“Many of us grow up thinking of mistakes as bad, viewing errors as evidence of fundamental incapacity. This negative thinking pattern can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, which undermines the learning process. To maximize our learning it is essential to ask: "How can we get the most from every mistake we make?" “Keep a definite goal of achievement constantly in view. Realize that work well and worthily done makes life truly worth living.” -Forbes Magazine “People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.” - Harvey Mackay By: Miss Nicolle Thompson & Miss Allison Pay

Studying in a bedroom or in bed are not recommended Studying in a bedroom or in bed are not recommended Try studying with light music in the background that is not distracting (exp. Instrumental). Try studying with light music in the background that is not distracting (exp. Instrumental). Keep organized notes Keep organized notes Establish a routine Establish a routine Choose a place to study which is comfortable, has good lighting, and minimal distractions Choose a place to study which is comfortable, has good lighting, and minimal distractions TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Review your notes daily Review your notes daily Do not procrastinate Do not procrastinate Re-phrase and Explain: Read something and put it into your own words. Next, try to explain it to a friend who is not familiar with the content Re-phrase and Explain: Read something and put it into your own words. Next, try to explain it to a friend who is not familiar with the content Eliminate previous mistakes: Take note of all previous mistakes and make every effort to eliminate them from future practices. Review old mistakes and note why they are incorrect Eliminate previous mistakes: Take note of all previous mistakes and make every effort to eliminate them from future practices. Review old mistakes and note why they are incorrect

Prioritize: Some concepts are more important than others. Spend more time on concepts which are most important. Prioritize: Some concepts are more important than others. Spend more time on concepts which are most important. Practice: If you have difficultly with something, make sure you go over it repeatedly. Practice makes perfect! Practice: If you have difficultly with something, make sure you go over it repeatedly. Practice makes perfect! Imagery: Visualize the material Imagery: Visualize the material Mechanical memory aids: Use acronyms or sayings to remember concepts Mechanical memory aids: Use acronyms or sayings to remember concepts

Before reading Preview text by looking at the title, headings, sub-headings, pictures, graphs, charts, etc for clues as to what the material will be about Preview text by looking at the title, headings, sub-headings, pictures, graphs, charts, etc for clues as to what the material will be about

DURING READING Relate material to your prior knowledge: what do you already know about this topic? Relate material to your prior knowledge: what do you already know about this topic? Formulate a question and try to answer it Formulate a question and try to answer it Note that all underlined, bold, and italicized words are important Note that all underlined, bold, and italicized words are important Re-read parts of the text which are not clear Re-read parts of the text which are not clear Take notes on important concepts Take notes on important concepts

AFTER READING Read questions at the end of the chapter and try to answer them Read questions at the end of the chapter and try to answer them Go back and find the answer within the text Go back and find the answer within the text Stop and think about what you read: summarize it in your own words Stop and think about what you read: summarize it in your own words Review your notes Review your notes

TO REDUCE TEST ANXIETY –Maintain a positive attitude as you study. Think about doing well, not failing –Go into the test well rested and well fed. Get enough sleep the night before the test. Eat a light and nutritious meal before the test. Stay away from junk foods. –Stay relaxed during the test. Taking slow, deep breaths can help. –Stay relaxed during the test. Taking slow, deep breaths can help.

To reduce test anxiety (cont’d) Have a plan of attack: Have a plan of attack: –Figure out how much time you have, and assign each section a time limit. This will keep you focused and on-track. –First, answer what you know, then go back and look at the rest. –If you are unsure of an answer, look around the rest of the test for clues (there is usually helpful hints in other parts of the test). Don’t worry about other students finishing the test before you do. Take the time that you need to do your best. Don’t worry about other students finishing the test before you do. Take the time that you need to do your best. Once you finish the test and hand it in, forget about it temporarily. There is nothing you can do until the graded test is returned to you. Once you finish the test and hand it in, forget about it temporarily. There is nothing you can do until the graded test is returned to you.

Common direction words Most essay test items are not presented in the form of a question. Instead, they are often presented as a statement that includes a direction word. The direction word tells you what you should do when you write your answer to the item. Most essay test items are not presented in the form of a question. Instead, they are often presented as a statement that includes a direction word. The direction word tells you what you should do when you write your answer to the item. Analyze - Analyze tells you to break something down into its parts and show how the parts relate to each other to make the whole. Analyze - Analyze tells you to break something down into its parts and show how the parts relate to each other to make the whole. Compare - Compare tells you to show how two or more things are BOTH similar and different. Compare - Compare tells you to show how two or more things are BOTH similar and different. Contrast – Contrast tells you to show how two or more things are different. Contrast – Contrast tells you to show how two or more things are different. Define – Define tells you to explain the meaning of something in a brief, specific manner. Define – Define tells you to explain the meaning of something in a brief, specific manner. Describe – Describe tells you to present a full and detailed picture of something in words to include important characteristics and qualities. Describe – Describe tells you to present a full and detailed picture of something in words to include important characteristics and qualities.

Direction words (continued) Diagram – Diagram tells you to illustrate something by drawing a picture of it and labeling its parts. Diagram – Diagram tells you to illustrate something by drawing a picture of it and labeling its parts. Evaluate – Evaluate tells you to present both the positive and negative characteristics of something. Evaluate – Evaluate tells you to present both the positive and negative characteristics of something. Explain – Explain tells you to provide facts and reasons to make something clear and understandable. Explain – Explain tells you to provide facts and reasons to make something clear and understandable. Justify – Justify tells you to provide reasons and facts in support of something. Justify – Justify tells you to provide reasons and facts in support of something. List – List tells you to present information about something as a series of brief numbered points. List – List tells you to present information about something as a series of brief numbered points. Outline – Outline tells you to present the most important information about something in a carefully organized manner. Outline – Outline tells you to present the most important information about something in a carefully organized manner. Summarize – Summarize tells you to present the main points about something in a brief form. Summarize – Summarize tells you to present the main points about something in a brief form.