Study Prof

I've been using EverNote for several months now, and I really love it.  In my opinion, the free version of EverNote is much better than many of the expensive note taking applications that are out there.  This would be perfect for taking notes in class on a laptop.  The pay version will let you include drawings and diagrams as well as typed notes.  Give it a try.

I love this site.  You can make your own flashcard sets or use those created by others.  The site will quiz you repeatedly showing you the items you miss.  It even creates games from your sets!

Long Definition:

ob·vi·ate      /??bvi?e?t/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[ob-vee-eyt] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation

–verb (used with object), -at·ed, -at·ing.

to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary: to obviate the risk of serious injury.

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[Origin: 1590–1600; < L obvi?tus, ptp. of obvi?re to act contrary to, deriv. of obvius; see obvious, -ate¹]

—Related forms

ob·vi·a·ble      /??bvi?b?l/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[ob-vee-uh-buhl] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation, adjective

ob·vi·a·tion, noun

ob·vi·a·tor, noun

—Synonyms preclude, avert, anticipate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Short Definition: Make unnecessary

Sentences:

• Bringing along Benson, with his long legs, obviated the need for a step ladder.
• Studying a little each day obviated the need for an all-night cram session the night before the exam.
• Using spell check on the computer doesn't obviate the need for effective proof reading.

Mnemonic:
Opera > V > ate > make unnecessary: I went to the opera last night but the opera singers kept coming down off the stage and showing me the "V" for victory symbol with their fingers.  I finally got mad and ate the fingers of the next person who did this, and I got up and walked out.  I thought I might get something to eat but since I had already eaten the two fingers it made dinner unnecessary.  [NOTE: This isn't the greatest mnemonic, but I think it would work pretty well for me.  Can you devise a better one?  I'd love to hear what you come up with.]

This site gives a nice summary of an excellent test taking strategy summed up by the acrostic DETER.  In brief…
D = Directions … make sure you understand the test directions before beginning
E = Examine … thoroughly examine the entire test to determine where to best spend your …
T = Time … decide how much time to devote to each section
E = Easiest … do the easiest questions first BUT (and this isn't mentioned at the site, you must take into account how much the different sections are worth.  Spend your time where you will get the most payoff for your effort!)
R = Review … use time left over when you finish the exam to go back and review your responses to eliminate errors and polish up your responses.

You better live your best and act your best and think your best today, for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow. –Harriet Martineau (1802 – 1876)

Here is a nice list of procrastination solutions from Oregon State University.  Post the list up next to your study area and pick one when ever your having trouble getting started.  I personally prefer the "self-bribery" and "ten-minute rule" items.  What about you?  And you'll notice I didn't make a single lame joke about procrastinating too much to do this post.  I'm always lookin' out for you.

Long Definition:

dis·pa·rate (d?s’p?r-?t, d?-sp?r’?t) Pronunciation Key
adj.

1. Fundamentally distinct or different in kind; entirely dissimilar: “This mixture of apparently disparate materials—scandal and spiritualism, current events and eternal recurrences—is not promising on the face of it” (Gary Wills).
2. Containing or composed of dissimilar or opposing elements: a disparate group of people who represented a cross section of the city.

[Latin dispar?tus, past participle of dispar?re, to separate : dis-, apart; see dis- + par?re, to prepare; see per?-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

dis’pa·rate·ly adv., dis’pa·rate·ness n.
(Download Now or Buy the Book) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Short Definition: Differing

Sentences:
His disparate attempts to ace the GRE–he tried everything from good luck charms to memorizing prep books–finally resulted in an excellent score.
People as disparate as Joseph Stalin and Mother Theresa are members of the human race.

Mnemonic:
Dizzy>parrot>de-furring; A parrot is whirling round and round on his perch until he’s so dizzy he throws up. He then flies down and picks up an electric shaver and begins de-furring a big black dog lying below his perch. Black fur flies everywhere, and the dizzy parrot makes a complete mess of it, as he screeches, “AAwwk, de-furring!!!”

According to a Yale University study, along with many others, the GRE completely fails to predict graduate school performance.  Take a look…

This site has SAT/GRE vocabulary flashcards, quizzes, and games.  Check it out.

Head on over to the Paradigm site for assistance with all things written, including basic punctuation, essay types, sentence does and don'ts, and much more.  It's a well-organized and user friendly site.  Enjoy!