Thursday, May 29, 2008

How To-12: How to Get Better Grades This Year Than You Did Last Year


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

If you want this to be your best academic year yet, you should try and learn from your past mistakes.

Steps

  1. Re-read and think about past work. What were you good at? What weren't you good at? What can be improved? If you're stuck, or don't know why you got a bad mark, ask your teacher for help.
  2. If you have access to grading criteria (i.e. those lists that say "An A grade answer will have done X, Y and Z"), look them up. Look at the difference between the grade you got and the grade that is above yours. How can you achieve the criteria in the next grade?
  3. If you have the opportunity to pick topics, pick them wisely! Think about what you are good at and, most importantly, what kind of subjects you enjoy. If you have never studied an optional subject before but you think it looks interesting, ask the teacher who teaches it what kind of skills are required and what kind of subjects it is similar to.
  4. Collect some revision books over the summer holidays and start reading through them. This is particularly important if you are studying a topic you have never studied before. By doing this, you will get some background knowledge on the subject, which will make lessons easier for you during term time. You can just read the books or take notes as you go along- it's up to you.
  5. Make sure you have all your pencils, pens and the like together for the start of the next school term in order to get the best start. Also, make sure your study area at home is tidy and organized.
  6. Let parents and friends know that you are trying to improve your grades. They can offer you extra help. If you don't understand something, ask! It doesn't matter how long you spend on something if you don't understand it.
  7. Get to know the teacher - if the teacher knows that you want to learn by getting extra help, he or she will give you a point maybe if you are on a border line grade.
  8. Think about your note taking technique. How good is it? Does it need improving? How could you improve it? You could practice taking notes on the lyrics of a song or some script from part of a film if you need some practice at home. This step is particularly important if your course has lectures. Part of taking good notes involves writing down whatever the teacher writes on the board unless they say otherwise. Also, if the teacher emphasizes any point, write that down as well.
  9. Take the time to compare your progress to your progress last year. If you are still going at the same pace, it's time to try something different.
  10. Do not procrastinate. Start your assignments at a routine time every day (when you get home, or right after dinner, for example). Don't leave things until tomorrow. Don't be afraid to take your time. Studying is not a race, and you will understand and retain better if you move at an even pace, rather than hurrying to get through things.

Tips

  • Looking after your body is important if you want a healthy mind. Eat a good diet and get as much sleep as you need.
  • Grading criterias can be found on most university, college or school websites. If you have taken external examinations, you can also find grading criterias on the exam boards website.
  • If your course involves assessment of handwritten work, you may want to think about improving your handwriting if it isn't good. Answers that can't be read get few or no marks, regardless of how excellent the content is!
  • Get and use a monthly planner - many schools give these for free. Write down not only what day you have a big test or assignment due, but also days on which you will devote a block of study time to preparation for the test or the the assignment.
  • Keep all of your supplies ready, so that you can add notes to your wrong answers, highlight important facts, and color in certain diagrams. All of these techniques will help.
  • Write neatly because they may not be able to read sloppy handwriting, and if they can’t read it, it’s a zero.

Warnings

  • Although some people find that working in front of the TV actually allows them to learn more, the majority find it to be a distraction. If you studied a lot in front of the TV last year, turn it off this year!
  • Computers and the Internet can be a huge distraction when it comes to studying. If you don't need it, turn it off.
  • Don't panic if one particular method of study doesn't seem to work for you. Everybody is different. Some people can absorb lots of knowledge just by reading, whilst others learn better by doing mock exams. It's all a matter of discovering what works for you.
  • Easier said than done but avoid stressing out. Stress often has an adverse effect on your grades and will do your health no good either. If you are feeling the pressure, talk to a friend about it.

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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 Get Better Grades This Year Than You Did Last Year. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How To-11: How to Solve Math Problems


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Math is a difficult subject for many people, but with basic knowledge of mathematics, as well as understanding the math question, it can become relatively easy.

Steps

  1. There are many different math problems, here are some tips to help you out.
  2. Pay attention in class, sit away from people that distract and put away stuff that distracts you.
  3. When the teacher is talking don't hold a pencil, that way you are not tempted to draw on your page.
    • If you really have to be distracted, do so after you thoroughly understand the basics of the topic your teacher is currently teaching.
  4. After each math lesson, try to write down the key points somewhere on a piece of paper, and file it somewhere. Also try to write down the different sample problems from that topic, as well as the different solutions needed to solve it. If a problem can have more than 1 way of being solved, write down all the ways. This is because most math problems have an easy way and a hard way to solve, and the easy way may be a different method each time. Your own notes are much more effective than school notes or reference books, since you have written them yourself and understand them.
  5. If you really have no idea how to do a question, get the solution somehow, either from a teacher or a friend, and jot down notes at the side of each step of working, explaining to yourself why it is done. You may then even look through it and see if there is a shorter way.
  6. Spend a lot of time practicing, as not doing a topic for 1-2 weeks will make you forget the principles of it. This may not be true with elementary math, but with further math, applications of math (such as statistics and mechanics), lack of practice will really ruin your chances at solving a math problem.
  7. It helps if you have a firm foundation in algebra and know how to manipulate equations, as these are the corner stones of math in school and are really the basic basics.
  8. Try to understand and not just memorize. This is essential as questions can be easily modified to make a standard working invalid.
  9. If stuck, try to approach the problem from different points of view. For example, if you get stuck on a proving question (ie, for LHS = RHS), try working on the LHS, then RHS, and see if the two meet anywhere in the middle. Or if you need to show an expression is positive or negative, and cannot do it algebraically, a graphical method might help. Basically, be creative in math problems and the answer will be there.

Tips

  • If you need more help stay after school.
  • Get a smart friend to help you.
  • Use your school's library, or a public library to check out mathematical reference books. Some of these have a lot of examples and clear explanations, which may be better than what your teacher is doing.
  • Get your parents to help or hire a tutor.
  • Math teachers will love to help you after school or before school or in one of your free blocks. Make sure you thank them!
  • Instead of asking for a solution, try asking for a hint and try solving the problem again. You always learn more by solving the problem yourself than reading someone else's solution.

