Thursday, May 29, 2008

How To-17: How to Succeed in College



How to Succeed in College


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

"How to Succeed in College" seeks to guide incoming freshmen into the collegiate academic and social atmosphere soundly by revealing steps one should recognize. As an undergraduate finishing my first year, I have experienced and fortunately survived a most disastrous term and learned these rules first hand.
So if you want to SUCCEED in college, the steps I have outlined below should steer you away from some of the most common pitfalls first year students tend to overlook and into the right direction. Also included at the bottom is a fairly detailed list of ESSENTIAL THINGS YOU'LL NEED for your first year in college! Enjoy.

Steps

  1. The Golden Rule: Whatever you do, DO NOT procrastinate. College academics, especially in the first and second terms, is not meant to present itself as arbitrarily difficult. Unlike high school, college asks you to formulate your own understanding, rather than having a teacher feed you facts for later regurgitation. Keeping caught up with your professor's lesson plan, as well as the course material, will save later stress, anxiety, and feelings of intellectual inadequacy.
  2. Secondly, it is crucial to establish your personal, positive frame of mind in regards to your education. Take a moment to reflect on what you enjoy doing and studying, and what you're genuinely interested in. What are your goals? What are your plans? Knowing yourself, and your reason for being in college, will eliminate any tinge of self-doubt or emptiness that might arise due to an intense, seemingly cold and emotionless academic atmosphere.
  3. In addition to creating and maintaining a consistent mindset, you must also not develop an adversarial perception of learning and knowledge. Remember, you're not the only one who is beneficially affected from your college education. Besides making you a more informed, rational, and moral human being, receiving a higher education will also enrich the lives of your parents as they begin to feel accomplished by raising you into the knowledgeable and skilled person who you have become. A negative, apathetic, or adversarial attitude towards your education will only prove self-defeating in the long run. If you perceive learning as a chore, it will become a chore. So even if you are not interested in a subject or course, try to apply your strengths and academic preferences to it. For example, if you are an Economics major and hold a grudge against your college for requiring a physics GE, try to find ways you can apply that physics course to your own field of study.
  4. This fourth step pertains to your social life. Regardless of your perception of social situations, groups, or whether you like them or not, it is only to your benefit to establish as many friendships as possible. Only through surveying a wide range of associates will you find a few good friends to hold on to. Much to your surpise, a healthy relationship with new and old friends will provide a necessary support network as well as minimalize those moments of isolation or loneliness that may bring you down.
  5. Lastly, the fifth step deals with your personal finances. Depending on your financial situation, you can easily save yourself from making wasteful, excess purchases and potential money problems if you make a conscious decision to distinguish which resources, material goods, and services are NEEDs and which are merely WANTS. If the item you wish to buy is necessitated by a NEED, then by all means purchase it. But, if you find yourself easily swayed by a penchant for the extravagant pleasures and comforts of life, make sure you limit your spending on items of hedonistic WANT. If you happen to be in sound financial shape (i.e. through parental support, scholarships, grants, financial aid) then this should not be a major concern for you. Otherwise, a key piece of fiscal advice is to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!

Tips

  • Stay healthy by doing four things: 1.) Eat healthy, 2.) Exercise, 3.) Relax, and 4.) Smile and Laugh
  • Do as much as you are able to in college! The entire experience is about learning how to balance between academic responsibilties and more leisurely activities.
  • Buy books online or from fellow classmates who have taken the course to save at least $200 a quarter/semester on textbooks you might only study once.
  • If you are an easily side-tracked person, find ways to minimize distractions to optimize learning ability.
  • Do not rely on late night study sessions or cramming, unless you know for sure you can benefit from such actions.
  • Cramming and procrastination only work for a select few, who are innately equipped to handle the pressure of completing tasks at the last minute to a fair degree of quality. If you aren't able to deal with these demands, don't risk it.
  • Remember who you are, what you are doing, and why you are doing it.
  • Try to sit in a place where you are comfortable during class. Usually it is easier to stay focused when sitting up front.
  • Use old exams as study guides. Make sure that you can answer the questions that you got wrong correctly. The teacher obviously thought it was important enough to test you on - and you may see it again on another exam.
  • Read ahead. If you know the professor is going to cover a certain section, try to read about it ahead of time. This way, you will have a more thorough understanding and can ask questions in class.
  • Make your goal to learn the material, not just to get the homework done.
  • If you're having trouble understanding, ask for help! Ask your professor or a tutor to help you.
  • If you have any further questions or comments, feel free to e-mail me!

