Thursday, July 31, 2008

How to Prepare for an Oral Report



How to Prepare for an Oral Report


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

An editor has suggested that this article be merged with: "How to Do an Oral Speech on Time" Per the merge policy, if these topics are determined to be similar but distinct, then the articles will remain separate. Please comment on the discussion page. Notice added on 2008-04-30.

Spending long hours working on an oral report can be tedious. We have to research for accuracy, plan the layout, memorize what we are going to say. This might be worth it, but then when it does not turn out as good as you expected, is very disappointing.

Steps

  1. Research your topic. If your topic is quite boring, search for some interesting facts about it that will wow your classmates.
  2. Take notes. Don't be afraid to jot down details. Be sure to use better words than "nice" or "big." Rather opt for words such as "gigantic" or "fantastic."
  3. Add a little something to it. Why not add pictures or make a life size model from the topic. Drawing a time line, especially if it's a history report, can also work.
  4. Look over your written report, Add details where needed and exchanging words with those that would fit the report better.
  5. Practice! Practice! Practice! Look at yourself in the mirror and talk as if you're in front of people. Make sure that you're not leaning or fumbling around when you talk. With a bit more practice, you will be able to ace that report and look good at the same time.

Tips

  • Try not to act too enthusiastic about the topic. This makes you look cheesy.
  • Ask your crowd if they have any questions, and always be prepared to answer them!
  • Make sure that what you brought in as a demonstration, is colorful and eye-catching.

Warnings

  • When you take notes, be 100% sure that you aren't plagiarizing, copying word for word as written.
  • Make the speech short and to the point. Long drawn out reports are marked as boring and are similar to listening to lectures. Keep it short and simple.

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Prepare for an Oral Report. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Get up from Your Bed Instantly

How to Get up from Your Bed Instantly

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Tired of getting late to work? Do you usually wake up and think "why can't I stay just 5 more minutes in bed?" and 5 minutes later you think the same thing, and this repeats itself over and over until lunchtime and you realized that you have missed your work?Do you feel like your legs don't obey to your orders?Do you see yourself as a lazy every morning?So where is the answer for your prayers, the ending of your daily suffering and morning fears?

Steps

  1. Shut down your mind. Your mind is your worse enemy, block all your thoughts. Any single thought will origin another one. i.e. "I need to get up because I need to go to work" but then you will think "but I’m so tired...resting more 5 minutes will not cause the end of the world". So don't think anything! If you're having difficulties doing this, try thinking of emptiness. (If your idea of emptiness is a "dark screen" don't think it, think white instead or think in transparency. It may seem hard or even stupid, but visualize a transparent glass in front of your eyes like a layer between your eyes and the rest of the environment you are in.) Also imagine that your cutting off your mind power source. But be careful, these techniques might make you fall asleep. Anyway...try to "Shut up" your mind.
  2. Practice. The human mind works by learning and learning requires practice, and practice is based on repeating an action over and over. Keep getting out of bed.
  3. Simulate. Turn off the light, shutdown your computer or TV or whatever (or turn it on...in case you usually sleep with your computer turned on) Put everything like the way it is when you're going to sleep, dress yourself like you do when you're going to sleep, wear your pajama or put yourself in underwear...you should be exactly dressed the way you dress to sleep. If you do a regular task before going to sleep (like brushing your teeth or something else) do it now. If you watch your favourite show before sleeping, record it...and watch it now.
  4. Set your alarm clock for a few minutes later. Close your eyes like if you're going to sleep and try to fall asleep...it may be difficult. So don't try too hard, you don't need really to sleep, that's optional. When your alarm clock goes on, get up from the bed, It will be easy because you aren't tired. Try not to get up to fast but not too slow. Start moving yourself right away and don’t stop, you can take some seconds until you get up, but don't stop moving. You might prefer to sit on your bed instead of getting up right away. Now turn the alarm clock off.
  5. Stretch yourself. Stretch like you do when you get up on your normal "getting up routine" or don't if you do not usually stretch. Just do what you usually do right away after getting up. (no, you don't need to go to the bathroom, do the breakfast etc! don't even leave your room). P.S - To do not stretch yourself while you’re still in bed, if you do that on your daily "getting up routine" stop doing it. Stretch after and not during.
  6. Return to bed and to it again. Do this a few times at the different hours of the day, do 2-3 sets at each session. And do 2-4 sessions a day. Feel free to raise the number of sets per session and the number of sessions per day with the time (like if you doing a exercise. Like you do at the gym or at home or even if you don't exercise I'm sure you know what I'm talking about)

Tips

  • Do some sessions of silence meditation to help you shutdown your mind.
  • Raise the number of "getting up" sessions per day, or the number of sets of do progressively.
  • think of something to look forward to that day. it might get you up.

Warnings

  • Do not stretch yourself while you’re still in bed, if you do that on your daily "getting up routine" stop doing it. Stretch AFTER and not WHILE.
  • Avoid thoughts like "I will sleep just 5 more minutes", "Go legs! move!! come on!!", "It's so cold outside and so hot and comfortable in here" Better...don't even think!

Things You'll Need

  • An alarm clock
  • A bed
  • Some time to practice.
  • Willpower
  • Patience

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Get up from Your Bed Instantly. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Use the Experiential Learning Model


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

The Experiential Learning Model, used extensively in 4-H and other groups, is a way to turn ordinary games into learning experiences, primarily with the use of questions. This educational model is a great way to subtly make the most out of a situation.

