5 Ways To Improve Your Memory - For Students

"Oh God, tomorrow is exam! Will I remember what I have studied?" This fear haunts many students. Now, don’t fear friend. You can remember what you study.

Provided, you use those study methods that help your brain to remember better.

Here are five ‘Brain-friendly’ study methods that help to improve your memory and remember your study lessons easily:

1. Study with short breaks

Take short breaks while studying. Do not study continuously for more than 30 to 45 minutes.
Give a break of five to ten minutes in between two sessions.

Such short breaks give rest to your brain and help it to reinforce what you are learning. This will make it easy for you to understand more and remember better.

Do not read any new information during these short breaks. Just relax or walk around.

2. Explain to yourself

Explain what you study to yourself. Pretend you are both the student and the teacher, and try to explain the chapter or study topic to yourself.

This kind of ‘explaining’ automatically helps you to learn the subject in detail. Hence you will remember it clearly.

3. Discuss

Discuss important study topics with a willing classmate. Holding such discussion will jog your memory. This is like another form of revision.

Also, you will become aware of important points about those study topics. This will help both you and your classmate to learn more and remember more.

4. Sleep well

Yes, sleep cosily. Good sleep is essential for good memory.

Recent research has shown that lack of sufficient sleep interferes with memory function. Because during sleep and rest period, our brain processes and consolidates information which it records during the day.

So do not skip sleep; especially during the exam days. Sleep for at least six hours. Eight hours is best.

5. Eat Well

Now what has eating got to do with remembering more? Simple. What we eat affects our brain’s performance. Poor nutrition leads to learning and memory problems.

So make sure you include nutrient-rich food items like--whole grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and milk in your diet. This will keep your brain healthy and happy.

The above five remedies are easy to follow. They definitely help to strengthen your memory and achieve more success in your studies.

Author: Navi Arora

Top 10 Internship Mistakes That Students Make

Obtaining an internship is an excellent way to advance one's career. Not only can students learn new skills, but they can gain valuable experience that looks very impressive on their resumes. Even more, internships help students become comfortable with how the workforce is before they actually enter it.

Unfortunately, many students don't benefit from internships because they are never accepted into an internship program. Every single year, hundreds of thousands of smart and talented students find themselves struggling to get in the door.

Here are the top 10 internship mistakes to avoid:

1) Not Caring
Shockingly, many college students seem as if they don't really care about their careers. They act as if they don't really want an internship. Change your attitude today. Internships can become high-paying jobs. It happens all the time.

2) Procrastinating
Many students who do want internships often procrastinate about finding and applying for the opportunities. This is a deadly mistake. Many programs have early deadlines. For instance, most summer internships start recruiting in the winter. Start searching and applying now.

3) Not Keeping Your Grades Up
An internship is like a job. Why would a company want to hire you if your grades are bad? It is very important to keep your grades above average. Many times a 2.5 GPA or higher is sufficient.

4) Not Utilizing Your Resources
Every high school has guidance counselors, and every college has a career center. You should stop by and meet these people because they are there to help you. Often, companies that are looking to hire interns will ask them for recommendations.

5) Not Devoting Enough Time
You get out, what you put in. Don't just spend 5 minutes applying for internships. Try to spend at least 1-3 hours a week. Remember that you want to take the time to find the opportunities that are most relevant to you.

6) Racing Through Applications
Don't fill out an application just to get it over with. Be sure to read the instructions, and give thought-provoking answers for essay questions. Also, be sure to not misspell words - especially your own name or the college you're attending.

7) Not Having Good References
Many internship applications require that you list references that they can follow up with to confirm that you are a good applicant. Don't list your family members or friends. List professors or advisers that you know will vouch for you.

8) Messing Up The Interview
If you are called in for an interview, be sure to treat it like a job interview. Dress neatly and appropriately, and bring copies of your resume. Show up on time, and be sure to look the interviewer in the eye when speaking. Also, shake their hand firmly before leaving.

9) Not Following Up
Don't make the mistake of not following up after the interview. The week of the interview, send a brief "thank you" card to the person who interviewed you. The next week, call or email your contact to see what the status is.

10) Not Being Persistent
Getting an internship requires patience and persistence. Don't give up. Keep filling out applications and submitting your resume to as many companies and organizations as possible. Remember that there are tons of opportunities available. With hard work and determination, you will eventually reach your goal.

