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How to Cram for a Final

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:28:52 +0000

Right about now, students all over the world are getting serious about their study time--when it's almost too late. I'll save the lecture about the difference between cramming and learning: let's get down to business.

The key to really learning a subject is repetition and reinforcement over a long period of time. But even if you don't have a lot of time before your next final, you can still benefit from repetition and reinforcement. But you have to throw in a practice test.

When you cram for a final, you want to avoid simply reading over the chapter, because there's no way to know if you're actually absorbing any of the information. You must quickly read and pretest yourself repeatedly. If possible, find a study partner. Make yourself a practice test (fill in the blank is best) and have your partner do the same.

Test yourself, grade yourself, and switch tests with your partner to repeat the tests until you get every answer right.

Have You Ever Been Bullied?

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:33:57 +0000

Bullying comes in many forms and it can have many long-lasting effects on students. Victims of bullies will suffer consequences in different ways, from lashing out and seeking revenge to internalizing and withdrawing. And, sadly, we all know that bullying can have more permanent, tragic outcomes, and that means we should all help spread awareness and educate ourselves.

It's not all that easy to educate ourselves, however, because laws and policies on bullying are different in every state. This chart will help you understand the policies and programs created by your own state representatives.

I think it is also important to note that some types of bullying can be less obvious, so we don't report or react because we are simply embarrassed. Students can suffer quietly, in the form of social pressure or intimidation, and these are not obvious to others. This kind of pressure can cause us to lose focus or stop caring about our grades. Sometimes a bully can cause us to fall behind in our studies for an entire school year, and this setback can also have long-lasting consequences. It can have a impact on our academic success.

Please realize that you could be the victim of bullying without realizing it. If your grades and your performance have ever suffered because of the actions of another, you are not alone. Statistics show that around 30% of students aged 12 through 18 have been bullied. Education and awareness will empower you!

Do You Know Where Your Wrist Watch Is?

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:53:35 +0000

Are you wearing a wrist watch? Do you even own a wrist watch?

It's the end of the regular school year, and many students will be taking several timed tests over the next few weeks. One essential tool you'll need to keep on hand every test day is a watch - but this is something students don't necessarily own, since so many of us keep time with our cell phones.

It is important to have a way to keep your eye on the passing time when you take a test, since you'll need to spend every minute wisely. You will need to make sure you finish the most important questions first (those that are worth the most points), and you'll want to give yourself little mini-deadlines for individual segments of the exams.

If you don't own a watch, it might be a good time to borrow one from a parent. Many classrooms don't have clocks, so you could end up mismanaging your time during an important test.

How to Stop Procrastinating and Start Writing

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:02:50 +0000

Sometimes students can find it hard to get started on an essay assignment because they don't know where to start. If this is happening to you right now, you probably have some good ideas about your topic, but those ideas seem jumbled and incomplete.

Whenever this happens, it is important to avoid allowing the problem to delay your start for too long. When you put off writing because you don't know how to start, you can end up scrambling to write a panic paper at the last minute.

Instead of procrastinating, start writing down your disorganized thoughts. Start by writing random ideas in a list. Type this list in bold print. Then, go back (in regular font) and elaborate under each bold idea. Write at least one paragraph under each bold heading, and then take a break from writing.

When you go back to read over your work, you will see that you have a pretty good framework to build upon. By reordering your paragraphs, writing a few introductory sentences, and adding some transition statements, you might end up with a good first draft.

Be Prepared for Finals Week

Mon, 06 May 2013 15:30:50 +0000

Just imagine that you are just settling in to study for a science test, only to realize that you have a 10-page paper due in the morning! What a nightmare! But this is the sort of thing that happens at the end of each term. Many students just don't realize the many obligations that will compete for their time during the last weeks of the school year.

Successful students know to plan ahead during finals week, even if planning ahead is something they don't normally do. This is the one time when good time management is absolutely critical!

Take a few moments to think about your deadlines and test dates, and make yourself a detailed study plan. Give yourself plenty of time for each individual task and obligation. After all, the school year is almost over. There will be plenty of time for play in the weeks to come!

Brain Food for Finals Week

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:59:43 +0000

The end of the school year is approaching for many, and that means final projects and big exams are ahead. It's important to stay healthy and alert--and you can do that by avoiding foods that make you feel sleepy and thick-headed, like sodas and fatty fast foods. I think you'll be surprised to find out how much these foods can affect your mood and your energy.

While you're preparing for end-of-year projects, why not give yourself a little edge with healthier meals? Try these ideas, for a change:

It can't hurt, and it might pay off with great results.

Should You Study with Your BFF?

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:43:13 +0000

There are many benefits to using a study partner. I've found that one of the best strategies for preparing for school tests is pairing up with someone to create and exchange practice exams. You'll be surprised how much this helps you predict (and prepare for) the questions you'll see on the real test! Because it's so helpful to study in pairs, I think there's always a benefit, no matter whom you choose to study with.

But if you have a choice, you should consider that it's not always ideal to select your best friend as a study partner! You may be good friends because you have so much in common, and that is not necessarily a good thing when it comes to this type of partnership. Study partners should complement one another. When you choose a study partner, you should try to find someone who will benefit from your strengths and help you with your weak areas. If you know that you struggle with grammar, for example, you should find a study partner who can help you identify and correct problems in your writing. Your best friend may or may not be right for this job.

And if you are particularly skillful with time management, you can help your partner when it comes to meeting goals and deadlines. You should both benefit from this partnership.

Another reason that it might not be the best option to pair up with your best friend? You might have too much fun! You are friends because you enjoy hanging around, and you probably like to laugh and mess around. When you meet with a study partner, you will need to stay on track!

Do you think it's a good idea to study with your best friend?

Shocked by a Bad Grade?

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:29:53 +0000

Have you ever turned in a paper with complete confidence, only to receive a big shock when the teacher gave it back - as in a bad grade shock? It's a terrible feeling!

It's not unusual for this to happen to good students as they approach high school level, because the teacher's expectations will increase as you progress. Teachers begin to look more closely at format and grammar, and sometimes the change takes students by surprise. As your assignments become more challenging, you must increase the time you spend on writing and revising drafts.

Remember to stay positive and take steps to identify any weakness or habit that might have affected your grade. It's important to react in a positive way, despite the frustration you may feel.

Your Secret Cheating Quotient

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 04:17:14 +0000

A Cheating Quiz!

No homework police here--the results of this assessment are for your eyes only. Cheating is on the rise, and many students think that cheating is harmless. But there are many ramifications from cheating!

Where do you score on the Secret Cheating Quotient? Take the quiz and learn more about yourself, where you stand compared to other students, and how your habits may affect you in the future.

Record Your Notes for Reinforcement

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 02:34:36 +0000

Do you take notes and tuck them away until test time? In fact, you should handle your class notes again and again before you need them for intensive test review.

It's a good idea to revisit your notes routinely as you progress through a term. In fact, you should keep your notes in order by numbering or dating the pages, then re-read them at night while the information is fresh. When you re-read, begin with the previous day's notes and read through to the end of the current day's notes.

To make the process more fun and more effective, try recording your notes into a device, like your phone or text-to-speech on your computer. This process will tap into your auditory learning abilities and provide you with an additional copy of your notes.