Archive for the ‘Skill building’ Category

Guest Post: 5 Strategies for Getting Sleep Before Test Day

Monday, March 26th, 2012

While the best way to succeed on the SAT is to study, studying is only useful if you are able to focus on the questions on test day. But often students show up groggy and unfocused, because they failed to get sleep the night before.  Research has shown that students have better recall for test answers when they take the test in the same mental state they studied and since most people have had a full night’s sleep before they study for the SATs, getting sleep before the test is important. Sleep withdrawal also causes:

  • Trouble focusing
  • Anxiety symptoms
  • Stomach discomfort
  • Eye aches
  • Frustration and irritability

It’s not a pleasant way to take the test, and it can badly hurt your overall score. All of that effort you spent studying can be wasted if you don’t get a good amount of sleep.

Laughter is one of the best ways to loosen up when you're stressed about test day.

 

How to Get Sleep With Anxiety

Test anxiety is one of one of the most common reasons that students can’t sleep before test day. If you are experiencing test anxiety, try these sleep-improving strategies.

  • Stop Studying and Go to Bed Early

You’ve studied for the SAT for months. There is little you are going to learn in an hour the day before the test. Give your brain a rest and try to go to bed early so that you can get as much sleep as possible before the big day.

  • Write Down Your Worries/Thoughts

Your brain tries to keep you awake to help you remember your thoughts and worries. Keeping a journal by your bed to write down your thoughts can help with that problem, as it tells your brain they’re right next to you in a permanent place.

  • Laugh

Laughter is one of the best ways to loosen up when you’re stressed about test day. It’s too easy to put a lot of pressure and attention on the next day, and forget to enjoy the present. Find something that always makes you laugh and watch/do it the night before you go to bed.

  • Relaxation Techniques

There are ample relaxation exercises that you can try until you find one that works for you. Look at deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. Both of these are easy to do before you go in for the test.

  • Positive Thoughts/Affirmations

Few high school students enjoy the idea of doing affirmations, but they are surprisingly effective, because they force your mind to focus on positive things instead of dwell on negative things. Consider affirmations as a way to help yourself remain positive about the test.

Preparing for Test Day With Sleep

Most students deal with some level of anxiety before test day. But you don’t want that anxiety keeping you awake and causing you to take the test sleep deprived and nervous. Sleep is a natural anxiety treatment, and if you are able to get a full night’s sleep – by using the tips above and trying to calm your mind and body – you’ll do much better on the test and give yourself a better opportunity to succeed.

About the Author: Ryan Rivera often let his anxiety keep him from getting a good night’s rest. That’s why he tries to help other students learn more about anxiety at www.calmclinic.com.

 

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How To Overcome Writer’s Block

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

All students have problems with writer’s block at some point in their academic careers. There are innumerable causes, ranging from anxiety to lack of sleep to fear of not writing well. Fortunately there are strategies to help get back on track.

Get your pencil moving

The most difficult part of writing is the start. The worst thing to do is stare at the blank paper and do nothing. It is better to write a mediocre sentence than nothing at all, so turn your critical brain off when starting and get ideas down on the paper. There is always time to edit later.

Outline

Start by listing general ideas related to your topic. This short “brain purge” is meant to get all ideas on the page without being too critical or selective. Once you have a collection of content to work with, start marking up the page by circling, highlighting, and crossing out words. The goal of this is to draw draw parallels between ideas and brainstorm more specific examples. These details will be the essence of your writing.

Think out loud

For novice and expert writers alike, one of the most challenging aspects of writing is the process of  transferring thoughts to page. Record yourself speaking your thoughts, then play back the recording to find key themes.

Write don’t type

A cold, ominous computer screen can hinder your creativity.  Switch to pen and paper for a while and physically write out your ideas.

Get inspired

Take a break and read other material to get inspired. Read blogs, magazines, newspapers, or other enjoyable sources, and let your mind run free until you have gathered new ideas.

Sleep on it

Students often get stuck on an assignment because they are too tired to stay focused. If you find yourself in this situation, go to sleep and wake up early to write. Sleeping recharges the mind and elucidates previously confusing subject matter.

Mix it up

Prevent boredom by switching between multiple assignments. For example, if you are working on three assignments, devote one hour per day to each, rather than trying to complete them individually. This will prevent burnout and allow for your creative ideas to spill over to other projects.

 

Blake Hudelson is an instructor and tutor for Revolution Prep. Blake attended Cal Poly –SLO as an undergrad and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Architecture at California College of the Arts.

 

About Revolution Prep: Revolution Prep offers ACT and SAT test prep group courses,  a hybrid course which includes test prep tutoring,  SAT / ACT software, ACT / SAT test prep tutoring and academic tutoring for finals, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, and more.  Revolution was named one of the fastest growing private companies nationwide on the 2010 Inc. 5000 list and was also recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the fastest growing private companies in Los Angeles.

