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/.

Conquering AP Exams

By: Gracie B.

Jtk13 [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

AP exam season can be a difficult time, especially for students taking their first exam or juggling multiple tests. However, like most standardized tests, AP exams are highly predictable in their structure and content. By preparing diligently and employing effective test-taking strategies, you can conquer your AP exams.

Before the Exams

It is crucial to ensure that you have completed all pre-registration materials. If you are taking an exam for a class that is not offered at your face-to-face school, touch base with your school’s testing coordinator to make sure your test has been ordered and is scheduled for administration. Keep track of which of your tests are morning sessions and which are afternoon sessions. Morning exams start at 8:00 a.m., while afternoon exams begin at 12:00 p.m. One notable exception to this schedule is the Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam, which begins at 2:00 p.m. Prepare to arrive at your testing center at least thirty minutes before your exams and make sure you have eaten and are well-rested before testing.

One of the most valuable resources to prepare for AP exams is College Board’s AP Central, which contains free response questions from previous years’ tests. It also provides scoring rubrics and sample student responses. You will find that the College Board tends to ask similar types of questions every year, so studying past tests is an invaluable use of your review time. The College Board publishes a limited number of multiple choice questions on their website, but you can find additional practice tests in targeted prep books such as those published by the Princeton Review. These books also review course content. Khan Academy is another useful resource that provides free videos, summaries, and practice questions for AP subjects such as Calculus and Art History.

Study Resources:
College Board’s AP Central: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/

During the Exams

As you take your AP exams, keep in mind how the tests are scored. On some exams, students may be able to pass by answering only about 60% of the questions correctly. You can still earn a four or a five on an AP exam without being able to solve every problem. The key to mastering AP tests is to find a way to maximize your score by focusing on your strengths. A Calculus BC student struggling with Taylor Series might skip the last free response question and focus his or her energy on answering the other questions. When you are stuck on one specific question, it is often best to make an educated guess and move forward to ensure that you have enough time to complete the rest of the test.

Another key strategy is to look for patterns throughout AP tests. AP exams, especially those in history and social science, often reinforce a series of overarching themes. For instance, you are almost guaranteed to see questions about race relations, women’s rights, and the expansion of America’s role in international affairs on the AP United States History exam. If you understand these underlying concepts, you can often make deductions that will lead you to correct answers. For example, if you know that Native Americans were treated unfairly throughout U.S. history, you can infer that a specific conflict may have been caused by the displacement of natives from their homelands. While some students scramble to memorize every last piece of information pertaining to a subject, those with a deeper understanding of the material are often most successful on AP tests.

After the Exams

AP scores are released in July. The exact date you will receive your score depends on your state. Your school should have issued you an AP number card with instructions on how to log into College Board to view your scores. A score of three is considered passing, as the College Board recommends that a student who earns this score is qualified to receive college credit. A student who scores a four is well qualified, and a student who scores a five is extremely well qualified to receive credit. College Board offers no credit recommendation for test-takers who score a one but states that those who score a two may qualify for credit, depending on the university they attend. Any AP scholar awards you receive will be added to your account in the days following your initial score release. Remember, while a stellar AP score can allow you to place out of introductory college classes, failing an AP test is not uncommon and will not ruin your prospects for future academic success. Most colleges do not require the submission of AP scores as part of the application process, and students who scored poorly may actually benefit from retaking a course in a university setting.

By applying the strategies and information discussed in this article, you can work to ensure that your AP testing season is successful and stress-free.



Sources:
“About AP Scores.” College Board, apscore.collegeboard.org/scores/about-ap-scores/.
“AP Calendar.” College Board, apstudent.collegeboard.org/takingtheexam/ap-calendar.
Cracking the AP U.S. History Exam. Penguin Random House, 2018.

Advice on Taking AP Classes

Does Your Teacher Give Out Candy? A Look at Reinforcement Principles in the Classroom

Before we can become better students, we must understand how we learn. The following excerpt is an overview of reinforcement principles and the benefits of applying them in the classroom. 

Reinforcement Principles in the Classroom
By: Ryan F.
Abbreviated By: Isabella S.

The following is only an overview of Ryan's research; please read his full paper here. 

   What are Reinforcement Principles?