Warnings

  • Remember to have fun and not over stress yourself.
  • Don't take advantage of your smart friend. If you need a lot of help don't always ask them.
  • Putting yourself down and saying you're stupid is a bad way to learn.
  • Don't do math homework really late.
  • Graphic calculators nowadays can solve a lot of math questions easily without any thought. Do not abuse them, but rather use them as aids to solving the question.

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 Solve Math Problems. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How To-10: How to Learn Mandarin Chinese


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

So, you love China? Chances are, you also like the Chinese language, and wish you could speak it. This can be a difficult task, unless you know how.

Steps

  1. Start small. Don't push yourself to do too much. Purchase some books from a bookstore (look in the Guides and/or Languages sections) to teach yourself the basics. If you can, contact a friend who lives in China, and they can get really good books from there.
  2. Test yourself and have others test you. But remember, this isn't an exam; it's helping you become fluent in Chinese.
  3. Find opportunities to practice what you learn. Maybe there's a Chinese restaurant down the road. If there are Chinese people there, order, and greet them in Chinese! If you can't find any, go to Chinatown. Maybe one of your neighbors speaks Chinese. Make sure they speak Mandarin, though, or it could mean a very embarrassing visit!
  4. Don't be too harsh on yourself. Learning a language is a gradual process - you have to keep at it. Chinese in one of the hardest languages to learn, so take your time.
  5. If all self-teaching attempts fail, try taking a class in Chinese. With the growth of Asian neighborhoods around the country, many classes taught by volunteers have popped up. They range in cost from $300 to $500 or more per year, plus other costs.
  6. Know your best way to learn. Do you learn best by rewriting phrases? Rereading? Saying them out aloud? Hearing them said aloud? If you are not sure, practice differently with new unique ways to help you remember.
  7. Rewrite every phase or word on the page. This will help - as you can always refer to it if you have trouble.
  8. Learn the tones. There are four tones. One type of tone is usually over each Chinese word. Each tone type is drawn over the word 'ma' to show the different ways of pronouncing it.
    • The first tone is a high, flat tone. Your voice stays flat, with no rise or dip in the way it sounds. e.g.
    • The second tone is a rising tone. Your voice rises when you say this, sort of as if you were asking someone to repeat something by saying "huh?" or "what?"
    • The third tone is a dipping tone. The way you say the word goes down then up. Such as when you say the letter "B".
    • The fourth tone is a lowering tone. Just say the whole word as if your voice is becoming more manly, or as if you're reading a book and have come across something new and interesting and are saying "huh". Easy enough? If not, don't fret. It's definitely recommended to hear the tones demonstrated from a native speaker, since it's hard to get an idea of what they sound like purely through text.
  9. Say hello. The Chinese say 'Hello' as "Ni Hao". This is pronounced: Nee How. To pronounce this word correctly, you should use tone 3 (dip and rise) for Ni and for Hao as well. Ni-(nee) means you, literally, in Chinese, and Hao (how) means good. So they are basically saying "You are good", but in Mandarin it is interpreted as "Hello!" (There is a technicality in that when one has two third-tone sounds such as "Ni hao", the first is changed to a second tone (rising). Thus, Ni hao, has a rising, falling/rising tones. This is one of several tone sandhi's or rules for alteration of tones in Mandarin.)

Tips

  • Tones/pronunciation is very important in Chinese. When first starting and learning new vocabulary, take some extra time to practice the tones. For example: what, to a native English speaker might seem to be "moo", "moo?" and "moo!" is actually three different, completely unrelated, words in Mandarin.
  • Remember, little and often.
  • Don't skip a day or a few weeks just because you don't have time. You'll forget everything and have to start from scratch.
  • Another thing to remember, find opportunities to speak it.
  • Get some friends that come from China or other Chinese speaking countries to teach you some Chinese. Make sure they know Chinese, as many schools in China now teach English.
  • If you need to learn in a hurry, try some software or use flash cards to learn before bed.
  • Get a 'How to learn Mandarin' Book to learn more.
  • Try to get a hold of a CD that you can play in your car or while doing homework or while just relaxing. It really will help if you just practice.
  • If you can, taking at least an introductory course on Mandarin at your school or local college can be an excellent way to be confident and accurate in your pronunciation and tones. Getting the basics down can help you have a good springboard for further studies on your own.
  • While there is much disagreement about romanization of Chinese and the use of such systems, learning the Pinyin system can prove invaluable if you intend to type in Chinese on a Western keyboard.
  • Flashcards are very useful for learning new vocabulary, but it is equally important to practice using new words in sentences.
  • If you intend to learn how to read Chinese characters, seek out a good reference book or character workbook at your local bookstore or library.
  • Persistance is key! If you think you know a lot, then just stop studying or repeating it, you will forget what you have learned. How frustrating will it be to have to relearn things over and over because you don't study at least 4 times a week.
  • One good skill to learn is how to downplay compliments that native speakers give you.
  • There are free podcasts available online.
  • By and large, Chinese people are very proud of their culture, and enjoy helping people learn their language. Don't be afraid to ask for help or practice with a native speaker.

Warnings

  • If you must use the internet, remember that it's not always accurate.
  • Some people might be picky and correct you, but that's alright. That's what you want, so you can correct your mistakes.
  • If you learn something offensive, please don't say it to someone who really is Chinese. It's just rude.
  • Make sure that the resources you use are reputable- the last thing you want is to be saying bad things that you don't mean!
  • When in doubt about how to use vocabulary, if you can, ask a native speaker.

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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 Learn Mandarin Chinese. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How To-9: How to Enrich Your English Language Vocabulary


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Read this article to learn how you can enrich your English vocabulary in just a few weeks.