Author:
Dante Lee
www.findinternships.com

10 Tips for Kindergarten Preparation

The new world of school brings many changes. Even for children who have been in child care or preschool, starting kindergarten will be a new world that is quite different from what they've experienced. The school's rules might be different from your rules, so children must learn flexibility. Children need to sit still for longer periods of time than they are used to, so they must have self-control and self-discipline. Teachers might have a different teaching and communication style than their parents, so children must learn effective listening and communication skills.

Since children this age don’t understand time well, a month can seem like a lifetime to a child this age. So spend the last few weeks of summer easing your child into this new transition by following these ten simple tips:

1. Attend the kindergarten orientation - even if this is your sixth child - and take notes. Follow any recommendations the school offers.

2. Visit the school. Let the child see the inside of the classroom and feel comfortable being there. Talk to the teacher and have her explain what the child’s day will be like.

3. If separation is an issue, talk to the teacher about your concerns. Practice by leaving your child with a trusted friend/relative for increasing time periods.

4. Arrange a tour of the school bus. Walk through the process of getting on the bus. Bus drivers can help explain this and offer safety tips.

5. Find out where the buses park (or where you will park if you’re driving) and walk the child from the entry door to their classroom, so they can confidently find their way the first day.

6. Involve your child in shopping for supplies and let him organize his backpack.

7. Practice self-help skills. Teachers don't have much time to help each individual child, so make sure your child can zip, button, tie shoes, and tell which shoe goes on which foot. Give her opportunities at home to organize and care for her own toys and clothes. And make sure she's independent in using the toilet and washing her hands.

8. Develop and refine your child’s social skills, including: listening when others talk, sharing, taking turns; staying in one’s own space, and telling an adult when he needs help.

9. Find out what skills the teacher expects your child to know and weave these skills into everyday activities. For example, play games that involve counting. Engage your child in measuring and counting while you cook, garden or shop. Choose a "letter of the day" and see how many things you can find that begin with that letter. Make up silly rhymes or create a story by taking turns adding a sentence. Keep it light and fun, without pressure.

10. Openly discuss any fears or questions your child has. Don’t downplay or minimize these feelings. Children need to be able to release tears and express negative feelings, too, as they are all a natural part of change, transition and growth. Prepare a plan for how your child can independently handle problems that may arise.

Know that you have been preparing your child for kindergarten since the first day of his life — and know you are not alone in your attempts to make the transition go smoothly. By working with your child and the teachers as a team, the new world of school can be an exciting adventure and positive experience.

Author: Jody Johnston Pawel

Four Tips For Learning English

If you have decided that you want to learn English, you are about to start on a fairly difficult journey. While English is one of the most widely spoken languages, particularly in the western hemisphere, it is also one of the most difficult to learn. If you have committed yourself to learning the language, here are some tips you can use to make it a little easier.

Tip 1 - Identify Your Motivation and Desire

Before you start down the path of learning English, make sure you really want to. If you cannot say that you truly want to learn the language, you are going to struggle, particularly if you are trying to learn English online. Remember, it is a challenging language and will take a measure of dedication to learn.

Also, you need to identify your motivation. Ask yourself why you want to learn English. Understanding your motivation, whether it be to help qualify for a better job or to communicate with someone you know, will help you stick to your goal of learning English.

Tip 2 - Set Realistic Goals

You are not going to learn English overnight, even if you are highly motivated, are a great student, and are attending the best online English school you can find. You need to set realistic goals that you can work toward as you master the language.

Your goal for the first week may be to master some basic vocabulary. Then you may wish to tackle an important grammar rule. If you already have a basic understanding of English, you can set goals to improve your pronunciation or listening comprehension. You need to know your basic goals before you begin attending English school so that you can choose the best program to help you meet them.

Tip 3 - Set Aside Time to Practice

Learning any language takes practice, and lots of it. Knowing how to practice a language is important. You can't simply sit at home and talk to yourself. Even if you are trying to learn English online, you need to find native speakers to talk to. You can use the telephone or online chats to talk to people who know English well, but you need to find someone to talk to.

