Online Learning

Part 2

More Tips
Finally, look beyond the article for more clues.

·         Read the website’s home page and the About Us page. Look for a mission statement to learn more about the site, its purpose and organization sponsoring it.

·         If there is an author listed, look for a biography that discusses the author’s education, profession and other relevant background. If there is no bio on the site, search for one elsewhere on the web.

·         Check the date. Facts can change over time, so see if the site shows when it was last updated.

·         Presentation counts; look at everything from design to spelling. A clean well-organized site shows a certain degree of professionalism.

·         Avoid sites that are pornographic, vulgar, inappropriate, below par, suggestive, and falsifying.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

It’s Online but Is It On Target?
Part 2

Research with Attitude

Conduct your research with the attitude of a skeptic. As you examine websites for clues that they’re trustworthy, ask these questions:

·         Who wrote the Web page? If you can’t identify the individual or organization responsible for the information, don’t use it.

·         What are the author’s qualifications for writing on the subject?

·         Has the article passed through an editorial process designed to ensure quality and accuracy?

·         What is the website’s purpose? Look for motives – like selling products or winning votes – that could result in biased or incomplete information.

·         Is the information accurate? Is it up-to-date?

·         Where did the author get this information?

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Saturday

Saturday was a very eventful day, this was the day of the wedding. Saturday most of the family was awake by 

Tips for Staying Motivated

Tips 1-2

To succeed in high school and college, you have to do your best at all times. But sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated, even when you really care about the work you’re doing. Here are five ways to stay on the right track.

1. Focus on High-Impact Activities

The key to success in school is staying focused on your course work. Make a list to get an overall picture of your workload before you start to tackle any of it. Then, make a plan. Although it’s tempting to do the simplest assignments first, those that take more time and effort to accomplish are probably the ones that you’ll learn the most from.

To determine what your priorities are, rank your assignments in the order of their importance. Then rearrange your time and devote more energy toward those that have the greatest impact on your course work and grades. For example, even though all homework assignments are important, studying for a midterm exam takes priority over writing a paragraph for English class. As you complete each task, think of it as another step on your way to college success.

2. Create New Challenges

Changing your approach can help you stay interested in what you’re doing. If you’ve been given an assignment similar to one you’ve done in the past, think about it in a different way. If you wrote an essay for a creative writing assignment last year, try a poem this time. For book reports pick a history book instead of another biography.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

Take Control of Homework

So It Doesn’t Control You

Part 2

Keep Things in Perspective

Know how much weight each assignment or test carries, and use your time accordingly. Don’t waste time, but be wise and smart. Doing the most important things first is being wise and smart.

Get More Involved

Keep your mind from wandering by taking notes, underlining sections, discussing topics with others or relating your homework to something you’re studying in another class. Learn actively and not passively. Be anxiously engaged in your studies and you will have a great experience. Demonstrate a good attitude toward home assignments, and you will begin to love doing it.

Organize the Information

People process information in different ways. Some people like to draw pictures or charts to digest information, others prefer to read out loud or make detailed outlines. Try to find the methods that work best for you. Ask your teacher for recommendations if you’re having trouble.

 

Choose The Right!!!

DropBox

Note-Taking Strategies

Part 2

During Class

One approach that has been proven effective is called the Cornell Note-Taking System. Here are some of its methods. Start by using the main section of your page to take down your notes during class. Be sure to leave space on the left side of the page and the bottom. Things to keep in mind:

1.       Get the speaker’s main points. Don’t write down every word you hear.

2.       Leave blanks in your notes to add explanations later.

3.       Organize as you write. Pay attention to cues such as repetition and emphasis.

4.       Indicate main and support points as you go.

5.       Jot down key vocabulary, important facts and formulas.

6.       Ask questions. If you’re confused, it’s better to ask while the material is fresh in your mind.

 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

Distance Education: Is a Virtual Classroom for You?
Part 2

Positive Aspects of Distance Education

·         Independence and time management: Taking courses online lets you hone your ability to work on your own. You also gain experience in managing your time efficiently.

·         A Flexible schedule: Schools can only provide a certain number of class periods in a single school day, and there may not be enough time for you to take everything you want. Because distance education lets you take classes outside regular school hours, it gives you the flexibility to explore all your areas of interest.

·         Advances and specialized classes: Some schools can’t provide advanced or specialized classes. Distance education gives you the chance to gain experience in areas that would otherwise remain out of reach.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

Selecting Your Courses

Part 2

The following subjects and classes are standard fare for success in high school and beyond, whether you plan to attend a four-year or two-year College.

English (Language Arts)

Take English every year. Traditional courses, such as American and English literature, help you improve your writing skills, reading comprehension and vocabulary.

