Posts Tagged ‘students’
February 11th, 2010
Study, study, study… it’s what students do almost every day of their life. And, if they aren’t studying, then they are worried about when they have to start studying again after their short break. Unfortunately, that is just the way of the student. There are good and bad ways to study though. If you are a student who wants to improve your grades, then there are simple tricks and tips to keep in mind that will not only improve your grades, but possibly make your own studying habits a little simpler on yourself.
Overall, it comes down to planning. Think ahead a little bit and try out these 7 things to help improve your study skills and, ultimately, your grades.
#1 Get Rest
Although this has been gone over many times, it is never said enough – Get enough rest before you go to school. Showing up to school tired means that you are not focused on the material that your teacher is lecturing or on what you are reading. If you are having trouble focusing in class while you yawn every ten minutes or more, chances are that you are not getting enough sleep during the night. If you are still skeptical on the importance of getting sleep, there is an entire blog on Eduify that is dedicated to the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation.
#2 Eat Before an Exam, (but don’t drink much)
Food is fuel. When people do not eat properly they become tired, weak, and grumpy. None of those symptoms of hunger are conducive to proper concentration while you try to study or attend class. If you are in class and you stomach is grumbling because you skipped breakfast again, you are going to end up daydreaming about food rather than listen to the lecture. Do yourself a favor and eat something that will tide you over while attending class. However, you may not want to drink anything in excess. The feeling of a full bladder and needing to run to the bathroom in the middle of class can be just as distracting as an empty stomach.
#3 Arrive to Class Early
When students are showing up to class late they are often out of breath or are interrupting the instructor’s lesson. A late entrance not only distracts the students, but it distracts the teacher, which is no way to get on a teacher’s good side. Being late also means that you have missed some material that was first given in the beginning of class, which may leave you a bit frazzled and possibly missing even more information as you ask a fellow student, “What did I miss?” I recommend showing up five or ten minutes early to class, so you have time to take your seat and set up your books without disturbing anyone with your backpack’s zipper or adjustments of your chair. An early student is prepared and in a ready state-of-mind to be taught.
#4 Make Flash Cards
Many students make flash cards when they are preparing for a test. I suggest making flash cards even before your test. Make early preparations for your test. If there is some information that you feel will be difficult to remember, you should put it on a flash card, that way when it is time to take your test, most of your flashcards will already be set for you, which should make you more relaxed than having to prepare cards last minute for your test.
#5 Record Lectures
If you happen to have a teacher who goes over material quickly or does not seem to stay on a topic long enough for you in class, ask the instructor if he or she would mind that you record the lecture. With a copy of the lecture in your pocket, you can later rewind and listen to any important parts that you may have missed jotting down in your notes. Most teachers do allow students to bring a recorder in to class, as long as they are warned ahead of time. It is not ethical to record a person talking who is not aware of it, so be sure to ask your teacher for permission before doing so.
#6 Read the Material after the Lecture
It may seem simple, but there are far too many students who only listen to the teacher lecture over a subject, but never actually read the material in the book. After the lecture, make time to read over the same material your instructor went over. Going over a lesson twice will help solidify the information in your memory better.
#7 Discuss Material with Friends
Although most students do not want to talk about their homework, having a discussion about the material you are studying is a great way to help remember information. If you are reading something confusing or interesting, relay that exact information to a friend or family member. When you force yourself to repeat the material and think about the topics in a conversation, you help yourself remember the information better. Since I had trouble remembering dates in history, I used to spout off facts to my brother with, “Did you know…?” He would usually roll his eyes or ignore me because he didn’t want a history lesson, but I just continued talking at him and it was a lot of help for me to remember the facts easier.
January 25th, 2010
By Amelia Anderson
Don't contemplate seeing a counselor... just see one!
No, they are not therapists or psychiatrists; they are guidance counselors who help guide students with their future goals. Although many students may think that a school counselor is going to be a drag or just a plain waste of their time, it is important for students to regularly visit their counselors to help themselves keep track of their career goals. Anytime a student needs to register for new classes, they should see their counselor beforehand. So few students take advantage of the help that a counselor can provide for them, and yet without these counselors, it is easy for students to fall off the right track or take a longer rout in getting to graduation. Here are some noteworthy reasons why every student should visit his or her school counselor.
They Help You Avoid Unnecessary Classes
It is easy to look at the description of a class and feel that it would be a lot of fun to take, but it may or may not be beneficial to the requirements of your major. It is also very common for students to take classes they think are required for their graduation, but later find that those classes served no purpose. To avoid wasting your time and possibly you money, take the time to see your guidance counselor and save yourself a lot of trouble. Your counselor can give you a layout of what is required for your degree and can help you stay on track for the rest of the school year.
Counselors Help with Career Goals
Your counselor is your best resource for giving you information on the kinds of classes or even internships you should be taking in order to pursue your dream career. And, if for some reason your particular counselor cannot answer questions about the career you are interested, then he or she can probably direct you to someone who can. All in all, asking your guidance counselor about what you need to look into for your future job is beneficial.
