How to Study Effectively

Most of the students take exams as burdens. But few take them as opportunities. Really, they ARE opportunities to get us into a new level. They test our talents and give a worth for those.

The following studying tips are made up for you to enjoy studying. Live in the books. Make it your life style. So, you won't need to study a single day.

• Review Regularly
  
  
  
  Above all the studying tips, there's a reason why I jot this one first. It's because, I have had too many experiences having piled work, due to not reviewing.
  Don't wait for exams. Study everyday. So that the night before an exam, all you have to do is to just go through the material.
  
  
• Prioritize!
  
  
  
  If you are shuffled and don't know where to begin, just take a deep breath and know that it'll all turn out right. Schedule your time realistically. Don't miss any class even near the exam days. You may miss a review session.
  
  
•  Preview
  
  
  
  Begin to study early before the exam is announced. Start with studying an hour or two per day, and slowly build as the exam approaches. Before starting to study, it is always better to take a walk through on your syllabus and reading materials. Concentrate mainly on hard-to-understand topics and set more time for those lessons.
  
  
• What to study? 
  
  
  
  Get a notebook and jot down the subjects you got to study and decide how long it would take to cover up the lessons. Be practical and always stick to the deadlines.
  
  
• Environment
  
  
  
  Have a separate special place to study. Sufficient light, temperature, ventilation should be there. Your studying desk should have your writing materials, books, and few rough papers and that's all.
  
  
• Rest
  
  
  
  If you study 50 minutes, take a 10 minutes break. Stretch yourself doing some random exercises. Go outside and have some fresh air. Or get an energy snack to boost your brain.
  
  
• When to stop Studying?
  
  
  
  If you get bored of studying and has no interest to get along with it, Switch Task!
  Here task can be considered as activity, gesture, subject, or environment. Stop studying when you are no longer being productive.
   
• Don't get fed up
  
  
  
  Reward yourself with short intervals often when studying. Before an exam, keep calm and have a rested mind. During your study breaks shift from academics and think of other random things. Relax mentally and physically. The most important thing is taking care of yourself.
  
  
• Day VS Night
  
  
  
  Trust me, it is better to avoid All-Nighters. Cramming the night before exams seems impractical and stupid. Try to study the best part of your lessons in day time, and put the mind-refreshing tasks, reviewing and answering papers to be done at night but try to cover all before midnight.
  
  
• Dealing with Time
  
  
  • Set longer time periods for - Planning, organizing concepts, highlighting and answering for papers.
  • Set short time periods for - Memorizing and self-testing
  • Set odd times for - Reviewing and recalling
  
  
• Elaborate
  
  
  
  If some piece of lesson does not seem crystal clear to us, chances are we will forget it within minutes. So it is clear that we all remember the things which makes sense to us. As you are reading the material, try to elaborate new information with your own funny examples. Compare things with what you already know.
  
  
• Test Yourself
  
  
  
  After an hour of studying, get a rough paper and a pen with you. Build up questions about key sections of the lesson you just studied. This way, you can examine yourself prior to the college exam. Also, get into studying groups. That's so effective. Quiz each other and compare mind-maps and survey past papers so that, you'll be able to predict your exam questions.

How to Remember things Easily

I was making this post and suddenly wanted to get something from another room. After I finished my two-second climb up stairs, I had totally forgotten what I needed to get and froze after it hits me that I was playing with my kitty.

Memory loss is natural when you are aging. But, believe it or not, it starts before the grey hair and wrinkles. Probably in your teen years or twenties.

At the meantime, nothing to worry. Because there are lots of techniques that will help keep your memory sharp.

• The Art of Memorizing
  
  We in take an overwhelming amount of information each day. Yet, our brain filters out most of it. The 'Forget-me-not' things are packed in our short term memory. But, they often gets pushed out to make space for new information coming in.
  
  Keep a full stop to this and let's see how your brain likes to memorize.
  
  
  • TYPE
    Your brain is much better memorizing things that are catchy, up-to-point, and visual.
    Eg:- X-men VS "Men with Extra Ordinary Powers"
    
    
    
    Change the bulky passages into a more visual and a unique way so that your brain will digest it much quickly.
    