Steps
  1. Do the activity with your group. Before you can use the Experiential Learning Model, you must have something to use it on. After you learn the rest of the steps to the Experiential Learning Model, you will know how to look for good activities to use the model on.
  2. Reflect on the activity.
    • What? What happened in the activity? What were the results? Everyone in the group should share their observations on what was going on. Listen to all observations. Everyone deserves a chance to talk. What did each person do? What was the most difficult thing about this activity?
    • Gut. Ask the group what their gut reaction was. If someone was left out, how did they feel being left out? How did it feel to lead? You can link the experience to your target subject matter (if you have one) and the life skills being learned. What problems or issues seemed to occur over and over? How did you feel when a particular thing happened?
  3. Apply the activity to other experiences.
    • So what? So what happened? How do we apply this to the situation at hand? Generalize the event to connect it to real-world examples. What did you learn about yourself through this activity? What did you learn about making decisions? How does this activity relate to real life outside of the activity? How did you go about deciding what to do?
    • Now what? How can you apply what you've learned to a similar or different experience? What is another situation in which this skill can be used? How will the issues raised by this activity be useful in the future? How will you act differently in the future as a result of this activity?

Tips

  • Remember what, gut, so what, and now what. This sticks well in the mind of youth and covers the basic steps after the activity is done.
  • You may want to have everyone sit for all steps after Do. This will help them focus. Sitting in a circle is also a good way to help the group share openly, and ensures everyone can hear and make eye contact.
  • Think of questions ahead of time, but leave room for questions that may arise from unexpected things that happen.
  • You can apply the Experiential Learning Model to things other than games.
  • Modify as necessary.

Warnings

  • Choose activities appropriate for your group's age and size, and choose an area accordingly.

Things You'll Need

  • Group of people, any age
  • Suitable activity
  • Desire to learn

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Use the Experiential Learning Model. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Draw a Flower in Microsoft Paint


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Ever wondered how to draw a flower in Microsoft Paint? This handy How-To guide will teach you the basics and get you on track to make some impressive foliage.

Steps

  1. Open up Microsoft Paint from the Accessories folder in your Start Menu.
  2. Using the wavy line tool, draw a curved, dark green line of medium-thick thickness in a position like in the picture. In order to curve the line, draw a straight line and then click and drag where you want to curve it. You can curve each line twice.
  3. Click the Dark Yellow and right-click the Bright Yellow. Then choose the circle tool and make an appropriately sized oval in the top left corner. Be sure to select the middle option on the sidebar under the main tools, as it will give you a circle with a dark yellow outline and a bright yellow fill.
  4. Hit Ctrl-v to paste in another petal.
  5. Drag the petal down to the end of the stem.
  6. Reselect the other petal using the box tool.
  7. Drag the petal down to the left side of the stem. Make sure that the second option is selected on the sidebar under the main tools as it will make sure not to overlap any of your previous work.
  8. Hit Ctrl-v to create another petal.
  9. Hit Ctrl-r to rotate the selection. Click rotate and choose 90 degrees and hit OK.
  10. Hit Ctrl-c to copy the new petal.
  11. Move the petal down onto the flower.
  12. Hit Ctrl-v to paste the vertical petal.
  13. Move the final petal onto the flower, making sure that the second option under the sidebar is selected.
  14. Left click the dark yellow color to select it and use the circle tool to create a center. Select the third option under the sidebar so as to create a full, dark yellow circle. Hold Shift while creating the circle to make it perfectly round. # Use the curved line tool to create four curved lines between the petals like so.
  15. Click on the bright yellow color to select it and use the paint tool to fill in the petals.
  16. Left click the dark green and right click the bright green. Select the polygon tool and click on the second option under the sidebar. Starting at the base of the stem, draw a leaf.
  17. Draw another leaf on the other side of the stem.
  18. Use the straight line tool to add in some veins and make the leaves look more realistic.
  19. Hit Ctrl-s to choose a destination and save your flower.

Tips

  • If you make a mistake, press Ctrl-z to undo it.

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Draw a Flower in Microsoft Paint. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.


Saturday, July 19, 2008

How to Manage Your Time


How to Manage Your Time


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Here's a technique for dealing with the distraction of a horrendous to-do list. This is also suitable for project managers.

Steps


  1. Write down all the tasks you have to get done, if you haven't done so already.
  2. Set priorities for each task.
    • P1: Red: Today/Tomorrow (Day)
    • P2: Orange: 3-7 Days (Week)
    • P3: Yellow: 2-3 weeks (Month)
    • P4: Pink: Later this year…(Wish List)
    Be realistic when assigning priorities to your tasks.
  3. Start work on any red tasks first — however awful, boring or frightening they are. The trick to keeping calm and balanced is simple: forget about all the complex planning. Work out what truly needs to be done next and do it. When it's done, repeat the procedure.
  4. Start on the orange tasks next. Don't even think about any yellow ones until all the reds and oranges are done. If any new tasks arrive, give them a color and put them on the list. Next morning, make a new list and reallocate the tasks into the colors.
  5. Keep track of your progress.
    • After one week, take 15 minutes to go through the yellow (month) items.
    • Cross all those that have solved themselves off the list. Do the same for those that you can now see were never important anyway. You'll be amazed how many there are.
    • Underline those you can remove by: delegating them, using technology rather than your time and attention, or creating a routine for handling them so you can delegate or pass them to someone else. Make a red item to deal with them right away by whatever means is appropriate.



Tips


  • Start your list again and revisit the yellow items in another week. Do the same weeding, only this time also remove or move to pink any yellow items that have been on the list for more than a month. If you haven't either done them or moved them into orange or red in that time, forget about them. They aren't going to get done next month either...
  • If you stick to this set of actions, you'll get an amazing amount of work done; you'll always be focused on what's genuinely important and your to-do list will be a real one, not a resting place for failed intentions.
  • Manage your time in increments. Figure out how long you can focus your attention on one task: fifteen minutes, half an hour, an hour, etc. Make that time period your offical time limit. Be determined to accomplish part or all of a task within that time limit.
  • After every time increment, take a short break. Decide beforehand whether you will take 5, 10, or 15 minutes, and stick to that decision. Taking breaks in between work allows your mind to rest and refocus. When you return from your break, your mind should be clearer. These breaks provide incentive for working hard and give you something to look forward to.


