R.a's Guidelines and Principles

8/6/2019 R.a's Guidelines and Principles

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R.As Guidelines and Principles

Compiled Edition

Compiled by

Rico Alvarez

(Site Address-maghimu pa, magsilbing database sa akong natun-an)

[email protected]

2011


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I Background

Transition to College...............................................................................................................................7Choosing a College..................................................................................................................................8Choosing a Career..................................................................................................................................10Financial Aid..........................................................................................................................................11Writing College Admission Essay.........................................................................................................13Succeding in College..............................................................................................................................14

PART II Evaluation and Preparation

Activating Your Eight Multiple Intelligences.......................................................................................18Self-Esteem............................................................................................................................................19Your Preferred Learning Style...............................................................................................................20Class Participation..................................................................................................................................21Making an Oral Presentation..................................................................................................................22

PART III Notetaking

Good Listening in Class........................................................................................................................23Identifying Lecture Style.......................................................................................................................24Taking Notes in Class...........................................................................................................................25Using Abbreviations To Write Notes Quickly......................................................................................27

PART IV Information Retreival Guidelines

Using Acronyms to Remember Information.........................................................................................29Using Acronymic Sentences to Remember Information.......................................................................30Using Pegwords to Remember Information...........................................................................................31Using Flash Cards to Remember Information.......................................................................................33Loci Strategy..........................................................................................................................................35

PART V Study Guidelines

Setting Goals.........................................................................................................................................37Procrastination.......................................................................................................................................38Motivating Yourself to Study................................................................................................................40The Ten Study Habits of Successful Students......................................................................................41

Managing Your Study Time..................................................................................................................43Preparing to Study - A Good Study Place............................................................................................45Improving Concentration......................................................................................................................47A Strategy for Reading Textbooks........................................................................................................48Flexible Reading...................................................................................................................................49Improving Reading Fluency..................................................................................................................50KWL Chart............................................................................................................................................51Study Groups.........................................................................................................................................52Using Reference Sources......................................................................................................................55


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PART VI Taking Test and Examination

Test Anxiety..........................................................................................................................................56The DETER Strategy for Taking Tests.................................................................................................58Studying for an Essay Test....................................................................................................................60Direction Words In Essay Test Items....................................................................................................61Multiple-Choices Tests.........................................................................................................................63True-False Tests....................................................................................................................................65

Pre-Test Taking Tips.............................................................................................................................67Post Test Taking Tips............................................................................................................................69


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PREFACE


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"When in college or any level of school ,always maintain a schedule of upcomming assignments andtests for at least a week. Hang that schedule in the place where you study, for example, your study room.Draw little boxes beside each task. As you finish each task, mark those boxes with a tick or a crossindicating that you have successfully completed that job. For quizes and assignments, when you make agood grade on them, write your grade next to them with a happy face. This practice helps you stayorganized and gives you enthusiasm and encouragement and motivates you to complete your work ontime. "

Zunaira Khalid

"Whenever you want to study, don't get too comfortable like reading on the bed. Free your mind fromworries so you can concentrate on your studying - be in that free world. Avoid disruptions such astexting while studying or watching tv. Most important, know what you're aiming at. "

Christabel Phir

"Understand what are you reading. Read carefully and think before you answer or write. Don't read justto read. You have to understand what you are reading. If you don't read the questions carefully, you aregoing to get them wrong. If you don't know a word, look at the sentence before the word to help youknow the definition of the word."

Brenda Caceres

"I ususally go over my notes and pull the ones that are really important. I rewrite them (I use

abbreviations in class) and then pretend I am teaching someone else that same subject. If you like, youcan ask people to listen to you. This way you get a revision, and then sometimes you can even expandon the idea, if you are really getting into it. Also, you can act as if you are reporting it to the country onyour news channel or just use little pretend careers to memorize your notes."

Hunza S

"First of all, you have to read your lesson before your class. That will help you to know what you shouldlisten for in class. Then, after the class, you have to underline the important things in your notes and

textbook."

Hessah Ally


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Transition to College

Deciding to go to college is an important decision in your life.Getting admitted to college is a significant accomplishment.Succeeding in college is an even more significant accomplishment.

There are many differences between high school and college.

Because of the differences, students often find the transition fromhigh school to college to be very challenging. In fact, one out ofevery three students who enter college does not complete his or herfreshman year.

Here are some of the important differences between high school andcollege that can make a successful transition difficult. For each, you will find suggestions to help yousuccessfully handle the difference.

1. The academic work in college is more difficult than it is in high school. This means that you willhave to work both harder and longer. High school students typically study 2 to 3 hours a week

for each class. For each college class, you will probably need to study 2 to 3 hours for each classhour. Since most college classes meet for 3 hours a week, you will have to study 3 times as muchin college than you did in high school. Be prepared to take on this commitment.

2. In high school you are required to attend every class session. This is often not the case in collegeclasses. Many college teachers don't take attendance. It will be easy for you to find things youwould rather do than go to class. Don't give in to temptation. Students who attend and participatein classes on a regular basis get higher grades than students who don't. Make every effort toattend every class session.

3. You are going to have to be an independent learner incollege. High school teachers often check to see that youare doing your assignments and readings. Collegeteachers simply expect you to do these things. It is up toyou to make sure that you do.

4. Your schedule of classes in college will be more spreadout than your classes in high school. High school classestypically meet daily. College classes meet 2 to 3 times aweek, and some even meet just once a week. It is very important for you to carefully manage thetime in between classes. Creating and sticking to a study schedule is crucial.

5. Tests in high school classes are often given frequently and cover a small amount of information.Tests in college classes are given less frequently and cover a great deal of information.Sometimes the only test is the final exam. Make-up tests are rarely given in college, and youusually cannot raise a low score by doing extra credit work. To do well on tests in college, youmust take good notes in class and from yourtextbooks. You should also have a good strategy fortaking tests.

College is not simply a continuation of high school. It is a new experience that requires you to

approach success in new ways right from day one.


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Tips for Choosing a College

Choosing the right college can be a difficult task. There are thousands of colleges and universities tochoose from and many are worthy of being considered. Here are some tips that can help you select theappropriate college.

1. For each potential college, find out the success rate of students obtainingemployment, especially in jobs that are related to their major. Thecollege should have statistics to back up their claims. Make sure the procedure used for compiling their statistics is clear to you.

2. Colleges that offer internships in some of the fields you findinteresting are worthy of your attention. Internships providevaluable experience and vital networkingopportunities. Also, companies often hire interns thatperform well. Choosing a college that has facultymembers with good reputations in their field can be very

useful since these faculty members can provide paths into theworking world via internships and jobs.3. School rankings and a national reputation of academic excellence are often

important factors for potential employers. This type of information can be found on the Internetand in magazines. Also, strong name recognition for a college is often a significant factor foremployers. Name recognition can be a more important factor in getting a job than the actualquality of education the college provides.

4. After narrowing down the field to a few colleges, visiting each of the finalists is vital. Visitingthe campus can change your attitude about a particular school. Take the official tour and then dosome exploring on your own. It's also important to talk to as many students as you can and gettheir impressions of the college. In addition, it's very important to contact a prospective school's

alumni association and find out from former graduates if earning a degree from the school washelpful in obtaining a job.5. Unless you are very certain of the major you want to pursue, selecting a college primarily based

on a potential major is usually not a good idea. Often, students change their minds about majorsafter they have completed some college classes. College courses can help you determine whatsubjects interest you as well as your aptitude for a given subject.

6. One of the best ways to learn about the quality of a college and the satisfaction of its students isto ask about the percentage of students that return after completing their first year. Also, askabout the college's graduation rate.

7. If you have selected several potential careers, ask potential employers for their collegepreferences. You can ask by telephone or email.