They Keep Your Status Realistic
So many students feel that they can depend on themselves to keep track of their requirements, and think they know the best way to plan out their education. But, on realistic terms, your counselor is the best person to ask if your plans are capable of taking fruition. Counselors can give you a time-table of how long or short your goals may be. They can let you know how much work is required for particular classes, and whether it is wise to take six classes that may completely drain you of time and energy. If you are interested in adding a minor to your degree or taking some extracurricular classes like painting when your major is in math, ask your counselor whether your hopes will ruin your graduation plans. Your counselor can tell you whether or not any extra classes would be beneficial to your degree. I once thought a particular literature course would delay my graduation, but my counselor found that the class could actually count as necessary credits for my graduation.
Counselors Help Find What Interests You
There are plenty of students who have no idea what they want to do with their lives, but even if you are that kind of student, do not feel discouraged. Counselors are meant to help students with that problem, too. High school students, in particular, are usually at a loss when it comes to figuring out what they want to do for the rest of their lives. A counselor will have discussions with you to help you figure out what you want to do with your life and how education can help you fulfill your dreams. Of course, college students can benefit from this, too. Your counselor can help you go over your current interests and let you know what your career options are.
Counselors Can Be Supportive
Having a supportive person who is friendly and concerned about your future comes in handy while you earn your education, which is another thing that a good counselor can provide. Let’s face it, sometimes being a student is a struggle. But, having people around you who support your hard work and efforts act as encouragement. It can motivate you to continue studying as hard and as strong as you can. I remember an old friend of mine in high school who had no idea what he wanted to do after graduation, so his counselor took it upon himself to help my friend and spend time with him to try and figure out what my friend’s interests really were. Not all counselors will have that same spare time for you, but the idea is that your counselor is there to support you.
January 21st, 2010
Picking an outfit for the first day of class is harder than you think
We have always been taught that first impressions are the most important impressions we make. There is only one shot at it, and if it’s messed up, people have a hard time changing their initial opinion of us. This rule still applies over the course of the semester, as the student. You may believe that you can disappear among the rest of the class-full of students, but this is not true. Instructors observe their students from the very first day, trying to figure out what kind of people they will be dealing with throughout the semester or year. And, since students rarely get to speak the first day of class, the way teachers surmise a student’s character is by observing the way that they dress. Here are some tips on making a good impression with your teachers by dressing in an appropriate manner.
Avoid Wearing Crude T-Shirts
It is very popular to wear shirts with slogans across the chest or back, or to even have large pictures of people or jokes. There may be nothing wrong with this, as long as you are not wearing anything that could be interpreted as offensive, immature, or sleazy. T-shirts displaying girls in bikinis could make your teachers uncomfortable, as well as the other female classmates. Similarly, you can easily lose your teachers and some classmates’ respect by wearing shirts with foul language or inappropriate jokes. I once had a friend who wore a shirt displaying the best ways to avoid taking a test. Although his friends were amused, the teacher was not. If a teacher loses respect for you, it is less likely that that teacher will be able to give you the benefit of the doubt when you need assistance or tell him or her that you need an extension on some homework.
Don’t Wear Provocative Clothing
Skimpy clothing on men or women is not appropriate in the classroom. Young ladies in low-cut tops and young men who wear thin undershirts with nothing else can make the professors feel uncomfortable. Provocative clothing can be distracting to other students or teachers by constantly drawing other people’s eyes towards you. It can also make professors feel that you are disrespecting the class by trying to use the classroom as a time to pick up a date instead of learning from the lecture. Getting an education can be looked at as a form of a job, so dressing in a more serious manner than clubbing attire should be taken into consideration.
Take Off Your Sunglasses During Class
Students who wear sunglasses appear as if they are trying to ignore everyone around them. This is disrespectful to a teacher, who may feel as if the student is not listening to the lecture. Having witnessed one student who always came to class with sunglasses, I know first-hand that both the teacher and the other students would comment how unfriendly and rude the sunglass-wearing student appeared.
Do Not Overdress for Class
Some students think that they need to come to class looking as if they are dressed for the office. Showing up in button up shirts or high heels cannot be comfortable as you sit at a desk for over an hour. Yes, you want to make a good impression, but wearing clothing that is stiff or stuffy could make you so uncomfortable that you are distracted from the lecture and hinder your learning ability.
Wear Something Appropriate to Your Style
It is important to make a good impression, but it is also important that your fashion choices also show some of the real you. You don’t need to go out and buy new clothes just because you need to make a good impression. Use what is in your closet, but just keep in mind that the clothes you wear will be what the teacher uses to profile you with over the course of the school year. Dressing nice the first day and then changing your style completely in the next few weeks will not maintain a good impression.
January 13th, 2010
By Amelia Anderson
New backpacks, clothes, folders, pencils, classes, and of course new books are typically bought at the beginning of classes. Although the expenses can add up, some of the most trying things to buy have got to be the books. Maybe you can reuse an old backpack, maybe you don’t necessarily need a new wardrobe for school, and you may very likely have spare pens, pencils, and binders for the new school year. But, new books are something that has to be bought. Depending on the types of classes you are taking, books can be very expensive for students and can easily put a hole in a person’s budget. However, there are ways to make buying new books for the semester a lot more economical.
