TEST PREPARATION

• Preparation for your first test should begin after the first day of class; this includes studying, completing homework assignments and reviewing study materials on a regular basis.

• Budget your time, make sure you have sufficient time to study so that you are well prepared for the test.

• Go to review sessions, pay attention to hints that the instructor may give about the test. Take notes and ask questions about items you may be confused about.

• Ask the instructor to specify the areas that will be emphasized on the test.

• Make sure you go to the class right before the test; it's another prime time for the instructor to give out more hints or the format of the test.

• Go over any material from practice tests, HW's, sample problems, review material, the textbook, class notes...

• Eat before a test. Having food in your stomach will give you energy and help you focus but avoid heavy foods which can make you groggy.

• Don't try to pull an all nighters. Get at least 3 hours of sleep before the test.

• Put the main ideas/information/formulas onto a sheet that can be quickly reviewed many times, this makes it easier to retain the key concepts that will be on the test.

• Try to show up at least 5 minutes before the test will start.

• Set your alarm and have a backup alarm set as well.

• Go to the bathroom before walking into the exam room. You don't want to waste anytime worrying about your bodily needs during the test.

STUDYING FOR THE SCIENCES

by Dartmouth college

"Prescription for Success"

Knowing how to approach the material is the first step in succeeding in a science course at Dartmouth. The amount of material covered, and the speed at which it is covered, may seem overwhelming; but if you follow these guidelines, your stress level will decline as your success increases. There are three elements to succeeding in a science course: Lecture, Time Management, and Test Preparation.

I. Lecture

A. Attend every lecture.

1. Everything you need to know will be covered in the lectures.

2. Go to lectures alert and awake.

3. Write down everything you can. Anything is fair game on the exam.

4. If you miss a lecture, get notes from at least 2 people.

B. Prepare for lectures.

1. Read over the lecture outline before class. This will help you focus.

2. Skim the reading that corresponds to the lecture outline.

C. Find a "Note Buddy".

1. Photocopy and swap your notes with someone after class every day.

2. Meet once a week and teach each other the notes.

II. Time Management

A. Start early

1. Use the first 2 weeks of the term. Don't start snowballing.

2. Start studying for your next exam 2 days after your first one.

B. Set deadlines

1. Make a term calendar.

2. Set new deadlines. Have all your studying done 2 days prior to the exam. This gives you 2 days to review.

C. Find your "Bio Hour".

1. Spend an hour a day reviewing your notes; make it part of your daily routine.

a. Three 20 minute sessions throughout the day

b. 40 minutes reviewing notes, 20 minutes preparing for lectures.

III. Test Preparation

A. Condense the material.

1. Make flash cards over your notes.

2. Write out answers to your cards.

B. Reading should be supplementary.

1. Use the reading to supplement all concepts covered in class.

2. Know all the figures that relate to the lecture.

C. Apply the material.

1. As you study, think of applications of the material.

2. Use old exams as guides to applying the material.

Tip to save Money for College Books

Save Money on Buying and Selling Books
by academictips

college textbooks are expensive. You may spend a lot of each semester (that's an additional 3 to 7 percent of your annual school costs), and the bookstore wants its money now! What to do?

Some students get to campus before the semester begins to be first in line at the bookstore and grab used books at 70 to 80 percent of the original cost. But if getting to the school bookstore early isn't an option for you (or if the person in front of you takes the last used book), it doesn't mean that there isn't a used copy somewhere. It just means that it isn't in your bookstore. Write down the price of the book and look at any online booksellers, including eBay, to see if you can find it cheaper. Remember to consider the actual cost of the book, the shipping and handling costs and the length of time it will take to have it in your hands. One of the drawbacks with online buying is that you need either a credit card or a debit card. Also, you are taking a chance that the book not will arrive in time for your class.

In general, one of the cheapest ways to get books is from your classmates through campuswide e-mail, word of mouth or flyers on campus. Expect to pay 50 to 70 percent of the original cost this way. If you don't need a book right away, keep checking, because there are always students who drop a course and have books to unload.