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How To Be An Active Reader

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

One misconception commonly held by students is that reading is a passive activity. Unfortunately, passing your eyes over words on a page does not automatically store the material in your brain. You have to work for it – coax the information into your memory by asking questions and taking notes. These strategies fall into one general method called active reading. In short, it means that you do something while you read to help yourself remember. The more you involve your senses while you read, the more active you are and the more information you will retain.

Highlight

There are many ways to read actively. The simplest way is to highlight or underline important information as you read. Highlighting should only be reserved for parts of the text that should be reviewed in the future and not information that is already known. You want to be able to refer to the text later and highlighting is your best tool for this.

Write As You Read

Another common method of active reading is to take notes while reading, ideally in a notebook designated for reading notes only. Some students shy away from this strategy, thinking it is too time intensive; however, time is saved in the end because the material only has to be read once if read correctly the first time. If you write while the material is fresh in your mind, you have a helpful written record to review for tests and writing assignments. Be sure to write down page numbers with your notes to help you quickly locate key bits of information.

Don’t Get Bogged Down!

If you find yourself getting bogged down on text that is difficult to comprehend, write down the nature of the problem and move on. You can come back to it later if you have time. This strategy is particularly crucial to employ when taking timed tests such as the SAT or ACT where losing just one minute can be costly.

Keep Track of Details

Many successful students employ a hybrid of techniques that include highlighting, note-taking in a separate binder, and summarizing after pauses in the text. To ensure your success, you must develop a system that lets you quickly locate certain types of details. Writing key words in the margin of the page is one strategy. If studying from a library book, use Post-It notes to record details.

In summary, to read more effectively, identify what you want to learn from the material and use  active reading strategies to help you. It takes practice to develop your reading skills. The more you use these strategies, the more successful you will become.

Blake Hudelson is an instructor and tutor for Revolution Prep. Blake attended Cal Poly –SLO as an undergrad and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Architecture at California College of the Arts.

About Revolution Prep: Revolution Prep offers ACT and SAT test prep group courses,  a hybrid course which includes test prep tutoring,  SAT / ACT software, ACT / SAT test prep tutoring and academic tutoring for finals, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, and more.  Revolution was named one of the fastest growing private companies nationwide on the 2010 Inc. 5000 list and was also recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the fastest growing private companies in Los Angeles.

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8 Strategies for Reading Difficult Material

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

We have all had to read painfully challenging material. Whether you are reading a short article on avant-garde scientific methods or a tome on medieval literature, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately there are strategies that make it easier to comprehend complicated reading material.

Scan

Before reading the material, it is necessary to learn some general information on the subject at hand. This can be done by looking for headings and subtitles or diagrams, graphs, or charts inside the passage. This information will not be a comprehensive guide to the material, but it will provide background information and help you warm up to the dense material.

Repeat

For shorter reading assignments, try reading the material once and then sleep on it. The second re-read will yield new discoveries that were skipped on the first pass.

Summarize

While reading, it is important to monitor your level of comprehension. Periodically stop and ask yourself, “what have I learned?” Pause after reading each paragraph and identify the main idea before moving on to the next. Highlight, underline, and make notes in the margins as you read. This will keep you focused and will help if you need to revisit key concepts in the future.

Use Other Senses

Comprehension can be improved by using senses other than visual while reading. One way is to read aloud or listen to recordings of the text to engage your auditory senses.

Get Active

Work with a classmate and take turns summarizing chapters of text. Make it fun by teaching each other the more difficult concepts and relating the material to personal experiences.

Review

If reading from a textbook, answer the review questions at the end of each chapter. If questions are not available create your own by converting the chapter or section headings into questions.

Look Up

Write down all unfamiliar words and record their definitions. If reading from a textbook, consult the glossary for technical definitions. Use a dictionary to look up non-technical words. Bookmark the glossary pages for quick access in the future.

Extra Help

Seek out additional resources to help understand the reading material. These resources could include introductory textbooks, study guides, or online blogs. Solicit the help of tutors, classmates, or professors if you are really struggling to understand the material.

Blake Hudelson is an instructor and tutor for Revolution Prep. Blake attended Cal Poly –SLO as an undergrad and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Architecture at California College of the Arts.

About Revolution Prep: Revolution Prep offers ACT and SAT test prep group courses,  a hybrid course which includes test prep tutoring,  SAT / ACT software, ACT / SAT test prep tutoring and academic tutoring for finals, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, and more.  Revolution was named one of the fastest growing private companies nationwide on the 2010 Inc. 5000 list and was also recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the fastest growing private companies in Los Angeles.