    
  • PATTERN
    Your brain likes it when things are in correct order which is easier for it to recognize.
    Eg:- The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
           VS
           Fox the lazy quick brown the dog over jumps.
    
    
    
    Make easily understandable orders which makes it easier to recognize by your brain.
    
    
  • SIZE
    You are way faster at remembering stuff in small chunks.
    Eg:- (033) - 864-567-8   VS   0338645678
    
    
    
    Break those bulky pieces into smaller chunks and memorize them.
    
    
• Improve your Brain
  • Take your Beauty sleep
    
    
    
    Sleep makes memory stronger. During sleep the brain sort out the information worth remembering and strengthens new memories. All-nighters, please take this into consideration that no matter how hard you study overnight, it might seem idiotic if you skip your beauty sleep. Regardless of age, one must have their seven to nine hours of sleep. If it seems impossible, a one hour nap can also help improve your brain cells.
    
    
  • Boost your body
    
    
    
    Here's another reason to put your running shoes if you were going out of reasons. Exercise can improve memory. It's okay even if your exercise is for 30 minutes. Researches have found that exercise boosts the size of the hippo-campus (the part of the brain that process new information)
    
    
  • Work your mind
    
    
    
    Change your old, boring life style and try something new everyday. Take a new route to your workplace or college, rather than taking the same ole route you are going since childhood.
    When hiking or setting a camp rather than using GPS, try using Topographic Maps (Check out How to Read Maps for further directions).
    If you are stressed out after finishing a big pile of work, a good old-fashioned cup of coffee would be just what you need to boost your memory up.
  
  
• Study. The Smarter way.
  
  
  • Study whenever possible
    
    
    
    Keep in touch with you studies. Always make it a habit to review what you've learned before bed and right after waking up. This will boost retention.
    
    
  • Try 'Spaced Repetition'
    
    
    
    This is one vital memory technique that everyone should know. Break information into smaller units and review them continuously over a period of time. This technology will be helpful in order to get a A pass for your exam, even.
    
    
• Memorizing Random Things
  
  
  • Using a story
    
    
    
    If you are up to go to your greengrocer, instead of making a list, try making a story including the stuff in the list. Start with the word apple and try making a tale while going to the grocery store.
    
    
  •  Things-to-do Diary
    
    
    
    Maintain a small diary including things you would forget easily. Even if you don't think so, better write them because, why take risks?
    
    
  • Habit it
    
    
    
    Make habits like leaving door keys in the same place everyday. Make it a habit to look at your 'To-do' diary every day. And also run a check-list before going out the house (Wallet? Check! Phone? Check! Car keys? Check!)
    
    Make them habits so, you won't miss a single thing in any possible way

How to Study at Night

If you have chosen to study at night, then probably you're a night owl. You neither do like to study nor wake up early in the morning. I believe that you can stay awake at night till midnight or more than that. If so, there are several things you might want to know before jumping on to studying.

• Time Management
  
  
  
  
  First, sketch a time table including your subjects and give a specific time period for each subject.
  
  Even though you chose to study at night, try your best to cover them at day time. And, keep Maths, Physics and other interesting, mind-refreshing subjects to be studied at night.
  
  
• Environment
  
  
  
  The place you choose to study should not be ill-ventilated. It should be an pleasant open area with fresh air. Before beginning to study make sure you have a clean surrounding.
  Your table should only contain your books, rough papers and writing materials.
  
  
• Lights
  
  
  The book must be exposed to sufficient light. Even, there is sufficient light, if your shadow covers your book, your eyes will get tired and you will feel sleepy in no time.
  
  Light of a Filament bulb is better for studying purposes rather than the light of Tube bulb. Researches say that some students often get tired eyes and headaches because of tube bulb light.
  
  
• Starting to Study
  
  
  
  Always begin to study along with a pen and a paper for rough work. Keep on mind the time you began and the time you should finish studying, according to your time schedule. If not, you'll feel drowsy since the very beginning. Place a water bottle in front of your table and drink water once in a while. This will probably remain you awake.
  
