How to Survive Summer School

How to Survive Summer School!

 By Sylvia S. adapted from the article “Amy's Survival Guide to Summer School” by Amy, a former TutorTalk Editor

Introduction 

Whether you’re a savant or novice when it comes to online learning, summer courses require a different mindset than traditional classes. This presentation will show you a step-by-step process for succeeding in an NCVirtual summer course. 

Tip: Before we get started congratulate yourself! Choosing to participate in an NCVirtual class over the summer shows great initiative and true determination. Relax, you’re going to do fine! 

Below is a presentation displaying 5 important steps for success in an NCVirtual summer course: 

  

Conclusion

It may feel like a lot, but if you can apply these steps to your summer course you will be well on your way to success! Ask any questions you have now! The PTC team is here and ready to help you. Carefully managing your summer won’t ruin the fun. With luck, your NCVirtual class will add to your summer plans rather than impede them. Who knows, you may find you prefer translating Latin from your lounge chair on the beach or next to a pool rather than hunched over your desk at home.

Click the image above to access a peer tutor! :-)

Tip: For additional information on motivational and time management strategies, check out these previous TutorTalk articles:

• http://NCVirtualpeertutor.blogspot.com/2012/05/excels-magic-word.html
• http://ncvpspeertutor.blogspot.com/2016/02/have-no-fear-time-management-is-here.html 
• http://ncvpspeertutor.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-stairway-to-success.html 
• http://ncvpspeertutor.blogspot.com/search/label/studying

Scientifically Proven Study Tips

By: Sonia G.

Studying can feel like a chore. Some students study for hours and cannot seem to improve their grades, while other students do not study at all and easily maintain “perfect” averages. There are many myths around the topic of studying, but have no fear, scientifically proven study tips are here.

1. Study before you sleep

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What do you do before you go to bed? Many people wind down by reading or listening to music, but it might be worthwhile to try studying. In a 2012 study by the University of Notre Dame, psychologists studied 207 students who habitually slept for at least six hours per night. Participants were randomly assigned to study different types of word pairs at 9 a.m. or 9 p.m. and returned for testing 30 minutes, 12 hours or 24 hours later. At the 12-hour retest, memory overall was much better following a night of sleep compared to a day of wakefulness.¹ So next time you learn a difficult concept in class, consider studying before you go to bed.

2. Study out loud

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Talking to yourself can feel weird. People tend to look at you and you draw a lot of attention to yourself. But when it comes to studying by yourself, you may study better when you study out loud. One study shows that people who explain ideas to themselves learn almost three times more than those who don’t. The Harvard Business Review stated that “talking to ourselves is crucial to self-explaining and generally helpful for learning. For one thing, it slows us down — and when we’re more deliberate, we typically gain more from an experience.” ² When University of Illinois psychologist Brian Ross enrolled in a computer course, he found it hard to keep up with his younger counterparts. After reading assigned texts, he asked himself, “What did I just read? How does that fit together? Have I come across this idea before?” This helped him guide his self-studying, and these same questions can be used as you self-study. Next time you study, consider studying out loud (just not in the library).

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3. Exercise before you study

Do you like going for a jog in the evening? Do you like to do yoga before bed? No matter your answer, you may want to incorporate some exercise into your studying schedule. Exercise stimulates a brain structure called the hippocampus, which research has shown is important for reasoning and memory. Besides short-term boosts in cognition, regular exercise can help slow down the shrinkage of the hippocampus that comes with age. Additionally, exercise helps reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. By doing just 20 minutes of physical activity before studying, you not only get in a good workout, but you also harness the stress-reducing, positive cognitive effects that can assist you as you study.³

As you read this, it is my hope that you will consider incorporating these tips into your study routine. You may find that after using these tips you will see an improvement in your grades, or your study time will become more efficient. Even if you feel comfortable not studying, it is still a skill that can help you in the future by helping you become more confident in your answers. By making the most of your study time, you may grow to appreciate it and might actually learn something new. Studying is a good skill to hone in high school and can be helpful throughout your future career and other endeavors, if you do it correctly.