Math

You need algebra and geometry to succeed on college entrance exams and in college math classes – and in many careers. Take them early on. That way, you’ll be able to enroll in advanced science and math in high school, and show college you’re ready for higher – level work.                                                                                                      Most colleges look for students who have taken three years of math in high school. The more competitive ones require or recommend four years. Each school has its own program, but some of the courses typically offered are:

·         Algebra I

·         Algebra II

·         Geometry

·         Trigonometry

·         Calculus

 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

The Power of Study Groups

Part 2

The Benefits of Study Groups

 

Group study offers other advantages in addition to gaining a deeper understanding of class material. These include the opportunity to: Reinforce note-taking. If your AP Biology notes are unclear, you can ask a member of your study group to help you fill the gaps. Share talents. Each person brings different strengths, such as organizational skills, the ability to stick to a task or a capacity for memorization.

Cover more ground. Group members may be able to solve a calculus problem together that none would have solved alone. Benefit from a support system. Members often have common goals, such as good grades. Each person’s work affects the other members, which results in making members supportive of one another. Socialize it’s more fun to study with others; the give-and-take makes it more interesting. And because it’s more fun, you spend more time studying!

 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

How to Take on College Studying

Part 2

Choose Where to Study

Where you should study depends on two factors: the environment in which you are best able to concentrate and the type of work you are planning to do.

·         The best places to study have good light, a comfortable temperature and enough desk space – usually your dorm room, your apartment or the library.

·         For completing the problem sets or brainstorming possible test questions. you may want to study with a group or at least in a setting where fellow students are available for discussion.

·         When you are reading book chapters or working on a research paper you are probably better off in a less social environment

 

Improve Your Study Habits

Here are simple steps you can take to help you get a handle on studying:

 

·         Have a routine for where and when you study.

·         Choose reasonable and specific goals that you can accomplish for each study session.

·         Take breaks if you need them so you don’t waste time looking at your most productive time of the day.

·         Take breaks if you need them so you don’t waste time looking at material but not absorbing it.

·         Get to know students whom you respect and can study with or contact to ask questions.

·         Keep up with the workload and seek help when you need it.

 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox
Study Tips!
 

10 time Management Tips For Students

Tips 1-4

Organizing Your Life

Managing your time well is an important element of success – especially if you’re a student. If you set priorities that fit your needs and lifestyle, you’ll have a better chance of achieving your goals. Here are some tips for taking control of your time and organizing your life.

Tip 1. Make a To-Do List Every Day.

Put things that are most important at the top and do them first. And don’t forget to reward yourself for your accomplishments.

Tip 2. Use Spare Minutes Wisely.

When you’re commuting on the bus or train, use the time to get some reading done.
Tip 3. It’s okay to Say No.

If your friend asks you to go to a movie on a Thursday night and you have an exam the next morning, realize that it’s okay to say no. Keep your short- and long-term priorities in mind.

Tip 4. Find the Right Time.

You’ll work more efficiently if you figure out when you do your best work. For example, if your brain handles math better in the afternoon, don’t wait to do it until late at night.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens

Habit 2

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

IF teens aren’t clear about where they want to end up in life, about their values, goals, and what they stand for, they will wander, waste time, and be tossed to and fro by the opinions of others. Help your teen create a personal mission statement which will act as a road map and direct and guide his decision-making process.

“Keep your eyes on the prize.” Determine your desired prize and don’t quit until you have realized the achievement of your prize. Then set another prize, another goal or desire that you would really like to achieve. Begin with the achievement of your prize in mind. Visualize and then realize. Start by having a target in mind; know where you are going.

One prize or goal you definitely need to establish for yourself is the prize of an honorable graduation from high school-that you will receive your diploma honestly and with integrity- that you earned it with perfect honestly

 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

Profile of a Successful Student

Part 2

 

Work together. There are a number of ways that you can ensure you get the most out of your educational experience. First, participate fully. Engage regularly in the discussions and be willing to share your personal, professional and educational experiences. You can get to know your classmates through the dialogue that is created in a course environment-sometimes even better than in a face-to-face class. And the same goes for your instructor. Be sure to contact your professor-especially if you are having problems. He/she is still your instructor and will be there to guide and assist you as needed.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

Successful Students

1-2

Successful students exhibit a combination of successful attitudes and behaviors as well as intellectual capacity. Successful students . . .

1.       . . . are responsibly and active. Successful students get involved in their studies, accept responsibility for their own education and are active participants in it! Responsibility means control. It’s the difference between leading and being led. Your own efforts control your grade, you earn the glory or deserve the blame, you make the choice. Active classroom participation improves grades without increasing study time. You can sit there, act bored, daydream, or sleep. Or, you can actively listen, think, question, and take notes like something in charge of their learning experience. Either option costs one class period. However, the former method will require a large degree of additional work outside of class to achieve the same degree of learning the latter provides at one sitting. The choice is yours.

2.       . . . Have educational goals. Successful students have legitimate goals and are motivated by what they represent in terms of career aspirations and life’s desires.