  
• Efficiency
  
  
  
  Before starting to study, manage your time to cover all your lesson's parts. Or else, the work done will be relatively less than the time period.
  
  
• Be focused on the Lesson
  
  
  
  While studying, check your rough works often. And, create mind-maps, short notes and stick to them.
  Don't lose your focus by shifting through memories and dreaming about random stuff.
  Because for all things the problem is you think you have time. After you wasted all the time you had, you have nothing at all.
  Stay focus on Present, your lesson!
  
  
• Physical Activities
  
  
  
  Whenever you feel drowsy, stand up and study while walking. Shake your head, neck and do some quick exercises with your arms and legs. This will draw away the drowsiness.
  
  
• Rest
  
  
  
  Studying overnight isn't something very much practical. Because everyone wants their beauty sleep no matter what. It's rather easy to say than done.
  So, you must know, for every 50 minutes you study, take a 10 minute break. Or else, for every 25 minutes you study, take a 5 minute break.
  It's better if you can keep looking at a fish tank or a pond in that short break. This will calm your mind quite a lot.
  
• Revision
  
  
  
  After studying for an hour, pause for a while and revise what you have learned up to then. Close your book and sketch diagrams and do rough work to sum up work you have done during that hour.
  
  
  HEALTH TIP!

  Try taking *Vitamin B* at least twice a week. This is helpful for your nervous system.

How to Educate Your Life

Education is at the heart of any solution,we may think of, for the problems of a country. It is a ladder that can carry us to greatness. Education assists people to earn respect and recognition. Knowledge is everything. When you are aware of the path you're going, then you don't have to be bothered about getting what you want.

I'm here to show you the real importance of education. In fact, it is how to cultivate you life planting education on it.

• Education frames your future
  
  
  
  
  
  "Who do you want to be in your future?"
  
  That's a question you are answering since kindergarten. Your answer will be *Engineer*, *Doctor*, *Vet-surgeon*, *Businessman*, *CEO*, *Billionaire* or whatnot. But how would you chase your dream, without the Capital E, **Education**?
  With education, we can be prepared for the workforce. So we are capable of meeting with challenges of today and tomorrow with utmost confidence.
  
  
• Concern the Subjects you are good at
  
  
  
  
  If you're good at numbers and algebra, continue doing Maths and you can be an Engineer. If you're good at Science and cramming, move into study Biology to be a doctor. If you're fond of animals and treating them, you can be a nice vet-surgeon, likewise know your boundary
  Even so, if you want to be a Genius of all, Learn everything! Never stop learning!

  "The more you learn, The more you earn"

• Look for Role Models
  
  
  
  Whatever your subject or field is, you can have well-educated role models, Your role model needed education to make him/her famous. So, just like that educate yourself and someday you'll be famous too.
  
  
• Nobody can fool you
  
  
  Many lower-class people are fooled by shifty and crafty people, because they know less. If you're strengthen with education, you know more. More than those foxy people. The uneducated people are fooled easily. So, why let anyone deceive you in front of your eyes?
  
  
• Work hard
  
  
  
  This is the most difficult part in studies. But, once you get the gut feeling in your blood, it's no more hard. You'll study just like you are breathing.
  You work hard and you are praised for your intelligence. That is the value you get. You will get rewarded for your hard work, it's just a matter of time. And, people will admire you for your radiant intelligence. This surely makes you merrier.
  
   
• Socialize yourself
  
  
  
  During your student life, you'll get to know so many people. What ever your interests are, you will find like-minded people as well as lots of new ideas to explore. Expand you outlook and build a network of contacts for your future.
  
  On the other hand, this builds up your character, you personality.
  
  
• Do Experiments
  
  When you're unsure of what you are doing, Research! Do everything until you expertise it, Take part in various experiments, it will be fun and beneficial. Anyway, You're learning! 
  
