review of a book

Book Name………………… “IN SEARCH OF LIGHT”

Author………………………. Mr. Muhammad Saeed Rashid
INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTHOR:
Mr. Muhammad Saeed Rashid, born in 1927, served at Military College, Jehlum for about 40 years.
Besides, he was also the director of the Research and Development Cell of the same institution for a number of
years. Being director of the R & D Cell, he has helped to shape the policies of this institution regarding the growth
needs of students. This book is one of those steps……….
THE TITLE OF THE BOOK>>> “IN SEARCH OF LIGHT”
We know that college education is extremely different from high school education; when we get
admission in college, we start our journey in search of light, and college is the first stop in this journey. College is not
just to get a degree, but also a way to develop yourself, your abilities, and your personality. So through this book, the
author wants to guide youngsters in this journey. So this is the main objective of the book…………….
WHY DID I CHOOSE THIS BOOK???
I chose this book because it’s a guidance book for students. It contains material on four major aspects
of a student’s life:
1. Journey from high school to college 3. .Personality Development

2. Skills of better and faster reading 4. Examination attempting technique

I think, a student must know these things if he or she really wants to be successful in his/her educational
career. I read it, and learnt many new things which teachers usually do not express in class rooms……….
WHAT DOES AUTHOR SAY IN THE BOOK??? (A Brieeeeef Summary / overview of the book)
This book is divided into 5 major parts:
PART-1
In the opening section of the book, the author compares and contrasts college education from high school
education. Then he describes college education as a privilege and as a challenge…
In the next section, he describes college expectations from students, as well as students’ expectations from
college. Of course, there are added advantages of college education__ so ‘what much a college can do for you’ has
been broadly explained by him.
PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
College is a way to develop yourself, your abilities and your personality. He says total education must take
into account the non-academic dimensions of personality. He has described three areas in this pursuit:
1. Elements of Total Education: (Physical Fitness)
2. Mental development (Participate in the process of learning and should not depend solely on teacher)
3. Social & Moral development

 Develop proper attitude to work and discipline, learn to forgive….

 Acquire proper values and be kind, compassionate, and considerate
 Be always grateful to Allah, etc………………
In the next section, he has described four dimensions of knowledge, which a man must master: 1. the
knowledge of the people among whom we are born, 2. the world in which we are born, 3. moralities, and 4. his own
strengths and weaknesses, etc… But I think he must have the knowledge of his Creator—Who brought him into this
world, feeds him and shows him the right direction in the Holy Book, the Quran. I must say: “this knowledge should
be on the top priority….”
Mind development
In this section, he explains how we can improve our mind………….
(By actively using it, by thinking deeply, by constant creative mental activity, etc.)
Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
Here he says IQ only indicates one’s inherent capacity for learning, not the actual level of one’s learning. So
high IQ is not a guarantee to success, but your willingness to work and determination are more important than IQ.
THE PROCESS OF LEARNING
In this most important section of the book, Mr. Saeed has explained how to learn better (He calls this….
“Learning to Learn”). Here the author has highlightened three basic skills a student must master… he says these
skills are: 1. Reading effectively 2. Listening attentively 3. Thinking critically
Alright!!! But I think speaking skills are also important because much of your success in your educational
career, job career and social life will depend on how impressively and persuasively you speak…..
PART-2
This part describes: SENSE OF PRIORITIES A student of balanced disposition and stable temperament
concentrates better on study and works harder and longer…SENSE OF COMMITMENT a student must be
committed to his or her development and betterment….
PART-3
HOW TO LEARN BETTER AND FASTER (6 Rules)
1. Read more and more…(practice makes a man perfect)
2. Learn to read from main ideas (Stop wasting time and effort on reading details)
3. Challenge your comprehension (By reading difficult and challenging material)
4. Budget your time (fix a time by which you want to finish the book)
5. Pace yourself (note pages per hour)
6. Develop habit of immediate concentration……………
The author has made his points stronger by comparing and contrasting an efficient and an inefficient reader; He
describes that an efficient reader can read 300-400 words/minute, reads for ideas and leaves unnecessary sections
and paragraphs, reads one line in 3-5 eye-movements, reads silently (his lips, tongue, and vocal cords are
motionless). On the other hand, an inefficient reader reads slowly (200 or less wpm), reads every thing irrespective
of their importance, Moves his eyes a dozen times to read a line, Sounds words out with lips, tongue, or vocal cords.
i.e. he is dependent on ‘inner speech’ (on hearing the sounds of the words he is reading)
PART-4
SOME CONDUSIVE CONDITIONS FOR STUDY
Here the author guides us about:
1. Place of study>>>clear, airy, and well-lighted…
2. Quietness>>>Noise distracts attention…
3. Bed is not a place for study>>>a straight back chair is commendable. Always sit in the correct posture…
4. Lack of sleep and rest reduces your capacity to study well. So take proper sleep and rest…
5. Don’t waste weekends…make up your deficiencies, etc……
THE TECHNIQUES OF ANSWERING QUESTIONS
 What does examiner want to ask in the question? Give him what he exactly wants…
 If question is in parts, answer each separately…
 Be to the point--- Don’t write irrelevant, etc……
24 HOURS BEFORE THE EXAMINATION
 100% physical fitness and mental alertness is compulsory for best performance.
 Have at least 6 hours peaceful sleep…………

 Have a look at your notes & points. Do NOT try to learn anything new etc……
THE QUESTION PAPER
 On receiving the question paper, don’t rush to answer it….

 First read the instructions on doing the paper and then carefully go through the whole paper……
 Always remember that questions can also be on the back of the question paper… You may lose precious
marks , otherwise…….
HOW TO ATTEMPT EXAM QUESTIONS
 In exams, your race is against the time. Be careful in using time…
 Remember, it is the quality of the answer, not its length that matters…..
 If you run short of time, do not leave any question unattempted. Now do it in outline and summary…

 If you do not know the answer, don’t leave it unattempted. Recall your mind and write anything which you
think fits here…..
WHICH QUESTION FIRST??

 Avoid first attending those questions which need diagram and explanation. Do them in the last….
 First attempt objective and short questions, and do essay type and confusing questions in the last….
WARNING: If you stuck up in a question for any reason (for example; wrong figure work, failure to recollect a point,
etc…), don’t waste time on it, leave it and start answering other questions; previous point may come to your mind
later on…
PART-5
THE COLLEGE TEACHER
Primary purpose of a college teacher is not just to transmit a set body of knowledge to students--it’s
much more…. He must lead students to make their own discovery of principles, concepts, and values. So he must be
a good leader….
Teachers are not to deliver bookish knowledge—They must share personal observations, practical examples
from daily life, and their exposure in that area…. No student likes a teacher who depends too much on text books
and lacks originality of approach……..
THE SUCCESS OF THE BOOK
Turning towards conclusion, I would like to write a few lines about the success of the book…
 I’ve already mentioned that this is a guidance book for students who have just started their journey in search of
light. And I think Mr. Saeed has successfully drawn a comprehensive picture of guidance about total education in this
book. That is__college education, as well as, personal development. I think this material truly describes these
things…………..
Thank you so millions . . . . !!!