Some large universities have several bookstores, usually with competitive prices, and there are often off-campus bookstores within walking distance that cater to students and sell used textbooks.

Still no luck? Don't give up yet! Contact the professor. Sometimes the book is not required but rather recommended or optional. Maybe the professor has assigned only a couple of chapters from the book. In any case, you may be able to check it out of the library or skim a classmate's copy. Sometimes professors put reserve copies in the library. It's not the same as having the book within reach at all times, but it will save you a lot of money. If you are really in a financial bind, talk to the professor, who may be happy to offer you a loaner book to read over the weekend.

Remember that you can get back some of the cost later by selling the books. With this in mind, take good care of them. If you plan to sell your books back to the bookstore at the end of the semester, keep receipts (even though most bookstores go by barcodes); don't write in the books; keep them away from food, animals and bad weather; and rush them back to the bookstore by the sell-back deadline. You can expect to get back 10 to 20 percent of the book's original cost. If the book isn't being used the next semester, however, you're out of luck.

As you can see, the rate you get from the bookstore isn't great. So again, some of the best sellback methods are campuswide e-mail and selling them to friends. Students begin buying books as soon as they get their lists for the next semester. You can expect to sell for at least 50 percent of the original price.

In addition, almost all the online booksellers buy books, and you can get a quote quickly. You will have to ship the books, but at least get an estimate, including shipping costs.

CHECKLIST
The costs associated with buying books are a fact of college life. But there are plenty of alternatives to annually spending $1000 to $1600 in one-stop shopping at the campus bookstore each year, but you will have to do a little research.

Buying books:

1. Check the campus intranet and bulletin boards. If you don't see what you need, advertise.
2. Buy used textbooks at the college bookstore.
3. Know the bookstore price of your books and look at online booksellers. Amazon and Barnes & Noble both sell used books, but through a third party. Determine the shipping and handling costs and expected date of arrival before you place your order.
4. Look at bookstores that are off campus.
5. Contact the professor to see if all the books on your book list are really required.
6. Ask classmates to share or borrow books.
7. See if the professor has put any books on reserve in the library. If not, request that it be done.
8. Ask the professor to borrow the loaner copy.

Selling books

1. Advertise on the campus intranet.
2. Get quotes from the online bookstores, but add in your cost of packaging and shipping before making a decision.
3. Sell books back to the college bookstore.
4. Sell books to bookstores that are off campus.

Nine Ways to Aid Your Memory

how to increase memory
by Dartmouth College


It is more natural to forget something than to remember it. If you intend to remember something, apply as many of the following techniques as possible.

1. Be flexible.

Experiment with many learning procedures. Be willing to abandon outmoded and faulty learning procedures so you will be free to acquire new and more efficient methods.

2. Overlearn.

In order to retain anything learned, you must practice and reorganize it into your current ongoing activity. One way to do this is to incorporate the learned material as part of your present habit system. Use it in speaking and writing. Act out the material as a rehearsal of a part in a play-a process known as role-playing. This is especially helpful in learning a foreign language.

3. Schedule.

Schedule your study time so that the time at which something is learned or relearned is close to the time at which it will be used.

4. Rephrase and explain.

Try a little role-playing. Take the point of view of the teacher, for a change. Rephrase and explain the material, in your own words, to a classmate. Allow your classmate to criticize your presentation. Then let the classmate be the teacher, while you criticize. If you can't explain something, you don't really know it.

Many students adopt the so-called warm-body attitude toward learning. A "warm" feeling toward one particular answer becomes the basis for its selection, regardless of whether one really knows why the answer is correct. This attitude is the result of classroom examining procedures in which true-false and multiple-choice items are used exclusively for testing. Testing in this manner encourages the attitude that mere recognition of the most probable answer constitutes learning.