8. Make a list of your important criteria and find out how well each college you're consideringmeets your criteria. It may be helpful to divide your criteria list into sections labeled extremelyimportant, important, and somewhat important.

9. When considering an expensive, private college that has local name recognition and an excellentlocal reputation, strongly consider if you will be staying in the area in which the college islocated after you graduate. Sometimes graduates from expensive private colleges move to othergeographical locations where employers have never heard of the small school they attended. Inthis circumstance, the extra money spent on the education simply doesn't help in acquiring a job.


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10.If the cost of college is a significant issue, consider attending a community college for your firsttwo years. Community colleges are considerably lessexpensive than four year colleges, and you save on livingexpenses by living at home. Also, the classes atcommunity colleges are typically less difficult. Thismakes it easier for you to work part-time while going toschool. You can then transfer to a four year college topursue your major. Most employers are more concerned

about the college you attended while studying yourmajor than the college you attended while takinggeneral education courses.

In addition, you should answer the following questions about each school on your list.

1. What types of financial aid are available?2. What degree programs are offered?3. What are the costs of tuition and housing?4. Does the school have regional accreditation?5. Do the departments offering your potential majors have additional accreditation?6. What is the average class size?7. What type of extracurricular activities are provided?8. Does the college have dorms available?9. What is the size of the student population?

Following the tips and answering the questions provided in this article will help you choose the

college that is most appropriate for you.

Tips for Choosing a CareerPlanning for college should begin once you enter high school.Here are things to do each year as you progress through highschool.

Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions youwill ever make. Most people spend half or more of theirwaking hours five days a week at their jobs. While selecting acareer can be a difficult process, the following tips can makethis process easier for you.

1. Extensive reading about potential careers is vital. Youwill discover details about careers that you were notaware of. It's important to collect vital information suchas career descriptions, career outlooks, employmentstatistics, educational requirements, and potentialearnings.

2. Interviewing people in the field is an excellent way tolearn about the various aspects of a career. Doing this may also provide good networkingopportunities. Informational interviews often change a person's perspective about an occupation.


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You can find interview candidates by asking friends, teachers, members of an alumniassociation, and neighbors. You can also contact relevant professional associations and societies,and visit appropriate social and professional networking sites online.

3. Internships provide excellent opportunities for acquiring a realistic, clear picture about the dailyduties and job satisfaction of a particular occupation. Also, internships provide valuablenetworking opportunities that may lead to a job. Further, companies often hire interns thatperform well. Volunteering also provides many of the advantages of an internship.

4. Find a mentor. Many colleges and employers have a formal mentoring program. Also, formalmentoring organizations are available that match mentors with individuals. It's a great way tolearn about a career and a mentor can provide valuable networking opportunities. "Mentworking"is a new trend which combines mentoring and networking, and which has shown good results.

5. The possibility for a job being outsourced to foreign countries is an important consideration. Joboutsourcing information and forecasts can be collected from sources such as articles on theInternet, magazine articles, college counselors, career counselors, professors, employmentagencies, and relevant professional associations.

6. Look for lists of"hot jobs" on the Internet and in magazines. Do this frequently since these listskeep changing. A "hot job" today may not be "hot" next year or the year after. When evaluatingthese lists keep in mind your interests, skills, and job satisfaction requirements.

7. Many community colleges have career centers that provide free individual and group careercounseling. Career counselors can provide assistance with the self-evaluation process, choosing acareer, and the job search process.

8. Take into consideration the amount of job opportunities in your area for each career you areconsidering. This is vital if you intend to stay in your current location.

9. The skills required for a career are an essential factor for an individual's potential for success inthat career. Write a list of the skills needed for a particular field. Place a check next to each skillyou possess. The more checks you make, the more likely this field is right for you.

10.Your aptitudes should be a vital factor in your career selection process. A gratifying career isoften built upon a match with what you are naturally good at. Natural strengths allow anindividual to work with ease and to acquire expertise faster.

11.Explore the advancement opportunities of each potential occupation. Does advancement requireadditional education? Will additional education and certification provide you with a significantadvantage over the competition? Are supervisory and management opportunities available?

Following the tips provided in this article will help you choose a career that is right for you.

Financial Aid

Like everything else, the cost of college keeps going up. Fortunately, thereare various forms of financial aid that can help you meet these costs. Thesefall into three basic categories.

1. Grants or Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are great because the money they provide does nothave to be paid back. Some grants and scholarship are need-based. Thismeans that they are awarded on the basis of financial need. Other grantsand scholarships are merit-based. This means that they are awarded on thebasis of special skills, abilities, or achievement.


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In effect, grants and scholarships are "money for the asking." But you have to know how to find themfirst. Here are three things you should do:

y Talk with your high school guidance counselor. He or she will know about national, regional,and local grants and scholarships.

y Contact the financial aid offices of colleges to which you are applying for admission.y Check with your parents employers to see if they provide grants or scholarships to the children

of their employees.

2. Student Loans

The federal government provides education loans through banks and other financial institutions. To beconsidered for these loans, you must complete the Free Application forFederal Student Aid(FAFSA).The government uses this application to determine your eligibility based on financial need. Here are thethree types of loans provided by the government.

y Federal Stafford Loans. These are fixed-rate loans forundergraduate and graduate students who are attending school at least

half-time. The loan can be used to pay tuition and other school expenses.The interest rate is low, and the loan does not have to be repaid while youare enrolled in school.

y Federal Graduate PLUS Loans. These loans allow you to borrow up to the fullcost of your graduate education (less any money you may be receiving fromStafford loans). No payments are required as long as you are attending schoolat least half-time.

y Federal Parent PLUS Loans. These loans allow your parents or guardians to borrow up to thecost of your education at a low fixed-interest rate.

3. Work-Study

Work-study consists of federally subsidized employment opportunities. The work is typically on campusor with nonprofit organizations off campus. Work-study opportunities are usually awarded on the basisof financial need.

College is expensive. But there is help. IMPORTANT: Meet all application deadlines - there are

no exceptions.

"When the teacher lectures, you should sit in the class with full concentration. Focus your thoughts on

the topic the teacher is presenting. Maintain your interest in the topic with with full zeal and zest"

Muhammad Farooq Arain

""I study only at night because there is no noise anywhere and I can concentrate on my studies. Beforestudying I drink a cup of coffee to help me stay focused. "

Shahzaib Sajjad


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How to Write a College Admission Essay

Your key to getting in and getting more.

Many colleges and universities require a college admission essay as part of their admission application,and scholarship applications often include one or more essays in addition to suchobjective information as grades and test scores. The typical question asks you to share personal information-allowing the selection committee to get to knowyou-such as your plans or goals, an important event in your life, your philosophy and/or beliefs, or your financial situation. Writing this collegadmission essay is an opportunity for you to stand out among theapplicants and to prove you're the most deserving candidate. Besure to keep certain things in mind as you write this essay:

y Consider exactly what the question asks. Then listsome relevant main ideas; use this list as an informaloutline for your essay.

y Don't write a "generic" essay that could pass for one that anyother applicant could have written. Everything in the essay shouldreveal something about YOU and your unique situationAny reader of your essay should feel as if he or she knows youpersonally.

y Remember that committee members are seeking the applicantwho fits the mission of their institution and isworthy of their award. Tailor your college admissionessay topic with their perspective in mind, and work to convincethem that you're the right candidate.

y If you have trouble thinking of ideas, be resourceful. Ask people who know you well what theywould say about you. If someone has written a letter of recommendation for you, re-read it.Which accomplishments listed on your rsum might interest the committee?

y Don't simply repeat information that is already on your application form or in your rsum. Youressay should include specific incidents and concrete examples.

y Don't use long words and obscure vocabulary simply to impress the committee; doing so willcome across as artificial and showy.

y Follow guidelines regarding such things as font size and essay length. Sometimes a typed essayis required; other times, you are required to hand-write it. Sometimes it should be on theapplication form; other times, it must be on a separate piece of paper. No matter how good yourcollege admission essay is, failure to follow instructions will make a negative impression andmay actually disqualify you.

y The appearance of your essay is important. Spell all words correctly; follow grammar andpunctuation rules; and keep your paper neat. The committee may not meet you personally; thisessay may be the sole basis for their selection. A messy paper or an essay full of errors will causethem to see you as uncaring or unqualified, despite the inaccuracy of this judgment.

y Save your essay! There is nothing wrong with using the same ideasand occasionally even thesame college admission essayfor several applications. Each time, make revisions so that theessay topic responds specifically to the question(s). Although you have used it for other


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applications, the committee should not be able to tell that this essay wasn't originally written as aresponse to their question.