Steps

  1. Love words. You have to really want to learn new vocabulary if you're going to succeed.
  2. Look up words you don't know whenever you encounter them. After encountering and looking up a word several times, you should eventually be able to remember its definition.
  3. There are many computer programs and websites that have ways of giving you a short "Word of the Day" list with new words every day. Try going to www.dictionary.com. Scroll down and click on "Get the Word of the Day e-mail". If you enter all of the required information, you will get a new e-mail every day with a word, its definition, and an example usage sentence.
  4. Get a personalized Google homepage and click on "Add Content". Search for "word of the day" in the search box, and pick some of the content choices that you'd like to have on your homepage. The author recommends Merriam-Webster (www.m-w.com), Dictionary.com, and Wordsmith.org. When you log on to your homepage, there will be a list of new words every day.
  5. Read. Read all genres of books. When you come across a word you don't know, read the sentences around the word and try to figure out what it means from the context. Check your guess with a dictionary. This doesn't mean you should start reading medical textbooks or other books with lots of new words on every page. Set aside time each day to sit down with your book. Enjoy yourself!
  6. Play word games with friends. Try Boggle, Scrabble, or Catch-Phrase. There are so many great games out there to teach you new words. If a friend comes up with a word that you don't know, ask them what it means.
  7. Use the words you learn when you're talking to people or writing letters or e-mail. Using your new vocabulary is not only fun, but a great way to remember all these new words. Try to use at least three new words a day when communicating with anyone.
  8. Learn roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Many words in the English language come from Latin or Greek words. When you combine these Latin or Greek words, you get new words in English. For example: astro ("astron" meaning "star") + logy (logos meaning "speech") = astrology (meaning "telling of the stars"). Buy an etymological dictionary (meaning "a dictionary of word origins").
  9. If you learn any romance language (eg: French, Spanish, Italian), or Latin or Ancient Greek, these will help you immensely with improving your vocabulary, especially the two ancient languages here because so many complicated English words are derived from words that are simple and commonly used in them.
  10. Find a friend who speaks English. It's good to practice using your new words. With a web connection, your conversation partner does not need to live near you. You can email, chat, and even phone each other using your computers. A friend who understands that you are learning can help you practice, use new words in your conversations, and offer you advice. Since talking to a friend is fun, it won't feel like work! If your friend wants to learn your language, too, it will be easier for both of you to understand each other's mistakes.
  11. Listen to the radio, watch television, or find a podcast that you like in English, and practice understanding the language when spoken, too.

Tips

  • Have fun with words. Try all of the ideas listed above, but don't think that you have to do all of them to expand your vocabulary. Pick the ones that you like the most or are most convenient for you.
  • Learning more words should be exciting and interesting. It shouldn't seem like an English lesson. If you feel stressed out or under pressure, you're being too hard on yourself. This doesn't have to be a daily routine, just something to do when you have time.
  • Don't be afraid to make mistakes. English is a very difficult, irregular language, and even native speakers have trouble sometimes.

Warnings

  • Note that some words might have different meaning depending on the context. Learn more about how to use the new words that you learn.
  • Avoid using a new word - especially in business correspondence - if you are still not certain about its meaning and how to correctly use it. Sometimes, this might confuse your audience.

Related wikiHows

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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 Enrich Your English Language Vocabulary. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How To-8: How to Learn Speed Reading


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Whether you're hitting the textbooks in philosophy class, reading long-winded emails from co-workers, or just reading the morning newspaper, chances are at one time or another you've wished you could read a little faster. So widespread is the desire to learn speed reading, in fact, that teaching the skill has become big business: a host of companies now offer books, training sessions and even computer programs to increase reading speed, sometimes at a cost of hundreds of dollars. But why fork over your paycheck or student loan money for a speed reading system when you can start reading faster today by following these simple steps?

Steps

  1. Have your eyes checked. Many people who read particularly slowly do so because they have an undiagnosed vision problem. Even if you think you have perfect vision, if you haven't had an eye exam recently, there's no time like the present.
  2. Time your current reading speed. It's important to find out how fast you read now so that you can track your improvement through subsequent timings. Not only will timing help you to tell if you're improving, but it will also keep you motivated.
    • You can break out a book and a stopwatch and either time how long it takes you to read a certain number of words on a page or find out how many words you read in a given amount of time.
    • An easier way to time yourself is to take an online reading speed test. There are a plethora of these available: just enter "reading speed test" in your search engine. Many of these have reading comprehension tests, as well, so you can see how well you're understanding what you're reading.
    • Regardless of how you decide to time yourself, be sure to read at your normal speed during the timing, and time yourself on a few different pages - the average of your times should approximate your average reading speed.
  3. Get rid of distractions. Even if you think you read better when you have music playing or when you're in a crowded coffee house, you can probably increase your speed if you reduce distractions to a bare minimum. Try to find a solitary place to read, and turn off the TV, radio and cell phone. Even being in a room of people talking is distracting. If no solitary place is available, try using earplugs to drown out the distractions. In order to maximize comprehension while reading quickly, you'll need to focus on the material as closely as possible.
  4. Adjust reading speed depending on the material. Often, we must trade off comprehension for speed, so an important part of increasing reading speed is deciding how thoroughly you need to comprehend a particular piece of writing. So before you even start reading, decide how fast you intend to go. If you're reading a newspaper article, chances are you just want to get the main ideas, and you can skim through the passages quite rapidly. If, however, you're reading a mathematics textbook or a demanding philosophical treatise - and you need to fully understand the material - you don't want to rush.
  5. Learn to separate the wheat from the chaff with pre-reading. No matter what you're reading, there is frequently a lot of "filler" that you can read quickly through or even skim over. With practice, you'll be able to identify the most important parts of a book as you skim through it. When you get to such a passage, slow down. Before you begin a chapter or book, look over the entire piece very quickly. Try to find patterns of repeated words, key ideas, bold print and other indicators of important concepts. Then, when you actually do your reading you may be able to skim over large portions of the text, slowing only when you come to something you know is important.
  6. Train yourself not to reread. Most people frequently stop and skip back to words or sentences they just read to try to make sure they understood the meaning. This is usually unnecessary, but it can easily become a habit, and many times you will not even notice you're doing it. One exercise to help you avoid rereading is to take a sheet of paper or index card and drag it down the page as you read, covering each line once you've read it. Try to drag the card in a steady motion; start slowly, and increase your speed as you feel more comfortable.
  7. Stop reading to yourself. As you read you probably subvocalise, or pronounce the words to yourself. Almost everybody does it, although to different degrees: some people actually move their lips or say the words under their breath, while others simply say each word in their heads. Regardless of how you subvocalise, it slows you down. (You are concerned with speed reading here, not reading to practice communicating the material verbally, which can be done later if you find it necessary.) To break the habit, try to be conscious of it. When you notice yourself pronouncing words to yourself, try to stop doing it. It may help to focus on key words and skip over others, or you may want to try humming to yourself in order to prevent subvocalising. One exercise to stop your lips from moving is to put a finger on your mouth and keep it there while you read.
  8. Read with your hand. Smooth, consistent eye motion is essential to speed reading. You can maximize your eyes' efficiency by using your hand to guide them. One such method is to simply draw your hand down each page as you read. You can also brush your hand under each line you read, as if you are brushing dust off the lines. Your eyes instinctively follow motion, and the movement of your hand serves to keep your eyes moving constantly forward. Note, however, that many speed reading instruction books warn off using a tracking member in speed reading as it inhibits the process. Try not to become dependent on using your hand or fingers.
  9. Practice reading blocks of words. Nearly everyone learned to read word-by-word or even letter-by-letter, but once you know the language, that's not the most efficient method of reading. Not every word is important, and in order to read quickly, you'll need to read groups of words - or even whole sentences or short paragraphs - instantaneously. The good news is you probably already do this to some extent: most people read three or four words at a time. Once you make an effort to be aware of your reading style, you'll discover how many words you read at a time. Now you just need to increase that number. Using your hand as a guide may help, as may holding the book a little further from your eyes than you usually do.
  10. Practice and push yourself. While you may see some gains in speed the moment you start using these tips, speed reading is a skill that requires a lot of practice. Always push yourself to your comfort level and beyond - if you end up having to reread a section, it's not a big deal. Keep practicing regularly.
  11. Time yourself regularly. After a week or so of practice, time yourself as in step two. Do this regularly thereafter, and keep track of your improvement. Don't forget to pat yourself on the back every time your reading speed increases!