Even though a particular course may not require adequate recall by using more penetrating recall-type questions, don't allow yourself to fall into this warm-body learning trap. Insist on testing yourself! If you can explain the material, most certainly you can pass any "objective" test calling for superficial recognition. However, the reverse is most certainly not true. Learning only to a point of recognition, and depending on your ability to ferret out the correct response, is insufficient for total-recall kinds of tests. Sooner or later this habit will result in total failure in a demanding test situation.

5. Eliminate accidental and unrelated associations.

A study situation in which a phone is constantly jangling produces breaks in the mental association process. Remove the receiver. The only suggestion that can be made for the elimination of television during the study period is to donate the set to a family that is not involved in higher education.

6. Eliminate previous mistakes.

Take note of all previous mistakes and make every effort to eliminate them from future practice. It has been shown experimentally that consciously reviewing mistakes, making note of exactly why they were incorrect, helps to reinforce the correct response. This process is sometimes referred to as negative practice.

7. Decide on an order of importance.

Some things are more important than others. In a particular study unit, decide what these are and organize the important material into an outline or framework. "Over-learn" this particular framework.

8. Become emotionally involved.

Assume the attitude that you fully believe the viewpoint of the author. Strive for perfection. You may never achieve it, but you will most certainly improve your performance. Learn to discuss your current beliefs calmly with people holding different attitudes.
Cite authorities to back up your position.

9. Use mechanical memory aids.

When material is complicated, it may be necessary to use mechanical memory aids. For example, suppose you had reason to believe that a certain table showing all of the endocrine glands of the body with their secretions and functions would be called for in an examination. In order to be sure that you would be able to recall all of the glands, you memorized the first letter or syllable of each gland, and organized them into three very strange words: Anpothy Paramed Adcorpan, the novelty of which aided recall.
This could be deciphered as follows:

An= anterior pituitary
Po= posterior pituitary
thy= thyroid
par= parathyroid
amed= adrenal medulla
adcor= adrenal cortex
pan= pancreas, etc.

TIME MANAGEMENT PRETEST

How Efficiently Do you Manage your Time?

Hi, all friends. Do you ever test yourself for time management? Even if you have or not, please feel free to click link below to get your calculate score.
Review your selections and get advice and comments on your responses.
Click to go now and get your result for Free.

Practical For Improving Memory

How Can I Do To Improve My Ability To Remember?
by OHIO university

Tips For Improving Memory

1. Keep up with assignments.

• You won't have to learn too much at one time.

• Make an assignment schedule for each week.
• Make daily to-do lists.
• Reward yourself for completing work.

2. Review lecture notes each day.

• Make up study questions from the key points and quiz yourself.
• Play Jeopardy.

3. Take breaks while studying.

• You won't be so tired, and you can focus better.

• Stand up after 20 minutes.
• Switch to a different subject.
• Write, draw and talk out loud.

4. Study actively.

• Pay attention to the major headings when you read.
• How many headings are there? How are they related?
• Read the chapter summary.

5. Look for the main ideas.

• The details will cluster around these ideas and be easier to remember.

6. Test yourself as you study.

• Stop and try to tell yourself what you've learned -- in your own words.

7. Keep reviewing after you feel you know the information.

• The information will be more firmly embedded in your memory.

8. Get enough sleep.

• Lack of sleep has negative effects on your ability to remember.

9. Organize information in categories and label (name) the categories.

• Your memory is a filing system -- you need organization and lab

Academic Success

1. Set individual academic and personal goals.

2. Choose courses carefully, especially during your first year.

3. Know and use resources.

4. Meet and get to know faculty.

5. Learn actively.

6. Manage your time well.

7. Know and actively use reading skills.

8. Develop strong listening and note-taking skills.

9. Develop and improve your writing and speaking skills.

10.Get involved in co-curricular activities; learn skills and

gain experience.