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Does Delaying Gratification Lead to Better Grades?

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Growing up in our culture today means having to deal with innumerable distractions.  We live in a society where we want everything and we want it now. This attitude is learned from a young age and it is difficult to change as we grow older.

Delayed gratification, or the ability to pass up short-term gains for long-term rewards, has a direct impact on our success in school and work. The earlier you learn this skill the better off you will be. If you find it difficult to turn off your urge for immediate gratification, don’t fret, it is never too late to learn. Here are some tips that can help you.

Prioritize

Try to develop a set of clear priorities for yourself, such as school comes before entertainment, family before friends, etc. If you know your priorities, it is much easier to work hard and resist the easy route.

Know Your Values

In order to be able to delay immediate gratification you need to know what is important to you. What do you value most? Discipline? Hard work? Reliability?

Create a Plan

Having a plan of how to achieve your long-term goals makes it easier to resists the urge of immediate satisfaction. In your plan, be as detailed as possible about your expected outcomes and what you need to do to get there.  Do not try to accomplish everything at once.  Start by breaking up your long-term goals into bite-size pieces. What do you need to accomplish today, this week, this month? Consistent completion of short-term tasks is the key to long-term success.

Practice

Studies show that self-control skills in students are deeply rooted but are also malleable. Those who want to improve their ability to delay gratification do so by practice every day.

Write it Down

Say you find yourself working diligently on your homework and you remember that you need to send an email to a friend. Are you the type who would drop everything and write the email, or are you the type who would make a note to send the email later and continue finishing your homework? Wherever you fit in, try to strive for the habit of the latter. This habit of staying on task and writing to-do lists is important and will help you complete work faster, providing more time for fun later.

Have Fun

It is difficult to focus on long-term goals if you do not experience rewards. Make sure to reward yourself after an arduous week at school. The more often you practice delayed gratification, the sweeter the gratification becomes later and the more possibilities unfold in your life. Delayed gratification brings the realization of bigger dreams, but it requires discipline. If you were not born with these traits, work to develop them through practice and persistence.

Blake Hudelson is an instructor and tutor for Revolution Prep. Blake attended Cal Poly –SLO as an undergrad and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Architecture at California College of the Arts.

About Revolution Prep: Revolution Prep offers ACT and SAT test prep group courses,  a hybrid course which includes test prep tutoring,  SAT / ACT software, ACT / SAT test prep tutoring and academic tutoring for finals, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, and more.  Revolution was named one of the fastest growing private companies nationwide on the 2010 Inc. 5000 list and was also recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the fastest growing private companies in Los Angeles.

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Finding Your Learning Style

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

Students often discover certain methods of learning that work best for them. These learning styles can include verbal, visual, tactile, logical, social, or solitary.  It is also possible for students to respond well to a combination of styles or develop some of their own.  As you read, think about where you fit in and why identifying these methods could be helpful to your overall learning style.       

Verbal

Verbal learners think in words rather than pictures. They successfully retain information presented in lectures and audio recordings, and their skills include speaking, writing, and debating. Possible career interests include journalism, teaching, law, politics, and linguistics.

Visual

Visual learners tend to think in pictures and need to create vivid mental images to retain information. These learners frequently draw pictures and diagrams when trying to comprehend a subject. Their skills include sketching, painting, constructing, and interpreting visual images. Possible career interests include engineering, art, architecture, and mechanics.

Tactile

Tactile, or kinesthetic learners, retain information through hands-on participation. These learners express themselves through movement and their skills include dancing, sports, and building. Possible career paths include acting, teaching, and firefighting.

Logical/Mathematical

Those who excel at math and possess strong reasoning skills are usually logical learners. These learners are perpetually curious about the world, enjoy performing experiments, and ask a lot of questions. Scientists, engineers, computer programmers, and accountants often associate themselves with this learning style.

Social

Most social learners have superior written and verbal communication skills. They often have an uncanny ability to sense feelings, intentions, and motivations. Their skills include listening, counseling, facilitating teamwork, communicating both verbally and non-verbally, and peaceful conflict resolution. Possible career paths include sales, counseling, politics, and business.

Solitary

Solitary learners prefer to work alone and excel at pragmatic reasoning. However, since solitary learners prefer to work alone, it is possible for them to waste time on difficult problems before seeking assistance. Possible career paths include philosophy, theory, and writing.

To get the most out of your time studying, it is helpful to identify your personal learning style. Knowing this will help when signing up for classes and preparing for exams. Moreover, it is vital to be familiar with your learning style when making life decisions such as selecting a college major or future career.

Blake Hudelson is an instructor and tutor for Revolution Prep. Blake attended Cal Poly –SLO as an undergrad and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Architecture at California College of the Arts.