This article was written by Sally Wood, a freelance writer and editor from Marionville, Missouri. She

worked as a high school counselor in the Aurora R-VIII School District in Aurora, Missouri, from 1980-2000.

Article contributed by CollegeView.com, providing free college search tools plus information and advice

about the college process and experience.

Succeeding in College

Just as in elementary school through high school, your success in college requires high motivation andeffort, strong study skills, effective time management, and good test-taking strategies. These areasare covered in other screens here at www.how-to-study.com. But college success requires much more.Once you move from high school to college, you will generally find that students are more motivatedand competent than in high school; teachers are more demanding; the work is more difficult; andstudents are expected to be independent. Further, if you are living away from home for the first time,

you will have many new experiences.

Here are some ideas that will help you succeed in college:

Have Clear Goals

College success requires commitment and a lot of hard work. You must be very certain about theimportance of a college education.

y Be clear about why you are going to college.y Establish specific goals you wish to accomplish.y Know what it will take to reach these goals.y Be certain your goals are consistent with your interests and abilities.y Be flexible - change your goals if needed based on your experience as you progress through

college.

Get Financial Aid if Needed

College is expensive. Even if you attend a public college or university and live at home, you still mustpay for tuition, fees, and books. There are many sources of financial aid that can help you meet the highcosts of college. Become aware of and pursue these sources.


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y Consider all possible sources of financial aid in addition to your college's financial aid office.y Meet all deadlines for submitting applications and documentation.y Respond quickly and completely to all requests for additional information.y Be persistent in following up your application.y If you do receive financial aid, meet all requirements to keep and continue your aid.

Manage Your Money

y There are many ways to spend money in the collegesetting for other than education purposes. Take steps to ensurethat you do not waste the money set aside for your collegeeducation.

y Set a budget and keep to it.y Be careful about your use of credit cards. Don't

overspend. Pay balances promptly to avoid high interest costs.y Open a checking account and carefully monitor your

balance.y Keep your cell phone under control. Those minutes and

fees can really add up.

Stay Physically and Emotionally Healthy

You will need to be at your best to succeed in college. This means taking care of your body andmaintaining a good frame of mind.

y Get enough sleep.y Don't rely on coffee and drinks that contain high doses of caffeine to provide you with energy.

Foods such as pasta, peanut butter, non-sugar cereals, and fresh fruit are healthy alternatives toprovide the energy you need.y Avoid junk foods. Fast food is convenient but usually not good for you.y Use the services of the student health office. These services typically include emergency

treatment, low cost examinations, and low cost or free medication.y Use the services of the counseling office. The professionals there can help you overcome

feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

Choose a Professor Carefully

In college you get to select your schedule of classes. Most classes offer more than one section so thatyou can choose not just the day and time, but the professor who is teaching that section. Often you willfind student ratings of professors on the Internet. You can get even more feedback by talking to otherstudents. Try to choose a professor who demonstrates the following characteristics.


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y Maintains adequate office hours.y Provides constructive feedback.y Adapts to different styles of learning.y Grades fairly.y Is highly competent in the subject being

taught.y Establishes clear and reasonable

requirements.y Provides a positive learning

environment.

Work With Your Advisor

As a student you will be assigned a faculty advisor to help you with both academic and career issues. Itis up to you to get the most out of this guidance.

y Know your advisor's office location, schedule of office hours, and contact information.y Schedule an appointment with your advisor at any time you have problems that affect your

academic performance.y Consider your advisor's ideas when selecting your major or at any time you are considering

changing your major or career goals.y Have specific questions in mind whenever meeting with your advisor.

Make Good Use of the Library

You are going to spend a lot of your time in college at the library. Take full advantage of this majorresource.

y Get to know the resources of the library as soon as you get to college.y Learn to use its computer resources and card catalogs.y Make good use of its equipment such as copy machines, microfiche readers, production facilities,

etc.y Check out its quiet study areas. Sign up for their use if required.

Get Involved in Campus Life

There is a lot more to college than just classes. A collegecampus is an exciting, dynamic environment that can provideyou with many opportunities for enhancing your collegeexperience.

y Join a student organization that is consistent with yourinterests. You will find many organizations from which tochoose.

y Join a club in your major. This can not only help you in


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your studies but can provide contacts that may be very useful in your future career.y Join an intramural team. This is a great way to keep yourself in good physical shape and make

new friends.y Attend social events. Your college experience should not be all work and no play.

Yes - success in college takes effort. But this effort will provide benefits to you throughout your life.The ideas presented above can help you to make your college experience a successful one.

"Here are some Exam prep tips:TIME MANAGEMENT

1. Allocate your time wisely.2. Dont be afraid to skip questions.3. Mark which questions were omitted.4. Always save at least 90 seconds for review.

KEEP YOUR COMPOSURE1. Know the material.2. Familiarize yourself with the situation.3. Be confident.

USING YOUR CALCULATOR1. Know exactly when to use your calculator.2. Learn all the shortcuts.

THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATION1. Think context.2. Think roots.3. Think tricks.4. Think statistics.

ActivatingYour Eight Multiple Intelligences

The theory of multiple intelligences holds that there are eight different intelligences that account for thepotential to learn. Each of the intelligences can be useful to you as a learner.

Here are the eight intelligences and some ways that you can activate each.

1. Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence - This intelligence is language-based and involves the ability tospeak and write. You can activate your verbal/linguistic intelligence by trying to learn newwords each day, reading, listening to news on the radio,getting involved in debates, and participating actively inclass discussions.

2. Logical/Mathematical Intelligence - This intelligenceinvolves numbers and reasoning. You can activate yourlogical/mathematical intelligence by studying formulas,doing calculations, and solving puzzles.

3. Visual/Spatial Intelligence - This intelligence involvesthinking in images and pictures. You can activate yourvisual/spatial intelligence by analyzing the visual aidsin your textbooks, and by creating mind maps, flowcharts, diagrams, and pictures.


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4. Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence - This intelligence involves body movements and handlingobjects. You can activate your bodily/kinesthetic intelligence by using your motor skillsregularly through exercises like jogging, playing sports, and engaging in hands-on activities. Youcan also activate this intelligence as you type your assignments on your computer.

5. Musical Intelligence - This intelligence involves musical abilities such as rhythm and pitch. Youcan activate your musical intelligence by listening to music, playing an instrument, and singing.

6. Interpersonal Intelligence - This intelligence involves responding to the moods, motivations,and needs of others. It leads to good interpersonal relationships and allows you to enjoy the

company of others. You can activate your interpersonal intelligence by participating in classactivities and discussions, brainstorming with others, and getting involved in social activities.

7. Intrapersonal Intelligence - This intelligence involves self-esteem, self-worth, and self-awareness. You can activate your intrapersonal intelligence by critically examining yourstrengths and weaknesses.

8. Naturalist Intelligence - This intelligence involves appreciation and understanding of nature.You can activate your naturalist intelligence by linking learning experiences to the natural world.Explore nature through field trips and camping to learn about things in their natural settings.

