July 6th, 2010
Use flashcards. Home-made version. Sound old-fashioned? Well it is. And here is why they’re effective:
1) You review while you are creating the cards. And you are not only reveiwing, you are making choices at the same time about how to categorize and identify information and what is most important to remember.
2) You review them repeatedly (we hope) later.
3) Can be shuffled randomly or arranged in different categories, or focused on ones you have trouble with.
4) They are very portable, can be taken for a few minutes of reiew when you are stuck on a bus, waiting in the car for someone somewhere, a few minutes at the end of a class, the 5-10 minutes after hoework before dinner.
5) Used optimally, you are engaging various parts of your brain: writing them out initially, reading if possible aloud to yourself as you study them, flipping the cards with your hands.
6) Remember not to cram too much information on one card. A “flash” is “an instant.” Flashcards are supposed to help you practice quick recall of essential facts and ideas.
Posted in More Ways to Succeed, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
June 28th, 2010
We’ve all been there, its 2AM and all that is keeping us awake is coffee or a Red Bull.
However, too much caffeine is definitely unhealthy. Before you become addicted, try using these three easy tips.
- Stay Cold – Splash cold water on your face, drink cold water, or open a window, this will jolt your senses, keeping them from going into warm, dreamy “sleep mode.”
- Take a Stretch – When you sleep, your blood circulation slows, so a stronger blood circulation will keep you awake. Standing up to stretch or exercise at least once every hour will keep your blood moving.
- Chew Gum – Like taking a stretch, chewing gum is a form of exercise that will keep the blood moving towards your head. Strong flavors work best.
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For more information about caffeine addiction, check out Caffeine Blues by Stephen Cherniske! |
Tags: caffeine, chewing gum, energy, exercise, late night
Posted in More Ways to Succeed | 1 Comment »
June 14th, 2010
Presentation counts. The content for your projects is important, but the whole package and attention to details matters. Why? Because in real life, people won’t pay any attention to your content if it’s sloppy, if it’s not presented in an attention-getting, appealing, and logical manner.
So even if teachers say they don’t care about your art skills… honestly they do.
Tags: physical appearance, presentation, school help, school tips
Posted in Ways to Succeed | 2 Comments »
June 14th, 2010
Athletes do better in school on average than non-athletes. You don’t have to be on a team, but you should be active. It’s good for your body including your brain function. It’s good for your self-image and self-confidence. If you are on a team of some kind, it makes you become a better time manager. (note: many of the same arguments can be applied to serious musicians or other types of performance)
Also, kids who do extra stuff outside of academics such as speech and debate, journalism, student body, etc, do much better than the typical student.
Tags: asb, athletics, Extra Curriculars, journalism, school, speech and debate, sports, student body
Posted in Ways to Succeed | 1 Comment »
June 14th, 2010
A good command of English vocabulary and grammar will serve you well no matter what subject area.
It is statistically proven that kids who read a lot when they were younger do a lot better in school. Regardless of what book or magazine, every bit of literacy will increase intelligence.
Tags: essays, grammar, vocabulary, writing
Posted in Ways to Succeed | No Comments »
June 14th, 2010
If given a choice, sit in the front or near the front of the classroom. And look alert. Raise your hand often. If you don’t really have a comment, then ask a question, or keep in mind that you can also make a comment seem like a question. Stay after class or go after school to ask the teacher a question or clarify some point. Teachers love kids who they think are really interested or really trying, and will usually give them the higher grade if something is on the borderline.
Do not kiss up too much. Teachers can tell.
Tags: classroom, school room, site in the front, teacher help
Posted in Ways to Succeed | 1 Comment »
June 14th, 2010
Don’t directly or indirectly point out the teacher’s errors in class, unless you already have evidence the teacher is okay with that. If it is something that is truly important, you can try to clarify with the teacher after class or after school.
There was a kid in one of my classes a few years back that constantly corrected the teacher. He was obviously a genius but also a social failure. He still got a great grade, but nobody, including the teacher liked him.
Tags: correct the teacher, school help, social failure, teacher
Posted in Ways to Succeed | No Comments »
June 14th, 2010
Do check the online gradebook, if your school uses one, regularly. Not only do teachers sometimes make honest mistakes (which you can then point out to them) in entering grades, but also it will help you keep aware of what class or assignment you most need to pay attention to.
Tags: internet grades, online grading, piv, school
Posted in Ways to Succeed | No Comments »
June 14th, 2010
While teachers do like the kids who check over their homework and tests afterwards, and ask questions, they don’t like the kids who seem to be focused primarily securing every single tenth of a point (even if they might be entitled). So even if you’re pretty sure you’re right, if right and wrong are not clear-cut or it is not a significant number of points involved, let it go.
Although you might need those points, it’s more important to make sure the teacher does not hate you.
Tags: grade grubber, homework guide, school help, teacher
Posted in Ways to Succeed | No Comments »
June 14th, 2010
Use the calendar function that goes with your email or any other calendar to track assignments, extracurricular activities, other jobs and tasks, and send yourself reminders of everything things you intend to do. It is worth the time to input things.
I know that every single student has forgotten an assignment at least once in his/her life. If you continually keep track of everything, it’ll reduce the chances of losing a few points.
Who cares about a few points? Well every student hits a point where he/she could have gotten that grade a whole letter higher if not for a few points. I remember when I got a B+ by 2 points. If I hadn’t forgotten some homework, I would have gotten an A.
Tags: be organized, school, school help, school tips
Posted in Ways to Succeed | No Comments »