You can also practice by writing English. Write letters, emails, and notes in English whenever the recipient can understand English. Your English lesson at school will probably have you writing as well, but practical writing in the real world is the best way to discover whether or not you know the language well enough to communicate.

Tip 4 - Immerse Yourself in the Language

The best way to train your brain to think and understand in another language is to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Subscribe to publications in English, and read them. Read books in English, and listen to recordings made in English. Speak the language whenever you have someone near you who can understand it, especially when that person is a native speaker who can help you with your pronunciation.

Watch television programs in English. This is one of the best ways to help yourself learn English, because you will have a visual reference to help you understand the spoken word. If your television has closed captioning capabilities, turn this on. Then you will also have a written reference to reinforce what you are learning.

The best thing about the immersion approach is that it gets you used to the proper pronunciations of the words. Also, by immersing yourself in the culture that surrounds the English language, you can pick up on slang words and words that are not quite used correctly, but sound right to English speakers. You will pick up on phrases that are commonly used, and phrases that are best left untouched. So, whenever you have the chance to practice speaking, writing, or listening to English, take advantage of it. You will soon learn English as well as any native speaker, or perhaps even better!

Author: Amy Nutt

Learning Tips for Students

Long ago, there was a time, when parents told children to read slowly and loudly to understand everything they read. A lot of things have changed. Today's children have bigger syllabi to learn. Now, learning experts and teachers ask students to read faster and grasp important points. Here are a few tips for students who have a lot to learn, but very little time.

Make a Timetable

• Your timetable should have separate time for eating, playing games, exercise, reading newspaper and study materials. You should not only make a timetable, but also should stick to it.
• Give priority to leisure and games in the afternoon, but separate early morning time for studies. Make sure you read all the class notes before you go to bed.
• While allotting time to different subjects, allot more time to difficult subjects. You need only less time for the subjects that are easier for you to learn.
  

Taking Notes
Taking notes is an important part of learning. You need to take lecture notes (classroom notes) and notes from your textbook.

• Go through the lessons on the day before your teacher would teach it in the class. This gives you an idea of what to expect.
• Write down important ideas as bullet points. One word or a phrase is enough to include an idea.
• Give prominence to important ideas by underlining them in your notes.
• Leave lot of space in each face of paper. This will help you add new points later.
• Organize your notes into separate files. Each subject should have a different file. Label the outer page of the file with name of the subject and your teacher. You should also neatly organize each file according to chapters and topics.
• Read the notes (important points) in the night, before going to bed. Read only once. This helps you memorize the lessons clearly.
• While taking notes from a book, label the name of the book and author. Also, note the page number next to your notes. It makes it easy for you to refer to the book three or six months later.
  

Reading Techniques
You need to read fast and grasp more things. Here are some pointers to fast reading.

• Note the name of the book and its author in the reading log.
• Take a quick look from cover to cover to identify the important chapters.
• Take a quick look over the chapter, identify the important points, and note them down.
• Read the lesson fast. To increase the speed of learning, pass your eyes through the top of the letters and not through the centre. For example, while reading, pass your eyes through the area where the dot above the letter i appears and not through the loop of the letter o.
• Don't take notes while reading.
• Don't go back to read a word or a sentence. If you don't get the idea of the subject, you can come back to the sentence after you finish reading the chapter. Never look up a dictionary while in the middle of reading a chapter. Refer dictionary only if you don't automatically understand the meaning of a word after finishing the paragraph and the chapter.
• Note down the points you remember. Now check if you have taken all the important points, with another fast reading.
  

How to increase memory

• Try to understand completely what you read or hear.
• Repeat what you hear or read in your mind.
• Make notes of what you learn at school or read from books. A single word can help you remember a whole idea.
• Give number to the points.
• Don't try to bring to memory all the things you have learned. Learn the technique of bringing to memory one thing at a time.
  

How to increase concentration

• Mental concentration is important to memory and better learning.
• Stick to your reading timetable. You should separate a specific place and specific time of the day for reading.
• Sit erect. It increases your concentration.
• Don't allow disturbances like phone calls, music etc while reading.
• Concentrate on the lessons you read. Don't think about the next book you have to read while you are reading a book. A better way is to make an order of the books and lessons to read and arrange them in order before you start reading.
• Immediately after reading a paragraph, try to recall the idea from that paragraph. This helps you concentrate more on your reading.
  