The eight intelligences provide eight pathways to learning. You dont have to learn something

using all eight pathways. Try to use those that are your strongest and are related to what you are

trying to learn.

This article was contributed by Enokela Ebiega Abel, Principal,

Global International College, Abuja, Nigeria

Developing Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is your overall sense of your competence and worth. It is important to have goodself-esteem. With good self-esteem, you will have confidence in your ability to learn, andwillingness to try new things. There is a history of research which shows that self-

esteem and achievement are related. Students with good self-esteem tend to be high achievers, while students with poor self-esteem tend to be low achievers.

What can you do to build your self-esteem? Here are some ideas.

y Be positive about yourself. It's much better to give yourselfcompliments than to put yourself down.

y Think of all the things you are good at and all yoursuccesses. Write these down and keep adding to the list.Read the list every day.

y Stop comparing yourself with other students. Yourcomparison should be with yourself. Are you better todaythan you were yesterday?

y Associate with students who like, respect, and support you. Try to avoid students who are alwayslooking to find fault with you.

y Get involved in activities you enjoy. You will likely be successful in these activities.y Make use of your special talents and abilities. These are your strengths.y Take good care of yourself. You will feel better about yourself if you are healthy and well rested.y Attack what you think are your weaknesses. Prove to yourself that "you can do it."y Help others. You will really feel good about yourself when you do.


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y Keep looking for ways to improve yourself. As the old saying goes, "Reach for the moon. Evenif you miss, you'll land among stars."

The higher your self-esteem, the higher will be your achievement.

Your Preferred Learning Style

A learning style is a way of learning. YOUR preferred learning style is the way in which YOU learnbest. Three learning styles that are often identified in students are the Auditory Learning Style, theVisual Learning Style, and the Tactile/Kinesthetic Learning Style. Read about each of these learningstyles to identify YOUR preferred learning style.

Are you an Auditory Learner?

Auditory Learners learn best when information is presented in an auditorylanguage format. Do you seem to learn best in classes that emphasize teacherlectures and class discussions? Does listening to audio tapes help you learn

better? Do you find yourself reading aloud or talking things out to gain betterunderstanding? If YES, you are probably an Auditory Learner.

Are you a Visual Learner?

Visual Learners learn best when information is presented in a written language format or in anothervisual format such as pictures or diagrams. Do you do best in classes in whichteachers do a lot of writing at the chalkboard, provide clear handouts, and makeextensive use of an overhead projector? Do you try to remember information bycreating pictures in your mind? Do you take detailed written notes from yourtextbooks and in class? If YES, you are probably a Visual Learner.

Are you a Tactile/Kinesthetic Learner?

Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners learn best in hands-on learning settings in which theycan physically manipulate something in order to learn about it. Do you learn bestwhen you can move about and handle things? Do you do well in classes inwhich there is a lab component? Do you learn better when you have an actual objectin your hands rather than a picture of the object or a verbal or written description of it? IYES, you are probably a Tactile/Kinesthetic Learner.

Your learning style is your strength. Go with it whenever you can. When you can choose a class, try tochoose one that draws heaviest on your learning style. When you can choose a teacher, try to choose onewho's teaching method best matches your learning style. When you choose a major and future career,keep your learning style firmly in mind.


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Participating in Class

Class participation is a valuable part of learning. In many cases, participating in class is an importantcriterion that teachers use to assign final grades.

Many students are reluctant to participate in class. This may be because they are shy or are fearful ofbeing judged and criticized. Other students participate in class, but do so inappropriately.

Here are some suggestions that can help you be an effective class participant.

y Be sure to come to class prepared. Do all assignments andreadings and review your notes from previous class sessions. Thiswill help to prevent you from making uninformed comments orasking inappropriate questions.

y As you prepare for class, think about important questionsand concerns that may come up in class. Be sure thatyou are prepared to handle these.

y Try to sit close to the front of the class. It's hard to stayuninvolved when you are in close proximity to theteacher.

y Listen to what the other students say. You can then build off their comments to make your own.

y Have confidence that your opinions will be valued byyour teacher and by the other students.

y Be constructive when you react to something another student says. You can disagree, but don'tgo into an "attack mode."

y Don't "hog" the class. Teachers and students alike resent someone who seems to have somethingto say about everything.

y Don't be afraid to be wrong. Learning is a change in behavior based on experience. You canlearn from being wrong.

y Don't be afraid to ask questions. This is a good learning technique. Also, the chances are thatother students in the class have the same questions as you do, and they will appreciate yourasking.

y Be sure that your questions and comments are relevant to the class topic. Don't waste the time ofthe teacher and other students by going off track.

y Don't take it personally if others disagree with what you say. Class should be a good forum forgive and take.

Finally, here is a suggestion for students who are shy. Come to class early so that you can talk to someof the other students. This will help you to establish a personal connection with them so that you will

feel more comfortable about participating in class

Get involved in your classes. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by participating.

"Write a question on a sheet of paper, then fold it in half (hot dog style), flip it, and write the answer to the question. Thenstudy it and try to answer it yourself without reading the answers."

Michael Garner


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Making an Oral Presentation

When making an oral presentation in class, you must know your subject well andconvince your audience that they have something to gain from listening to you. Hereare some things you can do to make an effective oral presentation.

y Be prepared.Research your subject to ensure that you areknowledgeable. Practice your presentation until you feel comfortable. Makesure you can present your information within whatever time limits youwill have. Anticipate questions you may be asked and prepareanswers to these.

y Know your audience. Tailor your presentation to your audience'slevel of knowledge about the subject of your presentation, what theyneed to know, and their interests.

y Be positive. Make it clear that you are knowledgeable and enthusiasticabout your subject.

y Don't read your presentation. Talk to your audience. Use your notes asprompts as needed.

y Provide examples. Try to make your presentation as concrete and "down to earth" as possible.Add appropriate anecdotes and humor to drive home a point.y Use visual aids. Supplement what you say with visual aids such as handouts, charts,

transparencies, and slides. Make sure that everyone can easily see the visual aids. Don't usevisual aids that are so complex that the audience will spend its time trying to read them instead oflistening to you. Visual aids are supplements to what you say, not replacements for what you say.

y Maintain eye contact. Shift your eye contact around the room so that everyone feels that youare talking to them.

y Actively involve your audience. People can only listen so long without their attentionwandering. Making your presentation interesting will help you to capture and keep youraudience's attention for a while, but you must do more. Build in some simple and quick activities

for your audience so that they are actively involved in your presentation. Ask questions that youare confident your audience will be able to answer.y Use your voice effectively. Vary the tone of your voice and be careful not to talk too quickly.y End on a high note. Leave your audience feeling upbeat about what they have just heard.

Good Listening Steps

It is important for you to be a good listener in class. Much of what you will have to learn will bepresented verbally by your teachers. Just hearing what your teachers say is not the same as listening towhat they say. Listening is a cognitive act that requires you to pay attention and think about and

mentally process what you hear.

Here are some things you should do to be a good listener in class.

1. Be Cognitively Ready to Listen When You Come to Class. Make sure you complete allassigned work and readings. Review your notes from previous class sessions. Think aboutwhat you know about the topic that will be covered in class that day.

2. Be Emotionally Ready to Listen When You Come to Class. Your attitude is important.Make a conscious choice to find the topic useful and interesting. Be committed to learning allthat you can.


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3. Listen with a Purpose. Identify what you expect and hope to learn from the class session.Listen for these things as your teacher talks.

4. Listen with an Open Mind. Be receptive to what your teacher says. It is good to questionwhat is said as long as you remain open to points of view other than your own.