Warnings

  • The steps and tips toward making your first year in college a successful one are based on overarching, basic and general principles that are constructed for ease of application. They are based on pure observation and first-hand experimentation; do not perceive these tips as pedagogical or idealistic admonishments meant to restrict your freewill to choice of action.
  • Everyone is different, and therefore no specific strategy will work across the board due to the variations from person to person.
  • The best course of action, but perhaps not the safest one, is to learn for yourself what you wish to know about your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Do not be afraid to make a few mistakes or take risks, just remember to learn from them.

Things You'll Need

  • The following is a LIST OF BASIC, ESSENTIAL THINGS you might want to bring for your first year in college. I may have left some things out that you would find absolutely crucial, so do not take this list as complete or literal as it certainly is not limited. Also, there is no particular order of importance, because each item more or less contributes to your preparedness.
  • Office materials (paper, printer ink, pens, pencil, calculator, stapler, etc.)
  • At least two sets of bedding (pillow cases, sheets)
  • Enough clothes to last at least two weeks and at most three weeks
  • An organizing container, perhaps one of those plastic drawer sets
  • Hobby materials/Sports equipment/books you enjoy/movies (it might get boring, depending on if you have no social life, but you should definitely avoid mindlessly watching television)
  • A computer (depending on your level of usage for it, some people will want an incredibly fast machine, but most use their computers for general program applications and word processing) A laptop computer is highly recommended, because it allows for portablity when going home and increases one's ability to type up lecture notes. Also, professors often talk incredibly fast so typing notes most definitely trumps writing them out. Plus, times new roman is probably neater than your handwriting!
  • RELIABLE printer + accompanying black ink cartridges (you don't really need color ink much)
  • Mini fridge (great for cooling water, juice, milk, fruit, etc.)
  • Microwave (not that important, but comes in handy once in a while.)
  • Collapsible boxes or storage bins (great for bringing things back and forth from home, and also comes in handy when you move out of your dorm at the end of the year)
  • Water! You will get incredibly thirsty in your room and should have some readily available water reserves at hand. A filter would satisfy this requirement, but some might prefer bottled spring water. Depends on what you like.
  • Snacks - Snacks are great for those late nights studying, or at times in which you have to skip a meal. Granola bars have done wonders for me.
  • Cold/Flu Medicine - Face it, you will get sick at least once or twice while at school, and having medicine ready will only work to your advantage!
  • Toiletries (toothpaste, mouth wash, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, scrubber, ++as many towels as you can bring so you don't have to do laundry as often)
  • Carrying case for toiletries (not very necessary unless your room is far from the common baths and you are not provided with some cubby space to place your items)
  • Laundry detergent
  • A reusable plastic bottle container to transport water or coffee

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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 Succeed in College. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How To-16: How to Become a Chemical Engineer


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit


This article needs to be converted to wikiHow format as specified by the Writer's Guide. You can help by editing it now and then removing this notice. Notice added on 2008-02-03.
Have you ever wondered who designs complex machines and pipes in a refinery? Chemical engineers, of course! It's a fun and profitable profession. You will be able to invent new processes and materials.

Steps

  1. Save yourself a lot of time and effort and investigate this field before investing so much in an area that requires so much learning. Chemical engineers have to learn how to use in combination: applied math, physics, chemistry, mechanics, process design, engineering economics, technical writing, and many more courses that can be found in a university guide.
  2. Learn how to ask questions and start interviewing engineers. Your goal in interviewing will be to ask chemical engineers about their experiences. Find out what they like and do not like about their field. Also ask how they like to learn chemistry. You want to find the practical ways that they see chemistry in everyday life. They can be keen in making their own homemade toothpaste, deodorants, glues, paints, plastics, and anything you can imagine that has atoms...everything!! Chemical engineers can be great cooks because if you think about it, cooking combines chemistry and processes.
  3. Learn on your own. This is how you really learn. Learn to find information. Read books and magazines. Do experiments. Visit plants, talk to engineers in other fields (mechanical, electrical, civil, survey, etc), do an internship. Read patents about chemical technology.
  4. Find a school you like. If you think it's too expensive, get a scholarship or move to a country where you don't pay tuition. Believe it or not, there are good schools in these places as well.
  5. Take the classes, do the problems, pass the exams, etc. This is a necessary step to get the degree. This gives you an overview of the topics and gets you to develop some skills. This is not how you learn engineering, though.
  6. After graduation, you will have a degree AND have experienced how to solve many problems. You will have learned how to approach any new problem, how to think, and how to organize your time. What will make you a good engineer will be the field experiences and office work. These experiences will include anything that is cross-training. Cross-training will involve experiences and learning ideas that are outside of theory.