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¹ University of Notre Dame. “Sleeping after Processing New Info Most Effective, New Study Shows.” Notre Dame News, 23 Mar. 2012, https://news.nd.edu/news/learning-best-when-you-rest-sleeping-after-processing-new-info-most-effective-new-study-shows/.
² Boser, Ulrich, et al. “Talking to Yourself (Out Loud) Can Help You Learn.” Harvard Business Review, 25 Sept. 2017, https://hbr.org/2017/05/talking-to-yourself-out-loud-can-help-you-learn.
³ Pittman, Olivia, et al. “5 Study Hacks Proven By Science.” College Raptor Blog, https://www.collegeraptor.com/find-colleges/articles/tips-tools-advice/5-study-hacks-proven-by-science-and-why-they-work/.

How Do YOU Learn? "A Learning Style for Everyone" Revisited

Original Piece By: Noah H.
Updated By: Isabella S.

Editor's Note: This "throwback" post from 2010 is worth the read, especially before starting a new semester. Take a few minutes to find out what your learning style is and make studying for all of your classes easier!

Learning styles are the fingerprints of the mind; they are as unique as the person using them and as varying as all the people in the world.

There are several generalized categories of learning styles and all influence how a student learns. Understanding them is the best way for a student to better their classroom experience and the effectiveness of their studying. 

A learning style is the way in which a person learns. There are several different theories as to how learning styles work, but the most common divides them into four categories: visual, auditory, reading/writing-preference, and kinesthetic/tactile learners.

The most common learning style is visual. This learning style focuses on pictures, diagrams, movies, and other forms of visual media, even visual demonstrations are helpful. The second most common learning style is auditory. These learners benefit from listening to someone talk to them and from lectures or video/audio setups. Reading/Writing-preference learners are most comfortable learning from books and texts. These students may retain more information from a textbook than a lecture and often benefit from taking written notes. Lastly, kinesthetic/tactile learners are people who learn through “hands-on” experience and interaction with classroom material. 

One element to consider when examining learning styles is their ability to coexist within a single individual. No student is wholly auditory, visual, tactile, nor reading-writing preference when it comes to learning. Someone may be a 10% reading, 30% visual, 50% auditory and 10% kinesthetic learner; however, you should try to study the best way for you. The person above would most likely want to watch a video in order to capitalize on their ability to retain information they have heard and seen (visual and auditory). Another meaningful feature of learning styles is their ability to change over time. Usually babies start out learning through touch (tactile), but as they grow they will learn to use visual and auditory learning more and more.

Knowing your learning style is important, because as soon as an individual discovers which type of learner they are they can begin to adjust their studying to utilize their strengths. For example, if a student knows they learn well from videos then they should look for tutorials on YouTube or some other video site rather than trying to decipher a Wiki. Another way a student can better their learning experience is in the way they ask for help. An auditory learner may want to call their teacher over the phone for assistance while a reading/writing-preference learner will want to send an e-mail. All these factors lead to an easier online class experience.

To find your learning style visit EducationPlanner.org. 

Reading/Writing-preference Learners: We hope you enjoyed this essay!

Visual Learners: Check out this graphic about learning styles!

Auditory Learners: Click here to install a free Google Chrome extension that reads-aloud any online text, including this article!

Tactile Learners: Check out this free online tool for creating three-dimensional models!

Standardized Testing

Learn more about standardized testing with an interactive poster about pros and cons! A short video is included for more information and an optional poll at the end to compare stances on this issue. 

For optimal viewing, please use the bar on the far right of the poster to scroll down. 

Making the Most of Your Peer Tutoring Session

By Ramya Krishna M.