Warnings


  • You have to take this exercise seriously, which means setting aside the "everything has to be done yesterday" BS and creating real priorities.
  • Don't procrastinate. Setting aside high-priority items just because you don't like doing them, or are boring, etc will obviously make keeping a to-do list useless. Grind through your to-do list and finish all red items first and foremost no matter how boring they are. After completing these daunting tasks, you can feel relieved. They won't hang over your head and cause you stress later.


Related wikiHows




Sources and Citations





Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Manage Your Time. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Expand Your Knowledge Using the Internet


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

The internet has brought a great deal of information, available to you with some typing here and a click there. If you're interested in learning something or trying something new, to expand your knowledge or your awareness, the internet is a pretty good place to start. But maybe you don't know how to go about it. Or you don't have the money to pay for all this "enlightenment". This article is here to help.

Steps


  1. Read. Perhaps you want to become a bit more well read. Look here for separate lists, two on the 100 best novels and one on the 100 books that changed history.
  2. Find your book. Once you find a book that seems interesting, you can either buy it, or try places like Project Gutenberg which has over 20,000 books for free online. You can also go their affiliates to look for another 100,000 free books. You can also search for other free databases like this that specialize in certain genres, authors, etc.
  3. Listen to audio books. If you don't like to read, or do not like the ebook format, you may enjoy audio books. LibriVox has a great deal of audio book recordings, many of good quality, for free. Again, search for specialized audio book sites, such as PodioBooks which has a nice selection of science fiction.
  4. Check out old radio shows. There's also some sites which cater to dramatizations and "old time radio". The Mercury Theatre stores quite a few of their radio dramatizations, some featuring Orson Welles, for free download.
  5. Listen to music. To expand your horizons, try lots of different genres, not just your usual fare. The ModPopPunk Archives holds a large collection of mod influenced pop-punk mp3s. Classic Cat has plenty of links to mp3 downloads of famous composers and works from all over the web. All About Jazz and Jazz Promo tend to have good free jazz tracks available for download. Download.com is also a good source for free mp3s covering a wide range of artists and genres. Search the internet for free mp3s from artist's websites, fansites, and music blogs. You'll discover quite a few good bands and musicians this way.
  6. Take classes online. Lately, there's been an expansion of universities and schools allowing their resources up on the internet for free download via podcasts or online notes or lecture materials. See here for a list of university podcasts. It's a very extensive list, with over 75 entries. Here is a list containing links to foreign language podcasts. And yet another list focusing on podcasts on "ideas and culture." Again, search the internet for something that interests you.
  7. Seek out educational films. If you would like some images to go with your lessons, videos could be of interest to you. Universities are now making many of their lectures available in video for free download. You can also search Google Videos, YouTube, and other websites which specialize in videos for short documentaries, educational films, historical clips, new music, and more. If you want short or independent films, go to the Internet Film Community or Atom Films, which generally have good selections.
  8. Try films in other languages. If some of those indie films also happen to be foreign films, you can learn a foreign language. That website has a multitude of links to language communities, language resources, and more. Most of the links are to free to use websites. And if you are interested in the ancient languages, such as Greek or Latin, Text Kit is a very good website to use.
  9. Explore new subjects. If you really want to "expand" yourself, try philosophy, religion, or metaphysics. Wanna learn about Buddhism? Go here. How about runes? There's also plenty of sites that teach Hinduism, Islam, or the life and teachings of Jesus.
  10. Try email correspondence courses. You can also get plenty of courses sent through e-mail, such as About U. which covers subjects over religion, health, and history. Learn how to bake delicious treats and goodies in this course. All you have to do is open up your inbox.
  11. Request free materials by mail. If in the end, you find that working on computers just doesn't do it for you, than maybe you just need to get some free materials sent to you. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences has a couple of seriously well made books offered for free. So does the National Institute of Mental Health. More medical related materials can be found at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Maybe you want a free human genome poster? Or perhaps you are more of a physics person? Search for even more free publications.


Tips


  • Search for new things. You may never know what you can find.
  • Go on online sites, like Wikipedia, and click on a random article. Read it, and follow links from that article to other articles. See what you can learn.
  • Try to make a schedule, so you can keep the eye for school or work.


Warnings


  • When downloading, be careful to make sure you are not downloading copyrighted material. Especially from P2P networks, as they contain a full load of viruses, malware, et cetera.
  • When embarking on a new learning experience from websites, et cetera, make sure that other people agree with the information they are teaching you. You could be learning gibberish instead of Hebrew.


Related wikiHows




Sources and Citations





Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Expand Your Knowledge Using the Internet. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Create a Zen Garden


How to Create a Zen Garden


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Making a beautiful Zen garden can be just as peaceful and fulfilling as having one. Such a refuge can be placed in nearly any space, ranging from large, sweeping gardens that encompass acres to tiny, desktop gardens that take up no more room than a notebook. Here's how to create a constantly changing work of art that is visually pleasing with clean, flowing lines and carefully placed objects.

