Get the latest in advice and commentary regarding how best to prepare for standardized tests from the learning experts at Brainscape!
Have you struggled with the transition from mastering high school classes to succeeding in college or graduate level courses? There is a difference in what you are expected to learn and how you are tested of your knowledge once you enter college, and many students fail to adapt to these changes, thus failing to succeed in their classes. This can be helped though if you understand how some of your underlying beliefs about learning and studying are wrong. (more…)
We’ve told you to take a break, we’ve told you why taking a break can improve your concentration, we’ve told you how to take a study break, and we’ve told you to go on vacation, all to help you study more effectively. But, it turns out, taking a break (an active break), can help improve your health and add back 7 years to your life worth living. Why is this true? It turns out, sitting is bad for you.
Yes, for all you students and office workers who spend the majority of your days sitting at the computer, sitting is killing you.
Take a look at this inforgraphic posted on Lifehacker to see just how detrimental sitting is to your health. And click on any of the above links for tips on how to take a break. (more…)
No matter which guide you consult or which article you read on effective and healthy studying, every single one will include the words ‘eat healthy‘ and ‘drink enough’ (in some variation or other). As our bodies, especially our brains, need nutrition to function to the best of their abilities, this is probably the most important piece of advice to follow. But while we may keep this information at the back of our minds, we do not necessarily know what the ‘right’ food might be. Or we do know, but may not find the time to prepare a full and healthy meal.
No more! Once the big test approaches, stock up on what you may need (and want!) to eat; look up and print out recipes that might come in handy; why not prepare a meal beforehand that you can warm up later? That still leaves the big question: What is the right kind of food to eat? Startcooking.com put together this list that might give you a few ideas and might even surprise you. Give it a try and let us know: What is your favorite food for thought? Any quick-to-make but tasty recipes to recommend? (more…)
Discussion about the use and fairness of standardized tests has been running rampant for years, with both opponents and proponents loudly making their opinions known. Across the country, more and more universities and colleges are changing their admission process to be test-optional. One of these schools is Wake Forest University, where Joseph Soares is a sociology professor. As an outspoken opponent of standardized tests he has written a book on the subject and claims the SATs are “fundamentally discriminatory”. SAT Wars outlines how the composition of questions as well as the participants’ means to prepare for the SATs discriminate against minorities and women. Through research conducted over many years, Soares has been able to show that a student’s success at high school is a much better indicator for success at college than any test. An article written for New York Times Blog The Choice outlines his theories and standpoint. Let us know in the comments: Do you agree with Joseph Soares? Should standardized tests really be abolished in favor of a new and fairer system?
Effective study habits are essential for achieving and maintaining a high GPA. More importantly, effective study habits help you to store information in long-term memory, allowing you to use the learned information in a novel setting. Applying the following rules for studying will aid you in earning excellent marks in school. Below are 8 Dos and 6 Don’ts from the no-longer active foreda.com that will get you well on your way to effective studying:
I had always thought of myself as a morning person. When I got to college, I made sure to schedule all my classes to start as early as possible and to finish by about 3 in the afternoon. Therefore, I was quite irate when my schedule this semester worked out so that none of my classes started until 2:40 at the earliest! How was I going to get through the evening classes when I was sure I’d be exhausted by then?
More importantly, would my brain be less effective at absorbing the class’s information in the evening as opposed to the morning?
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No one wants to put on the Freshman Fifteen and no one wants to pull all-nighters studying, but, unfortunately, these two go hand-in-hand in college. Late night studying lends itself to unhealthy options from vending machines and pizza delivery.
The unhealthy temptations continue into the next day too; when you’re exhausted from staying up your body will crave carbohydrates to help you sleep. You can do something about this.
Below you can read a list of 11 tips for healthier eating while staying up late to study put together by SUNY at Buffalo for its students. (more…)
When I was in middle school, I was never allowed to go to study groups, the single reason being that my parents thought that I would not actually be able to get any studying accomplished. I found this to be true when during high school, my friends would invite me to study groups and instead of studying, we would procrastinate even more.
However, upon entering college, I have found that changing the way I study in study groups has not only led me to learn more, but there has also been a significant increase (as far as I can tell) in my grades as compared to when I study by myself. Why is this? (more…)
There was an interesting article published in the Wall Street Journal yesterday discussing the best ways to prepare for tests. The author interviewed students preparing for standardized tests (like the SAT), but I think the advice and tips given apply to any test you have to study for. (more…)
It seems that most American high school students could do with a good vocabulary lesson these days. Critical reading scores on the SAT taken last year fell to a record low as reported by the Associate Press last week. While it is true that there are more students taking the SAT than ever, and the more that take it the more the average slips down and down, it doesn’t have to be this way.
If there are more students taking the SAT than ever, then more students should be preparing for the verbal section by simply learning more words. This is where drill and practice proves its usefulness once again. Take a look at our vocab learning tips and download our SAT vocab app (or study online) to make sure you can be more than a statistic.