Ask yourself these questions: What am I doing here? Why have I chosen to be sitting here now? Is there some better place I could be? What does my presence here mean to me? Answers to these questions represent your “Hot Buttons” and are, without a doubt, the most important factors in your success as a college student. If you’re educational goals are truly yours, not someone else’s, they will motivate a vital and positive academic attitude. If you are familiar with what these hot buttons represent and refer to them often, especially when you tire of being a student, nothing can stop you; if you aren’t and don’t, everything can, and will!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

Study for Multiple Exams

Part 2

My strategies for written assignments: Everyone has their own writing styles. I generally come up with an idea and do massive amounts of research before I ever think about writing. I then organize my research then sometimes prepare an outline before actually writing. I always print out the paper and come back to it the next day and reread it. That is the easiest way for me to catch my own mistakes. I have to give my eyes a break from it, and if I just wrote it I think it looks perfect. But I look at it a day later I almost always find grammatical errors or phrases and sentences I just want to reword.

How I succeed in team projects: Never assume someone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. Have regular meetings and have each member shower their work, not just give you or the group their word for it.

Choose the Right!!

DropBox

Sarah’s Academic Success Story

Part 2

My test study method: I have different strategies for different types of tests or subjects. For me, any type of math is exceptionally difficult so I had to spend extra time on that. I would go back through the homework problems focusing on the problems that I had extra difficult on. Many times I would ask the teacher for any additional study materials they could provide. If it was a class that required memorization or applying concepts I would create a sort of study guide for myself many times focusing on what were key focal points in the class. If I knew there were going to be essays I would try to take the terms and apply them to an example or create different questions on the concepts focused on throughout the semester.

My time management secret: I always always carry a planner with me. I even use different color highlighter to show what each event on my calendar is for. For example, pink is for personal, yellow is for school, orange is work, blue is for appointments, and green is for my sorority. Although I use white-out frequently, I can see in bright yellow that if I have that project for finance due on Tuesday, I need to start working on it [the previous] Wednesday so I can just get it done. My friends have always been amazed at how early I get things accomplished but that is really all I do.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

Work Together

Part 2

English, math, foreign language tips: For math, all I can say is do the problems assigned. It is the only way to practice and that’s really all it is for math. It’s the same for chemistry; if you do the practice problems you will understand the material so much better because those subjects are not just memorization like history, you need to be able to apply what you have learned in practice situations. As for English, I am no longer taking it, but I would say to leave yourself plenty of time to write essays and papers. They take time to get all the information out of your head and onto the page, so don’t leave them until the last second.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

You Can Succeed Everyday

Part 2

My strategies for written assignments: I try to outline before I write because otherwise I forget what I am supposed to be talking about. I try not to leave them until the last minute because then I will just good up the work. A lot of times I just write what I feel. Teachers like your opinion and if you can find something from the reading or research that related specifically to your life, they like it even more because it allows you to take ownership of your work. I write things that I want others to read; not things that I have to write because the teacher said so.

How I succeed in team projects: personally, I do not like working on group projects, especially ones that I worked on in high school. However, when it is required to work in a group, usually I try to lead. I like taking the lead because then I know that my grade will be a good one. I do well in school, I always have and I don’t plan on changing that anytime soon, so when I need to work with people who maybe don’t care as much as I do, or they have more time to waste on things other than the project, I try to be in charge. That way I know that I am going to get a good grade. If I am working in a group of people who all want to work, then it is a different story.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

Effective Study Methods

Part 2

My time management secret: My secret is to use time wisely. I know that on certain days I do not have time to run errands or hang out with friends even. Each minute of each day is used for something. One thing that works really well for me is to write everything down. I mean everything. I write down if I am going to email people, write letters, or study. It works for me to have a planner that goes by the day and shows me what I am going to be doing every day. Knowing what I have to do everyday helps me plan out my week and my days. If I know that I don’t have time on Tuesday, I will try to get more things done on Monday or Sunday. I plan ahead, especially if I am going to be on the road for volleyball. When I am on the road, I bring my books and read on the bus/plane/hotel room. Missing class is killer to make up from, but if you are upfront with your professors, they are usually nice about having to turns things in late or not being in classes.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox

Academic Success

Part 2

Laura B.’s Academic Success Story

In high school I was one of the good students who didn’t really have to study to be a good student. The information that I took for notes in class usually sunk in enough for me to be able to get by on the tests by simply reviewing the material just before the class began. It wasn’t that I didn’t try, I had a 4.0 all throughout high school, but I had never really had to put forth much of an effort to get the results that I wanted to see. In college however, that changed. Not only did I start studying and reading the book, but I began to understand that the little tiny facts were just as important as the general concepts. My overall study method: I do the reading that is required for all the classes, and I try to keep up. If I do fall behind, I usually use the reading that I did not get as an additional study aid. I take good notes in class and actually attend every class that I can. Sometimes, with volleyball, its though because we are on the road a lot, but if I do miss class because of volleyball I make sure that I get the notes from another student in the class. Also, for a subject such as chemistry, I do practice problems to help me understand what the material means.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

DropBox