Tips

  • Try books with large font to start. A book with small letters might be hard at first because it is easy to skip lines by mistake.
  • Start by reading a book or article that you have already read. It will be easier to skip words and keep up a smooth flow if you're familiar with the material.
  • When using your hand or finger to guide your eyes, start slowly, but at a challenging pace. Even if you don't think you're keeping up with your hand, keep going for a page or two and then test your comprehension. With practice, you'll be able to move your hand and read faster that way.
  • Take frequent breaks. Your comprehension and focus will be better if you take a five-minute break every hour or half-hour. Taking breaks is also important to keep your eyes healthy and avoid eye strain.
  • You may not want to read some things quickly, even if you can. Fiction for example, is usually relatively easy to read quickly, but you can miss out on a lot of the nuance and beauty of the fiction writer's craft, even if you understand everything that's going on in a story. The same is doubly true for poetry. If you're reading for enjoyment, it may be best to savor the words.
  • An index card, bookmark, or other page-width item might help increase speed more than a finger. By obscuring surrounding text, a card prevents your eyes from wandering.

Warnings

  • While faster reading can actually improve your comprehension by making you a more active, focused reader, reading too fast can also lead to decreased comprehension. You read in order to get important information; if you're reducing your comprehension dramatically, you might as well not read at all.
  • Beware of expensive speed reading products. Try the tips above before you spend money on a speed reading book or kit. If you're still not making progress after a few weeks of regular, serious practice, you may want to consider paying for a product, but do some research and compare your options before you do.
  • Sleep well! You won't be able to have a good understanding of the text if you don't. It will make you spend a lot more time on reading, and even like that, the comprehension isn't going to be as high as you may wish.

Things You'll Need

  • Reading material
  • Good eyesight
  • Patience
  • Earplugs

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 Learn Speed Reading. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How To-7: How to Learn Perfect English As a Native English Speaker


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Even if you were born into English, it can be a tough language to master. It has widely irregular spelling and pronunciation. English borrows words from all sorts of different languages and new terms are emerging constantly.

Steps

  1. Read, read, read! It doesn't matter a whole lot what you read, so choose subjects that you like. Not everything in print is perfect, but the vast majority of printed works, such as books and magazines, have been thoroughly edited. You will pick up structures, tones and ideas from your reading. The more you read, the more mistakes and problems will start to "look" or "sound" wrong to you. Correctness will start to feel natural.
  2. Listen to talk radio, podcasts, and audio books. It's good listening practice. Audio books, especially, are an opportunity to hear writing. Besides hearing words pronounced that aren't normally used in conversation, you'll hear complex sentence structures inflected.
  3. Read out loud, with intonation. If you have kids, read to them, and ham it up with Dr. Seuss. Even if your dog or cat is the only one listening, reading passages out loud is one way to interpret their structures, and it will make you more conscious of their details.
  4. Study the creation of works using proper English. What makes the artful imagery in a novel so beautiful? What makes a good speech so persuasive?
  5. Build your vocabulary. Reading is the best way to do that since it exposes you to a far wider range of words than conversation or spoken media, such as radio or television. Collect words you don't know. In addition, browse in the dictionary, play word games, and subscribe to a word of the day.
  6. Play with the language. Start a pun war. Dust off your Scrabble game. Invent your own word. Try your hand at a garden path sentence or enter the Bulwer-Lytton contest for bad prose or one of its imitators. Making fun of the language is a great way to explore it.
  7. Brush up on the rules. Get hold of a copy of William Strunk's The Elements of Style, a thin volume covering the essentials of good writing. If you prefer a physical book, an updated version by Strunk and E.B. White is still in print. Other style manuals discuss common, frequently-confused rules, too.
  8. Practice writing. Write for a journal, blog, or wiki. Wikis, especially, need writers and frequently come with a whole community of editors who will help you. Whatever and wherever you write, practice daily, if possible. In email and text messages, use complete sentences. That's writing, too.
  9. Consider your audience. Just as you wear different clothing for different weather, you should write or speak differently depending upon your audience. Having an audience in mind will help to focus your communication, too.
  10. Consider your purpose. Is this communication factual or fanciful? Are you telling a story, arguing a point, or explaining a procedure?
  11. Proofread your writing. Even a thorough grasp of English does not ensure perfect typing or ideal sentence structures the first time around. Proofreading will also tell you what sorts of things you regularly do wrong, so that you can improve. Reading out loud is a very good way to catch things you might have missed.
  12. Have somebody else proofread your writing. Something that sounds right to you may not make sense to somebody else.
  13. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Language takes extraordinary amounts of practice to master, and mistakes are part of the learning process.
  14. Try learning another language. It will make you more conscious of the structures and grammar in your own. Many of the Latin-based and Germanic languages have words and structures similar to those in English, and exploring these similarities and differences will strengthen both languages.
  15. Avoid trying too hard to perfect the accent and criticizing other people for their not-so-perfect ones.