The Ways to Get a Summer Internship

Want to do more than hang at the local pool or scoop ice cream this summer? Then a summer internship is a great way to go! Not quite sure how to get going? Here are some tips:

1. Make a list.
Figure out what you want to do – what interests you, what do you want to learn how to do, or what do you think you want to be in 10 years? Write down a few places or lines of work that come to mind. While you’re at it, scribble down a few basic things to narrow your search – what town or area, paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, for school credit or not.

2. Research.
Look into big companies in your area; most big corporations have internship programs. Stumped? Talk to your school counselor or parents’ friends who have jobs you think are interesting

3. Get creative.
Don’t want to work in a stuffy office while your buds are hitting the beach? No problem. Look into museums, art galleries, publishing houses, nature centers, eco-research centers, whatever.

4. Hit the pavement.
Online research for big companies and orgs is a great starting point, but walk around your city or town to see if any other places spark your interest. Be bold, if something looks interesting, walk in, ask for an application, or leave your info (including a resume) with them. Don’t forget to smile!

5. Don’t give up.
So your dream workplace doesn’t have an internship program? The search isn’t over yet! Look up who you can contact in Human Resources or who the managing director of a certain department might be, and contact him! Let him know that you’re interested in interning and ask if the company has a program or a way for you to help and learn a few things.

6. Make sure you can do it!
Once you have a few places, ask yourself: Got a ride? OK’d it with your parents? Is it realistic for you to get to the internship during the summer? Make sure you can get a ride (or map out your bus/train route), and if you can walk or bike, even better! You don’t want to commit to something and have to pull out at the last minute, so cover your bases.

7. Get that resume in shape.
What’s a resume and how do you make one? Check out Do Something’s How to create a resume and 11 tips for a great resume!

8. Make contact.
If your internship has a formal application program, write out your application and apply, AND do a little digging to find out who might be getting that app. Give HR a call and ask who handles hiring. Send her a written note or an email explaining why you’d like the job and what makes you good at it. A little extra goes a long way.

9. Spread your net.
It’s tempting to put all your efforts into that dream job, but there are ton of people vying for internships, so make sure you look into at least five options and make contact with them so you have plenty of choices!

10. Snagged an interview?
It’s important to dress appropriately and remember a few simple things. Check out Do Something’s 11 ways to ace an interview and 11 Common Interview Questions!

11. Follow-up.
If you talked to someone at a company or had an interview, make sure to thank them and remind them you’re out there and would still love to intern with them.

Common Interview Questions

By rehearsing interview questions, you'll become more familiar with your own qualifications and will be well prepared to demonstrate how you can benefit an employer.
1. Tell me about yourself.
Make a short, organized statement of your education, achievements and goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications and the contributions you could make to the organization.
2. What is your greatest weakness?
Be honest but also be sure to stress that you've taking steps to correct the problem. For example, say you're a perfectionist who can get bogged down by the details, mention how you've corrected that problem. For example, you now have a list of to-do items ranked by importance.
3. What is your greatest strength?
Discuss skills and experience that make you a qualified applicant for the job. For example: I manage my time well and follow through on all my projects.
4. What motivates you?
Consider in advance what inspires you and come up with some specific examples to share.
5. Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.
Remember to give concrete examples of difficult situations you've dealt with and discuss how you resolved the conflict..
6. What interests you about this job?
Think about what was listed in the job posting and connect these to your skills. This shows the employer that you know about the job and are qualified.
7. Why are you the best person for the job?
Or they may ask you "Why should we hire you?" or " Why are you the best person for the job?" Give specific examples of why your skills and accomplishments make you the best candidate.
8. What can you do for this company?
This is why you should research the company prior to the interview. Respond by giving examples how the company would benefit from your skills, accomplishments and experience.
9. Why do you want this job?
Be sure to say what you can contribute to the company as well as how it will help you.
10. What are your goals for the next five years / ten years?
Don't discuss irrelevant goals like having a family. You want to connect your answer to the job you are applying for. For example, if the internship is in the field you intend on pursuing, say that.
11. How do you plan to achieve those goals?
Be clear and specific about what you're aiming to accomplish and how. For example, if you intend on continuing your education, interning in the field, etc., mention this!