Steps


  1. Decide how large you want to make your Zen garden. Assess your available space. Are you going to make a garden that fills up part of your backyard, or are you going to start with a Zen garden to place on your desk? The steps are the same, the scale will just be different.
  2. Create a mold to contain the sand and/or gravel. Sand or gravel generally form the matrix of a Zen garden, and to keep it looking sharp, you need the matrix to be contained. If you are making a large garden, consider using 2" x 4" pieces of lumber, old railroad ties, or any other type of wood. If you are making a desktop Zen garden, simply gather and cut enough wood to make a small container.
  3. Nail, screw, or glue together your form. After you have completed your form, you can decorate the wood by painting, staining, or varnishing it.
  4. Place a weed retainer, such as black plastic, down prior to setting your Zen garden mold. Zen gardens receive much of their appeal from their cleanliness. Keeping out weeds is a must for outdoor gardens.
  5. Fill the form to the top with sand or gravel. Spread the sand or gravel evenly and as level as possible. For a small desktop garden, you might be able to buy sand in small bags at a local pet shop or aquarium supply store. For larger gardens, call the local rock shop, quarry, or landscaping supply company.
  6. Put selected features in your Zen garden to set a visually stimulating theme. Consider using old, mossy logs, rocks with interesting colors, shapes or textures, or other items. Place them off-center and partially submerged for the best effect. Zen gardens generally include natural items made of wood, rock and vegetation, but don’t be afraid to add statues or other additions. Just don’t clutter your Zen garden. Remember, you want it to be peaceful and simple. Make sure that the feng shui is in check with your karm an darma before enjoying your zen garden! If it is not balanced properly, there could be some major problems and could possibly send your karma into a yin yang whirlwind (which is NOT good!) * see feng shui and karma for details.
  7. Rake the sand or gravel in long, curving strokes to represent water ripples. You can use a number of patterns to accentuate your garden, and the nice thing is that you can change it as many times as you like!
  8. Sit back and enjoy your Zen garden, and look forward to working in it to relax.
  9. Another quick & easy way is to fill up a flower pot of any size with sand and assorted items that you want in your Zen garden. The pot would be decorative and on top would be the zen garden, great for patios and balconies at apartments.


Tips


  • Have enough sand to completely fill your form to a depth of at least 2". If the sand is too shallow, it will look unsightly after raking.
  • Try your best to keep your Zen garden free of clutter, vegetative material and debris. A clean garden will accentuate the flowing lines and carefully placed objects.
  • Consider adding selectively placed lighting, either by flame or by electricity. Colored bulbs will add another dimension to your Zen garden, especially at night!
  • Don’t be afraid to try new raking patterns or to add and remove items. Your Zen garden can be as adaptable and ever-changing as your desires!
  • Take a field trip to a Zen garden to get ideas for yours.
  • Go to a local rock shop to find unique items to add to your Zen garden
  • Remember, Zen gardens do not have to be square or symmetrical, and your additions do not have to follow any official placement requirements. Make a Zen garden that is visually stimulating and mentally pleasing to you.


Warnings


  • Most pets and Zen gardens do not mix; the same can be said for many children. Remember, your Zen garden is supposed to be a place of peace, not stress, so locate your garden appropriately
  • Weeds can ruin a Zen garden in no time. Take the precautionary measures to avoid nasty weed problems.


Things You'll Need


  • Forms for your Zen garden (whether they be big or small)
  • Nails, Screws or wood glue to keep the forms together
  • Saw (to cut and create your form)
  • Sand or stones (depending on the scale, small = sand, larger = stone)
  • Rocks and/or logs
  • Polished pebbles and other amendments
  • Rake
  • Lighting (optional)
  • Patience


Related wikiHows




Sources and Citations





Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Create a Zen Garden. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Be a Good Boy in School


How to Be a Good Boy in School


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Do you want to be a better student? If so, please continue reading.

Steps


  1. Greet all the teachers that come in your class.
  2. Don't cause trouble, because that bothers the teacher.
    • Don't litter the school floor. Keep your trash to put in the wastebasket when it's time to clean up.
    • Always complete your work; teachers appreciate busy students who do complete work.

  3. Give your notebook and book to the teacher for correction on time.
  4. Never beat up a student when he is troubling you; the teacher usually catches you, instead of the one who started it.
    • When the teacher turns around to see what is happening, don't be hitting back.

  5. Never say bad word's to anybody.


Tips


  • Listen closely and keep quiet in the class. Follow the rules about raising your hand to ask or answer questions.
  • Keep toys and games put away during class.


Warnings


  • Never be mean or hit any student or teacher.
  • Never bring harmful toy's to school.



Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be a Good Boy in School. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Deal With a Drug Addicted Family Member or Loved One


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

So your mother, father or sibling uses drugs heavily and it is messing up your home life. Here are some tools to help you deal with the crisis that your loved one is bringing into the home.

Steps


  1. Love the person no matter what course of action you decide to ultimately take. They are still important to you.
  2. Look into a program like Al-anon or Alateen. Consider seeking help from a school teacher, pastor or other family member.
  3. Understand the disease that your loved one has and try to encourage them to get help.
  4. Do not give up-you may be the key to helping them beat this.
  5. Take your loved one to AA or NA meetings, if they want to go. Sometimes, talking to an alcoholic or addict that is in recovery can help you find a good course of action.
  6. Educate yourself on the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction.
  7. Consider doing an intervention with help from a professional interventionist.
  8. Stay the course and pray.


Tips


  • Sometimes the person you are trying to help will refuse help. Stay diligent.


Warnings


  • If the behavior has gotten out of control, you need to leave the person alone or tell them to leave. This is called tough love. The drugs and alcohol can destroy all involved.
  • And don't forget to abstain from drugs yourself or else you are no better than your family member. and you know they won't want you to do drugs, either.


Related wikiHows





Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Deal With a Drug Addicted Family Member or Loved One. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Study For Exams


How to Study For Exams


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Exams are terrible stress causers, whether it be high-school or college. The key to doing well on an exam is to, obviously, study hard and well, but also to study in the proper manner so that your studying experience will show results.