Tips

  • Don't think you can't do it. It's more a matter of discipline and remembering why you are studying and working so hard to learn more about this fascinating field. Eventually chemical engineers begin to understand nature and can see chemical processes around them in other everyday events.
  • You will need to develop your social skills. So have other hobbies (sports, volunteer work, musical instrument/band, dancing, organizing community events, etc.)
  • Some classes are kind of tough. This is not your fault, it's because they use recently discovered concepts (from the 20th century as opposed to the 19th century) or because the course is poorly designed. Be grateful for the new technologies. Learn how to deal with difficult subjects. Other students have done it. Learn how.
  • Many times you will have to do many things at once. Learn how to manage your time from time management books that you may not find in your engineering classes.
  • Try not to make earning a good salary the main goal of your career. You're more likely to enjoy your courses,degree and job if you like the stuff your learning and you're not doing something you don't like just so you can earn lots of money.

Warnings

  • Learn about WHMIS and the MSDS. The chemicals which you do understand you will not fear and consequently you will learn how to protect yourself, work areas, and society. For example, you will learn how to recognize chemicals that can cause explosions, burning, and which ones are toxic or poisonous. Be safety conscious and learn how to reduce risks at the workplace. Know how to act during an emergency. When your done you make alot of money.

Things You'll Need

  • The intelligence, initiative, and time necessary to get a college degree in the subject.

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How To-15: How to Succeed in English Class


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Have you ever wanted to thrive in English class? Here are some ways to become the ultimate English student.

Steps

  1. Read, read, and read some more. Always have a book in your hand, and read it during every spare moment: between classes, while you're on line for food, as you eat, on the bus, etc. Read some of the English classics and, if you're feeling ambitious, read poetry (especially Shakespeare).
  2. Read what other people, particularly literary critics, are saying about the books you've been reading. Compare their views, and decide where you stand.
  3. Share your opinions. When people, whether it's a teacher or a peer, ask you about a book that you're reading, explain whether you like the book or not, and why.
  4. Raise your hand in class to ask questions. Teachers LOVE IT. It shows that you're paying attention. For example, if she's talking about, for example ... Oliver Twist, and you've read it, and she's talking about a part you like, raise your hand, and say, "Oh, yes, Ms. ___ (Mr., Mrs., etc.), I liked that part. I just LOVE how _________!" or something of the sort.
  5. Be specific. Instead of saying "Yeah, it's awesome," say something like "I like the way the author creates characters that seem to be polar opposites of each other..."
  6. Compare the situations you read about in books to situations in real life. What statement is the author making about society? Was he or she describing society at the time the book was written? If so, does the description still apply, and to what extent?
  7. Take notes. If you're reading and you come across a piece of text that strikes you in some way, or that really epitomizes the message of the book, mark the text with a temporary stick-on tab. Colored ones like the ‘Post-it’ tape flags that are easily removed. Don’t draw or underline directly in the book. A teacher who sees the colored tabs sticking out of an assigned book will know you are really working on the text. You can also copy the text onto an index card or in a notebook, along with any reactions, insights, or questions you may have.
  8. Participate in class. Don't dominate the discussion; try to get other students to participate. Share your opinion when you feel it adds to the discussion - don't raise your hand just to mention tiny little facts. The best way to participate is to (1) share your opinion, (2) explain why you feel this way, and (3) pose a related question.
  9. Write your own literary criticism essays, whether it's for class or during your own time. Read them out loud to yourself to make sure that the text flows smoothly and evenly. Copy-edit your work - poor spelling and grammar are inexcusable for top English students.
  10. Once you finish writing your essay (or whatever) just to check the spelling, turn on your computer and type it out on MS Word, to check the spellings and grammar. Sure, if your essay is long it can take time but at least you know that it's correct!
  11. If your teacher marks your work strictly (e.g: maybe a short story?) then don't be afraid to ask WHY they've been marking it stricter than they mark the others'. I did that once, and my teacher said that it was because she didn't want me to slack off in my writing.
  12. When you're writing, feel free to take a different perspective from the main topic, just make sure it all still makes sense. For instance, if you have to write a paper about nature, go right ahead and write about how you don't like it, or make the essay on the top ten things in nature that annoy you.
  13. Read your assigned essays or writing out loud. Read it to your friends, family or even your dog. Don't rush: Take a good pause after each period (called a 'full stop' in the UK). Mark any parts you find difficult to read out loud, and when finished, go back and simplify that text. Often the easy way to simplify your writing is to break it up into shorter sentences.
  14. Trade written work with your friends in the class. Get them to give you an honest appraisal. The teacher may not have time to do more than scrawl a letter grade on your work, but your classmate can talk with you in depth about your writing and the points you are making.

