The LifeHack blog features tips for students on a regular basis. This is one I just have to pass onto the students of St. Jerome’s School (and any others reading this). The article outlines Five Tips for Beating a Standardized Test.

1. Understand the test format.
2. Take sample tests
3. Understand how it is marked
4. Don’t go overboard on studying
5. Consider taking the test at a later date

I love the advice in the first four items. I make sure the students get to know the test and I make sure they see how the written response sections are marked. I also know lots of teachers who provide many “sample” tests. As for number 4, most students go overboard on studying because they do not study the correct way.

I can’t say I’ve ever given #5 as advice to anyone but it is something to keep in mind. If you don’t feel ready for the test rushing the issue will not help. Read the article for more details.

The University of Alberta is offering T2U: Transition to University. The cost of the program is $30. This includes a free success workshop in the fall semester and a free mixer. T2U is an online course that helps students with the transition from high school to university. For more information go to www.ualberta.ca/t2u.

Another great LifeHack article: Advice for Students - Taking Notes that Work.

Good notes help you because the classroom setting is not the best palce for thinking and piecing together the new concepts coming at you. Note taking frees your mind from having to remember details and how they fit together. Note taking organizes your thinking.

Write down things like dates, people, ideas, pros/cons, and anything your teacher mentions several times.

Try different note taking techniques. You’ll find one that works for you.

• mind-mapping
• Cornell method
• outlining
• others . . .

I’m not sure if any past grads are going to remember about this site. But I came across a great article on one of my favorite websites: LifeHack. It gives some great ideas on how students can make this the best semester yet. There are some good ideas for high school students too.

For example:

• write everything down. Get a Moleskine notebook and a packet of Post-It “Durable Tabs”. Divide the notebook into sections for your todo list, projects (stuff that takes more than a step or two to finish, e.g. research papers, club activities, etc.), and notes. Stick that and a nice pen or mechanical pencil in your pocket, purse, or backpack. Carry it everywhere. Use it. Religiously. Write down assignments, appointments, trips to the library, shopping lists, phone numbers, classroom numbers, everything and anything that crosses your mind. I keep todos on the right-hand page and notes on the back of the left-hand page. Or figure out some other system — use index cards, a DayPlanner, a PDA, whatever works, but use it.
• Review your lists regularly. Weekly, if you can. Bring your to do list up to date. Write down your upcoming deadlines. Copy your notes into a OneNote or EverNote file on your computer. Transfer email addresses and phone numbers into whatever software you use for contacts. Make sure you haven’t forgotten anything important, and brainstorm your ideas for the coming week.
• Have an inbox. Pick a place in your dorm room or apartment or wherever you end up living and put all your new stuff (assignments, papers, books, things you bought at the store) there. Go through it every day and put everything where it belongs — into your todo list, in a desktop file box, into whatever drawer or closet it belongs in.
  

Read more . . .