"[B.F. Skinner] theorized that a behavior increases or decreases in frequency based upon the consequences that follow the behavior. When a behavior is followed by a positive consequence or by the removal of a negative consequence, the behavior will increase in frequency and strength. Thus, reinforcers make a behavior more likely to occur" (Ryan, 1).

Examples

"For example, dog treats would act as positive reinforcers when teaching a dog a new trick. If my dog Wesley is rewarded with a bone every time he sits, his sitting behavior will increase in frequency and strength. Negative reinforcement increases behavior by removing a negative consequence in response to a behavior. For example, getting out of bed in the morning may increase in frequency if it stops parents from nagging their children" (Ryan, 1).

Does It Work?

"Despite the backlash and criticism, research has supported the effectiveness of using reinforcement principles in the classroom. An overwhelming number of studies have shown that reinforcement principles can enhance learning when applied correctly. Lysakowski and Walberg (1981) analyzed the results from 39 studies that examined the relationship between student achievement and reinforcement. These researchers concluded that reinforcement had positive effects on student achievement and that these effects appeared across age, grade, race, public vs. private schools, and community types... Another study conducted by Bear and Richards (1980) delved into the effects of reinforcement on academic performance if students, in grades 5 through 8, were given extra time for recess. It was discovered that student achievement drastically improved over the baseline period. In another study, when tutors were trained in reinforcement and feedback techniques, these strategies impacted first graders’ achievement levels more than tutor skill or tutor expectations (Conrad, 1975). Finally, studies have shown that even IQ scores can be increased using reinforcement principles (Clingman, Auerbach, Bowman & Parrish, 1977). All of these studies provide a good argument for how positive reinforcement can be used effectively in the educational system to improve student performance" (Ryan, 3).

Success

"There are many separate behaviors that make students successful. For example, participation, effort, and achievement are all important but different behaviors. Depending upon which of these behaviors is reinforced, the result will be different. Tobin and Capie reported that junior high students were more engaged and performed better when effort (or motivation) was reinforced (as cited in Cotton, 1988)..." (Ryan, 4).

So What?

"Correctly applying behavioral principles is complicated. One needs to be aware which behaviors need to be reinforced (for example, reinforcing motivation over achievement). But also, one must find what is actually reinforcing to the subject (for example, my dog will not do a trick for pomegranate as he apparently does not find this fruit tasty). Rewards that work with elementary school children are not likely to work with high school students (Kansas)... In order to examine the question about what is actually reinforcing to high school students, [Ryan] conducted [his] own informal survey where a random sa

mple of twenty high school students were given a questionnaire that asked them to rank reinforcers, from least motivating to most motivating" (Ryan, 6). The following is an overview of Ryan's research. 

The Thrill of the Challenge

By Louisa C. 

Created by Natalie M. on Toondoo

Throughout my educational career, the math classroom had always been my safe haven, a place where I found myself the most confident in my mental abilities and comfortable with learning new material. That was until I was introduced to geometry.

For me, algebra had been a cakewalk. As monomials evolved into binomials, and then advanced to polynomials, I never once had to think twice about the numbers I was working with. I could practically graph, solve, multiply, and divide these entities in my sleep. I found myself the unofficial tutor of my algebra class, the “phone-a-friend” option for all of my peers who struggled with these concepts. Solving multiple equations by graphing was a particular favorite topic of mine. I would march up to the front of the class to present my graphing masterpiece on the board as my peers watched in awe, holding the perception that I had somehow been blessed with unbelievable mental abilities allowing me to so quickly comprehend novel topics we had just learned minutes before. I felt on top of the world; the algebra classroom was my track and I was Usain Bolt, sprinting to the finish line with ease, making my accomplishments look effortless.

On the first day of my geometry class, I waltzed in with the expectation that the course would be breeze. My classmates had already strategically positioned themselves to sit as close to me as possible, allowing easy to access to ask for help. For about the first month or so, I was able to hold on to the new material, but the deeper we went into the course, the less confident I began to feel in my abilities. The first topic that truly stumped me was the Pythagorean theorem. I found myself extremely frustrated, I had always been able to work problems with triangles easily in the past, so why was this new concept so challenging? Who was this Pythagoras anyway, and what made his ancient Greek discoveries so important? My reputation as the “go-to-the-head-of-the-class” student quickly began to slip, as my peers began to notice that I was just as perplexed, or possibly more so, than they were.