Ideal conditions for reading/learning

• A silent location that you don't use for sleeping, eating or leisure purposes is the most ideal condition for reading.
• Install a fluorescent tube light in the reading room. This helps mild light to fall evenly all over the room. Don't sit in the darkness while reading. If you use table lamp, arrange it towards your left if you are a right-hander.
• Arrange the papers, pencils, boards and books on the table before you start reading.
• Never try to read while you are tired or ill.
• Eat healthy food rich in carbohydrates, proteins and fibres. Replace fast food, pizza, burger, chocolates, ice creams, etc with fresh fruits, whole grain food items (like chapatti), milk, fruit juices, etc.
• Exercise daily. Swimming, cycling and jogging are good for students. Practise yoga. It increases concentration and willpower.
• Don't watch TV. Instead, play some games in the outdoors. While TV makes you dumb, the games make you smarter.
• Read lot of books. Read classic stories, fables (like Aesop fables, Panchatantra stories, etc), etc. Don't spend too much time on comic cartoons. (by: Dev Sri)

Tutoring Techniques and Easy Tips

Nowadays enrolling for different tutoring classes has become really common. The main reason for getting enrolled for tutoring classes is the difficulty in understanding the concepts of some subjects in regular classrooms teaching. To help such troubled students, many instructors offer their tutoring classes after the normal the classroom timing. In this way, tutors can effectively educate the students to clear their concepts in required subject.

Generally, students face difficulty in subjects like math, algebra, language and science and have serious problems in understanding various concepts in regard to these subjects. Here comes the role of a good tutor who impart his understanding and conceptual clarity to his students. In order to provide the best, a tutor adopts various techniques to help students clear their concepts.

A tutor can decide his particular method of tutoring on the basis of his capabilities and skills. Sometimes a tutor develops some tutoring techniques to help his or her students to tackle his problems. Also, new and contemporary teaching methods are being designed to provide good quality education to students. In US, there are numerous teaching strategies, which are followed including lecturing, case study methods, discussions, interactive learning, and cooperative learning, integrating technologies, and sometimes even online tutoring.

The basic duty of a tutor is to provide students with required feedback and motivate them to do their best. On other hand, students should complete their students' assignments and clear their doubts with their tutor. Also, tutors should monitor his students’ progress frequently and implement new methods to benefit the ultimate students. Some tutors go out of the way to improve his or her student’s education status. By applying different techniques and methods, a tutor gains more experience and better understanding of tackling different students. Being an expert in their field, tutors evaluate their students’ requirements and put forward their syllabus in such a way that it is easy for the child to grasp.

Author: Synapse India

Easy Tips for New Tutors :

Education has become a lucrative field, where people get connected to each other and share their understanding, knowledge, and concepts in order to enhance the overall standard of the life. In this write-up, we’ll talk about few important tips that can be helpful for beginners who are entering in the tutoring world:

1. Keep you behavior as a friend or a colleague instead of bossing like a tutor.
2. For providing the best knowledge, you need to formulate a clear purpose and plan of action.
3. There are two main qualities of a good quality tutor; clear understanding of a student’s difficulty; and command over the good knowledge and clear concepts about the subject.
4. Encourage students to take part in active learning and involve them in applying their brains.
5. Try to pass on the good learning and provide them solid learning stuff.
6. If you are distributing any study material, make sure you pass on the information in small units.
7. Try to adept a flexible stand in the classroom.
8. Adopt a specific approach while preparing assignments for the next session.
9. Allow students to complete their own task; never do anything from their behalf.
10. Visit with Lecturers/professors when necessary.
    

Author: Synapse India

Tips On Writing Lesson Plans (RPP) Like A Pro

Aside from the grade level, writing lesson plans generally follows a format much like the outline below. While different teachers - and curricula - alter the format somewhat, the basics are the same.

Overview
This section contains the subject matter and an assessment of how much ground the class has covered in the topic area. The overview addresses the importance of the lesson within the context of the subject matter. It the topic is Supreme Court decisions, the overview might discuss the impact of high court decisions on everyday Americans.

Purpose
This section defines the overall goal of the lesson, both mandated academic requirements and actual educational value. Writing lesson plans should always include both elements, but it is important that the mandated goal not overshadow the learning involved.