Tips

  • Do not hesitate to split an infinitive when it is warranted. Grammarians, teachers, and writers used to try not to split "to" and the verb. The rule was supposed to make the English language more like Latin because the infinitive is one word in Latin. Strictly speaking, however, “to” is not a part of the infinitive, and both English and Latin use one-word infinitives. For example, in the sentence “I made my daughter clean her room,” “clean” is an infinitive without “to.” Split infinitives are not ungrammatical because they are unavoidable in some sentences. Infinitives lack subjects and thus do not have voice, meaning that split infinitives can be used in very formal English that avoids the active voice. In the sentence, “Her plan is to not use the active voice,” the split infinitive prevents confusion. If we place the “not” after “is,” we end up saying that it is not her plan to use the active voice, instead of saying that she is trying not to use the active voice. “To more than double” is another example. “More than to double” and “to double more than” are not English!
  • Do not be afraid to use a "split verb phrase." Some writers who do not split infinitives refuse to split verb phrases as well, but there is no such rule. If there were such a rule, we should all be saying, "I saw her not" instead of "I didn't see her." We should also say, "You are going?" instead of "Are you going?" but "You are going?" is a Nonstandard question. This rule is not consistent with the evolution of the English language. In fact, split verb phrases have the advantages (in terms of emphasis) of split infinitives.
  • Realize that you sometimes have to end a sentence with a preposition. Consider this line from Robots: "You can shine no matter what you're made of." It would be ungrammatical to write, "You can shine no matter of what you're made," and it should sound foreign to you! Also consider that like Latin, the English language is able to use intransitive verbs in the passive voice! Consider "Speak only when you are spoken to." "Spoken to" are treated as a single unit in English, and this sentence can be "corrected" only by rewriting it in the active voice: "Speak only when someone speaks to you." This sentence makes assumptions because you may be spoken to by one person or by a group. When your sentence uses a relative pronoun, try to place the preposition in front of the relative. For instance, "It was the ball by which I was hit" works better than "It was the ball that I was hit by." Your sentences will generally be stronger if you try to follow this rule. After all, few people are going to say that their favorite part of speech is the preposition. Your writing will be more exciting if you end your sentences with an exciting word.
  • An intuitive grasp of English usage, while not infallible, is the most flexible. You will write or speak most naturally if you can focus on the ideas and their communication, instead of thinking about the rules.
  • Remember that good writing calls for good grammar, good spelling, logical organization, clarity, attention to the audience, and a good selection of content. A good writer does not overlook any of those things. Be sure to allot plenty of time to check for grammar and spelling errors and poor organization.
  • Accept that the rules change over time. For instance, the word data was once strictly the plural of "datum", but has come to be used as a mass (or uncountable) noun, similar to "information" or "water."
  • Write first, fix second. If you do not know how to spell a word, keep writing! Do not stop to correct errors if you might lose your train of thought. You can always make corrections later.
  • The ability to spell is not necessarily an indicator of the ability to write, although the two skills are closely related. If spelling is not your strong point, use a dictionary or spell-checker before you publish a work or hand something in.
  • Attention to written English will improve your spoken English as well.

Warnings

  • Nobody is perfect. Even English mavens such as William Safire, Richard Lederer, and Lynne Truss draw comments and criticism on their writing styles.
  • Written works, especially on the Internet, may not be grammatically accurate.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

  • Librivox, a project to provide free audio books of public domain works.

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 Learn Perfect English As a Native English Speaker. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How To-6: How to Get Good Grades


How to Get Good Grades


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

This is easier than you think! You do have to work at it though. It doesn't matter what your normal grades are (unless you're already an A student) you can improve through these simple steps.

Steps

  1. The most important advise to get good grades is very simple; do well on tests and quizzes to get yourself a B or B-. Do your homework and do what your teacher says, and the chances are fairly good that you'll get an A+. Don't stress yourself. Act cool and calm. (Sometimes its good to be stressful but not always when its not necessary)
  2. Remember that the material being introduced to you is only one part of the school experience. The rest is about learning how to learn!
  3. Write good legible notes. Colored pens are fun to write with if you want to get more creative with your notes, but use them only for sections of your notes that you feel will be on a test or that are important. It makes them stand out. Making your notes fun to read will make you actually want to read them.
  4. Watch to determine how your teachers teach, use the same method to learn the information. If they write on the blackboard, take notes; if they lecture, listen hard or record the lecture to listen to multiple times. This sounds simple, but many will find it hard to stay focused for an entire class period. Here is where the hard work comes in - staying focused.
  5. It has been said that different people learn different ways - some are note takers, some are homework doers. Don't buy in to this - it is nothing more than an excuse. You can and do learn from every method of input. Have you ever noticed how some students don't seem to work at all until test time when they get A's and B's? these are the students who have learned to learn from all forms of teaching. You can do this too!
  6. Try to do your homework immediately after school. Time management is essential. If you're given an assignment that's due next week, don't procrastinate; get started the same day you get the assignment (See more about this in Tips).
  7. Teachers want you to give them back what they gave you. So give it to them! By now you have learned how the teacher is giving you the information and you have had plenty of time to sink it in. Give it back to the teacher. Do this by using the knowledge they've taught you and apply it to your homework, tests, and projects.
  8. Always do your homework. If you have trouble remembering it, use a notebook to write it down everyday, right after the teacher assigns it. Homework counts for a large portion of your grade. If your teacher has any extra credit assignments, do them! It won't hurt if you try it out. Even if you get some wrong, I'm sure your teachers will still give you some points back.
  9. Stay organized. A lot of people say this but it really does help. Organizing your locker helps you remember to bring your supplies to class and to your house to do your homework or studying.
  10. Take notes (dated) of the big topics to help you remember what happened that day.
  11. Review your notes every night. So when the big test comes, remembering what you learned is a snap.