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Educating the Next Generation of Voters

Friday, May 20th, 2011

Results from a recent national exam show that roughly one-quarter of high school seniors are “proficient” in civics knowledge and skills.  Exams were given to students completing 4th, 8th and 12th grades.  The national civics exam was first given in 1998 and was administered again in 2006.  In 2010, the 4th grade scores have gone up slightly (now at 27%), the 8th grade scores have remained constant (at 22%), and the 12th grade scores have dipped slightly (now at 24%) since the exam was last given in 2006.   Scores for Hispanic students rose in the last four years.  You can read about the details of this “civics report card” in this Education Week article. 

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner has expressed concern over the lack of civics knowledge displayed by students in our country – blaming the narrowing of the curriculum that took place when No Child Left Behind (which emphasizes reading and math) was implemented.  “Barely one-third of Americans can even name the three branches of government, much less say what they do,” the AP quotes O’Connor as saying at a recent conference. “Less than one-fifth of high school seniors can explain how civic participation benefits our government. Less than that can say what the Declaration of Independence is, and it’s right there in the title. I’m worried.”

In addition to making room for civics instruction in our schools’ curricula, O’Conner promotes the iCivics website designed to teach civics to middle school students through the use of games.

About Revolution Prep: Revolution Prep offers ACT and SAT test prep group courses,  a hybrid course which includes test prep tutoring,  SAT / ACT software, ACT / SAT test prep tutoring and academic tutoring for finals, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, and more.  Revolution was named one of the fastest growing private companies nationwide on the 2010 Inc. 5000 list and was also recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the fastest growing private companies in Los Angeles.

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Service-Learning

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

Benefits of Service-Learning

We are all familiar with the concept of volunteering. You have probably planted trees or picked up trash in your community as a volunteer for a day. But are you familiar with service-learning? In short, it is a “learn by doing” experience where students complete projects to help communities. Those receiving the service receive much needed help while those performing the service gain real-world experience and a deeper understanding of societal issues. If you are unfamiliar with service learning or are unsure if it is right for you, here are some reasons to give it a try.

There is a Chinese proverb that goes: “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand”. Service learning provides innumerable opportunities to explore your interests and help you grow as an individual, all by doing hands-on work. For example, students interested in bringing more trees into their community would not only organize the planting of trees, but also create a long-term plan to green the entire community. This is when volunteering becomes service-learning.

Service-learning forces you to work with new people, which can lead to new partnerships, job opportunities, etc.  These experiences also look great on a resume, demonstrating initiative, leadership skills, and ability to work hard.

For those interested in traveling, international service-learning projects are a great option. Students learn about new cultures, languages, and traditions through collaboration, and get a more well-rounded education than those who stay in the classroom.

Reflection

A major component of service-learning is reflection. Reflection time, whether it is keeping a journal or discussing your experiences with fellow students, is what distinguishes service-learning from community service.  Examples include:

Artistic Expression: Drawing, music, and theater are fun and useful outlets for reflection.

Reading and Writing: Reading a breadth of material with differing viewpoints on your area of focus will provide a solid foundation for journaling.

Journaling: Writing about your observations and how they relate to issues such as communication, privilege, and conflict is a helpful way to make conclusions and move forward in your studies.

Studies show that altruism is one of the largest contributors to overall happiness levels in people. If you have any interest in gaining life experience, helping others, and getting academic credit, get involved in a service-learning program soon!

Blake is an instructor and tutor for Revolution Prep. Blake attended Cal Poly –SLO as an undergrad and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Architecture at California College of the Arts.

About Revolution Prep: Revolution Prep offers ACT and SAT test prep group courses,  a hybrid course which includes test prep tutoring,  SAT / ACT software, ACT / SAT test prep tutoring and academic tutoring for finals, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, and more.  Revolution was named one of the fastest growing private companies nationwide on the 2010 Inc. 5000 list and was also recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the fastest growing private companies in Los Angeles.

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Last Day of Office Hours

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Today marks the final day of the May round of Revolution Prep’s Office Hours. Join us on the Revolution Prep Facebook page from 4-8pm PST and get your last SAT questions answered by a live instructor.

Our expert instructors are happy to help you with any questions that come up while you prep for the SAT. Simply log on to our Revolution Prep Facebook page, “Like” the page, and post your test prep question on our wall. An instructor will answer your questions for you right there on the page, absolutely free.

Don’t have a specific question in mind?  That’s ok – our instructors will be posting SAT and ACT questions of their own, and working through the solutions to help you prepare.

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A Student’s Guide to Debate

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Debating skills are necessary for academic success for any topic. In order to be convincing, whether it is debating the merits of a shorter work day or the impact of school uniforms, students must understand the basic components of logic and effective communication. The following guidelines highlight the essential elements of orally arguing a point (and winning). (more…)

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