10 Habits of Highly Effective Students

The key to becoming an effective is learning how to study smarter, not harder. This becomes more and more true as you advance in your education.  An hour or two of EFFECTIVE studying each day is usually to make it through high school with satisfactory grades, but when college arrives, there aren't enough hours in the day to get all your studying in if you don't know how to study smarter. Follow this link below to learn the top 10 study habits employed by highly successful students. Read more of this article by clicking on this link:
10 Habits of Highly Effective Students

THE ROAD TO COLLEGE

Follow this link The Road to College to view the PowerPoint, The Road to College:  

THE SECRET BEHIND THE A

Each year, the homework assignments become tougher, workloads get heavier and staying ahead of the curve becomes more of a challenge.  By following these 10 Handy Dandy Hints, you can develop better study habits, have a productive year, and discover The Secret Behind the “A.”

  

1. Get Organized. Between homework, tests and extracurricular activities, it’s all too easy for things to slip through the cracks. A planner can help you keep everything organized.  Write down assignments, appointments and make to-do lists. Review items in the planner/notebook at both the beginning and end of the day to stay on track.

2. Know the Expectations.  By high school, most teachers will provide a course outline or syllabus, which can serve as a guide for the semester. If expectations aren’t clear, don’t wait until a bad report card comes in the mail. Make sure you feel comfortable approaching teachers with questions about grading and assignments at any time. Also, pay attention to homework assignments, projects, and other course requirements and make sure you do them completely.

3. Designate a Study Area and Study Time. Find a place at home where you can study without distractions.  Studying in front of the TV or with music on won’t be the best use of your time. A quiet, well-lit, low-traffic space for study time makes for optimal use of your study time.

4. Develop a Study Plan. Setting goals for each class is also key to success. First things first: you need to know when a test will take place, the types of questions that will be included and the topics that will be covered. From there, create a study plan and allow ample time to prepare.  As you do your homework, evaluate how well you understand the material.  If you are unsure of what you are doing, ask for help BEFORE you take the test.

5. Think Positively. Being in the right mindset can make all the difference. Think positively when studying or heading into an exam and by all means, avoid catastrophic thinking. Turn negative statements like “I’ll never have enough time to get a good grade on this exam” into positive ones like “I began preparing later than I should have but I put together a study plan and will be able to get through the material prior to the exam.”

6. Attend before-school or after-school study sessions.  Working in groups can help students when you’re struggling to understand a concept and you can complete assignments more quickly than when working alone. Sometimes, your local school has study sessions and/or tutoring after school that will assist you with homework and help you to make the “A.”

7. Practice Active Listening. It’s important for students to concentrate and avoid distractions when an instructor is presenting. You should avoid talking or thinking about problems when listening. If a teacher says, “This is important” or “I’ll write this on the board,” there’s a good chance you will see the concept on an exam.

8. Review Test-Taking Strategies. It is normal for you to feel stressed when taking an exam. However, there are certain strategies that will help you manage the stress and do your best on the test. First, arrive on time and be relaxed. Students should be sure to read all of the directions on the exam and pace themselves so as not to feel rushed.

9. Read Actively. A pack of post it notes can be used to help you actively write/annotate in any book.  It’s all too easy to skim over an assigned book chapter and not know the main points of what they just read. Practice active reading by finding the main idea of each passage and looking up unfamiliar words or concepts. Make an outline of the chapter or create flow charts and diagrams that help map out the concept at hand. After each section, write a summary in your own words and come up with possible exam questions.

10. Look to the Future.  The higher your GPA, the more likely you are to be accepted to the college of your choice.  Starting early can be an immense help in navigating the college admissions process. Be sure to get organized, set goals and have regular check-in’s with the Upward Bound Academic Coordinator to assess progress.  If you know you are struggling in a particular course, seek out additional help using a TRIO Upward Bound tutor to keep your GPA as high as possible.

RESOURCES FOR BETTER GRADES

Khan Academy

·       http://www.khanacademy.org/

Khan Academy has thousands of videos on everything in all areas of mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, finance, and history.  Using this site, you can practice skills you have learned but might have forgotten, or learn new skills and concepts at your own pace.   Scroll down on this page and find a free tutorial on ANY mathematics, or academic course!   The UB Homework Helpers can assist you by recommending videos to watch and challenging you to do your best on EVERY math skill! While this site won’t do the work for you, if you understand the concept, you can learn how to do it! 