Tips

  • Organize your work area. Make sure everything is neat and you can find it easily. As any college student will tell you, working in an untidy environment will only lead to distraction. Make sure you have all of the supplies you need for class.
  • Don't be ashamed of being smart or needing a tutor. Tons of smart kids get picked on but being smart always pays off in the end. Also, don't be afraid to get a tutor because it doesn't mean you aren't smart. It just means you need a little help and that you are learning at a right pace for you, which is perfectly ok.
  • It's not about how long you study, its about how well you study. Skimming a book for five hours doesn't help as much as reading your notes and the book for two hours.
  • Stay focused on the goal.
  • When taking tests, you have to relax. Easier said than done? Remember - you have all of the answers in your head already! The only challenge is getting them out! Your first instinct is nearly always correct. Don't go back and change answers. If you are really not sure, skip it and come back later.
  • Use your time wisely. If you are given an hour to complete a 120 question test, thats 30 seconds per question. 30 seconds can be made into a lot of time. Many of the questions will take far less than 30 seconds, so apply the balance to a tougher question.
  • If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask the teacher! You have the right to learn. Plus, they'll be happy to help you.
  • Do not procrastinate. Don't do a project the night before or on the morning of. If it seems like a huge project, then break it into little steps and do a couple per day. Or, find a partner to work with, if your teacher allows it, and split the work between you two.
  • Don't cram right before a test. Study well in advance. This will allow you the luxury of breaks between study sessions and to study with friends once in awhile.
  • Study with a friend as much as possible. Plan a weekend study session, or weekday sessions and help each other. This tends to work best when you are in the same class and not just with the same teacher - one class can be further ahead than the other.
  • Look to the future, and make sure you see what the benefits of actually studying are.
  • Sometimes it helps if you reward yourself. if you've gotten good grades, take a day off of studying. Just don't slacken too much.
  • Having small goals also helps. Your goals should climb to improvement: a C+ to a B-, a B- to a B+, a B+ to an A-, and finally an A. Aiming for an A right away leaves you feeling unrewarded and makes your goal seem unreachable.
  • Read from the text book (if you have one). There are sometimes things in there that the teacher didn't mention or you didn't hear.
  • Always follow instructions on assignments, tests, math problems, etc.! It may not seem neccessary sometimes, but reading the instructions beforehand is crucial.
  • Set a study schedule. May seem overrated but it actually works. Give yourself 15-20 minutes to wind if you feel stressed from school, unless you can stay in *school mode* right after you get home. Do not save your homework for 9 p.m.
  • Remove all distractions. Although it may be okay to listen to music or leave the TV on while doing simple work, it is best to be in a quiet enviroment, preferably alone. Make sure you have plenty of space and good lighting.
  • Be proud of high marks!
  • Try as hard as possible.

Warnings

  • You may have to cut down on social habits and partying in order to succeed. The best students know how to say, "No I can't hang out because I have to study." Some friends might tease you, but your real friends will understand.
  • Do not compromise your future with any one. There will always come a time in your life where your face should I or shouldn't I.
  • Try to avoid using "rote memorization." That is where you repeat something over and over again until it finally sticks in your brain after the 100th time. It is the worst and most inefficient method of memorization. Instead, search for and read about memory tricks such as The Link Memory System, Method of Loci, or acrostics.

Things You'll Need

  • Books and Supplies
  • Agenda book
  • A Study Buddy
  • Pencils and Pens
  • Highlighters
  • A Bookbag(Carrying tons of books gets kind of tiring)
  • Computer with internet connection

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 Good Grades. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How To-5: How to Learn Any Language


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Learning a new language can be tough, and takes a lot of time and effort. However, learning a language can be dramatically simplified by following a few basic steps.