* Personalize the educational goal. Write the lesson plan to define your purpose for each student: 'Every student will understand the importance of the First Amendment within the context of his personal life and the context of any professional goals he might have.'

Objective
The objective defines the activities to be completed and the learning to be accomplished. The students will have examined ten Supreme Court decisions and discussed their constitutional impact. They will have learned the manner in which cases come to the court, and impact that rulings have on current statutory law.

* Provide an example drawn from real life. Discuss how a civil rights decision forced dozens of states to rewrite school requirements. Writing lesson plans should include drama provided by dynamic examples.

Resources/ Materials
When writing lesson plans every teacher lays out the material requirements for the lesson to be taught. This includes textbooks, specific library access requirements, any multimedia tools to be employed, and current events materials such as newspapers or magazines.

One site to consider is: http://4booklovers.com

* Ask the student to bring forth an example of the lesson topic’s impact. A little guidance here will produce interesting stories. The relationship between Title XX of the Civil Rights Act and our professional female athletes, thirty five years later. As much as possible, write a lesson plan that highlights the potential impact of the topic on the individual student

Activities and Procedures
Usually, when writing lesson plans these sections discuss the classroom specifics. There is a list of daily activities that proscribe development of the overall lesson.

* Include a timetable. Don’t just keep it in your head; itemize it in your plan.

Trying it all Together/ Closure
This section can be not only a summation of the lesson, but a look forward. Here the lesson plan can connect what the students knew at the beginning and where the lesson has taken them. When writing lesson plans, you can also hint at what is to come next time.

About the author :
Teresa Styles helps parents and teachers become more effective helping children learn and enjoy learning. She is a contributing author at EducationGold. For more teaching ideas go to: http://educationgold.com.

The Top 5 Teaching Tips

Education is one of the cornerstones of a child's future and the methods of teaching that are used will be instrumental in the absorption of the material being taught to a child. Teaching a child is a significant responsibility and requires both patience and dedication. If you are looking for ideas on how to effectively teach a child, follow these 5 tips:


1. Use Multiple Teaching Approaches

Children all learn in different manners. So, when you are working with your student, use a variety of approaches and activities for each session and each subject matter. Consider lectures, small group discussions, written assignments, videos or online trainings, and even art projects to teach.


2. Be Well Prepared

Teaching requires a substantial amount of preparation ahead of time. Ensure that you have well thought out lesson plans and activities that will engage the student in the learning process. Think about the message that you are trying to communicate and what you would like the student to learn during the session. Also, ensure that you have enough of the required materials and activities ready before you begin teaching.


3. Use Audio and Visual Aids Effectively

In addition to the written assignments and lectures, use audio and visual aids to help students with the comprehension of the materials. You can be creative with overhead slides, movies and the chalkboard to break up a lesson and to emphasize learning objectives. Not only will these materials help to make the lesson more interesting to the students, but it will also work to improve retention and understanding of the subject matter being taught.


4. Use Handouts and Homework

Handouts can be a way to help students to follow along with a particular lecture. Some students learn well with a partially completed handout that requires them to pay attention to what is being verbally communicated. Also, homework can be a great way to continue the learning process and to enhance retention of the material taught during the classroom session. Choose homework that will test understanding and that will add to the material that you taught earlier. Reinforcement of ideas will help to improve academic retention.


5. Check Consistently for Understanding

As you are teaching, be sure to check in with your student to ensure that they are understanding the materials. You can do this by asking open ended discussion questions, by engaging the students in group exercises or other interaction activities and by giving out short comprehension quizzes. Many students will not speak out if they don't understand a particular topic, so the more that you can check in for their understanding, the more effective you will be at teaching a subject matter.

Author: Rebecca Walker

Scholarship Application Tips

by: Low Jeremy

Applying for a scholarship is not just filling up an application form and hope that you get response. It should involve careful evaluation and understanding of the whole application process so as to get better chances of winning your most desired scholarship.

To help you on this, here are the tips that you should consider before and during your scholarship application:

Begin your search early

Like plane seats, more options come during the early stage of application. In other words, if you begin your search early, you can have better chances of landing on the best scholarship awards possible. Think of it this way: if you only apply on the closing days, most scholarship grants are already awarded to those who apply early or most scholarship applications have already closed. On the other hand, if you search for scholarship early, you can find many sponsors that would certainly increase your chances in winning the scholarship.