Tips

  • When writing, use your thesaurus! It'll help improve your vocabulary. (See Warnings)
  • When you come across an unfamiliar word, look it up in a dictionary, and practice using it in a sentence.
  • Learn Latin, Greek and French, which will help you guess at the meaning and origin of difficult words (in both English and Spanish) when you don't have a dictionary on hand. At a minimum, learn the English roots that come from these languages.
  • Teachers would rather read an interesting essay than a boring one. Everybody can talk about how their family has influenced them, but only one person can talk about how their transexual Asian friend has opened their eyes to a whole new world of BDSM. Of course, only write about that if it's true. And you probably don't want to read that out loud, some people might not like it.
  • A made up story or experience is just as good as a true one as long as it relates to what you are writing and proves your thesis. It's not as if your English teacher will call your family and friends to see if what you've written about actually happened. Be sure, though, that your stories are especially well written, realistic, don't describe your illegal activities, etc.

Warnings

  • When using a thesaurus, don't put in big words just because they're listed. Make sure you know what words mean exactly. Just because it's a synonym doesn't mean that it has the same exact meaning. Look the new word up before you use it.
  • Don't argue with the teacher about small points on a quiz or test, because some will get aggravated if you nitpick too much.
  • Don't read while you're walking. While it may demonstrate your dedication, you'll may end up walking into someone, something or worse - getting hit by a car.

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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 Succeed in English Class. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How To-14: How to Write a Report



How to Write a Report


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

This is how to write a simple report for school. For a more complex report, read How to Write a Term Paper.

Steps

  1. Prepare an outline. Outline what you want to do on a piece of paper. There should be at least:
    • An introduction.
    • Middle sections with headings, detailing your research, ideas and discussion. Keep this at about 3 to 5 different topics--at the most.
    • A summary and/or conclusion. A summary is a retelling of what you have reported on; a conclusion draws together your feelings or arguments about the topic to reach your final point of view.
  2. Add a bibliography. Write or type your bibliography (a listing of your report sources) on a piece of paper or if you have a bibliographic page, write it down on that.
  3. Write a rough draft. Proofread it and mark your errors clearly. Errors are not only spelling and grammar but also jumbled ideas and missing points.
  4. Rewrite your report. Add pictures if you would like to or if it enhances the look. Use colored print if it is appropriate for the report.
  5. Print and check for final errors. Bind the report if it is appropriate, or place in a folder.

Tips

  • You may need more than two note cards for your research: One for the books and one for the internet.
  • To catch errors in your typing easily, read the paper to yourself aloud at home before turning it in.
  • Ask someone else to proofread your paper and offer constructive criticism.
  • Be sure to rely on more than one source for your information.
  • When using information from the internet, make sure it comes from a reputable source. Look on the page and make sure you know who wrote the information and why they are providing it.
  • While writing, assume that your reader knows little to nothing about the subject. Add details and definitions to topics in the paper.

Warnings

  • Don't delay your research until the last minute. Report creation takes longer than you might think, especially when you start fiddling with color, photos, borders, headings etc and that's only after the information has been written up properly!
  • Do not start fiddling with color, photos, borders, headings etc. until the information has been written up properly. If you do, a lot of time can disappear and you will not have time left to write a good report.
  • Do not take someone's information for your own.
  • You should list the site references the way the site asks people to.