5. Be Attentive. Focus on what your teacher is saying. Try not to daydream and let your mindwander to other things. It helps to sit in the front and center of the class, and to maintain eyecontact with your teacher.

6. Be an Active Listener. You can think faster than your teacher can speak. Use this to youradvantage by evaluating what is being said and trying to anticipate what will be said next.Take good written notes about what your teacher says. While you can think faster than yourteacher can speak, you cannot write faster than your teacher can speak. Taking notes requiresyou to make decisions about what to write, and you have to be an active listener to do this.

7. Meet the Challenge. Don't give up and stop listening when you find the information beingpresented difficult to understand. Listen even more carefully at these times and work hard tounderstand what is being said. Don't be reluctant to ask questions.

8. Triumph Over the Environment. The classroom may too noisy, too hot, too cold, toobright, or too dark. Don't give in to these inconveniences. Stay focused on the big picture -LEARNING.

"At a designated time each day, set up a

"tune out

"time so there will be no interruptions. Turn offyour land phone, cell phone, TV, computer, and CD/DVD player. A designated location with desk

and proper lighting, plus a bottle of water, seems to work best. The study strategy is to read and takenotes for 15-30 minutes, then take a break. Put in no more than 2 hours (less if possible) each night toavoid a buildup of stress."

Philip Jones

Identifying Lecture Styles

Lectures given by your teachers are usually organized in one of the following lecture styles:

y Topic-Listy Question-Answery Compare-Contrasty Series of Eventsy Cause-Effecty Problem-Solution

Identifying the lecture style used by your teacher will help you takegood notes. Read to learn about each lecture style.

Topic-List

The teacher begins by presenting the topic followed by associated subtopics. Each subtopic includesdetails and sometimes subdetails. Number words like one orsecondand transitional words like nextandfinally indicate that the teacher is using a Topic-List style. The transitional words also indicate a changefrom one subtopic to another subtopic.


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Question-Answer

The teacher begins by introducing a topic that is followed by one or more questions about the topic.Each question is answered after it is introduced. Words such as who, what, where, when, why and howindicate that the teacher is using a Question-Answer style. Phrases such as in what way and how did theyreactalso indicate that this style is being used.

Compare-Contrast

The teacher begins by identifying two things that will be compared and contrasted. The teacher then tellshow the two things are alike (i.e., compare) and how they are different (i.e., contrast). Words andphrases such as alike, similarly, correspondingly, in parallel, counterpart, equal to, resemble, andjustas suggest similarities. Words and phrases such as differently, however, antithesis of, disparity, on theother hand, opposite, and on the contrary suggest differences.

Series of Events

The teacher begins by identifying the topic. Then the teacher describes an initial event, step, or stagerelated to the topic. Information is then presented about additional events, steps, or stages. The teacherconcludes by revealing the final event, step, or stage. Words and phrases such as initially, at the outset,next, followed by, then, later, after, succeeding, intermediate, last, culminating, andfinally indicate thatthe teacher is using a Series of Events style.

Cause-Effect

The teacher begins by presenting the cause of something, followed by one or more effects related to thecause. Details are included for some of the effects. Words or phrases such assince,thus, therefore, consequently, for that reason, on account of, owing to, and as a

resultindicate that the teacher is using a Cause-Effect style.

Problem-Solution

The teacher begins by introducing a problem and explaining why it is a problem. The teacher continues by describing attempts to solve the problem, providing details as needed. Finally, the teacher concludes byidentifying the solution to the problem if one has been found, or the statusof attempts to solve the problem. Words and phrases such aspuzzle, issue, pointof dispute, enigma, and complication indicate that a problem is being presented. Wordsand phrases such assolution, explanation, answer, cleared up, and worked outindicate that the problemhas been resolved. Words and phrases such as unravel, investigate, clear up, and untangle indicate thatan attempted solution is under way.

Identifying the lecture style used by your teacher will help you write good notes in class.

"Always study before the lecture to be ready, and then again after the lecture." Felix Mpaso


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Taking Notes in Class

In classes, your teachers will talk about topics that you are studying. Theinformation they provide will be important for you to know when you take tests.You must be able to take good written notes from what your teachers say.

Taking good notes is a three-stage process in which there are certain things you

should do before class, during class, and after class. Here are the three stagesof notetaking and what you should do during each stage.

1. Get Ready to Take Notes (Before Class)

y Review your notes from the previous class session before you come to class. This will help youremember what was covered and get you ready to understand new information your teacherprovides.

y Complete all assigned readings before you come to class. Your teacher will expect that you havedone this and will use and build upon this information.

y Bring all notetaking materials with you to class. Have several pens and pencils as well as yournotebook.

2. Take Notes (During Class)

y Keep your attention focused on what your teacher is saying.Listen for"signal statements" that tell you that what yourteacher is about to say is important to write in your notes.Examples of signal statements are "The most importantpoint..." and "Remember that..." Be sure to include in yournotes information that your teacher repeats or writes on thechalkboard.

y Write quickly so that you can include all the importantinformation in your notes. Do this by writing abbreviated words such as med for medicine, usingsymbols such as % for percent, and writing short sentences.

y Place a ? next to information you write in your notes, but about whose meaning you are not sure.3. Rewrite Your Notes (After Class)

y Rewrite your notes to make them more complete by changing abbreviated words into wholewords, symbols into words, and shortened sentences into longer sentences.

y Make your notes more accurate by answering any questions you had when writing your notes inclass. Use yourtextbookand reference sources to obtain the information you need to answer

your questions. If necessary, ask your teacher or other students for help.y Check with other students to be sure you did not leave out important information.

Having good class notes will help you to be better prepared for tests.

"Before studying, close your eyes and take a deep breath. It will help you to increase your concentration. While you study,don't think about anthing except studying."

Karthiik Kumar


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"Keep a special binder for each subject. Once every month go through all of the papers. Put away any you have been testedon. Also, start to study a week before the test."

Zoe P"Study with your full concentration and with enthusiasm. Doing this will help you to do well. "

Using Abbreviations To Write Notes Quickly

Many of the questions you find on class tests will be based upon the information your teachers orallypresent in class. Therefore, you need to write class notes that completely and accurately include the mostimportant information presented by your teachers. This is hard to do because your teachers can talkfaster than you can write.

It would be nice if your teachers talked slower so that you could keep up with what they are saying asyou write your notes. This is not realistic though. It is up to you to write more quickly. One way to dothis is to write abbreviations for words. An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word used whenwriting to represent the complete word. You must be able to recognize the complete word from itsabbreviation.

Many words have a commonly used abbreviation. Here are someexamples of words that have a common abbreviation:

Word Abbreviation Word Abbreviation

department dept package pkg

introduction intro negative neg junior jr magazine mag

mathematics math foot ft

weight wt highway hwy

You can form your own abbreviation for just about any word. Here are three ways you can do this.

1. Write just the beginning of a long word. Here are some examples of long words that have beenabbreviated by writing just the beginning of the word:


different diff feminine fem

incorporated inc population pop

elementary elem ambiguous ambig

molecular molec separate sep

division div hippopotamus hippo


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2. Leave out the vowels when writing a word. Here are some examples of words that have beenabbreviated by leaving out the vowels when writing the word:


century cntry point pnt

mountain mntn school schl

reason rsn clean cln

popular pplr teacher tchr

quality qlty progress prgrss

3. For words that have just one syllable, write just the first and last letter of the word. Here aresome examples of words that have been abbreviated by writing just the first and last letter of the word:


quart qt land ld

tick tk round rdgirl gl pack pk

night nt field fd

link lk heart ht

Use common abbreviations of words whenever you recognize them. For other words, form abbreviationsby using one of the three ways you just learned. Use the way that best fits the word for which you arewriting an abbreviation. Do not try to abbreviate every word you write in your notes. Abbreviate thosewords that are important and for which you can quickly form an abbreviation. REMEMBER:YOUMUST BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE COMPLETE WORD FROM ITS ABBREVIATION.

