to how you learn, assimilate and present important information
• How to deepen your organizational aptitude to plan and carry out projects
• How to explain results clearly and concisely
• Understand how historical events relate to each other

WHY STUDY HISTORY?

By looking at specific stories of individuals and situations, can study the great people of history who successfully worked through moral dilemmas, and also ordinary people who teach us lessons in courage, persistence and ingenuity.

Interesting events in the past:

• In 18th century England, pineapples were a status symbol. Those rich enough to own a pineapple would carry them around to show that their wealth and social status
• Modern humans first appeared around 200,000 years ago. It is estimated that about 97% of history has been lost over time. Written accounts of history started only about 6,000 years ago
• In Ancient Greece, wearing skirts was manly and Greeks would mock any men who wore trousers because they were considered effeminate
• The tallest married couple ever recorded was Anna Haining Swan, who was 2.4 meters, and Martin Van Buren Bates, who was 2.3 meters tall. When she gave birth, Swan’s baby weighed 10kg
• Emperor Augustus Caesar was the wealthiest man to ever live in history. He was Julius Caesar’s nephew, and had an estimated net worth of US$460 billion, when counting for inflation
• Mary really did have a little lamb. Mary Sawyer was an 11-year old girl who lived in Boston. One day, her pet lamb followed her to school. In the late 1860s, she helped raise money for an old church by selling wool from the lamb
• It snowed in the Sahara Desert for 30 minutes on 18 February, 1979
• Before 1687, clocks were made with only an hour hand
• 46 BC was 445 days long. It is the longest year in human history, and had two extra leap months inserted by Julius Caesar. This was done so that his newly-formed Julian Calendar could match up with the seasonal year
• The Eastern Roman Empire’s weapon, called Greek Fire, was used in ship-mounted flamethrowers. This weapon was deadly because throwing water onto it would only feed the fire
• 100 million years ago, the Sahara Desert was a lush oasis that was full of life. And full of predators. In 2009, fossil hunters found the remains of crocodiles that had large land-roaming legs that were capable of dashing around at breakneck speeds
• Cars were created in the 19^th century when European engineers Karl Benz and Emile Levassor were working on automobile inventions. Benz patented the first automobile in 1886.
• Humans have been performing dentistry since 7000 B.C. This makes dentistry one of the oldest professions
• The original site of the Eiffel Tower was supposed to be in Barcelona, Spain. However, the project was rejected because citizens thought it was an eyesore
• Tsutomu Yamaguchi survived both the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and then later Nagasaki. He was a 29-year-old Naval Engineer on a three-month business trip to Hiroshima. On 6^th August 1945, he survived the atomic bomb, despite being less than 3km from the explosion. On 7^th August 1945, he took a train back to his hometown of Nagasaki. He was with colleagues in an office building on 9^th August when the second atomic bomb fell. Yamaguchi emerged from the wreckage with only minor injuries. He had survived two nuclear blasts in two days
• The South African railway once employed a baboon. In his nine years of service, Jack the baboon never made a single mistake when operating railway signals

BENEFITS OF STUDYING HISTORY  

Historians use various research tools and techniques to investigate people, places and consequential events.

History students learn to analyze, contextualize and properly cite their sources.

Historians also use verifiable evidence that include artifacts and statistical data to offer a view of the world that is complicated, incomplete and sometimes even contradictory.

They then craft narratives that inform the public, and add to an ever-growing historical record.

WHAT REWARDING CAREERS/SPECIALTY AREAS REQUIRE KNOWLEDGE OF HISTORY?

A History degree may not lend itself to a direct career path, like say an engineering degree or a medical degree, but the skills you learn are highly valuable and can be applied to a wide array of career choices ranging from the arts to business to government.

History majors explore topics like art, science, economics, religion, technology, architecture, and politics throughout the past.

Earning a history degree qualifies graduates for career opportunities at museums, architectural firms, technical consulting companies, schools, and libraries.

Historians explore and interpret past events and eras.

Successful professionals in this field regularly possess strong analytical, research, writing, and foreign language skills.

Pursuing a career in business as a history major may not seem like an obvious choice, but a history degree develops the skills you need to analyze market trends and help organizations create strategic business plans. Common positions include consultants, economists, and market analysts.

Think History is a rigid and boring subject? Think again.

For students passionate about History, the career prospects are exciting, extensive, rewarding and diverse with high levels of responsibility, access to the latest advancements in your field, and the potential for high financial income.

The following examples often involve working with complex concepts, and a deep understanding of historical developments.

So, which are the best paying jobs requiring knowledge of History?

You can consider some of the many job roles and specialty areas for those with a History degree:

Museum Curator, Journalist, History Professor, Librarian, Writer, Business Consultant, Art Gallery Curator, Paralegal, Academic Researcher, Market Analyst, Political Assistant, Media Director, Archivist, Museum Exhibitions Officer, Broadcast Journalist, Religious Historian, Lawyer, Marketing Executive, Historic Buildings Conservation Officer, Archivist, Dramaturge, Community Organiser (Tours, Festivals, Experiences), Human Resources Manager, Communications Manager, Healthcare Public Relations, Historian, Journalist, Museum Education Officer, Event Service Specialist, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Executive, Anthropologist, Political Historian, Heritage Manager, Museum Curator, Earth Sciences Executive, Academic Librarian, Archaeologist, Editor, Public Policy Officer, Military Historian, Advertising and Marketing Manager, Genealogist, Administrative Support Officer, Political Scientist, Heritage Organization Manager, Market Research Analyst, International Development Organizations Director, Publishing Company Manager, Television and Radio Broadcaster, Social Media Manager.