Steps

  1. Study the pronunciation of the language first. Practice the most difficult sounds with repetitive drills daily until you are confident. Practice the most common words and short phrases. Check your pronunciation with an educated speaker.
  2. Practice the native intonation, stess, and rhythm of common, short social sentences and social questions next (example: "Hi, How are you?" "Where is the restuarant?", etc). Try to imitate educated native speakers. Begin by listening carefully to a repeated phrase 5 to 10 times. Use audio and video to help you. Then, try saying the phrase correctly. If possible, ask educated native speakers to correct you and record correct phrases of pronunication. Repeat each of the phrases 50 times or more if needed. Many langauge students get into bad pronunciation habits that are difficult to break. Bad pronunciation will cause confusion and misunderstanding. Be patient and diligent with this early pronunciation drill as you will be rewarded with a near-native accent.
  3. Get audio books in the language you wish to learn. Choose a popular audio book in a subject that interests you. This will help your listening skills.
  4. Get a quality dictionary of the language you wish to learn. When you encounter a new word, highlight it in the dictionary. Then, copy the word, definition, and an example sentence using the word into a notebook. Then, study the notebook. This activity helps you think in the language.
  5. Get a quality translation dictionary which translates from your native language to the one you wish to learn. Use this only as a back up in case you don't understand the definitions in the native language dictionary.
  6. Getting a picture dictionary is helpful for learning common nouns.
  7. Get several classic, well-known literary works in the language you wish to learn, such as plays, short stories, or novels. These works should be written by a native writer (not translated into that language). For example, if you wish to learn French, read works by Victor Hugo, Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, etc.
  8. Get popular magazines or newspapers in the language you wish to learn. If magazines, get a topic in which you are interested. Magazines are a good way to learn common idioms in context.
  9. Spend some time reviewing the grammar and essential parts of speech of your native language. This will help you jump-start your study of the language you wish to learn.
  10. Get a book on idioms, proverbs, and expressions used in the language you wish to learn.
  11. Get teacher's copies of gradeschool and highschool textbooks in the language you wish to learn (ensure they include answer keys).
  12. Pay an educated native speaker to tutor you through one-on-one conversation practice. This is an immersion technique. This is best done after you've become more familiar with the language and at at least "low to intermediate" level. Conversation Tutoring should be done at 100% in the language you wish to learn. Ask the tutor to help you with pronunciation and conversational grammar. Record the sessions if possible and take notes.
  13. Pay an educated native speaker to record readings of books or magazines in the language you wish to learn. Ask them to make one reading slowly, and the next reading at normal pace. This will help with listening practice.
  14. Listen to news broadcasts in your target language. You can listen to live feeds free on many internet radio stations. Take notes of any words or expressions you don't understand. After the broadcast is complete, check the notes in the native language dictionary.
  15. Enroll in a class, if possible. Classes are possibly the best way to learn a language because you are given activities to do, and you have a teacher to guide you. The teacher is also able to tell you what you are doing right and wrong. Check your local community college and see if they are offering lessons.
  16. Visit your local library. Many libraries have an audio section with language books on tape. Check out the tape and make an effort to study 30-60 minutes a day.
  17. Work on your vocabulary. Learn the most commonly used words first, including how the words can be used grammatically. Next learn words that will be helpful in conducting business or traveling. A simple dictionary or similar books from the local library might be helpful.
  18. Attach labels to everything in your house/ at your desk/ etc in the language you are learning, picture/ word associations help best. Use mnemonics for vocabulary you have trouble with. You may wish to build a Memory Palace for your language.
  19. Study the grammar. This is probably the most important part of the language besides the vocabulary. "Paul want Mary go store" is not at all correct English, and sounds very unintelligent. If you do not pay attention to grammar, you can sound equally incomprehensible in another language. Practicing verb conjugation is essential. Ensure you know how to express questions, affirmative and negative statements in the past, present and future using the 20 most common regular and irregular verbs.
  20. Learn the orthography. The orthography is the written language. Countless other languages do not use the Latin script (which is what English uses), and you may need to study their writing in order to become literate. For example, Russian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, Chinese uses various ideographs, and Thai uses its own script. Many of these scripts do not resemble our alphabet at all, and will require a lot of adjusting to. In languages that do use a Latin script, pay attention to accents, diacritics, and letters which are pronounced differently than their English counterparts. Leaving out a diacritic can amount to misspelling a word and in some cases, it may even change the meaning; also, pronouncing a word incorrectly will almost certainly confuse whoever you are talking with.
  21. Educate yourself in the cultural aspect of the language. This is very important if you do not want to come across as rude to the other person. For example, in parts of Europe, it is customary to kiss the other person's cheek when greeting, while in America, this would be considered awkward. Often the cultural context will inform you of why certain language elements are used and will assist your learning process.
  22. Start to find good channels to practice with. This is necessary to get good at the language. Watch a lot of movies in the language with or without subtitles, read a newspaper in the language, or listen to music in that language. Are there a lot of people in your community who speak the language you want to learn? If so, ask one of them to help you with learning their language. If not, get online and look for somebody. This will give you the great opportunity of being critiqued and taught by a native speaker, and you can often return the favor.
  23. Practice! Do not hesitate to speak the language in public and with native speakers. It will be helpful in improving your mastery. Also, don't be ashamed to allow other people to correct you if you pronounce something wrong. No one knows everything. Welcome some constructive criticism. Test your knowledge at every social occasion you have. Good Luck!

Tips

  • Focus your time: During your first 50 class-hours studying a language, spend Approximately 50% of the time practicing pronunciation and intonation, 20% learning the 250 most common vocabulary words, 20% in listening practice, and 10% in grammar. After this, spend 40% in conversation practice, 20% studying written and conversational grammar, and 10% learning new idioms and vocabulary, 10% pronunication practice, 10% composing letters, emails and notes, and 10% listening to radio or watching television in your target language.
  • If possible travel to the country where the language is originated. For example, if you are interested in learning French, take a trip to France. By doing that, you put yourself in an uncomfortable environment where you have to survive for that few days. When you aren't able to use English, you must speak the language to get to where and what you want.
  • Quiz yourself from time to time. Don't continue to drill and study what you are confident in, move on to new things.
  • Associate with children who speak the language. Children tend not to be shy around people who do not speak their language and do not mind repeating themselves. Children also like to help you learn. If you are a child learning, get a pen pal and share your thoughts in the other language.
  • If you need help with your accent, try listening to music in the language you're learning. Those who learn languages with music tend to have much better accents than those who don't. Television shows are also helpful because sometimes music can be hard to understand and mimic. Choose a favorite actor and copy his or her speech style.
  • Ask someone you know who speaks the language to say common phrases or read you a passage or short story and send it to you as a .wav or .mp3 file, so that you can play it when you're doing things around the house. In this way, you can "absorb" key phrases and grammar structures effortlessly.
  • If you want to get better at speaking any language, force yourself to think in that language.
  • A conversation partner or pen-pal can be an indispensable guide to the culture as well as the language. Keep an open mind and a sense of humor, and be respectful of what you learn.
  • Another useful trick if you want to learn a language in the shortest possible time, is to learn the first 2500 most frequently used words of that language.
  • Learn to express yourself in the most direct, simple way first. Learn how to ask polite questions so you can satisfy your basic communication needs first.
  • Some language educators believe the truest test of fluency is to be able to be able to order a pizza by delivery in your target language, have a friendly exchange with the driver when it arrives at your door, and if your food isn't correct, be able to call back and rectify the situation. This test requires you to have good listening skils, learn local phone ettiquette, use idiomatic expressions, understand questions, ask questions, give directions, make a transaction, have polite conversation, and express disatisfaction. If you're confident that you can do this with few significant pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary errors, then you've probably achieved a decent level of fluency.
  • If you are under the age of 13, try using "Muzzy". It is extremely helpful.
  • While all the above tips and recommendations are accurate and well tested, a somewhat different approach is offered in this article on "Accent Addition" [1] (as opposed to "Accent Reduction"). This is for those who dare challenge the common myth that adult learners will by necessity end up with a sub-optimal version of the language they are learning. The author insists that it is indeed possible for adults to obtain a near-native-like accent. It's not another instant snake-oil commercial product, but a method that entails a lot of work and dedication on the part of the learner. But the principles are simple enough and can be practiced by anyone with a guaranteed better-than-expected result.