Apply early

If you begin your search early, you should also apply early. There is not a single day to waste since many students like you are also battling out to win the same scholarship. However, this does not mean that you apply every single grant you find. You still have to evaluate and…

Check your eligibility

There are countless of scholarship grants out there but there are only few that could fit you. To avoid the possible rejection of application, you should check if the scholarship grants and sponsors you are aiming at would fit your need. Read carefully the requirements since this is the best way to know if you are fit with the scholarship that is being offered.

Prepare your requirements early

Never wait for your sponsors to ask for the requirements before you prepare for them. Take note that the sponsors work at a specified timeframes so if you run late on your filling of requirements, you may not get the scholarship.

Create a good application letter

Just like applying writing for a job application letter, the scholarship application letter should show that you are the person to be awarded with the scholarship. Write a good application letter unique from others.

Follow the instruction for writing the essay

Do not go beyond the boundaries of the length limit. Make sure to answer the questions carefully and sincerely. Use simple terms to keep your essay readable.

And finally, check, re-check, and double-check your requirements, essays, letters, and other supporting documents before submitting them to the sponsor.

About The Author

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on scholarship & other useful information, please visit http://scholarship.articlekeep.com.

Parenting Teenagers: Tips On Starting High School

by: Aurelia Williams

Teenagers all over the world will take the leap from child to young adult this fall. They will be entering High School for the first time. This milestone brings a variety of feelings and emotions. They are beginning four of the most difficult, yet most memorable years of their life. If you think you are anxious and scared, try being your teen.

Here are a few Parenting Teenager tips on how to make the best of this stressful and confusing time in your teenager’s life.

Be Open and Understanding

Realize that your teen is going to be stressed and irritable for the first few weeks of their freshman year. There are many things that can contribute to your teen’s moodiness or withdrawn state. They are experiencing numerous changes in their life; all at the same time. Just like when you are pushed to your max with stress, your teen may experience headaches, stomachaches, or sleepiness. They need time and space to figure it all out in their own mind. Be patient and give them the time they need to sort things out for themselves.

Be Available and Reassuring

They may be young adults with a need to start making more decisions on their own and taking on more responsibility, but that doesn’t mean that they are full blown adults with minds that can handle all the stress and pressure of taking on those tasks. Reassure them that you are there when they need you and also how to “back off” when necessary so they can figure things out for themselves.

Your teenager is just that, a teen. You need to let them know that you trust them to make their own decisions. Let them know that you are always there should they get stuck and need a helping hand from someone they trust. Show them in ways other than saying things such as, “I’m here if you want to talk.” It’s not always easy for a teenager to start up a serious conversation, especially with Mom or Dad. There are times when you need to get creative. Depending on your teen that may mean writing a letter or taking them shopping and talking about what’s going on in their life while driving.

Be Supportive and Loving

Your teenager is no longer the ‘big dog’, but instead a ‘newbie’. Teenagers need to know that Mom and/or Dad support their decisions. They may have a difficult time fitting in; therefore, the need to try new things is necessary and helps them to figure out who they are. As long as the activity is not detrimental to them or anyone else, let them try a new sport, club, or other extracurricular hobby.

Support them in their decision, even if you know in the long run they will not participate next year. Give them the opportunity to find out for themselves if they enjoy certain activities. Remind them that family is something that will always be there. They are moving away from you as a parent but not disconnecting with the family completely and that’s ok.

Set Routines and Limits

Yes, they may be growing up, but they aren’t adults yet. Even teenagers need routines and limits. It will help to make the transition to high school easier on both of you if make limits together before the first week of school. Sit down and tell your child what your expectations are and really listen to their expectations of you as well. Settle on certain guidelines and routines that make both of you happy with the end result. This not only puts your mind at ease, but will also show your teen that you acknowledge that they are capable of making sound decisions and taking other’s considerations into account.

Parenting Teenagers can be a trying time and high school can seem overwhelming for them. Share in the good times and be there to lean on for the bad. Before you know it, you’ll be catching that cap and tassel at your teen’s graduation.

About The Author

Aurelia Williams is the host of http://www.parentingmyteen.com and is also the owner of http://www.reallifesolutions.net, a free resource site for moms.