The Peer Tutoring Center is a free service offered by NCVPS for the benefit of their students – all of you! After all, why should any student feel like a buoy in the middle of the ocean, in regards to their academics? As peer tutors we are here to offer you the benefits of our experience, whether from online courses, classroom courses, or intellectual curiosity.  Whether you are a first timer or a returning customer, it’s important to us and to you that the help you receive is actually beneficial. None of us want you leaving a session dissatisfied or more confused than you were before. This article is meant to help you prevent such problems before they start by making the most of your Peer Tutoring Session.

Start by preparing ahead. Before you begin hyperventilating, ask yourself what exactly you need help with.  All of us have had that class where we reach that point of being overwhelmed, but in order to seek help, we must target the areas that plague us the most. For example, instead of simply saying, “I need help with pre-calculus”, ask for help with specific concepts, such as functions or trigonometry. That way, we can target our assistance to fit your needs. However, be smart about what you ask your tutors. It's not impossible to figure out when you're asking us test questions, which are meant to test your knowledge, not ours. Plagiarism (taking someone else's words as your own) is also academic dishonesty and both will merit disclosure to your teacher. Just don't do it.

Active participation will allow you to retain the information you have studied with your tutor. Make an effort to understand the assignment or concept instead of seeking a speedy answer, especially when you have to build on this knowledge throughout the course. Figure out what teaching styles and methods suit your learning style best, either through experience or numerous online quizzes like this one: (http://www.personal.psu.edu/bxb11/LSI/LSI.htm) and inform your tutor. Help us help you. You should be taking detailed notes as you go through a session with a peer tutor. You don't want to exit a session and go back to your assignment, only to realize that you don't remember what your tutor said.

Suppose you are a particularly astute learner who has caught your tutor making a mistake. Don't let us get away with it. Instead, politely inform us of our error. We strive to always give you the correct information, but we're human too. I don't say this to make you paranoid, but it's a reminder to keep your eyes open. 

Understandably, you may be feeling frustrated when you don't get the material. Don't succumb to this frustration, even when it is hard. Keep asking questions to your tutor, don't be too worried about holding us up. We want to help you! If your tutor can't help you, don't stop looking until you find someone who can. It may seem daunting to ask for assistance, but it is absolutely worth it. 

Communication Skills for the NCVPS Student

By Ramya Krishna M.

First off, I would like to congratulate all of you for making the decision to take an online course. I assume that most of you are independent, motivated students who are willing to work hard. You will have to be if you want to succeed without in-person tutelage. Almost all of you logged in yesterday for the beginning of your courses, and you might have some questions or confusion regarding communication with your online teacher and other students. This article will teach you effective communication skills based on my experience, and that of some of my friends, which will make your time here productive, hassle free and fun. So, let's begin!

You may have been asked to download an application called Blackboard IM. Just as it says in the name, this is a system you can use to chat real-time with your instructor and other students. You'll have to create an account and make sure you're linked to your class (ask your instructor or tech support if you have any difficulty). Even though you're chatting online, remember that this is an educational environment; definitely not the place for copious usage of texting lingo. You are expected to maintain yourself in a professional manner, which means thinking before you type.

You will also have to download Blackboard Collaborate, which will enable you to attend live sessions hosted by your teacher. You might be asked to dial into the session, and will be given instructions about how to ask questions, by turning mute on and off. Remember to mute your phone after you ask a question, and turn it off when you are done doing so. This prevents background noise from impeding the audio.

Your online teachers may have asked you to make an introduction in the forum. If you have not done so already, here are some things to remember. This will be the first impression your teachers and other students get of you, so keep your writing professional and do as much proofreading as you can. Also make sure to read about other students and comment on their posts too.

If you have questions about your assignment, your first point of reference should be your teacher. Make your questions direct and don't just say, "I don't get it." Whenever anyone is helping you, it's helpful to understand what exactly you don't get. Try to demonstrate your thought process as you arrive at your answer, and ask the teacher where you went wrong. This is a good way to solidify problem solving techniques for all questions, not just one. After your teacher helps you, thank them for their time (many of them also teach live classes). Some teachers may give you their phone number and most will provide office hours. Call only during these times, and make sure to utilize Blackboard IM first. If you want to ask a fellow student something, always make sure that you are not simply asking for the answer. Similarly, if someone asks you to tell them the answer to a question, politely refuse and let your teacher know. Cheating hurts all students, including the one doing it, so do your own work. Procrastination is also ill advised and a student who is asking questions at the last minute before grading won't get very far. It shouldn't have to be said that bullying will not be tolerated among students and will merit consequences to those who try.