Knowing the context in which you wrote the word will help you recognize the complete word from itsabbreviation.

Using abbreviations for words will help you take good notes more quickly. Having good notes will help you do better ontests.

"While studying one should try to stay positive by thinking "I can do this - it's easy." Try to make your study environment anenjoyable place. Remember that everyone learns in their own way. "

Priyanka Sakore

"Whatever topics you read about in the textbook, you should write down what you remember without looking back. This will

help you remember the information for a long time."

Amith Mendon

"Try making flashcards and carrying them around with you. That way, if you have a spare minute you can just pull them outand study!"

Katie G


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Using Acronyms to Remember Information

Forming an acronym is a good strategy to use to remember information in any order. An acronym is aword that is formed from the first letter of each fact to be remembered. It can be a real word or anonsense word you are able to pronounce.

Here is how to form an acronym.

y Write the facts you need to remember.y Underline the first letter of each fact. If there is more than one word in a fact,

underline the first letter of only the first word in the fact.y Arrange the underlined letters to form an acronym that is a real word oranonsense word

you can pronounce.

"HOMES" is an example of an acronym that is a real word you can use to remember the names of the

five Great Lakes: Michigan, Erie, Superior, Ontario, Huron: In HOMES, H is the first letter of Huronand helps you remember that name; O is the first letter of Ontario, and so on.

"Telk" is an acronym that can be used toremember the following animals: tiger, lion,elephant, kangaroo. "Telk" is not a real word, but youcan easily pronounce it. You could also haveused "kelt" as an acronym. Notice that in thisexample, you cannot form a real word using thefirst letter of each fact to be remembered.

Sometimes two or more of the facts you mustremember each begin with the same first letter. Forexample, the acronym "capp" can be used toremember the following fruits: pear, apple, peach,cherry. You can use the first letter"p" in the acronym toremember either"pear" or"peach" and the second letter"p" to remember the other.

Use the acronym strategy as a way to remember information.

"When I take notes from a textbook chapter, I do it a section at a time. First I read a section to see what is important, and thenI read it again and take my notes. This way I don't do a lot of writing about stuff that is not important. Also, it makes it easierwhen I study my notes for a test."

Roberto Herrera

"After I read a chapter in a text, I write out an outline. This helps me organize the information in a way that I find makes iteasier for me to remember. I try not to write too much. "

Laura Penny


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Using Acronymic Sentences to Remember

Information

Creating an acronymic sentence is a good strategy to use when you have to remember information in acertain order. An acronymic sentence is a sentence that is created using the first letter of each piece ofinformation to be remembered.

Here is how to create an acronymic sentence.

y Write each piece of information you have to remember.y Underline the first letter of each piece of information. If there is more than one word in a piece of

information, underline the first letter of the most important word.y Write a sentence using words that begin with the underlined letters.

"

My (Mercury) very (Venus) earthy (Earth) mother (Mars)just(Jupiter) served (Saturn) us (Uranus) nine (Neptune) pizzas (Pluto)" isan acronymic sentence that students through the years have used toremember the order of planets around our sun, from closest to furthest.If you accept recent evidence that Pluto is not a planet, you can use"My very earthy mother just served us noodles."

Here are the five most populous cities in Indiana shown in orderfrom highest to lowest: Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville,

South Bend, Gary. Here is an acronymic sentence you can use toremember these cities in the order shown.

"Insects from everywhere seem gross."

Try to form an acronymic sentence that is funny or has a personal meaning for you. You will find thesentence easier to remember if you do this. When you remember the acronymic sentence you create,each word in the sentence will help you remember the piece of information it represents (for example,"Insects" represents "Indianapolis").

Creating acronymic sentences is an effective and fun way to remember information.

"In class, always pay attention to what the teacher is saying. When I was younger the teacher always told us to listen verywell because in what she said were the answers. It would be hard to understand the lesson otherwise. Pay attention and listenwell and everything will get really easy, and don't be shy to ask the teacher questions."

Dalia Essence


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Using Pegwords to Remember Information

The pegwords strategy is a good strategy to use when you must remember a number of things such asfive reasons we should conserve energy. Pegwords are words that rhyme with number words. Eachpegword is substituted for a number word and is then associated with the information to be remembered.

You can use any word as a pegword as long as it rhymes with a number word.

Below are suggested pegwords for the number words one through ten. You cansubstitute your own number words. Nouns and verbs are best to use as pegwords

because they are easy to associate with information to be remembered.

Here are the steps to follow to use the pegwords strategy.

1.

Think of the first piece of information to beremembered.2. Think of the pegword for the number word one. The

pegword forone is run.3. Form an association in your mind between the pegword

one and the first piece of information to beremembered. Create a picture in your mind of thisassociation.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each additional piece ofinformation to be remembered. Use the pegwordshoefor the second piece of information, tree for the thirdpiece of information, and so on.

Here is an example of how the pegwords strategy can be used toremember three important reasons for preserving forests.

1. Forests provide food for animals.The pegword for one is run. You could create a picture in your mind of arabbit running to a bowl of food. Later, when you try to recall thereasons for preserving forests, the number word one will trigger thepegword run, and you will recall the picture of a rabbit running toward abowl of food. You will thereby remember that one reason for preservingforests is that forests provide food for animals.

2. Forests provide shelter for animals.(two/shoe). You could create a picture in your mind of a chipmunk living in a shoe.

3. Forests provide lumber that is used to build homes for people.(three/tree). You could create a picture in your mind of stacks of lumber lying on the ground next to apartially built house.

The pegwords strategy lets you use your imagination to remember information.

Number Word Pegword

one run

two shoe

three treefour door

five dive

six fix

seven heaven

eight gate

nine sign

ten hen


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"After the end of school days, I always carry my books with me to study. This gets the teachings into my long-term memory.Otherwise, it seems that after 5 hours I tend to forget. "

Nathaniel Sam

"Always sit at the same place and at the same time to study. It may be the kitchen table, your bed, or even on the floor. Don'tstudy for more then 40 minutes at a time; take 10-20 minute breaks after each 40 minute time lap. Try not to eat during those40 minutes. Munching and eating do nothing other than to distract you. Avoid drinking soda since it only makes your braindull and sleepy. And one last thing - always review whatever you have learned during the day before going to bed. Doing this

lets the information sweep down into your long-term memory."

Sarah Al

"A study timetable should be made to plan your studying. This will help to manage time. At least two hours each day shouldbe put to studying with full soul and mind. "

Shagufta Pathan

"Here's a simple fact. Students who sit at the front of the class do better than students who sit at the back. I always try to situp front. I can focus on the teacher and see the writing on the chalkboard clearly. Plus I'm not distracted by a lot of studentsin front of me."

Edward Torgeson

"I always try to study regularly, i.e., I study when I schedule my study time. This helps me to make studying a habit. It reallyfeels bad if I fail to accomplish something at the time I have scheduled to do it. "

Desalew LA

Using Flash Cards to Remember Information

Flash cards are a powerful tool that can help you rememberinformation such as the meanings of vocabulary words,mathematical formulas, history facts, and the correct spelling ofwords.

Here are some strategies to help you get the most benefit from

using flash cards.

1. Make flash cards as you learn and study.Carry a stack of blank cards with you (3" x 5" size works well). Whenever you come across apiece of information you want to remember, write the information on a card. Organize your cardsinto decks, one for each subject or topic. If you place cards for different subjects or topics in thesame deck, you will only become confused.

