Reading 5 Tips for Success

Reading

5 Tips for Success

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/189995.html

Reading and writing go hand in hand. The better you understand a text, the more likely you are to successfully communicate your thoughts about it in writing. So it’s important to develop strong skills in both areas. With that in mind, here’s how to improve your reading comprehension.

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Tip 1: Annotate

Be an active reader. Instead of passively reading a text, take notes about important story elements, key factual information and significant ideas in the text.

Tip 2: Note the Author’s Writing Style

Every author writes with a specific purpose, using deliberate methods to successfully relate specific information to the audience. When you’re reading, look for patterns in the author’s writing. For example, you may notice a repetition of key words, phrases or symbols—or the use of distinct type sentence structure. Authors employ these writing strategies to help readers comprehend a central argument or theme, so be sure to explore how these techniques create meaning.

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5 Tips for Staying Motivated Tips

5 Tips for Staying Motivated Tips

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3. Set Attainable Goals

If you’re having trouble writing a 25-page paper for class because it seems like such a big job, don’t focus on that final number. Break the paper down and consider each section of your paper individually. You can handle any project in small chunks.

4. Find a Social Support Network

Create a group of people around you who want to help you succeed. Mentors can be teachers or family friends who can give you guidance and help you develop new skills. Counselors can help you also reach out to friends and peers who can motivate you by listening and sharing ideas.

5. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

Give yourself a quick reward when you complete an assignment or task. Take a walk, send an email, get a snack. Then move on to the next project.

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5 Tips for Staying Motivated Tips 1-2

5 Tips for Staying Motivated

Tips 1-2

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/8454.html

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 the 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.

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Note-Taking Strategies Part 4

Note-Taking Strategies

Part 4

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/955.html

For Review

Once you’ve done all of the above, you’ll find you’ve created your own personalized study guide. Cover the main section of the passage and use the key words and questions in the left margin as a quiz.

Stick To It

Review your notes the day you take them and all your notes once a week. That way, you won’t need to study as much when it’s test time.

You’ve Been Doing The Work All Along

Try out the Cornell system, but if it doesn’t work for you, experiment with other methods. Ask your classmates how they take notes or ask a teacher for advice. Taking good notes requires practice, like any other skill. And the more you work at it now, the more prepared you’ll be to take notes in college.

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Note-Taking Strategies Part 3

Note-Taking Strategies

Part 3

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/955.html

After Class

As soon as class ends, review your notes and fill in any blanks. Underline, highlight and use symbols to sort through the information. If you don’t understand something, get help from your teacher or classmates.

After you’ve reviewed all your notes from class, in the left-handed area of the page write down key words and questions your teacher might ask on a test.

At the bottom of each page, write a summary of the notes. This helps you digest what you’ve learned. It also improves your memory of the material for the long term and for tests down the road.

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Note-Taking Strategies Part 2

Note-Taking Strategies

Part 2

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/955.html

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.  Lave blanks in your notes to add explanations later.

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

4.  Indicate the main and supporting 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.

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Note-Taking Strategies Part 1

Note-Taking Strategies

Part 1

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/955.html

How to Get Your Class Notes into Shape

Getting the most out of high school and college means studying hard and using your time in class wisely. An effective note-taking strategy can help you do both. Here are the basics.

Stay Organized

It may seem obvious but your class notes can only help you if you can find them. When you’re taking notes be sure to:

·    Keep all your notes in one place.

·    Date and number pages; keeping them in order makes it easier to understand them later.

Before Class

Review the materials assigned for that class period thoroughly. Bring a list of any questions you may have.

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Distance Education: Is a Virtual Classroom for You?

Distance Education: Is a Virtual Classroom for You?

Part 2

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/47337.html

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.

·    Advanced 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.

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Distance Education: Is a Virtual Classroom for You?

Distance Education: Is a Virtual Classroom for You?

Part 1

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/47337.html

You may want to take a class that your high school doesn’t offer. Under some circumstances, you can still enroll in class—through distance learning.

Distance education means taking a class without being physically present where it is being taught. Internet-based technology lets students participate in lectures and class sessions online from almost anywhere.

Some high schools agree to recognize distance-learning credits when they don’t have the resources to offer a course themselves. Distance education is often used to increase options in rural areas and for AP® courses.

For you, it might mean doing self-tutorial at home in the evening, or participating in a class that is 1,000 miles away, along with other high school students. Check with your school counselor to see what’s available.

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Balancing High School and Part-Time Work

Balancing High School and Part-Time Work

Part 5

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/45266.html

Additional Tips

Although working and going to schools is challenging, it can be a rewarding experience if you use some foresight. These tips can help you handle the situation and make the most of your time:

·    Discuss your plans with your family: Balancing the demands of school and work is easier with their support.

·    Start Slowly; Don’t commit to working a lot of hours immediately

·    Use your time efficiently: You can use 10 minutes in a waiting line to go over a few pages of assigned reading. If your job has a lot of downtime and your boss has no objection, you can use slow periods to do slow work.

·    If you commute to your job on public transportation, bring your school work with you so you can work along the way.

·    Be flexible and willing to make sacrifices: You may have to cut down on some other things you’d like to do because of your school and work commitments.

·    If you have too much on your plate, admit it. Then cut back as needed.

·    Schedule relaxation time: Everyone needs some downtime to stay happy and healthy.

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Balancing High School and Part-Time Work

Balancing High School and Part-Time Work

Part 4

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/45266.html

He reminds students that “the activities and courses students choose vary considerably, so it’s important for young people to keep their individual situations clearly in mind.” MacGowan continues, “For example, student actors should allow for the fact that they won’t have as much time during performance seasons. Student athletes need to remember the times of the year that they’ll be tied up with games and practices. Other students who are in classes that make considerable demands outside the classroom must keep that reality in mind.”

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Balancing High School and Part-Time Work

Balancing High School and Part-Time Work

Part 3

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/45266.html

Brad MacGowan, of the Career Center at Newton North High School in Massachusetts, thinks that working can be a valuable part of a student’s life, if taken on responsibly. “You can derive a great deal from working, considerably more than just money,” he says. “In most cases, you can acquire a nice dose of discipline and a whole new set of skills and experiences.” In addition, your supervisor may be willing to write a strong college recommendation for you.

School Comes First

Schoolwork, including homework and studying for tests, should always be your top priority. MacGowan cautions for students who do decide to work. “If you are rushing through your assignments … or not studying enough for tests because of work, it’s time to cut back or quit and find a less time-consuming job.

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