Steps


  1. Before your exams, create a calendar starting exactly one month before the exams are scheduled to start. For each day write down two subjects that you each plan to spend a half an hour studying. Take into account which classes are difficult for you; these subjects should show up on your study calendar more often. Stick to the calendar because an hour a day really isn't that much but it will really be useful. if you study for too long on something you find difficult, you will become stressed and most likely forget what you learned an hour ago so 1 hour is plenty
  2. Make friends that strive for good exam grades, just as you do. With friends who care about school, you'll find that you will have someone to study with without getting distracted. If they truly care about their grades, they will want to discuss material with you as much as possible because they want to be prepared for the exams as well. It is not necessary to "make new friends and 'ditch' your old ones" because they don't get good grades, and it doesn't mean they won't be upset if they fail their exams, but don't have a study party with people who you tend to muck around with too much!!
  3. Listen attentively in class before exams. Many teachers will playfully, or subtly hint things that might be on the exam, or they might focus on certain things more than others. Noticing your teachers lesson plans will help you realize the topics that are really important and that are likely to show up on the test. Take notes - have at least 4 blank pages ready before each class during the weeks leading up to exams, if you still don't understand something, ask someone, as there is no point trying to figure it out for yourself!! Don't worry about asking your teachers for help - that is what they are there for and most would probably prefer to spend an extra couple of hours going over work you find difficult than have you fail an exam!
  4. Don't just go through your notes, rewrite them. Rewriting some of your lecture notes, especially the sloppy ones, will bring back some of the old class topics in your mind. You will be able to remember the lectures and discussions surprisingly well. Rewriting your notes is great if you're a kinesthetic learner. also, when you re-write something it is making you think about what you are writing, what its about, why you wrote it down and most importantly, it refreshes your brain. if you took notes a month ago and just found out that those notes will be relevant in your exam, re writing them will remind you
  5. Don't study when you're really tired. It's better to study for two hours in one day than to try and cram in that daily hour at two in the morning. Besides, it will just make studying an even more unpleasurable task for you.
  6. Don't stress, if you can figure out how you study best. in your PJ's or your favorite t-shirt?, with music or not?, in your room or outside? one thing is for sure though, you won't be able to study while ... 1. Your darling little brother or sister is running screaming around the house 2. You are going to end up watching 'Pirates of the Caribbean' because they are way too distracting.


Tips


  • Don't study too hard during exam week. Exam week can be pretty fun if you're prepared. If you stick to the calendar, then you should be ready, so don't cram late at night every night, get a good nights sleep knowing that you spent a month studying hard.
  • Eat breakfast. Midmorning hunger is an awful distraction.
  • Don't overeat. Filling your body with huge amount of nutritious food will bring down brain work to digesting process.
  • You get what you get. Don't stress if you didn't get straight As. You should be just as proud of a B or C if you know you've worked hard for it and that's the grade you wanted. A passing grade means you were prepared for the test and knew the material. Just because you didn't get straight As doesn't mean you didn't work hard or didn't do well. Everyone is different and what may be a disaster for one student is a triumph for another
  • Try not to leave this until the last night before an exam. Begin studying at least a couple of days before the exam. You will feel more relaxed.
  • Take breaks. After studying for a while, reward yourself by going on a walk to clear your mind, chatting with friends (but not if it will distract them from their work!) or watching a film you enjoy. Try not to feel guilty about this - you need some time to have fun and it is better to revise when you are feeling relaxed after a break than to exhaust yourself studying all day!
  • Do practice papers and essays and ask your teachers to mark them so you can get an idea of the level you're working at and what you need to improve on. Don't panic if you get lower marks than you expected - ask what you need to work on and hopefully you'll improve in time for your exams. Also, bear in mind that some teachers will mark your work very harshly in order to motivate you into putting even more effort into your studies. If your teachers are like this, try not to take it to heard - they are doing it to make sure you achieve the highest grades possible, not because they want to upset you. Remember - disappointment in a lesson is much better than disappointment after an exam!
  • Finding out who is setting the exam can be helpful. That way, you might be able to understand what sort of questions will be used (short answer, essays etc.)
  • Asking teachers for help can make them think you are more committed, which can prove to be invaluable for future years.


Warnings


  • Cheating won't solve anything
  • Getting good grades will motivate you to study and achieve more.
  • Although some people find it a "good" idea, drinking absurd amounts of coffee/tea/any other caffeine source is NOT a good move, especially on the day before the exam. You'll crash eventually and you'll feel groggy the day of the exam, guaranteeing you'll most likely flunk it.
  • Some people like to have the TV on quietly in the background. This can cut both ways in that it can distract you from time to time but also can help you to continue studying. It's a risky strategy to have the TV on: nobody really knows how much it takes away from your attention and may be distracting you a lot more than you realise.


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Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Study For Exams. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Be a Good Listener


How to Be a Good Listener


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Listen or thy tongue will keep thee deaf. - Native American Proverb
Listening is an essential part of communication, and it is different from hearing. Being a good and patient listener helps you not only solve many problems at work or home, but also to see the world through the eyes of others, thereby opening your understanding and enhancing your capacity for empathy. Besides which, you learn a lot from listening. As deceptively simple as listening to and acknowledging other people may seem, doing it well, particularly when disagreements arise, takes sincere effort and lots of practice.