Things You'll Need

  • You will need books and some research equipment.
  • You will need to know what you are looking for.

Related wikiHows

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How To-13: How to Become an Excellent Student


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Do you have a desire to become a successful student? Well, here's how you can accomplish it.

Steps

  1. Like all exceptionally great students, you must pay attention! When a teacher is giving a lesson, take notes and if you don't get something, raise your hand and ask. The more questions you ask, the smarter you'll get, believe it or not. By passing notes and talking to friends, you won't learn anything, so pay close attention!
  2. Review your notes when you have free time.
  3. Take some time to write some problems up, or you could ask someone to write them for you. Just remember, it doesn't hurt to go over what you have learned.
  4. Do your homework. Teachers give you homework for a reason. It is to review what you have learned that day. Take advantage of your free time. If you really want to be a successful student, you should know right from the beginning when you want to be great at anything, you have to put up with things that just don't seem fair. Doing your homework is not a big deal. Remember, homework can also help you develop good habits and attitudes.
  5. Be prepared. Bring everything you need with you to class. Books, folders, pens, pencils, homework, review sheets etc. whatever you need it would be a good idea to bring it.
  6. Get organized. Keep a folder for each subject, and yes, you put your math papers in your math folder, you put your Language Arts papers in your Language Arts folder, you put your science papers in your science folder, and so on. It would really be a good idea to color code or label your folders.
  7. Study. It would be a good idea to start studying a few days before a test. Make a study schedule. If an extracurricular activity gets in the way of your studying, tell the person in charge of that certain event, that you will not be able to attend that event, or you will have to leave early. However, there will be certain situations where you will have to attend whatever it is. In this kind of situation, you will just have to study another day. This is where your study schedule comes in. Write out a schedule of the week of your test and find your free time. Always remember, use your time wisely.
  8. Start to read a little more. If you are not already a reader, start at your level and work your way up. You may not know this, but by reading more challenging and difficult books, you are expanding your vocabulary.
  9. Ask a parent or older sibling to look over your notes and create a mini-test for you 3 days advance of your test. You should always want to study before the night of your test.
  10. Use of mind maps can be helpful for understanding hard topics.

Tips

  • Always go for extra credit even if you are getting a 98% in that certain class. You can always do better.
  • Stay focused. Everyone knows school can be boring, but you have got to concentrate on getting focused. Keep your eyes on the teacher, keep your ears open, and take notes. Taking notes will help you think and help you understand what is being taught more.
  • Sleep! Sleeping well is essential to keep you concentrated on classes and also on your studies.
  • Rewriting notes taken in class is helpful if taking exceptionally hard classes. (Ex. law, medicine, engineering etc.)
  • Lessons are fun if you pay attention and listen to what the teacher is saying, and if you know about that topic you will feel good, and if you don't know about it, maybe you should study it a little.
  • Find out your learning style (ex.visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.) and look online to find out about study habits that match your learning style. You'll be surprised at how much easier it is! But be sure to answer the quiz questions truthfully.
  • Also, find out if you are a left brain or a right brain. Left brain is organized, logical, rational. Right brain is intuitive, lets feelings go, sees things in an abstract way. If you take a quiz and discover you are both, no worries! Lots of people are.
  • Study before sleeping (but don't stay up too late!). By doing this, you'll remember what you've studied the next morning. But if you study then watch TV or something like that, you'll forget almost everything.

Warnings

  • Whatever you do, do not procrastinate; don't put things off. If you do, you will have to rush on that certain project, and you probably won't get the grade you wanted in the first place. If you procrastinate for a test, you will have to review what you will be tested on in a short amount of time.
  • Don't freak out if you get a bad grade on a paper. Everyone (including high level students) get bad grades once in a while. It's not the end of the world. Just try harder next time.
  • Above all, don't cheat. Cheating doesn't teach you anything at all. Plus, if you get caught, you will get into serious trouble. It's not worth it!
  • Sometimes being an excellent student can lead to unpopularity or people thinking that you are weird. Do some sports or socialize once a while.
  • Be on top of your grades. If your school has online grades (Skyward) then check every other day. That way you aren't surprised when you get your progress report, and know if you forgot to turn something in, need to work on something or if a teacher entered a grade wrong.

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 Become an Excellent Student. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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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.

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 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.

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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 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

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 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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