History is a multi-faceted and ever-evolving field as there are constantly new questions to answer and challenges to overcome.

History specialists tend to be predominantly investigative individuals, which means that they are quite inquisitive and curious people that often like to spend time alone with their thoughts.

They also tend to be realistic, and often enjoy working outdoors or applying themselves to a hands-on project.

Historians also possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

People with strong History knowledge will certainly continue to be a vital part of the workforce to help significantly improve people’s daily lives.

HOW TO STUDY HISTORY

There are several ways of studying and teaching History.

Most of us would think of spending days on memorizing names, dates and places of major historical events.

Decades ago, that kind of rote learning was important, but things (and the History exam marking scheme) have changed.

Today, learning History is about making connections and understanding not just what happened.

You will be expected to know why the events happened, and “so what?”.

Reconstructing the facts of the past isn’t a simple process.

You need to consider the facts that are available, look at how they’re connected, and draw reasonable conclusions.

Studying this way helps you see the relevance and importance of History, while giving you a deeper and more lasting understanding of what happened.

Why is studying History difficult?

History is a progressive subject.

Anything you learn in the beginning of your History syllabus will be used later in curriculum.

So, you need to really pay attention and understand.

Especially in the beginning.

You will see over and over again the interwoven topics and materials that you had learned before your first History exam, in subsequent lessons and exams.

This means that you have to get it right from the beginning, or risk being left behind.

If you feel the need to slack off at all or to take a break, do it near the end of the semester/academic year.

It is best that you aim for an A right from the beginning because many top-scoring students find that their grades start to slip when the content gets more complex.

They typically face difficulties in History when they struggle to grasp foundational concepts, encounter tougher mathematical calculations, fail to make connections between different topics, and find it challenging to engage in abstract and logical reasoning.

The unfamiliarity, volume and speed of information presented in History can be overwhelming for many students.

The vast expanse of knowledge, intricate terminologies, and the interwoven complexities often pose hurdles.

Many students grapple with the sheer volume of information and the abstract nature of History.

Reading and understanding extensive material by yourself at home can become intimidating, and this can discourage the pursuit of better grades.

By using the practical and easy tips below, you can master your History syllabus.

Memorizing basic information is helpful, but real learning comes from conceptual understanding.

Conceptual understanding is the goal.

To achieve this, it is crucial to note:

1. History is a vast discipline. You learn the basic and build on them, and you also need to switch gears each time you enter into new territory
2. There is always something new to throw into whatever you had learnt and memorized
3. Some memorization is required, but mostly you need to think. You need to get used to working through how something works
4. To put it simply, there is a lot to learn and only a limited time for you to be adequately prepared for your exams
5. History is hard because you think it is hard. If you think something is difficult, you are setting up yourself to fulfil that expectation. You therefore need to truly believe that you can learn History. You may need to learn new study skills and change the way you organize your time, but anyone with the determination to learn History can do so. Once you succeed, you will gain a deep sense of accomplishment
6. The more times you hear and practice the materials, the easier it will get. Sections and chapters are constructed to highlight and guide you through particularly important concepts and historical activities, so do revisit the content regularly. This can help you to increase your understanding and retention of the topic
7. If you did not answer any test questions correctly, go back and learn that exact material until you master it. Do this before even more content is covered by your teacher in class
8. See the “big picture”, the hierarchical structure of historical information
9. Be able to understand how and why historical events happened the way they did
10. Grasp not only the definition of terms but why they are important
11. Do the assigned readings before your teacher covers it in school. Read and take notes on the assigned material before you come to class. This will enhance your understanding of the lecture and make note-taking easier
12. Check your understanding. After reading a section in the book, ask yourself if you could explain the material to your sibling or a friend. Reviewing questions and quizzes at the end of each chapter is also a great way to check your understanding of what you just learned
13. Convert your notes into study aids. When studying for exams, do not simply re-read your notes. Instead, convert your notes into matrices, concept maps or other visual representations of the material. Re-reading your notes is not enough
14. Form a study group. Working with a small group of 3 to 4 students will enhance your learning and comprehension. Teaching others is one of the best ways to learn History
15. Partner with an admired History mentor

If you cannot seem to truly understand a concept – even after consulting your notes and the textbook – schedule a meeting with your school teacher or start tuition with a History tutor from The Best In Singapore.

We equip our students with the how-how to study smart and score big for exams.

The individualized attention and tailored approaches offered by expert private tutors can unravel the intricacies of History. This is the transformative benefit of personalized History tuition in Singapore.

History principles build on top of one another, so taking the time to fully understand the more basic principles of History can help you to succeed when learning about the more difficult skills.