Steps


  1. Place yourself in the other person's shoes. It is often too easy to wonder about how what the other person is telling you is impacting you. As you worry about this, you reflect any tension, annoyance, or irritation back in your body gestures and facial expressions. Active listening is not about inward thinking. Instead, you must draw away from the temptation to do this by looking at the issues from the other person's perspective and actively trying to see his or her point of view. It is not a good idea to consider yourself to be smarter than the speaker and assume that if you would have been in his or her shoes, you would have seen your way through the problem much faster.
  2. Remove all distractions. Give the speaker 100% of your attention. Turn off cell phones, do not let your eyes wander about looking for a break, and politely brush aside any interruptions such as waiters or people who suddenly spot you and want to say "hello." It may be easiest to arrange to talk somewhere that such distractions will not occur.
  3. Practice the empathetic sounding back technique. At appropriate intervals during the conversation, it is helpful to "summarize and restate" and/or "repeat and encourage" the main points:
    • Repeat and encourage: Repeat some of the things said by the speaker. At the same time, encourage the speaker with positive feedback. For example, you might say: "You didn't enjoy having to take the blame. I can see why." Go easy with this technique, however, because if you overwork it, it may come across as being patronizing.
    • Summarize and restate: It is also very useful to summarize what the speaker is saying and restate it in your own words. This is a form of reassuring the speaker that you have truly been listening to what he or she is saying. It also provides the speaker with an opportunity to correct any mistaken assumptions or misconceptions that may have arisen during the course of the conversation. This is an especially good technique to try when you find yourself getting frustrated or restless in your listening.

  4. Do not interrupt with what you feel or think about the topic being discussed. Wait for another person to ask your opinion before interrupting the flow of discussion. Active listening requires the listener to shelve his or her own opinions temporarily, and await appropriate breaks in the conversation for summarizing. Abstain from giving direct advice. Instead, let him or her talk the situation out and find his or her own way. Besides, if he or she takes your advice and something goes wrong, he or she will be likely to blame you (whether he or she tells you or not).
  5. Ask meaningful and empowering questions. Do not seek to probe or make the other person defensive. Rather, aim to use questions as a means by which the speaker can begin to reach his or her own conclusions about the concerns or issues being raised. Once you have shown empathetic listening, it is time to move into empowering listening by re-framing the questions that you ask the the speaker. For example: "You didn't enjoy having to take the blame. But I cannot understand why you feel blamed rather than merely being asked not to do something that way." Wording the question in this manner presents the speaker with a need to respond directly to your lack of grasping something. In the process of doing so, the speaker should begin to move from a more emotional response to a more constructive response.
  6. Wait for the person to open up. In the process of encouraging a constructive response, an active listener must continue to be patient and let the speaker acquire his or her full flow of thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Keep yourself in his or her shoes and try to estimate why he or she is in such a situation.
  7. Use body gestures and facial expressions to express your interest and to unearth what is left unsaid. Active listening involves the entire body and face--both yours and that of the speaker:
    • Your expression: Look interested and meet the gaze of your speaker from time to time. Do not overwhelm the speaker by staring intently, but do reflect friendliness and openness to what you are listening to.
    • Read between the lines: Always be alert for things that have been left unsaid or for cues that can help you gauge the speaker's true feelings. Watch the facial and body expressions of the speaker to try to gather all information you can, not just from the words. Imagine what kind of state of mind would have made you acquire such expressions, body language, and volume.
    • Speak at approximately the same energy level as the other person. This way, he or she will know that the message is getting through and that there is no need to repeat.

  8. Be patient and respect pauses. Do not jump to speak up after the speaker has come to his or her own conclusions or resolutions and there is a pause. It is possible that more is yet to be said by the speaker. Let the speaker be the first to break this silence. You can always come back with your solutions or suggestions next time you talk, or the speaker may ask you to clarify your thoughts or offer more opinions at the time. Listening is about understanding another person, not about making suggestions (unless asked).
  9. Try to reassure the speaker that all is well. Whatever the conclusion of the conversation, let the speaker know that you have been happy to listen and to be a sounding board. Make it clear that you are open to further discussion if need be, but that you will not pressure him or her at all. In addition, reassure the speaker of your intention to keep the discussion confidential. Offer to assist with any solutions if you have the ability, time, and expertise. Do not build up false hopes, however. If the only resource you can provide is to continue to be an active listener, make that very clear; in and of itself, this is a very valuable help to any person.
  10. Accept that everyone has a unique thought process and ways to express himself/herself. Too often we jump to conclusion before others finish talking because we place information we hear into our own thought process. Try not to do that. Instead, look for fine differences if it sounds like the speaker may be agreeing with you, and look for areas he or she might indicate agreement if it sounds like an objection. Understand that you do not need 100% agreement to reach the same decision.
  11. Just because someone is speaking to you, do not presume that they are asking you for your input! All too often we think the other person really wants to know what we think about what they are saying…wrong! Wait, let the speaker ask you for your opinion, thoughts or ideas. Otherwise, you may become the speaker but you will not have a “listener” in the audience! This is a fun exercise. You may be surprised at how many people will NOT ask you for your input. And all these years that you have simply “chimed in” with your input, you thought they actually wanted it.
  12. Most information is not remembered because we are thinking of OUR response to the speaker and therefore missed what was said. Resist the urge to formulate your responses. That is active thinking, not listening. If need be, take notes that will trigger your response should you have opportunity later to share it.


