Study
Tips
a)
Online Stuff
If
you're a bit nervous about online things, then there are three
websites you should try. They were essential to me getting through
senior school. - Please do yourself a favor and just try them out.
Facebook
We've
spoken a bit about this before, but I thought I'd explain to you how
most senior students communicate and why it's best to build a
Facebook profile before you start your senior years.
In my
final year, we had a year 12 Facebook group, and it was how the girls
set up planning meetings, practices, and organized parties. It was
the easiest way for other members of my year group who I might not
see every day let me know that I had to bring in something or lead a
part of a meeting.
Even
if you only go on it for school purposes and have minimal information
about you, it's a good way to keep yourself in contact. Also, if
you're ever unsure about what the homework is or need to get
someone's notes, it's the fastest method to ask around the class.
Tumblr
Tumblr
is different to Facebook. It is completely anonymous, so there is no
need to put up a picture or name that's connected to you. The reason
I'm suggesting it is because I learned a lot of valuable information
from the stubyblr community.
 |
| #studyblr on tumblr screenshot |
On
Tumblr, everything is organized through hashtags '#'. Under the
hashtag '#study', '#studyblr' or#studyspo you can find a wealth of
information about websites and techniques that can help you to
complete your studies.
On
the image, you can see the end of a study post where the poster is
giving tips on how to give a good presentation in front of the class.
There's also a post where another member is showing the homework
they've completed. I found this motivating especially when I felt
that I was the only person in the world studying, or just wanted a
reminder that my hard work would be worth it.
 |
| Screenshot of Kahn Academy homepage |
Kahn
Academy
Through
this website, you can sign up with Facebook or manually through a
form. It's an online site which stores educational quizzes, games,
and videos. It has interactive and non-interactive components that
allow you to learn from other teachers/experts without having to go
and ask for help from your school.
The
materials on this site can also teach you different methods that your
school might not teach you. Various methods can be useful if you're
struggling to reach the same answers as the other students.
You
can see in the image all the classes I'm currently doing. You can log
in and see all the classes that are available. I enjoyed the crash
course history – but there are hundreds of courses and videos to
try!
b)
Homework
The
senior school won't have as much homework as you're expecting. Unlike
middle school, senior school teachers aren't interested in checking
off a list of homework completed and uncompleted.
However,
it's crucial that you do keep up with your assigned tasks. These
tasks are paramount to building an understanding of what's going on
in class and broadening your knowledge.
In
senior school there are a lot of things that your teacher won't talk
about in class – however knowing about those little extra bits of
information can help to enhance your grades from a 'b' to an 'a.'
Tips
(a quick list!)
- Listen to instrumental music not lyrical. Otherwise, you'll get distracted
- Write a list of /everything/ you want to get done, not just what you'd have to get done from school
- Designate a study area and set it up with everything you might need
- Skim read the related textbook chapter. Often the teachers will use the end of chapter questions in your tests- because no one ever reads them
- Set a study time and a nonstudy time – be hesitant to break these times, because it's vital for your ability to balance work and study
- Develop an opinion on everything that you do. Not only will this develop your communications skills but it will ensure that you look at every aspect of the subject to develop a proper opinion.
- Don't ignore any comments that teachers make. Keep a notepad or word doc up in class and write down anything that is important. For example; 'students pay attention to this' – indicates that it may be an important topic that features in the test
c)
When you struggle with class
When
you struggle in class, it's important that you don't give up.
Unfortunately, teachers may not always realize that you're struggling
or having trouble.
Instead,
you might have to take charge. To do so figure out;
>
is it because you're not understanding the teaching methods used?<
Sometimes
a particular teacher or method just doesn't want to stick in your
brain. And that's fine there are plenty of other ways to learn a load
of information.
- Put the information on to flash cards
- Write the information into an article (like you can see on my blog)
- Talk about the information with friends or family
- Look for a video on related information
- Talk to a head of the department or other teachers that you trust
- Arrange for an out school meeting
- Find an older student to give some notes or tutor you
- Ask a parent or family member
Telling
people that you're having trouble may seem a bit scary, but it's
vitally important that you're upfront about how your learning is
going. In the senior years and university, you're completely in
charge of what happens in your academic career. So now is the time to
learn how to call in for help when you need it.
>
Is it because you don't have an interest in the subject?<
Unfortunately
some classes are a trudge – but I stand firmly by the fact that
there is value in every class! If you're bored of your class try
doing on of the following;
- Find real world applications for it
- Find a news story about it
- Draw a poster about it using all your favorite colors, actors and stationary
- Find someone inspirational in that field
- Figure out how you could use it in your future career
 |
| credits to tumblr daydesigner |
e)
Balancing
a)
When it feels like too much
Lots
of times in senior school I felt like I was facing a huge workload
and then an enormous expectation from friends and family. It can feel
like an epic amount of pressure.
However
this is going to happen to everyone – don't stress! There are lots
of ways to get through it!
 |
| credits to tumblr daydesigner |
If
you go onto Tumblr and search 'printables' you'll find lots of
gorgeous looking sheets for putting in planners, writing lists or
managing your time. I've taken a few screenshots of something I
thought you might like – if you want them just go onto Tumblr and
have a look – or you can find others of google images but be
careful because they're not always available to download.
ai)
Time management
A lot
of people will tell you lots of ways to manage your time.
Unfortunately, this can prove more distracting than beneficial.
Try
the techniques that make the most sense to you but don't feel like
you have to stick to them religiously! I've included a few websites
that have helped me improve my time management but remember to do
what works for you.
In
the end, the best technique is routine and habit.
http://www.studygs.net/shared/mgmnt.htm
http://etudiance.tumblr.com/post/132244104798/the-pomodoro-method-is-so-important-and-i-feel
http://studyign.com/post/125463345667/soooooo-school-is-starting-in-about-a-month-for-me
f)
Friends vs. School
In
senior school social groups will change – sometimes considerably.
You might feel the need to spend lots and lots of time with your
friends to keep you little group together.
 |
| nothing like a meal with good friends! |
Don't
stress about keeping them close, yes they are your great friends, and
you do have awesome memories with them but try to keep things in
perspective. There are a hundred and a bit people in your year.
That's plenty of people to connect to. If it ever feels like you're
sacrificing part of your schooling to keep up a relationship with
someone that isn't that interested in you – then drop it!
At
the end of the day, you're not going to lose a friendship overnight,
but you can fall behind quickly. Don't forget to spend time with
others but please don't obsess over losing one friend or another.
People will come and go the only thing that you can do is be friendly
and welcoming.
Be
yourself too – it was hard for me to get used to the idea of just
being myself but at the end of the day I had to find friends that
accepted that I could be sarcastic, obsessed with law and a massive
Justin Bieber fan. It took time, but I did find people that loved
that about me, and I know that you'll find people who like you for
who you are too.
Lulu Hensman
Lulu Hensman
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