Order Textbooks Online
It is usually more convenient to buy textbooks through the school you are attending, however that is typically the most expensive way to buy books for school. There are many websites online that sell textbooks for a much cheaper price. Just make sure that you buy your books a week or two in advance, so you have your books in time for school. Popular websites like cheapesttextbooks.com, half.ebay.com/ , textbooks.com/, and even http://www.barnesandnoble.com/textbooks/index.asp are great resources for inexpensive text books. If you can’t find what you want at these sites, research more to find others and compare prices – there are plenty to choose from.
Read Online
There are many novels that are available to read online, without having to spend a dime. Textbooks are probably not accessible, but classic novels are often found. As long as you do not have sensitive eyes to reading for an extensive period on a computer screen, then reading online is a great way to save a little money. I read the entire text of Uncle Tom’s Cabin online, which was required for one of my literature classes. Since the book didn’t need to be brought into class, there was no problem just reading the book online.
Buy Used Books
Both textbooks and novels can be a lot cheaper when they are bought used. And, since most students do not keep their school books after they have finished their class, there is no point in buying a book in pristine condition that you have no intention of holding onto anyway. Novels can be found for half price at used book stores, and used textbooks that are available at the local bookstores can be ¼ the price of a brand new textbook.
Rent Textbooks
It may be the newest form of getting textbooks for school – Renting! Yes, there is actually a website that offers students to rent texts. You can rent and even sell textbooks to make money at http://www.chegg.com/. Renting books is even cheaper than buying used books, and with the speed this new option is taking in popularity, I am certain that there will be more online sites available for renting books in the near future.
Borrow Textbooks from the Library
It is one of the oldest tricks, but it really does work. Borrow books from the library. School libraries are supposed to carry the textbooks that are required for your school’s classes, so just borrowing those books instead buying them is way cheaper. I recommend double checking to be certain that the library does carry the textbook you need and to check the policies for borrowing a textbook (some libraries are stricter with the length of time you can keep a textbook out of the library). If everything seems to work in your favor, borrowing textbooks from the library is a free option instead of having to buy a book that may cost anywhere from $50 to $100.
January 11th, 2010
By Amelia Anderson
There is no avoiding the anxiety that comes with the start of a new school year. Students cannot help worrying whether they will like their teachers or whether they can handle the new homework. It is the unknown that can be so frightening, and being unprepared only heightens that feeling. However, if you have an idea of what to expect from your classes and can get yourself ready for them, you will not feel so overwhelmed and nervous at the beginning of class. Here are some ways to prepare yourself for your new classes even before they begin.
Buy Your Books Ahead of Time
Most teachers make the book lists for their classes available to the students in advance. It is a good idea to buy all the books you can before classes start, so you can be prepared for class. So many students make the mistake of buying their books the day after classes start, but this often leads to problems. Long lines at the bookstores are a nuisance and books are easily sold out. Having a delay in getting your books can make you fall behind with your homework early in the semester, and turning in homework late is a bad way to start your classes.
Read Some of Your Homework Before Class Starts
Reading the introduction or skimming some of the homework in your new textbook is a good way to see what is coming in the next few months. Instead of wondering whether your homework is going to be difficult, take a look and see what your book has to offer, so you can mentally prepare yourself for upcoming homework. Don’t get so ambitious that you actually do the homework, but familiarize yourself a little bit with what you will be studying. Getting too far ahead probably isn’t a good idea since you may see some material that is confusing, which could just make you that much more nervous in the first place. The idea is to make yourself aware of what you can expect, so there are no real surprises when you start your classes.
Practice Skills You May Have Forgotten
Subjects that require practice like math and grammar rules may be difficult to remember when you come back from a long break. If you feel you are getting a little rusty with your algebraic formulas, or are having trouble remembering punctuation rules, it may help to do some light studying before the new classes begin. Skim through an old grammar book, or find some math sheets online that you can practice a little bit with. Getting some practice will not only jog your memory, but it will help you feel prepared for the upcoming school year.
Skim Through Last Year’s Grades
Take a quick look at the kind of work you turned in last year. What kinds of grades did you get? Were you happy with them? What did you do well? What did you do badly? Keep these past grades in mind as reminders of what good habits you should keep up with the New Year, and what bad habits you should be fixing this coming year. If you slacked off or turned in-work that was incomplete, these old assignments should be a wake up to make better practices for the upcoming school year.
Have Your Backpack Ready
It may seem minor, but having your backpack organized and set with your binder, books, pens, and pencils will make you feel prepared for the first day of school. Throwing all of your things in your bag at the last minute can make a student feel anxious and unprepared. If you are rushed into putting things together, you are likely to forget something important, or leave yourself with the fear of forgetting something. In short, if your backpack is prepared early, you will feel less anxious and more prepared for class.