Tips


  • Never criticize while listening, and never attack another person for his or her feelings. This spoils your reputation as a listener and will completely remove the speaker's motivation to speak up.
  • Listening is about creating a caring environment in which the other person feels encouraged by your ability to understand.
  • Don't judge anyone for their opinion or actions. Remember you, like everyone else has done or felt something you're not proud of now. ask yourself 'Who am I to judge anyone?'
  • The more you listen, the more trusted you become.
  • The more difficult listening becomes, the more important it is to listen.
  • Remember that when your counterpart feels that he or she has been listened to, he or she is much more likely to listen to your ideas. On the contrary, if no one ever listened to each other, then they would fall victim to bad listening, and would not have a chance to fully express themselves. Your desire to express should begin with listening well to others.
  • Postpone an important conversation if you are not in the mood to listen. It is better to not talk about it if you are not ready than to try to force through a conversation where you are too distracted by emotions, worries, and other things that prevent you from listening.
  • Avoid phrases that imply that you have not listened fully to the points communicated to you such as "Yeah but..." Instead, learn to use phrases that provide confirmation that you have heard the other side fully, such as "I see. Now tell me what you would say to this..."
  • Keep in mind that sometimes we need to listen "between the lines," but there are times when we need to absorb things at face value. When we listen intensively, our minds are often busy placing what we hear into the situation and our emotions, which creates barriers to our ability to listen fully what is being said. This is similar to making judgments and drawing conclusions before all has been said. Don't do that. Take it at its face value and go with the flow.


Warnings


  • Never assume that what worked for you will work for everyone else as well.
  • Never try to fit in your biographical account and "been-there-done-that" experiences into what the speaker is saying. It is better to keep quiet, even if you have had the same problem a year ago and you know how to work your way out. If you listen well, it is quite possible that your suggestions and experience will be solicited later on.
  • If you find yourself formulating a response before the other person has finished speaking, you are not listening.
  • The more confident you are in your own idea, the more you should be willing to suspend that point of view for the moment.
  • If a person pauses as if trying to think of the right word, don't jump in with a word of your own. Some people are careful about their choice of words. It doesn't mean they need help. Finishing someone's thought is rude and disruptive.


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Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be a Good Listener. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Edit or Proofread an Essay or Paper


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Editing papers and essays can often be a daunting task. With these steps, a much clearer and well-written piece can certainly be formed.

Steps


  1. Look over your writing from the past. Identify frequent critical errors and rank them by severity of the error or mistake. By doing this, you may be able to recognize where you frequently have trouble in your writing.
  2. Visit the Chicago Manual of Style and Strunk and White's "Elements of Style at the links below. Both websites include a search feature. Depending on what your common mistakes may be, you can type them into the search field and a number of results will be displayed. The "Chicago Manual of Style" may ask you to register, however, the registration is free and relatively quick and easy to do.
  3. Write as you normally would, then apply some of the tips and ideas from the two previously mentioned online style guides to your writing after you finish the first draft.
  4. Take a break from the work you have just completed before you begin editing. The break can be anywhere from five minutes to a day or two. Editing and proofreading is a pretty important step in the process, and taking a slow and steady approach will allow you to find as many mistakes as you can. Once again read over the paper, looking for mistakes in all areas from grammar ensuring that there is a coherent thesis.
  5. Read it by sliding a blank piece of paper down the page, doing a line-by-line analysis of what you are reading. Try to put yourself in the place of the reader and see things from their perspective.
  6. Allow someone else to read over your paper and have them point out the areas of your essay that may have confused them and the statements that could have been worded better. Since they are not the writer, they may catch errors that you may never have noticed.
  7. Divide the parts of your paper into two categories: high order concerns (HOC) and low order concerns (LOCs).
  8. HOCs include:
    • Thesis or focus: Make sure the paper has a central thesis. Ask someone to read the first paragraph or two and tell you what he or she thinks the paper will discuss.
    • Audience and purpose: Who is the audience for this paper? What is the purpose or intention behind the paper? Why should anyone read your paper?
    • Organization: Is the language and structure of the paper smooth? Make a brief outline and decide if the organization makes sense and if any parts should be moved.
    • Development: Find places where more details, examples, or specifics could be used. Do any paragraphs seem much shorter and in need of more material than others? Have someone read the paper and let you know if something is unclear and needs more explanation or support.

  9. LOCs include sentence structure, punctuation, word choice, and spelling. Keep a list of problems that recur and check for those.
  10. Read the paper aloud, watching and listening for anything that sounds incorrect. Know why punctuation marks were placed in certain places. Check any punctuation rules if you’re unsure.


Tips


  • Allow someone else to read your paper.
  • Most of the time constant writing and erasing can make you miss obvious mistakes, because you get used to seeing them.
  • Reading your work aloud will help you to identify syntax errors, confusing phrases and repeated words. Reading aloud to another person will amplify this benefit.
  • If you are using a computer, resist the urge to delete entire sentences or passages. Instead, cut them (highlight and CTRL-X) and paste them (CTRL-V) to the end of the document or to another document. This will help you to avoid the regret of forgetting potentially useful content, and it will be easy to undo hasty edits.


Warnings


  • Give yourself enough time to edit and re-edit.Try to condense as much as you can.
  • Review your notes for quotations, statistics and paraphrases that are not properly cited. No matter how perfect your grammar, plagiarism can still destroy your grade.
  • These guidelines are not flawless or perfect and they do not guarantee students an A or a first place prize in the essay contest.
  • If you are in need of professional help, try easyessayedit.com


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Sources and Citations





Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Edit or Proofread an Essay or Paper. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Friday, July 18, 2008

How to Look After Houseplants


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

House plants need care to keep them looking good, as well as growing. There is nothing that makes a house look warm and inviting as some nicely groomed houseplants. It takes a little effort, but you will be rewarded by their beauty and continued growth.

Steps


  1. Buy good quality plants to start with. Check for discoloration of leaves, droopiness, disease or pests. Read the label if there is one! Different plants require different amounts of light, heat, and water.
  2. Water regularly in the summer and sparingly in the winter. This way, your plants will remain healthy.
  3. Remove dead leaves as these still use up energy from the plant. Re-pot when you begin to see or feel roots pushing against the bottom of the pot. Re-pot one size up only.