Quizlet

·       http://quizlet.com/

A great FREE site where you can make your own flashcards you can print and/or play games. You can also see flashcards Mrs. Buff and Upward Bound tutors have made for you to use.  Or, if you prefer, you can make your own flashcards, search for other Quizlet flashcards made by educators, and become an expert in your classes!  (Quizlet is especially great for Spanish, French, Biology, and History).

Mathematics Resources

·       http://www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm

Of course, it’s great because it’s PURPLE, but this index can also help any student or tutor to understand a particular concept STEP BY STEP!

·       http://www.mathwords.com/
A link to an online dictionary of mathematical terms.

Biology

·       http://www.biology-online.org
These sites provide different ways of explaining and examining basic biological processes for introductory classes.

·       http://www.biology.arizona.edu/
The Biology Project website that provides a wealth of information on biology topics.

Chemistry

·       http://www.khanacademy.org/

This is an AWESOME site used by many of the Chemistry teachers!  Learn how to do your chemistry homework with the help of Khan Academy and watch your grades improve!

·       http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch3/massmolframe.html

This is a great resource to understand and view terms, equations, etc. associated with stoichiometry.

http://www.chemcollective.org/tutorials.php

If you’re having difficulty in Chemistry, this is the place to visit!  You can view tutorials to help you with basic chemistry, through AP Chemistry concepts.

·       http://www.pinkmonkey.com/studyguides/subjects/chem/contents.asp

Prudent chemistry information that is more detailed and has study guides.

·       http://www.gcsechemistry.com/index1.htm
Interactive periodic table and other great basic information for non-science majors.

·       http://chemistry.about.com/library/blproblems.htm?PM=ss14_chemistry
This site provides an index of different mathematically based chemistry problems with examples for your reference.  It also has links to other chemistry sites.

·       http://www.sparknotes.com/chemistry/
A helpful chemistry resource with summaries about reactions, stoichiometry, and ions.  

English

·       http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ Punctuation, grammar, mechanics, notes of how to discuss literature, and a handy dandy list of literary terms can be found at this link and will help you to write any English paper using MLA format. 

·       http://www.bartleby.com/bulfinch/  Learn everything you want to know about mythology at this site, which features Bulfinch’s Mythology by topic.

·       http://labyrinth.georgetown.edu/  Medieval studies scholarly resources compiled and organized from around the world. Contains texts in all European languages, including Latin and Greek.

·       http://www.arthuriana.org/teaching/Handout_Buff_True_Knight.pdf This was a handout created by a talented group of University of Montevallo Upward Bound English Honors students during the Summer of 2002.  The information was presented at a Medieval Literature Conference in Kennesaw, GA in 2004 and published on the Arthuriana Pedagogy page as a resource sample for teaching high school students research medieval literature.  

·       http://www.gradesaver.com/study-guides/ Classic Notes by Gradesaver allows students to view themes and character lists for most important/classic works of literature.  While it does not replace reading the text, Classic Notes can help students understand novels, plays, and epic poetry. 

·       http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/sacredthemesall.html From the British Library, a comprehensive listing of the treasures from the world’s great faiths.

·       http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/  Sponsored by Capital Community College, this site offers punctuation and grammar review that can be used to help you with your ACT and/or classes in school.  

Foreign Languages

·       http://www.youtube.com/user/spanishsessions

Access this site on You Tube to view LOTS of Spanish lessons.  These videos are done with a teacher, and cover all aspects of Spanish.

·       http://www.youtube.com/user/orca99bang

WOW!  Get all the help you need with pronunciation, vocabulary, and key concepts.  Use this site along with a tutor, or access specific lessons to review important areas.

·       www.quizlet.com

At this site, you can type in a subject area and find all the vocabulary flashcards you will need to make an A every time in EVERY language course!

·       http://www.wordreference.com/
A fantastic online dictionary for French, Spanish, German, and other languages.

·       http://www.colby.edu/~bknelson/SLC/index.php
A great site for Spanish grammar information and exercises as well as cultural information.

·       http://www.studyspanish.com/
A lot of excellent general information, quizzes, and activities for Spanish.

Economics

·       http://www.pinkmonkey.com/studyguides/subjects/eco/contents.asp
An excellent site for reviewing and studying macroeconomic concepts.

·       https://www.mycreditunion.gov/Pages/pocket-cents-understanding-a-check-and-balancing-checkbook.aspx

History

·       http://college.cengage.com/history/us/resources/students/weblinks/index.html A collection of links to web sites covering all of American History.