Warnings

  • You might be discouraged along the way but remember, nothing comes easy. Just remember what got you interested in learning the language.
  • When learning certain languages, such as Chinese or Vietnamese, you need to pay attention to tones. Be sure to use the right tone so that you don't unintentionally insult someone. Tonal languages are one of the most difficult for English-speakers to master.
  • Don't spend too much time with academic grammar and only learning from books. While those are valuable for perfection, many students find conversational, social communication extremely difficult.

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 Learn Any Language. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How To-4: How to Build Your Vocabulary


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

When you leave school or college, someone will inevitably point out that this is not the end and that it is only the beginning. Of course the speaker is right. No educational process is the end. It is always the beginning of more learning and more living. And that is the case here. What has happened to you as a result of your reaction to the material and suggestion in this site is only the beginning of your development. To stop increasing your vocabulary is to stop your intellectual growth. You will wish, we are sure, to continue to growing intellectually as long as you remain alive. And with the momentum that your weeks of hard work have provided, continuing will not be at all difficult.

Steps

  1. Become actively receptive to new words. Words won’t come chasing after you. You must train yourself to be on a constant lookout, in reading and listening for any words that other people know and you do not.
  2. Read more. As an adult, you will find most of the sources of your supply of new words in books and magazines. Is your reading today largely restricted only to the quick perusal of daily news papers? Then you will have to change your habits. If your aim is to have superior vocabulary, you will have to make the time to read at least one book and several magazines every week. Not this week and the next week, but every week for the rest of your life.
  3. Add to your own vocabulary the new words you meet in your reading. When you see an unfamiliar word in a book or in a magazine, do not skip over it impatiently. Instead pause for a moment and say it to yourself. Get used to its sound and appearance. Then puzzle out its possible meaning in the context of the sentence. Whether you come to the right conclusion or not, whether indeed you are able to come to any intelligent conclusion at all is of no importance. What is important is that, by that process, becoming super conscious of that word. As a result, you will suddenly notice that this very word pops up unexpectedly again and again in all you reading. For now your mind has been alerted to notice it. And of course after you have seen it a few times, you will know fairly accurately not only what it means but the many ways in which it can be used.
  4. Open your mind to new ideas.Every word you see is the translation of new idea. Think for few minutes of the areas of human knowledge that may possibly be unknown to you - Psychology, semantics, science, art, music, management, etc… Then attack one of these areas methodically, by reading books on that particular subject. In every field, form the simplest to the most abstruse, there are several books for the average, untrained lay reader that will give you both a good grasp of the subject and at the same time add vocabularies because they are required to expose themselves constantly to new areas of learning. You must do the same.
  5. Set a goal. If you do nothing about your vocabulary, you will learn, at most, twenty-five to fifty new words in the next twelve months. In conscious efforts, you can learn several thousands. Set your self a goal of finding several new words every day. This may sound ambitious, but you will discover as soon as you start actively looking for new words in your reading, and actively doing reading of a more challenging type, that new words are all around you. That is, if you are ready for them. And understand this -- vocabulary building snowballs. The results of each new day search will be greater and greater. Once you provide the necessary initial push, once you gain momentum, once you become addicted to looking for new words, for finding new words and for taking possession of new words, you'll find you can't stop.

Warnings

  • Never become obssessed with vocabulary. Vocabulary building should be a pleasant exercise.

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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 Build Your Vocabulary. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How To-3: How to Learn Math


How to Learn Math


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Here are some important things to remember when learning mathematics (known as math or maths for short). Learning mathematics is like learning another language, so at first it will be hard but it will get progressively easier. A lot of concepts in mathematics are inter-related, so knowing one helps you understand many others. Being frustrated is not a problem, it is a natural part of the learning process, so don't give up.

Steps

  1. Create learning time. Make sure you have at least an hour a day to dedicate to learning mathematics.
  2. Become acquainted with the vocabulary. Keep a mathematical dictionary by your side as you study. Many areas of mathematics require knowing a certain amount of mathematical vocabulary and it is less frustrating to be able to quickly look up the meanings.
  3. Get at least two reference books on set theory. This way, you will have two different explanations and one of the explanations may make better sense to you than the other; or a combination of both will help you to "get it".
  4. Tackle subjects along with their prerequisites. Many concepts are related and knowing one helps you understand the other. If you didn't grasp one concept as well as you should have earlier, set aside a little time to revisit it and learn some more and then combine it with the new concept. Often, the new concept will help the older one to gel in your mind.
  5. Progress through the levels of mathematics. Work your way up to advanced mathematics through this progression: Basic algebra, basic geometry, basic calculus, intermediate algebra, regular calculus, number theory, linear algebra, advanced algebra, combinatorics, analysis, topology.
  6. Practice with many problems. Do as many mathematics problems as you can lay your hands on - even those beyond the class. This will assist you in getting a good feel for the topics and will likely help much of mathematics become "second nature" to you.
  7. Always ask for help if you don't know how to do something. Also never stop trying to learn something because you say it is to hard keep working at it.

Tips

  • Frustration is part of the process so don't give up just because you have a hard time understanding some concept.
  • Tackle all the basic stuff all at once and spend an hour every day learning one of the basics like algebra and geometry.
  • A good tutor once a week can really help to straighten out math problems; make sure your tutor is very understanding and can express the concepts well. Try university level students as a good source of tutors.
  • Regular practice will ease your challenges.
  • It cannot be stressed enough: Frustration is part of the process so don't give up.

Warnings

  • Like any other worthwhile endeavour, the study of mathematics is not easy; persistence and focus can help you excel in your efforts.

Things You'll Need

  • Books and lots of them, unless of course one of your relatives is a math professor; in which case you can just borrow their books. They'll be more than willing to help you!

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 Learn Math. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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