Embarrassed, I attended every after school tutoring sessions that was offered, hoping to regain the abilities that allowed math to come so easily to me. I was able to maintain an A in the geometry course, but I had to put in much more work than I had in the past in order to understand the math. As the class came to a close, I realized that even though the topics in geometry challenged me more than those of my past math classes and revoked my nickname of the “math genius”, my love for the subject never once faltered. I began to realize the true appreciation I had for math itself. Instead of enjoying the subject because it was historically so simple for me, I found myself having fun crafting equations and breaking down word problems, appreciating the times I ran into a dead end and celebrating the times I overcame those obstacles.

Even when I entered the second level of algebra, and math once again became easier to understand, I did not find that I loved the subject any more or less. I was just having fun being introduced to new theories, equations, and concepts, allowing new opportunities to see how math could be applied to my everyday life and new ways to approach problems I faced. That being said, in all my future math courses, I do not hope to find easily comprehensible and simply understood materials, but rather a mentally challenging experience that unlocks new ways to think about the nature of systems and structures within our world. I have discovered that not only in math classes, but in my all areas of my life as a whole, it is the challenges I face that present exciting situations which allow me to explore new information about both the surrounding environment and myself.

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!

Do's and Don'ts of Communication

Becoming a Leader

By Preethi K.

Leader. It's a big word with a big meaning. In today’s world, leaders are who we need in every field for advancement and solutions to rising problems. I’ve realized that leaders aren’t born- they are made. Leaders need to face a lot of difficulties before they reach their vision. I went through these difficulties and realized what truly makes a leader great.

High school is a time for you to find yourself and how you fit in society. So the summer before I started high school, I contacted the National HOSA to see if I would be able to start a chapter at my school. The National HOSA was difficult to get into contact with because the state advisor was busy with other events during that time, but I kept at it because I really believed I could accomplish my goal.

I contacted many teachers at my future high school to see if they were interested in being the club advisor. My high school had a lot of clubs, and several teachers were already advising other clubs, but I found one teacher who kindly agreed to be my advisor. She was a really busy teacher, advisor to many clubs, and went to college. We agreed that I would take responsibility for most of the dealings of the club.

I set up the first meeting and almost 100 people attended to learn more about the club and the wonderful opportunities the HOSA organization provides. I registered the interested members and collected the fees that needed to be paid to the National HOSA. I knew that I alone would not be able to handle the duties associated with the club, so I created an application for interested students to become board members. Almost every member applied, and I realized I wasn’t the only one trying to make a difference; a lot of people like me wanted to be a leader. I chose 14 people who seemed like they would contribute the most to the club. The people who weren’t chosen expressed the feeling that they wouldn’t have as much to help with if they weren’t given a position, and I came to believe that some people wouldn’t put in an effort if they weren’t given a position or a name. But the thing is, if you work hard, whatever the position you hold, you will move up to the place you want to be. This was my exact reply to the people who felt a little disappointed, and I guess some of them understood because they brought in opportunities for us.

I had another problem as we continued in the year; the fact that I was a freshman led to my board members not taking me seriously. They wouldn’t do their tasks and wouldn’t even give an effort to participate in the board meetings. I thought if I could do some of their responsibilities for them then they might see that it’s a team effort and they would take part too. I eventually realized that they weren’t getting past the fact I was in charge and they weren’t happy about listening to me.

My dad talked to me and told me this was natural. People wouldn’t like the fact that a smaller person seemed to be the boss. I believed that we were all working together to make our school more beneficial. I came to realize that a leader should care about the people they are working for and that they can’t please everyone; they won’t get anywhere if they try.

I began to print out tasks for each board member to complete, and I stood my ground. The club is a team effort, and I ensured it would be. Over the course of the year, we brought in professors and other members involved in the medical field, and we provided volunteer opportunities and connections that the students could use for job shadowing and internships.

I am proud that for the first year, we created a foundation on which the club could grow. More importantly, I realized a leader should believe in their cause and should do what they think is best to reach their goal. Anyone can become a leader, regardless of if they hold a position, by getting involved and showing a genuine interest.