Tips


  • When re-potting, spread one hand over the base of the plant, turn the pot upside-down and tap it gently. The plant should come out into your hand. A gentle tug may help.
  • When re-potting cacti, use newspaper around the plant to avoid getting pricked.
  • Group plants together. They grow better this way.
  • Feed a houseplant in the summer food such as 'BabyBio' or 'Phospherogen'.
  • Spray with a leaf shine for high gloss.
  • Keep away from extreme heat, cold or droughts.

Warnings


  • Do not over-water as this is as bad as not watering enough.
  • Do not re-pot a plant into a much larger pot.
  • When you spray with leaf shine, leave the room or aerate the room as the smell is quite pungent.
  • Roots need air as well as water - keeping the compost soaked at all times means certain death for most plants.

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Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Look After Houseplants. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension


How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Trying to read Dickens and have no idea when the one character appeared and became the main character? Trying to follow Doctor Zhivago, and don't have a clue who is who? Read this to help!

Steps


  1. Find any type of paper. If you're reading for a class, try a notebook. But if you're reading for fun, get as many pieces of paper as you think you'll need for the story and of course, grab a pen or pencil.
  2. Pick out the story and take some time away from your hectic daily life to sit and read the book. Leave yourself enough time that you aren't rushed, and read in more shorter sittings if you have any trouble concentrating.
  3. Eliminate distractions. Turn off the music and the TV. Flee to the library or the bathroom, if that's where you can have peace and quiet to read.
  4. Take notes on EVERYTHING. Anytime anything major happens, a new character is introduced or some odd detail that sticks out. Anything that you could read and figure out what's going on in the story.
    • Don't rewrite the novel. On the other hand, don't write so few notes that you can't follow what was going on chronologically in the story at a given point.
    • Try writing down characters and their relationships on one page and a basic time line for the story on another page. Draw a family tree, if it helps.

  5. Read back through your notes occasionally, making sure they make sense. Also re-read to make sure you're paying attention. Did he let the cat out the back door for a reason, or was the author just trying to fill space?
  6. For one story, if it is long or you should keep them for a class, put them in a folder, binder or notebook. Keep them together so that you can refer to them later.
  7. If you are reading factual information, such as a textbook or a newspaper, use the organization of the piece to guide you.
    • Look at the table of contents.
    • Read section headings and titles.
    • Read summaries, introductions, and conclusions. These will have clues about what parts are especially important.
    • Look for the main idea in each section you read. Often, it will come first or early in the section. Jot down these main ideas when taking notes.

  8. If you are reading for a class, you have another set of clues available to you. Pay attention to the following and use them to help guide your focus as you read:
    • The syllabus or class outline.
    • The homework assignment(s). If you know there's a question coming about a particular character, for instance, you will know to pay attention to that character.
    • What the instructor emphasizes in class.
    • Any available sample tests or quizzes on this material. You may be able to get these from student groups, from your instructor, or from the text or reader.



Tips


  • A good idea would be to create a page for each character so that each character can have his/her own details, so you can see the character deeper throughout the whole story rather than remembering only him/her at certain parts.
  • Write down words you don't know, or interesting phrases on their own pages. You'll probably want to check the meanings of the words later, and you never know if you could use those phrases.
  • Try reading lots of different things. Practice on fun stuff, even if it's graphic novels or your favorite magazine.
  • Learn what works best for you, whether that is locking yourself in your room, reading out loud. Try many different approaches.
  • Ask questions. If this is assigned reading and you don't understand something you have read, discuss it with classmates or a teacher or parent. If it's not assigned, consider finding a discussion group, real or online, or a
  • If you are running behind in your reading for a class, it can be more valuable to take a high-level tour of a chapter, reading perhaps headings and introductory sentences and paragraphs, than to comb through every word.
  • Get the Cliff's Notes. Many well-known classics have notes or guides available. Use these notes as a supplement to help aid your understanding of a difficult-to-read work.


Warnings


  • Genuine reading difficulties often go undiagnosed or unheeded. If practice, note taking and study habits you have been diagnosed
  • Do NOT use Cliff's Notes or similar supplementary material as a substitute for doing required reading.
  • If you use ideas from published notes or criticisms in any writing assignments you do, know the rules about citations and plagiarism. You will not fool your instructor by parroting something that has already been written.


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Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Understand What You Read


How to Understand What You Read


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Sometimes when you read in school or just for fun, and it is hard to understand what is really going on in the story. Follow these tips and you will be able to understand a lot more!

Steps


  1. Make sure you understand all the words you are reading.
  2. If there is a word you are unclear about, ask someone who knows, or look in a dictionary so everything is crystal clear.
  3. Read the words, and picture everything that you read in your head like its a movie and you are the directer.It may seem like more word, but it is a lot more fun,and it will help you remember and understand what you are reading a lot better.


Tips


  • Sometimes focusing on major details doesn't always help. if that is too hard, just focus on major or key points.


Warnings


  • Don't leave out too much though!


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Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Understand What You Read. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Read All Day


How to Read All Day


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Ever had to read a book for a report but was behind? Here you go!

Steps


  1. Get your book.
  2. Use the restroom before you read, that way you dont have to stop in the middle of reading and lose motivation.
  3. Get a snack and water. Leave it next to where you are reading.
  4. Make sure you have good light to read with.
  5. Get paper and a pen if you need to take notes while reading.
  6. Start reading!

Tips


  • Give your self a 10 minute break every hour to use the restroom, eat, walk or talk.
  • Reward your self when you're done!

Warnings


  • Make sure it's (preferably) a book you like or you will lose focus. However, if it is an assigned book, just read it and get it done!
  • Don't stop for more than ten minutes every hour or you will lose focus

Things You'll Need


  • good book
  • food, water and lighting
  • pen and paper (optional)
  • restroom
  • sleep beforehand
  • motivation

Related wikiHows




Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Read All Day. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.