Resume Writing Tips

Building a resume takes some effort, but with our tips, you should be able to build the perfect resume in no time.
1. Keep it short - one page.
2. Be neat; make sure that you use bullet points when necessary.
3. Be honest about your skills and work experience.
4. Be concise and use action words (developed, handled, organized, created, etc) and phrases when describing your experience.
5. Ask someone you trust to check over your resume and make sure that they really critique your work.
6. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, education, and work experience.
7. Employers understand that at you may not have extensive work experience so don’t be afraid to include volunteer experience and babysitting as experience. Emphasize the skills you learned while baby-sitting and/or volunteering, the challenges you overcame, and so on.
8. Be sure to list awards and honors you've received.
9. Don’t forget your interests and activities. Letting a potential employer know your interests will make you stick in their minds and create a character that exists beyond the sheet of paper.
10. Depending on the position, you might need to include a cover letter that states how you found out about the position, the reasons you are interested in the job, why your qualifications fit the position and why you want to work with the company.
11. Follow up by phone a few days after the employer has your resume to make sure everything is in order. Just remember, if the job posting says “No calls please,” don’t call!

How to Create a Resume

Before you rush out to find that perfect internship, you'll need to write your resume. And not just any resume, but the kind that'll separate you from all the people eager to land that dream job.
Make a heading
This should appear at the top and include your name, address, and contact phone number and email address
Objective
What you hope to get out of the experience. This will change based on the kind of job or internship you are applying for.
. Example: I’m interested in becoming a social entrepreneur and I think my skills could greatly benefit from an internship at Do Something.
Education
This information should be at the top and lists your most recent or current school. Include relevant information like GPA or class rank if you have access to these. Don’t forget graduation dates or expected date of graduation. If you are/were an honors student, say so.
Experience / Employment history
List where you worked and a sentence or two about what you did there. Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience at other non-profits or offices. Include experiences like babysitting and volunteering and a sentence about what you learned from these experiences.
Activities
Here you can list your extra-curricular activities. Include how long you have been doing this and how often you do it. For example
. NYC Schools Project (2007-Present)
Bi-weekly tutoring of immigrant students in elementary school.
Other
List awards, honors, summer experiences that add to your skills
Extras
If the internship calls for references (teachers, coaches, etc. that can vouch for your work ethic), don’t list them on the resume. Just write “References available upon request” at the bottom of the resume.
If you have computer skills, like familiarity with Microsoft Office, advanced computer programs, knowledge of HTML code, etc. list these here.
If you speak a foreign language, list it here.
Things to Remember
This is your time to brag! Don’t stretch the truth but if you are proud of your work, make sure to mention everything you did to contribute to your success!

Short and sweet: While this is your time to shine (on paper that is), say what you’d like to say as simply and directly as possible.

Keep your font simple, and not too small – Font sizes of 10 or 12 are the norm.
Avoid using charts, pictures, tables or graphs in your resume - that's just too much!

Tips for a Successful Interview

Interviewing successfully is probably the most crucial element in securing that dream internship. Here are a few tips to help you succeed:
1. Fit the part.
Your attire should be neat and professional. A button down shirt and khaki pants or skirt would work well. Avoid bright colors and heavy makeup, and take it easy on the perfume.
2. Practice!
Go over how you would respond to. Ask a friend or family member help you out.
3. Do your homework.
Research the company. The more you know about what they do, the better impression you will make on the interviewer. This will show them you're interested.
4. Be prepared.
Know exactly what skills and experience you have that would benefit the company. Your interviewer wants to know how you will contribute to the organization not how you can benefit from working there.
5. Be Polite.
It's important that you be professional and positive.
a. Shake your interviewer's hand firmly but not like a vice.
b. Make eye contact.
c. Don't slouch in your chair.
d. Don't use slang.
e. Never swear!
6. Know Your Schedule.
Walk in knowing your availability. You may even want to have it written down. This makes it easier for an employer to arrange a work schedule.
7. Be on Time.
Arrive a few minutes early. You should get directions and plan how to get there ahead of time. Plan for delays, just in case.
8. Go on Your Own.
If you have to bring someone along (maybe they gave you a ride), ask them to wait outside. You want your interviewer to see that you can speak for yourself.
9. Ask questions.
Usually at the end of an interview, you will be asked if you have any questions. Always ask a question! You can ask about the organization or the job you're interviewing for. Some examples:
a. What skills are you looking for in an intern?
b. How can I make myself a better candidate for the position?
10. The end of the interview is a good time to emphasize how interested you are in the job and why you're so sure you're the perfect candidate.
11. Send a thank you note.
This could clinch the job for you. We’re fans of handwritten notes but if that’s not possible, at least send an email thanking the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.