What if you're struggling with the subject matter? The number one piece of advice I would give is to get help early. You have many resources available for you to use: your teacher and other students who are peer tutors. This service is available and free for you to access anytime you need help, and the tutor may have even taken your course. However, if you are need of greater help, it can be beneficial to seek out someone who can tutor you face to face, such as a teacher at your school or other experienced individual. NCVPS does not suggest or endorse any live tutors. Whatever method you decide, it is essential in order to save your grade and your sanity that you get help earlier, rather than near the end of the year, when your grade is basically set.

Effective communication is not only necessary for face to face interaction, it is especially crucial for online interaction. Remember that NCVPS is an educational environment and you should make the most out of this opportunity given to you by fostering a productive relationship with your instructor and your class.

Three Steps to Success

Three Steps to Success

by Joanna W.

(Peer Tutor 2009-2010)

As an online high school student, the pressure of maintaining adequate grades is a hassle. Sometimes one feels as if they are limited for time due to a due date for completing the assignments required. Perhaps, one is found to be frequently frustrated by the assignment directions to the point that he/she feels irritated and/or overwhelmed a great deal of the time. With any class, no matter if it is face-to-face or online, one can take steps to relieve pressure from their academic work. Organizing assignments, taking short breaks between reading, and printing and/or highlighting information for study material, are helpful tips for any online student to gain higher grades in school.

Organization, Organization, Organization; with any teacher one speaks with, he or she will say that organization is key to success. Although, one doesn't have to become a neat-freak to be organized - by simply organizing one's assignment's within each unit, module, or chapter, one can find that it is much easier to complete necessary assignments within the time frame that they are due. The idea of setting aside an amount of time each day from the time that one is able to start a set of work until it is to be completed creates less stress and more time for leisure. As a result one can increase his or her grades for the reason that the person isn't rushing at the last minute to complete an assignment.

Besides organization, the act of taking short breaks between reading-time can create less stress and help one to understand the material better. If one were to read or study several chapters nonstop for hours on end, he or she would probably have a harder time comprehending the material at hand then if they were to take five to ten minutes for downtime. The idea of taking short breaks relieves one's brain from overloading. In addition, after a couple of minutes of free time, one can analyze the material already covered and self analyze if they understand what the meaning of the work is about. However, if one did not comprehend the information, then reread the material until it is understood. This is helpful to increase grades because the person isn't overwhelmed by reading nonstop. In addition, it gives time to back track to see what has been covered to make certain that the material is covered.

Although being organized and taking short breaks are significant tips for one to obtain higher grades, by printing and highlighting information for study material, one is more prepared for tests or quizzes. Whether in a virtual class or traditional, the act of preparing notes for study in preparation for major tests or quizzes are extremely helpful for those that are not good at memorizing information on his or her own. When online teachers make review sheets and notes available to their students, one should take the time to either print them and highlight/read the important information or study them from the computer. The material a teacher provides will be on the test or quiz. If one does not take this advantage, then he or she would not be prepared for the test, having a hard time when quiz or test day is here. The use of preparing notes is an extreme advantage to being ready for tests or quizzes and final result will be graded higher in these classes.

In conclusion, acts of making good grades for online or face-to-face classes are not difficult. Through simple tricks, grades are easily raised to satisfy any teacher or parent. Besides these helpful tips also take into account for motivation, a person succeeds by not being lazy. By organizing one's assignments day-by-day, taking short breaks in-between work, and printing and highlighting information for study material, one can be on the fast track to excellent grades in no time.