·       http://wps.ablongman.com/long_divine_app_7/20/5190/1328854.cw/index.html  This link provides students with EVERYTHING related to US History, from Old World to the present.  It is provided by Pearson Education.

·       https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-united-states-history/about-the-exam?ushist  This site is College Board’s overview of the AP History test. 

·       http://www.besthistorysites.net/index.php/

A collection of about 1200 web sites focused on all kinds of history.

Political Science Tutoring Resources

·       http://www.house.gov/ and http://www.senate.gov/
Links to information on the US Senate and the House of Representatives that contains current information on issues.

Psychology Tutoring Resources

·       http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/aupr/students.shtml
A huge site that provides a wealth of information about psychology in general and resources for tutoring and teaching psychology.

Study Skills Resources

·       http://www.howtostudy.org/resources.php
A fantastic resource for tips related to study skills and studying in general.  This information is beneficial for learning HOW to study!

Advanced Collaborative Online Whiteboards

·       https://www.groupboard.com/products/

At this site, you can actually work out mathematical equations and/or use it for balancing/computing in Chemistry. FREE.

·       Whiteboards tutor should look in to using for online, emergency tutoring.

https://www.wyzant.com/resources/blogs/348528/free_online_whiteboard_tool_every_online_tutor_should_look_into  

·       You Tube (or videos on your phone working problems).  LOTS of videos on any subject. (OR SET UP YOUR OWN YOU TUBE)…just let me know.

ACT Practice tests

·       https://www.test-guide.com/free-act-practice-tests.html This site is your ultimate source for practice tests for the ACT with 5,000 practice questions, including 18 full-length ACT-style practice tests.  Also, when you're preparing for the ACT, use the list of resources for study tips, subject-specific strategies and more.

EDUCATION MATTERS

Why Does Education Matter to YOU?

As a scholarship seeker, you're probably already well-aware of the importance of an education. But, what about the naysayers? Have you come across someone who's tried to talk you out of college, saying that it's not worth it?

While continuing your education takes time, and money, there's a certain value that everyone is hoping to achieve. The Education Matters Scholarship is giving you the chance to state why education matters. Why does education matter to you? What is the value you hope to receive from college? What would you do to convince the college cynics?

Speaking up for education could lead to helping you pay for your own. One applicant will be awarded our $5,000 Education Matters Scholarship.

Applicants must:

·                     Be thirteen (13) years of age or older at the time of application

·                     Be legal residents of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia

·                     Be currently enrolled (or enroll no later than the fall of 2022) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education

Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the question:
"What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn't matter, or that college is a waste of time and money? "

The Education Matters Scholarship winner will be notified by email or phone on or around February 28, 2017.

To register, sign up at this link: 
Why Does Education Matter to You

Application Status

Not applied

Apply now

Award Amount

$5,000

Application Deadline

November 30, 2016

Effective Note-Taking Methods

There are several methods for taking notes.  The CORNELL METHOD is a tried-and-true technique for taking notes in class and also for taking notes while reading.  Draw a vertical line on a sheet of paper (or use the template you can find attached to this blog post).  Here are three YOU TUBE video that will help you understand how to do your notes! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtW9IyE04OQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6D6jnCq3VE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4uzQEWj0X8

To take notes in class:

•   Write notes on the most important points you hear in the space on the right.  Skip a few lines between main points to fill in any missing information later.
•   Use the left-hand space to write key words to label the ideas and details of the notes you’ve written in the space on the right.
•   Read notes soon after taking them to complete thoughts while you remember them.

To take notes while reading:

•   Write the main headings in the left column.
•   Summarize the text of each heading by writing a brief note in your own words in the right column.  Don’t repeat what’s written in the textbook.  Instead, make it your own information.

To review:

•    Cover notes in the right column.
•   Say the key words in the left column out loud; then try to recall the information in your notes on the right.
•   Uncover the notes. If what you said matches what you wrote, chances are you know it! 

Other effective methods for note taking notes include:

• An outline.  Begin with the most general information.  Continue indenting each more specific fact underneath.
• A time line.  This is an effective method for learning a series of events associated with specific dates.
• Mapping. Draw a circle or box in the middle of a page.  Write in the main idea.  Write supporting ideas and details on the lines attached to the box or circle. 

Cornell Notes Template

Your Résumé

Your résumé--both an academic and workplace-oriented--need to be completed as soon as possible.  Some scholarships require a résumé with submission.  

Click the READ MORE link below and keep reading to learn the purpose of the résumé, and how to make your résumé great!  Samples are included, so use this information to get started!