Study Prof

Double-click any word for the dictionary reference. Check back every day for more words.

abstract
adjacent
alimentary
anachronism
anvil
archaic
astral
awful
beguile
billow (more…)

School approacheth, and that right soon! Time to get organized and aggressive. Don’t make the mistake sooo many students make and wait until three weeks into the semester to get started. Here are some things every student should do (this means YOU)…

1. Get cracking. Mom ain’t looking over your shoulder (for most of us at least). Take responsibility for your studies. Be proactive. Make a todo list. Get a calendar. GET IT DONE before crunch time.
2. Get organized. Have a file for every class. That file should have space to take notes and pockets for collecting handouts. As soon as (more…)

Lifehacker.com has put together a very straightforward guide to taking superior notes using the Cornell Method.

How far in advance should I start studying for a test?

You should be studying for the test at the beginning of the semester.  Every time you read a text or take notes in class, be thinking, “how will this look on the test?”.  Here’s what an optimal study schedule will look like. Study those notes…

• After each class, study the notes for that class within fifteen minutes of walking out the door, maybe while walking (more…)

To become an excellent turnip you simply sit around and wait for someone to dump manure on you and water you from time to time. That makes for a great vegetable, but not a great student. So why do most students sit in class and wait for knowledge to be dumped on them?

To become an excellent hawk you roam far and wide with your eyes peeled for anything that looks tasty. When you see it, you dive on it, kill it, and take it home to the kids. That’s also–figuratively speaking–how to make a great scholar.

During a lecture or while reading a text, you are cruising, eyes peeled, looking for any little tasty bit of learning you can find. Once you see it, go and get it! Own it! Kick it’s hiney and eat it for dinner. Here’s how…

1. Pay rapt attention. Birds of prey are properly known as raptors, from the Latin word meaning “one who seizes by force.” As you sit in that lecture hall or hunker down with your Ramen and that three-inch thick, hernia-inducing textbook, actively look for facts and concepts.Some textbooks and professors will make it easy for you. They’ll put main points in bold letters, or point to a key concept and say, “this will be on the test.” This makes your job easy; pounce on the point.Other lecturers and books will camouflage important points in a thicket of words, unimportant drivel, and poorly-told anecdotes. Only the most attentive raptors will spy their prey and swoop down for the kill.
2. Pounce on the point. That means go grab it and make it yours by putting it in your notes using some of the note taking methods I’ve mentioned. Notes are the equivalent of talons for the raptor. The prey is not yours until you’ve got a death grip on it. If it’s in your notes, then it’s yours. You can eat it later at your leisure.
3. Rip it apart and consume it. Don’t be content to simply get the concept into your notes. You must really understand it. One great way to do that is by asking great questions and then answering them. Please log in or sign up to read the rest of this content. Find out more.

Actively go and pursue knowledge by paying careful attention, capturing concepts in your notes, and then processing the knowledge with good questions. Don’t settle for being a vegetable waiting for the next load of manure. Be a hawk! Go own that knowledge!

Double-click any word for the dictionary reference. Check back every day for more words.

abstinence
adherent
alienate
amulet
antler
archaeology
astigmatism
awe
begrudge
bilk (more…)

Whether you’re stuck in the Outback and want to finally get that masters degree or you just want to snap up a few college credits from the comfort of your own potato-chip-covered couch, distance learning is easier and more acceptable than ever. For all things distance learning check out the Business Exchange’s distance learning topic thread.

Smiling at the right time can actually improve your grades!  So brush those choppers and start grinning. Here’s how …

1. Come to class a few minutes early to avoid being part of the herd.
2. Make eye contact with your professor as you walk in.
3. Smile warmly (Hint: imagine s/he’s your long lost cousin.  If you don’t like your cousin, imagine it’s your long lost cousin being attacked by rabid ocelots.) (more…)

In the past, I’ve talked about exactly when to study for each class you’re taking. Follow that schedule and you will spend less time to get better grades!

But don’t make the mistake of blindly following anyone’s schedules or methods (mine included). It’s all about strategery, people.

Not all classes are created equal.  Some classes you can cut that schedule in half and still get an A.  In other classes, you may have to double up. Treat your schedule like a strategy game; carefully decide where you will get the most payoff and act accordingly.

Example; I took a class in (more…)

Recently got this email from one of my GRE students…

Cody,

I just wanted to let you know that I took a GRE test today and I got an 1170 (150 points higher than ever before).  Even though I have to admit that due to time constraints, I was unable to study [any more after your class], I can say with a great deal of certainty that I was able to improve because you taught us such helpful test taking techniques for the GRE.  All credit is due to your help and God’s grace.  Thanks again for such a great course.

Thanks,
John N

I tutor people all over the world via special computer software. If you need help, shoot me an email at blair (at) studyprof  (dot) com.