Conquering Physics and Maths: The GHOST BUST Framework for Academic Success

Maths and Science are often viewed as some of the most challenging subjects, causing a great deal of anxiety among students. This anxiety can create "ghosts" in their minds—fear and self-doubt that haunt their learning journey. The perception of these subjects as difficult and intimidating mostly stems from the fact that they are different from all the others. Unlike History, English, or Art, Maths and Sciences (particularly Physics) are concept-based subjects. They rely on students' ability to understand rather than just memorize, which, unfortunately, is a skill most students do not use much in other subjects. To compensate for this, ill-fated exercises are introduced. Like push-ups, they are tailored to strengthen, one at a time, the high-level thinking muscle required for content apprehension and comprehension. Like push-ups, they also have a high rate of attrition, leaving an equally high percentage of students behind. Moreover, although relatable to the real world, the core of these concept-based contents is, by definition, abstract, and the necessary linkage between what is taught and students' experiences of the world is often not prioritized. This can leave students with a sense of detachment, leading to a lack of confidence and increased stress.

In my years of teaching and dealing with these issues, I've seen firsthand the struggles students face. However, I’ve also observed the strategies top students use to overcome these challenges and excel. Combining this experience with my background in studying modern educational principles, I’ve developed a unique learning framework tailored specifically for Maths and Science students. It’s called the GHOST BUST framework, and it’s designed to help students conquer these "ghosts" and achieve their full potential.

What is the GHOST BUST Framework?

GHOST BUST stands for Grab, Hold, Own, Settle, Triumph, and Brainstorm, Unravel, Simplify, Teach. It’s based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, a well-regarded model that categorizes educational goals into levels of complexity and specificity. The framework is split into two parts:

• GHOST: Focuses on the foundational stages of learning—remembering, understanding, and applying. Directly links to student’s academic attainment.
• BUST: Emphasizes higher-level learning approaches—analysing, evaluating, and creating. Goes above and beyond the exam day.

GHOST: Building a Strong Foundation by Following a Specific Order

Grab
In the Grab phase, content is introduced, and students are invited to think about it, linking it to real-life applications. This helps make abstract concepts more tangible and relevant, which is crucial for understanding and retention. By engaging with the material in a practical context, students can better appreciate its value.

Hold
The Hold phase involves solving exercises and problems with an increasing level of difficulty. This progressive problem-solving approach builds confidence and competence, ensuring that students can apply their knowledge in various contexts. It’s about gradually stretching their abilities without overwhelming them.

Own
During the Own phase, students master exam techniques through solving past papers and attending workshops on tips and tricks. Familiarizing themselves with exam formats and strategies can significantly improve performance, reducing the anxiety often associated with exams.

Settle
In the Settle phase, students reflect on their progress and rest before the examinations. This is a crucial time for mental health and well-being. Taking a step back to appreciate the journey and recharge helps reduce burnout and prepares students for the final push.

Triumph
The Triumph phase is exam day, where students benefit from all the previous steps. By this point, they should feel comfortable and confident in their abilities, ready to tackle the exam with the skills and knowledge they’ve acquired.

BUST: Enhancing Higher-Level Learning and Glueing All together. No Particular Order Required

Brainstorm
In the Brainstorm phase, students collaborate and generate new ideas. This collaborative effort fosters creativity and critical thinking, essential skills for both academic and real-world success.

Unravel
The Unravel phase involves delving deeper into subjects, exploring complex ideas and developing a thorough understanding. This deep analysis encourages advanced problem-solving abilities and a more profound grasp of the material.

Simplify
In the Simplify phase, students explain concepts to laypeople. Teaching others in simple terms reinforces their understanding and communication skills, which are crucial for effective knowledge dissemination.

Teach
Finally, in the Teach phase, students present their knowledge to experts. Teaching peers and experts helps solidify their knowledge and develop advanced communication skills, preparing them for future professional and academic endeavours.

The GHOST BUST framework directly addresses the pain points of anxiety, detachment, and lack of confidence in Maths and Science by providing a structured and supportive approach to learning. By breaking down complex concepts into manageable phases, it helps students build a solid foundation of understanding and application. Through practical exercises and real-life applications in the Grab and Hold phases, students overcome the abstract nature of these subjects, making them more relatable and easier to grasp. The Own and Settle phases focus on exam preparation and mental well-being, reducing stress and boosting confidence. The BUST stages further enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills through collaboration, deep analysis, simplification, and teaching. This comprehensive methodology ensures that students not only master the content but also develop the skills necessary to succeed academically and beyond. The GHOST BUST framework is integrated into my ACCESS PRO and ACCESS ULTRA tiers, and you can get a preview of it in the ACCESS tier, which is free. You can learn some more about the GHOST BUST framework and how I adapted it in my platform.

Best regards, Mr. Miranda