Practical Advice for University Study

When you hear about studying at university, you may be thinking of tedious reading, long assignments, and other academic exhaustion. However, university needn’t be that hard, as long as you have prepared well. “Knowing how to study is like knowing how to fish,” once you learn, it will be knowledge for life.

Here are four key skills to successful university study.

I. Time Management
Have a small note book with you all the time so that you can record what you have to do each day of the week. Record all assignment deadlines, including date and time. Also note times for conferences, lectures and times for your private activities (movies, seeing friends, etc). Don’t just write these down and put your note book away. You need to keep it with you for easy reference.

II. Note Taking in Lectures and Tutorials
It would be almost impossible to succeed at university without any note-taking skills as you have lectures/ tutorials to attend, books/ articles to read/ review, conferences to attend and other academic or extracurricular events. Your notes form the basis of most of your work: seminar papers, essays and research projects, as well as revision for examinations.

Your notes need to be neat so you can read them. Use headings and numbered points and highlight or underline for emphasis. Leave spaces (for amendments and additions), use abbreviations (but spell out personal or place names legibly). Accurately note the authors, titles and other reference details (e.g. place and date of publication) of all works consulted, including page numbers where relevant.

You need to use an A4 or large notebook. Prior to the lecture, divide your page into two vertical columns. The left side column should be a third of the page wide and is used later for recall. After the lecture you can write the key words and phrases here.

During the lecture, record your notes in the right-hand column. Try to capture the general ideas. Use abbreviations, symbols, different color – whatever works for you!

Soon after the lecture, read through your notes. Use the left column to jot down any key ideas or words from the lecture. Reread the lecturer’s ideas and record your responses to these in your own words.

III. Taking Notes from Written Material
When reading, you should be constantly asking yourself: What evidence is used to support the argument? Note down what you need to remember. It helps if you have a question or set of ideas to direct your reading (such as a seminar or essay question). You need some ideas of what you are looking for in a reading as this is the basis of active reading.

The following suggestions should be of a help:

· Always make a note of the reference details (author, title, date of publication etc.) and page numbers before you start to read.
· Be discriminating. The content and index pages can help you identify which aspect of the text is most relevant to your question or subject matter.
· Read critically. Think and note down any objections you have to the arguments presented.
· If you own the book or if you are working from a photocopy, highlight and underline key ideas as you read. You can write your own response to these ideas in the margins of the text. (Do not do this if you are reading a library book!)
· Focus on the introduction and conclusion to the text. These often place the text in context and summaries the main arguments.

IV. Staying Motivated
Undergraduate courses usually take four years in Cambodia, so it is easy to get distracted from such a long course of study. It is vital that you stay motivated and committed.

Read a biography of your role model: Ask yourself what you want as a future career, whether it is to be a lawyer, airline pilot, engineer, businessperson, politician, banker or star; get yourself reading about those people whose steps you want to follow. Don’t just read about these people – get yourself thinking about them, to make you mentally motivated.

Ultimately, university is a life-changing experience. It is challenging and demanding, but the success and learning is likely to be the most valuable in your life and open doors that otherwise would remain closed forever.