The Stairway to Success

By Danielle, Corine, Charlotte, and Curie

            For most students, the school year starts out in a good fashion. However, some students unfortunately fall into the same patterns of procrastination or indignation as the previous year. Before you find yourself slipping into last year’s problems, here are 8 steps to follow to become a successful student!

           

#1: Prioritize your activities with a planner.

            No matter what extracurricular activities you participate in, it is important to recognize that your education comes first. It is suggested to keep a planner to find a balance between your extracurricular activities and academics. You may want to try to avoid using a digital planner, especially one on your iPhone, because this can lead to playing apps or visiting social networks that eat up your study time. There’s also a feeling of accomplishment when you physically cross something off of your to-do-list! Using a paper planner will help you to keep track of the many things you need to do.

#2: Find your study “habitat.”

            Another important thing to remember is that everyone needs to study in his own “habitat.”  That means that each of us has that perfect location to study: whether it is one’s bedroom or the school library.  To choose the best place for you, decide how prone you are to distractions. There are some people who can filter out noise and actually feel more relaxed hearing others’ voices.  However, a lot of people will try to study then find themselves watching television for an hour.  If that sounds like you, then it might be important to “hibernate” and escape into the silence. Remember that your habitat is individualized. What might be a good place for you to study might be an awful place for someone else.  If you find yourself wandering upon someone else’s habitat, then make sure that you are respectful of their study needs.  After all, they are trying to succeed just as much as you are.

#3: Metacognition: evaluate your study habits.

            Let’s face it: some studying habits are better than others, and some studying habits work better for different people. So, we need to experiment. The previous two sections discussed the time and place for studying, and this section advises the reader to evaluate his or her study habits after every test.

In my AP Biology course the students are instructed to create their own study guides and follow their own pace to complete classwork until the day of the test. Test day is also the due date for all class work and study guides, and the test scores give a numerical reflection of the effectiveness of the students’ study habits. After every test, students ask themselves: which study habits worked? Which ones did not? Reflecting on successful and unsuccessful techniques and fixing bad habits will help you grow and succeed in any class.

#4: Be proactive in school.

Now you are prepared for school; you have your planner, study techniques, and “habitat.” But school comes with many other challenges: larger schools can be harder to navigate, rules may be unclear and confusing, online class environments may be unfamiliar … you name it. How do you overcome these non-academic obstacles to a successful start in school? Well, get familiar with the school, the classes, and online classes before it matters. Attend your school’s ‘Open House’, explore your online class during Meet the Teacher, and notify your online teachers with any of your questions and concerns. At the first day of school, pay attention to your teachers’ explanations of their rules and expectations and make sure you keep any handouts regarding that information.

#5 Be responsible in the classroom.

            The classroom is the place that you will do much of your learning. You should keep track of your behavior in the classroom in order to succeed. Always pay attention in class because you never know what you might be tested on, and paying attention in class can also help decrease the length your studying time later on. Taking notes in class also helps you get ahead, better preparing you for any future assignments. It will help you remember the information more easily and you will be able to get a deeper understanding of the material. Another thing to keep in mind in the classroom is that you shouldn’t sit with friends who distract you. Feel free to sit with friends that will be able to help you learn, but don’t sit with the friends that you feel will distract you during class.

#6 Interact with your teachers.

            Teachers are essential for your success, so strive to develop a strong relationship with your teachers. Teachers not only teach the course curriculum, but they also help you earn the grade that you want, and eventually, they can write recommendation letters for college applications. Several ways to develop strong relationships with your teachers are by asking questions, showing your concern about your grades, and talking with them often.

#7 Keep up with your coursework and homework.

            Many teachers give nightly homework, and some even give loads of classwork. In and out of class the key is to focus. Don’t let your friends, social networking, or technology distract you, and make small goals for yourself. If you tell yourself that you will finish the assignment in 15, 20, 30, or 45 minutes, you will complete it with purpose.

#8 Look to the future.

            School years in North Carolina are 180 days long, so students are prone to get tired. Keep up the good work and maintain your grades. Remember, the rewards for working hard in school include good grades, high GPA, promotion to the next grade, and college admission. Your future holds great things!