2. Use both sides of a card when appropriate.For example, when learning a new vocabulary word, write the word to be learned on the front ofthe card and a short two or three word definition on the back of the card. For a historical fact, for


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example, you might write "George Washington" on the front and "first U.S. president" on theback. Flip the cards over from time to time. Sometimes you will see "George Washington" andwill have to remember that he was the first president of the U.S. Other times you will see "firstU.S. president" and will have to remember that it was George Washington. Doing this willstrengthen your recall of the information.

3. Use flashcards in several different colors.Use colors as cues to help you recall a distinctive characteristic about the information on a flashcard. For example, if you are using flash cards to remember vocabulary words, use a different

color for words that have different connotations. Positive words such as delightful, excellent, andnutritious could go on green or blue cards. Negative words such as resentful, suspicious, andthreatened could go on red or yellow cards. You can use neutral colors such as white or tan forwords that are neutral (words that are not positive or negative). The particular colors you choosedon't matter as long as you are consistent in their use.

4. Illustrate the cards.Draw pictures on a card or cut pictures from a magazine and paste them on the card.The more you work at making a card distinctive and interesting, the easier you willfind it to recall the information on the card.

5. Don't put too much information on any one card.The biggest mistake students' make is putting too much information on a single

flash card. Each card should contain just one piece of information.

6. Carry your cards with you.Review your cards whenever you have a chance. For example, you can review

your cards while eating a meal, riding on the school bus, waiting on a line,during long trips, in bed before you go to sleep, and so on. Make reviewing your

cards a daily habit like brushing your teeth or taking a shower.7. Change the order of the cards frequently.

Shuffle the cards each time you review them. Questions on a test about the information on your

cards may come in any order. If you always study the cards in the same order, it will be difficultfor you to remember a piece of information when it is not in the order you studied.

Flash cards are easy to make, easy to use, and are a great tool for remembering information.

This article contributed by Cody Blair. His StudyProf.com website has more information aboutflashcards and other study skills.

"In my math classes I always write down the problems my teachers do on the board. This way I have a complete record of thesteps needed to solve the problem. This helps me a lot because most of these problems will be on tests."

William Lee

"Keep a list of what you need to accomplish and check it off as you go. Before you know it you will be done! "

Judiclaire Kinerney

"While reading from a textbook, try to highlight points that seem hard or important first. Then while reading a second time,emphasize them and try writing them in a notebook or notepad. Keep doing this until you can write the points perfectly in thewords of the textbook. "


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Salh Ahmed

"It is important to have a clean, organized, quiet area in which to study."

Eli Bigner

"As we are much familiar with the quote "practice makes the man perfect," likewise its good to practice the things which you

have read."

"I listen to the teacher attentively and scan my notes at home."

Victoria R

Loci Strategy

The word loci is the plural form oflocus, which means place. The loci strategy is based on yourfamiliarity with a place, such as your home. The strategy helps you remember lists of items throughorganization, visualization, and association. It can work well for you if you are good at visualizing

(picturing) things in your mind.

Here are the steps in the loci strategy along with an example. Inthis example, one of the items you must remember is "nature."

First, identify a place with which you are very familiar. In thisexample, you decide to use the kitchen where you live as theplace.

Second, visualize that place and its features in your mind. Inthis example, one of the features you visualize is a coffeepot onthe kitchen stove.

Third, associate each item to be remembered with a particular feature of that place. In this example, toremember"nature," you visualize a plant growing out of the coffeepot.The more unusual your association, the more likely you are toremember it.

Fourth, visualize each feature of the place and the association youformed for an item to be remembered. In this example, by visualizingthe coffeepot with a plant growing out of it, you will remember theitem "nature."

To complete this example, here are the other items you must remember:pigeon,somersault, invasion,lemon, andpuddle.

Here are the associations with features of the kitchen you could visualize to help you remember theitems:


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y pigeon - visualize a pigeon landing on the table.y somersault- visualize a clown somersaulting over a chair.y invasion - visualize ants invading and swarming all over a slice of bread on the kitchen counter.y lemon - visualize lemons floating in a pitcher of lemonade in the kitchen refrigerator.y puddle - visualize the kitchen sink overflowing and forming a puddle of soapy water on the floor

To remember the entire list of items, visualize each kitchen feature and the association you created for it

The loci strategy was invented by the ancient Greeks. It remains just as useful today as it was longago.

Setting Goals

Agoalis something you want to achieve. Ashort-term goalissomething you want to achieve soon. Examples of short-term goals arefinishing your homework and doing well on tomorrow's test. A long-term goalis something you want to achieve at some later date. Examplesof long-term goals are writing a paper and passing a class.

To set appropriate goals, you must know what is important for you toaccomplish. Then you must set specific and clearly stated goals. If you

do not have clearly stated goals, your effort will lack direction and focus. Write your goals to have arecord of them.

THE THREE W'S OF GOALS

Each goal you set should state WHAT you will do and WHEN you will accomplish it. Implied in eachgoal you set is your WILL (determination) to do it. For example, a goal for a research paper might bestated as follows:I will(your determination)finish gathering information for my research paper(whatyou will do) by November 20 (when you will accomplish it).

CHARACTERISTICS OF APPROPRIATE GOALS

Your goals should be:

1. within your skills andabilities. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you set goalsyou can accomplish.

2. realistic. Setting a goal to learn the spelling of three new words a day is realistic. Trying to learnthe spelling of fifty new words a day is not realistic.

3. flexible. Sometimes things will not go the way you anticipate and you may need to change yourgoal. Stay flexible so when you realize a change is necessary you will be ready to make thechange.

4. measurable. It is important to be able to measure your progress toward a goal. It is especiallyimportant to recognize when you have accomplished your goal and need to go no further. Failureto measure your progress toward a goal and recognize its accomplishment will result in effortthat is misdirected and wasted.

5. within yourcontrol. Other than when working as part of a group, accomplishment of your goalshould not depend on other students. You can control what you do, but you have little or no


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control over what others do. You may do what you have to do, but if others don't, you will notaccomplish your goal.

Many times yourparents, teachers, and counselors will set goals for you. Be accepting when they do.These are people who know what is important for you and are very concerned with your success. Theycan also help you accomplish the goals they set.

SET GOALS IN SCHOOL THAT PROVIDE YOU WITH DIRECTION AND LEAD TO SUCCESS.

Procrastination

What is Procrastination?

Procrastination is putting off or avoiding doing something that must be done. It is natural toprocrastinate occasionally. However, excessive procrastination can result in guilt feelings about notdoing a task when it should be done. It can also cause anxiety since the task still needs to be done.Further, excessive procrastination can cause poor performance if the task is completed without sufficienttime to do it well. In short, excessive procrastination can interfere with school and personal success.

Why Do Students Procrastinate?

There are many reasons why students procrastinate. Here are the mostcommon reasons:

1. Perfectionism. A student's standard of performance may be sohigh for a task that it does not seem possible to meet that standard.

2. Fear ofFailure. A student may lack confidence and fear thathe/she will be unable to accomplish a task successfully.3. Confusion. A student may be unsure about how to start a task or

how it should be completed.4. Task Difficulty. A student may lack the skills and abilities needed

to accomplish a task.5. Poor Motivation. A student may have little or no interest in

completing a task because he/she finds the task boring or lackingin relevance.

6. Difficulty Concentrating. A student may have too many thingsaround that distract him/her from doing a task.

7.

Task Unpleasantness. A student may dislike doing what a taskrequires.8. Lack ofPriorities. A student may have little or no sense about which tasks are most important to

do.

"Listen carefully to the teacher. If she repeats a sentence a lot write it down."

Raphia N

"When your math instructor writes sample problems on the board, be sure you copy them into your notes. Try to write downthe steps in numerical order."


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Anthony Arnone

How Do I Know if I Procrastinate Excessively?