  
• Find Inspiration
  
  
  
  When students' get lower grades, they start believing that education no longer help us succeed. But, that is untrue. Don't discourage yourself. Because, failures make you even stronger.
  Check out for motivational quotes of education. You'll surely be inspired.
  
  Look for a role model. Know that if you try harder, one day you'll end up being someone else's role model.
  
  
  ADVICE!
  
  Why is education so important?
  Without Education as said by Aristotle, we just might not be living.
  

How to Learn Mandarin Chinese

First, I respect you for deciding to learn the toughest language in the world. Yet, it is the language used by most of people around the world. The time you spend to learn Chinese is not a waste, but an investment.

You can get easily suitable job opportunities or promotions in the Chinese organizations. Even, you can access to many scholarships offered by the Chinese Government. You will get more business opportunities as China is the second largest economy in the world. And also, You will learn one of the world's ancient and richest cultures, over 5000 years old.

There are about 13 sub-languages within the Chinese language. Yet, the most spoken is, Mandarin (about 850 million). Mandarin has the largest number of native speakers in the world. It is the official language of China and Singapore.

I'll give you a start up guide regarding how you should learn Mandarin Chinese.

• The Four Mandarin Tones
  
  
  
  Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language. There are 4 main tones:
  • First tone (High-level tone)
  • Second tone (Mid-rising tone)
  • Third tone (Falling-rising tone)
  • Fourth tone (Falling tone) 
  
  When studying about the Four tones, it is a must to know of 'Pinyin'.
  Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Mandarin Chinese characters into Latin Script. It makes easier you to pronounce those tones as well as allows you to read and write Chinese without using Chinese characters.
  
  Tell you an example, I'll use 'ma',
  • mā - mother
  • má - hemp
  • mă - horse
  • mà - scold
  
  So, if you try to learn Mandarin Chinese without considering the four tones, chances are that you will end up calling your mother, "Horse"!
  
• Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation
  
  
  
  This is very essential because in Mandarin Chinese there are 37 unique sounds - 21 consonants and 16 vowels.
  You will have to get familiar with these sounds along with pronunciation of words because they are unintuitive to English speakers.
  It is better if you can refer to a Chinese-English Pocket Dictionary which has Pinyin system. So you can practice pronouncing Chinese words.
   
•  Grow your Vocabulary
  
  
  
  Knowing the meaning and pronunciation of certain words doesn't make you a Chinese speaker. You have to learn phrases to speak Mandarin. For that you have to consider these points.
  • Greetings
  • Pronouns
  • Numbers
  • Etiquette conversation
  • Calendar and time
  • Directions
  • Restaurant, Hotel vocabulary
  • Shopping vocabulary
  • Banking vocabulary
  • Phone conversation .etc
  
  
• Improving Mandarin Grammar
  
  
  Grammar is called to be the toughest part regardless what the language is. But also if you digest it, the correct way, in an understanding manner, then you're on the go.
  Learning the grammar will help you become a fluent speaker.
  Consider following points in order to move on with grammar.
  • Sentence structure
  • Nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs
  • Negatives
  • Questions
  • Past, present, future tense
    
    
• Starting with Chinese characters
  
  
  
  Believe me, the Chinese character system is the hardest part of learning Mandarin. You will have to know more than 1500 characters to read a Chinese paper, unlike English. Here is the flow to get started.
  • Identify Chinese Characters
  • Begin to read Chinese Characters
  • Write Chinese Characters using Pinyin System
  • Write Chinese Characters using Real Chinese Characters
    
    
• Get familiar with the Chinese Culture
  
  
  As you progress in your mastery of Mandarin Chinese, you will need to get familiar with the Chinese culture.
  Knowing only how to speak, read and write Mandarin won't make you a Chinese expert.
  Know some facts regarding the Chinese Culture.
  • History of China
  • Feng shui
  • Yin-Yang
  • Kung-fu
  • Chinese names .etc
  
  
  
  ADVICE!
  
  For a beginner, I would like to recommend a trusted website that will provide you with online-learning of Mandarin Chinese.
  
  Culture Alley - Learn Mandarin Chinese Online