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Best Study Time?

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:34:45 +0000

Do you seem to be able to concentrate best at night? Many students think late night study is best for them, but that can be a problem. Lack of sleep can destroy your academic performance!

So when do you study? Is that when you're most productive?

Best Study Time? originally appeared on About.com Homework / Study Tips on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 12:34:45.

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What Will Be On the Test?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:55:51 +0000

Some teachers get really irked when students ask what will be on the test, because they expect students to study all the material that's been covered in class. That is understandable.

Still, one of your best approaches to preparing for tests is to play the role of mind reader and to try to figure out what will be covered. There are a few ways to go about this.

First of all, you could ask your teacher to give you an idea of what material to focus on the most while preparing for test day. Some teachers expect you to ask! Just don't expect a complete preview of test questions.

Secondly, you should go over the material and look at it from a teacher's point of view. Ask yourself what you would consider most important to put on an exam. You'll be surprised how helpful it can be to play the role of the teacher as you prepare for a test.

Finally, it's fair to ask the teacher what kind of questions will be on the exam. It's good to know ahead of time whether you should prepare for an essay test, a multiple choice, or a fill-in-the-blank.

The bottom line is that you should do a little detective work to try to figure out what will be covered on your test, so that you can focus your efforts productively. But do not expect the teacher to give you the questions and answers ahead of time!

What Will Be On the Test? originally appeared on About.com Homework / Study Tips on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 13:55:51.

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Comparing Two Novels

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:50:06 +0000

Just when you feel like you're getting the hang of finding the theme of a book in literature class, your teacher will probably ask you to compare two novels in an essay.

Comparing novels is pretty straightforward, and that may bring the left-brain thinkers a little comfort. You use a systematic approach to this type of paper. Simply make lists of characteristics for each novel (like characters, settings, time periods, or overall themes) and choose elements that are similar. You can easily make an outline from your lists.

Choose three to five comparisons to write about, come up with a good thesis statement, and begin writing your comparison paper!

Comparing Two Novels originally appeared on About.com Homework / Study Tips on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 08:50:06.

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Will You Stay in College?

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:22:24 +0000

The most recent studies by the U.S. government show that about sixty percent of the students who started their postsecondary studies in a four-year college lasted more than two years. Some of those students transferred away to other colleges, but a large chunk of them (at least seventeen percent) just left college.

Why do students drop out of college? As an academic advisor in a state university, I know there are many answers, but some important factors are maturity level and college readiness.

Students who can study independently, manage their time, and take charge of their own schedules and planners are most likely to stick it out and succeed in college.

SOURCE: Statistics are from the U.S. Department of Education Study, National Center for Education Statistics, 2003-04 Beginning Postsecondary Students: Longitudinal Study, First Follow-up (BPS:04/06).

Will You Stay in College? originally appeared on About.com Homework / Study Tips on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 09:22:24.

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Internet Safety

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:09:35 +0000

It's important that you stay safe while conducting online searches or using an Internet source. The following recommendations come from A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety, a publication of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Never meet in person with someone you've met online.
Never upload pictures of yourself to someone you don't know.
Don't give out information about yourself such as name, address, school name, or phone number.
Don't download pictures from an unknown source.
Don't respond to messages from strangers, or bulletin board posts that are suggestive, obscene, or harassing.
Always remember that people you meet online may be dishonest about their identity.

I try to make sure that the online tools I suggest are safe, but we can't be too careful! Always protect your identity and safeguard your personal information.

Internet Safety originally appeared on About.com Homework / Study Tips on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 00:09:35.

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Navigating the Library

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:35:59 +0000

Libraries can be intimidating the first time you need to do some serious research. As you get into high school and college, your work in the library changes a bit--and it is a little different from walking in and browsing the books. As a researcher, you'll need to know where to find journal articles and archive materials. Fortunately, a reference librarian can help you along the way. But first you need to know what a reference librarian does!

I've put together a library glossary to help you navigate around the thousands of items you'll find in a research library. Be careful--research can be addictive!

Navigating the Library originally appeared on About.com Homework / Study Tips on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 08:35:59.

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Which Type of Test Question Is Toughest?

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:55:28 +0000

Because different people have different brain types, we all react to tests differently. Some people prefer answering essay questions, because it allows them to do a mind dump and spill everything they can think of into one big answer.

Others like to mull over their choices in a multiple choice format, and others prefer the straightforward true and false questions. My advice is to prepare for an essay test first, so you cover all the material. Then prepare for other types of questions with a fill in the blank practice test.

Which Type of Test Question Is Toughest? originally appeared on About.com Homework / Study Tips on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 09:55:28.

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How to Prioritize

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:21:58 +0000

Feeling overwhelmed by upcoming obligations? We all get to a point occasionally when many assignments or tasks come due on the same day or week. When this happens, it's time to prioritize.

First, sit down with a sheet of paper and a pen and make a list of all the things you need to get done. Include everything--from studying for a math test to cleaning your bedroom and making a science poster. It is very important that you not leave out any task. It will only linger in the back of your mind and pester you, causing additional worry and stress.

Next, read over your list and divide the items into three categories. Label the most urgent items (things you simply can't put off) as your number one priorities. The things that can wait a few hours should be number two, and the things that can wait a day or two can be number three.

Once you have accomplished this, take another look at your first priority items and rank them. Discover what his absolutely critical and go from there, with a-b-c labels.

Make a new list that includes only your top priorities. You can put the "two" and "three" items out of your head completely for awhile. Once you finish your list of top jobs, you can move on to the next tasks.

You will soon find that writing down all your tasks and giving them priority will feel very empowering. You will feel much more in control and less stressed.

How to Prioritize originally appeared on About.com Homework / Study Tips on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 10:21:58.

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Perplexing Plurals

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:14:30 +0000

Some words are simple enough in singular form--but they get really tricky when we try to turn them into plurals. That can be really embarrassing at times--especially when we're speaking in class.

It might be a good idea to review some perplexing plurals in order to avoid those awkward moments.

Do you know the plurals of the following nouns?

Perplexing Plurals originally appeared on About.com Homework / Study Tips on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 07:14:30.

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Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:17:38 +0000

Auditory learners may be happy to learn that they can download classic books from school reading lists straight to their iPods! LibriVox is one site that offers this service.

Imagine if you could get your reading done while you ride the bus, walk around the mall, or lay in your bed at night with eyes closed. And the list of books is not limited to classics. There are many types of recordings to choose from, from poetry to history readings.

iPod© books can be great for students who learn best by listening--but any student can benefit from audio books. If you can't seem to retain as much as you need to when reading a classic book, try listening to an audio version as you read a text version. You may be amazed by the results!

Audio Books on iPods© originally appeared on About.com Homework / Study Tips on Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at 09:17:38.

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