You procrastinate excessively if you agree with five or more of the following statements:

1. I often put off starting a task I find difficult2. I often give up on a task as soon as I start to find it difficult.3. I often wonder why I should be doing a task.4. I often have difficulty getting started on a task.5. I often try to do so many tasks at once that I cannot do any of them.6. I often put off a task in which I have little or no interest.7. I often try to come up with reasons to do something other than a task I have to do.8. I often ignore a task when I am not certain about how to start it or complete it.9. I often start a task but stop before completing it.10.I often find myself thinking that if I ignore a task, it will go away.11.I often cannot decide which of a number of tasks I should complete first.12.I often find my mind wandering to things other that the task on which I am trying to work.

What Can I Do About Excessive Procrastination?

Here are some things you can do to control excessive procrastination.

1. Motivate yourself to work on a task with thoughts such as "There is no time like the present," or"Nobody's perfect."

2. Prioritize the tasks you have to do.3. Commit yourself to completing a task once started.4. Reward yourself whenever you complete a task.5. Work on tasks at the times you work best.6. Break large tasks into small manageable parts.7. Work on tasks as part of a study group.8. Get help from teachers and other students when you find a task

difficult.9. Make a schedule of the tasks you have to do and stick to it.10.Eliminate distractions that interfere with working on tasks.11.Set reasonable standards that you can meet for a task.12.Take breaks when working on a task so that you do not wear down.13.Work on difficult and/or unpleasant tasks first.14.Work on a task you find easier after you complete a difficult task.15.

Find a good place to workon tasks.

Above all, think positively and get going. Once you are into a task, you will probably find that it is moreinteresting than you thought it would be and not as difficult as you feared. You will feel increasinglyrelieved as you work toward its accomplishment and will come to look forward to the feeling ofsatisfaction you will experience when you have completed the task.


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MotivatingYourself to Study

If you find that you lack motivation to study, welcome to the club. Just about everystudent experiences this problem at one time or another.

Motivation is important for good studying. When you are motivated, you willfind it easy to stay focused over a period of time. When you are notmotivated, you will not only find it difficult to stay focused, but you will find itdifficult to get started in the first place.

Here are some ways to increase your motivation to study.

1. Reward yourself for studying. For example, after a successful study session, have atreat like a nice big ice cream cone. Go crazy and add some cherries and nuts.

2. Study with your friends. Dont make it party time, but you can have fun as you do this.3. Remind yourself of your long-term goals. Achievement of your goals likely requires

educational success. Educational success requires studying.4. Eliminate distractions. If you are surrounding by things you would rather do than study, you

will probably do those things instead of studying.5. Develop interest in what you have to study. This will make studying more enjoyable.6. Take breaks. When you feel that you need to take a break, try to stop at a point where you are at

something that is easy for you. This will make it easier for you to resume studying after yourbreak.

7. Establish a comfortable environment. You will be more inclined to study if you feelcomfortable.

8. Establish reasonable goals for a study session. You probably wont get very far if you look atyour study session as "mission impossible."

9. Use a motivational poster. Place the poster where you can see it as you study. The postershould include positive words and a picture depicting success. You can buy one or even makeyour own. You can also read inspirational stories about real people who have achieved successthrough effort.

10.Just do it. Once you do, you will feel a lot better than if you are worried about getting it done.Finally, if these suggestions dont do it for you, just think about the consequences of not studying.

"We must pay much attention while we study anything. Only then will we be able to recall the same whenever necessary. Inthis way we also strengthen long-term memory."

SATYA NARAYANA NEERASA

"Go through your syllabus before the lecture. In fact, consider the lecture as a revision class session. If there's something thatyou don't know, then first try your own available resources, and , of course, the Internet, to get a genuine solution. Thismakes you self reliant and improves your creativity at the same time. "

B. K. Krishna Magar

The Ten Study Habits ofSuccessful Students


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Successful students have good study habits. They apply these habits to all of their classes. Read abouteach study habit. Work to develop any study habit you do not have.

Successful students:

1. Try not to do too much studying at one time. If you try to do too much studying at one time, you will tire andyour studying will not be very effective. Space the work you haveto do over shorter periods of time. Taking short breaks will restoreyour mental energy.

2. Plan specific times for studying.Study time is any time you are doing something related to schoolwork. It can be completingassigned reading, working on a paper or project, or studying for a test. Schedule specific timesthroughout the week for your study time.

3. Try to study at the same times each day.Studying at the same times each day establishes a routine that becomes a regular part of your lifejust like sleeping and eating. When a scheduled study time comes up during the day, you will bementally prepared to begin studying.

4. Set specific goals for their study times.Goals will help you stay focused and monitor your progress. Simply sitting down to study haslittle value. You must be very clear about what you want to accomplish during your study times.

5. Start studying when planned.You may delay starting your studying because you don't like an assignment or think it is toohard. A delay in studying is called "procrastination." If you procrastinate for any reason, you will

find it difficult to get everything done when you need to. You may rush to make up the time youwasted getting started, resulting in careless work and errors.

6. Work on the assignment they find most difficult first. Your most difficult assignment will require the most effort. Start withyour most difficult assignment since this is when you have the mostmental energy.

7. Review their notes before beginning an assignment.Reviewing your notes can help you make sure you are doing an assignment correctly. Also, yournotes may include information that will help you complete an assignment.

8. Tell their friends not to call them during their study times.Two study problems can occur if your friends call you during your study times. First, your workis interrupted. It is not that easy to get back to what you were doing. Second, your friends maytalk about things that will distract you from what you need to do. Here's a simple idea - turn offyour cell phone during your study times.


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9. Call another student when they have difficulty with an assignment. This is a case where "two heads may be better than one."

10.Review their schoolwork over the weekend.Yes, weekends should be fun time. But there is also time to do some review. This will help yoube ready to go on Monday morning when another school week begins.

These ten study habits can help you throughout your education. Make sure they are your studyhabits.

"Open your mind, think freely, and read all your eyes fall upon. Try to learn something useful every time."

Ahmed Salman

"Get started on a research paper assignment as soon as you get it. Don't try to do it all near the due date in 1 or 2 days. Youcan break the paper into parts and schedule a certain amount of time to finish each part."

Ivannia Torres

"If you are going to highlight some information in a book, first read the information to understand it. Then go back andhighlight what you think is most important. Don't just go through and highlight as you read something the first time."

Amaya W

"Stay organized. Make a study guide. Have a planner."

Samantha P

"When I come back home from school, I take a nap, and then I open my books to study. "

Ara Al Qattan

ManagingYour Study Time

There are only so many hours in a day, a week, and a term.You cannot change the number of hours, but you can decidehow to best use them. To be successful in school, you mustcarefully manage your study time. Here is a strategy fordoing this.

Prepare a Term Calendar

At the beginning of a term, prepare a Term Calendar. Updateit as the term goes on. Here is what to do to prepare a Term Calendar.

y Record your school assignments with their due dates and your scheduled tests.Record yourplanned school activities.


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y Record your planned school activities.y Record your known out-of-school activities.

Prepare a Weekly Schedule

Each Sunday before a school week, prepare a Weekly Schedule. Update it as the week goes on. Here iswhat to do to prepare a Weekly Schedule.

y Record your daily classes.y Enter things to be done for the coming week from your Term Calendar.y Review your class notes from the previous week to see if you need to add any school activities.y Add any out-of-school activities in which you will be involved during the week.y Be sure to include times for completing assignments, working on projects, and studying for tests.

These times may be during the school day, right after school, evenings, and weekends.

Prepare a Daily Organizer

Each evening before a school day, prepare a Daily Organizer for the next day. Place a next to each

thing to do as you accomplish it. Here is what to do to prepare a Daily Organizer.

y Enter the things to do for the coming day from your Weekly Schedule.y Enter th

R.a's Guidelines and Principles

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Transcript of R.a's Guidelines and Principles