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These ten golden study survival tips have been formulated over a period of
more than thirty years. Believe us when we say that they work.
- Settle upon one location to do your studying. Choose a place with good
lighting, preferably with a firm chair and a desk, and where interruptions
or distractions will be at a minimum.
- Make out a study schedule for one week, allowing yourself breaks to reward
yourself, and make honest assessments of how well you did at the end of the
first week. Revise it and then try sticking to it for the rest of the
school year.
- Psychologists say we have a good chance of retaining new information if we
recall it within 24 hours; if we recall it once again within a week, the
memory hands onto it. That is why it is essential to look back
at the notes you took in the school that day, and to review the again before
the week has ended. Simple as that sounds it is often the difference
between excellent and average marks or between passing and
failing.
- Try to do more that the bare minimum that is required. Your interest in a
subject will increase dramatically if you read some of the supplementary
material recommended by the teacher.
- Understand what you are supposed to do in your homework before you leave
the classroom. It is not a good idea to try to figure out at 9:00
o'clock that evening what the mathematics teacher said just before first
period ended. Find out during class. Get the phone number to a
"buddy" in class, whom you can call if you've been away or need
clarification on homework.
- Try to prepare ahead. Both you interest and your retention rate will
soar if you have read, in advance, material that your teacher will be
presenting. Often, what you thought might be a boring class turns out
to be fun.
- Organize yourself so you complete chores before you start your
homework. Some to try to complete phone calls before homework.
Others allow themselves the reward of a break to make social phone calls.
- Take a close look at the way you take notes and ask yourself whether you
could improve your methods. The most successful students organize
their notes immediately after taking them, rather than waiting a few days or
a week. If you feel you're still having problems, speak to the teacher
of the subject which is giving you trouble.
- Don't let yourself fall behind. Nothing is more discouraging that the
realization that you've missed an assignment deadline while other work is
falling behind. Try to provide time in your schedule for assignments. If
you're still falling behind, take another close look at you schedule and
make adjustments.
- Finally, learn to type quickly, and to develop computer skills. They
are essential skills to learn in order to be marketable for future jobs.
In addition, a computer enables you to improve each draft of your assignments
and to submit a better finished product.


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