With customized guidance, students can navigate through challenging topics, understand complex theories, and foster an enduring curiosity for how and why historical events happened.  

This demystifies History and helps you overcome academic hurdles. It also instils a profound passion and curiosity for History beyond mere academic obligations.

HOW TO TURN THIS MONTH INTO A SPRINGBOARD FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR NEXT EXAM

History examinations are a significant milestone, and demonstrate how much of the content you have mastered.

Yet, the complexity of the History syllabus can be a demoralizing challenge for many students.

To do well in any exam, we need to rely on discipline, not just motivation.

All top students know that they will not always feel like studying.

Motivation is fickle and can often disappear when your mood changes.

Discipline – on the other hand – means studying even when you don’t feel like it, and even when you do not feel motivated.

Strategic planning and systematic preparation play a formidable role in navigating these hurdles and achieving success in History.

There are days when you have to force yourself to do the work you need to. No matter how you feel.

And you have to stick to your schedule, despite everything else that is going on around you.

THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO LEARN HISTORY   

Success in History exams depends on a combination of factors, from extensive understanding to efficient study methods.

• Try to understand patterns.
  The human mind loves categorising information and looking for relationships between the different things we encounter. This is how our minds make sense of the world around us
• Top students make use this way of thinking when it comes to studying as well
• They look at the bigger picture and they look for patterns in the History syllabus that will help them make sense of different – yet interrelated – topics
• Understanding the bigger picture, and how different topics relate to one another, will help you comprehend, memorise, and recall your work better.
• Try understanding the “why”
• It is not enough to just know “how” to solve a problem or approach an exam question, because you are expected to be able to apply the theory that you had learned
• Top students also know “why” you have to do things in a certain way. Understanding “why” will help you gain a deeper understanding of the work. This will then help you to internalise/absorb it more effectively This is particularly true when learning History
• Understanding the theory behind certain things will help you answer unfamiliar questions – not only in your exams, but when you enter the workforce as well.

Adopting a structured study schedule, breaking down the syllabus into manageable sections, and dedicating focused study sessions to each topic significantly enhances comprehension and retention.

TACKLING THE RIGOUR OF HISTORY EXAMS  

History exams in Singapore are renowned for their depth and complexity, often posing an alarming challenge for students.

The partnership between the Ministry of Education and the University of Cambridge in crafting these examinations based on local requirements and global industry developments in History elevates their difficulty level.

Overcoming these challenges demands focused attention, a deep understanding of concepts, and strategic application of knowledge.

IMPORTANCE OF SYSTEMIC STUDYING AND STRATEGIC PREPARATION WITH EXPERT GUIDANCE

Cultivating a habit of regular revision and addressing weak areas play a significant role in mastering History.

A proven method to do well in History examinations is to have access to an experienced tutor in Singapore who is an expert at systematic studying and who is good at simplifying complex History concepts.

You will learn mind mapping, and how to create appropriate notes.

Importantly, you will be equipped with the exact key phrases to use for explanations and answers that fastidious exam markers require.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD HISTORY TUTOR  

One to one History tuition at home gives you exclusive attention, and caters to your specific needs and pace. 

This personalized touch fosters an environment where complex topics can be explored comprehensively, ensuring a solid foundation in the subject.

A good History home tutor possesses a unique blend of qualifications, an ability to break down intricate theories into digestible components, and effective teaching methodology.

Your History tuition teacher has a robust understanding of the content that you want to understand, imparts problem-solving strategies, and instils a sense of curiosity and passion for History.

Their dedicated guidance helps you to navigate through the labyrinth of complex History concepts.

KEY INSIGHTS

• Singapore’s best tuition agent, with the most qualified and experienced History tuition teachers
• Choose from over 4,600 History tuition teachers who are MOE teachers/experienced tutors with PhD/Master’s/Bachelor’s/university undergraduates
• Teaching pace and material used are tailored to fit your individual needs
• Full attention of Singapore’s best History tuition teachers
• Correct the misconceptions immediately
• Specialty exam preparation
• Exposing our students to all the types of questions would mean they would never be caught off guard in an exam
• Intensive and methodical learning
• Lessons infused with impactful exam techniques
• Attentive, hardworking, committed History family tutors
• We are here to transform confusion and anxiety into clarity and confidence

You can be a top student too!

Don’t think for a second that there is any real difference between you and a top-achieving student when it comes to what you are capable of.

The only thing standing between you and much better marks is working harder, and working smarter.

So if you want to get to the top of your class, and pass your course with distinction, you just have to cultivate better study habits.

Every student wants to do well.

But those with clear goals are the ones who manage to push themselves a bit further each time.

For each semester and each exam, you have to create a realistic goal for yourself regarding the mark you want to achieve. And each goal should be a just little higher than the previous one.

In a world where the pursuit of knowledge and good grades is inevitable, the choice of the right History tuition teacher – whether in-person or through online tuition in Singapore – can define the types of grades that you will have over the next 3 months, for your upcoming school assessments, and the national exams.

Effective History tuition helps you overcome academic hurdles and is a productive gateway to a deeper understanding and profound appreciation for how History impacts our lives.