This month

Testing and studying skills

• Feature — Develop a study plan
• Web quest — Tips on studying
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

Develop a study plan

What's the easiest way to learn course content? Read the recommended text passages, attend class regularly, listen intently, and take your own notes. In addition, you might find it helpful to develop a study plan.

Set a schedule.
To develop a good study plan, think about the process of studying. Decide where and when you want to study. Create a weekly schedule and block off the day in one-hour parts. Mark times for classes, labs, lectures, extracurricular activities, work, and sleep time. Then, find specific study times for each subject and stick to studying those subjects at those times every week.

Stay healthy.
Many students find that when they get into a heavy study routine, it can be easy to forget about regular exercise and healthy eating habits. Make sure to include time for exercise and relaxation, because the healthier your body, the better you can deal with stress.

Take advantage of timing.
Deciding when to study is critical. A good rule of thumb is to study when you are rested and alert. Start with the more challenging and difficult tasks while your mind is most focused and open for information.

If your study period is before a lecture class, be sure you have read all the assignments and made notes on what you don't understand. If the study period is after the lecture class, review the notes you took during class while the information is still fresh in your mind.

Take breaks to re-energize.
When you're busy studying, don't forget to take breaks every once in awhile. Also, every half-hour, you should take a few minutes to reflect on what you just learned. If you understand what you just studied, you'll be able to summarize it for a parent or friend who is helping you. If you stumble, re-read or re-study the material. If that doesn't work, write down what you just learned. All of these activities can help you reinforce the main points.

Form a study group.
Study groups can help you conquer challenging course material. Invite three to six people to meet regularly to discuss and review material. Set a regular meeting time, decide on studying timelines, and split up responsibilities for the group. Keep a list of e-mail addresses and phone numbers, so that you can communicate between study sessions.

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Web quest

Tips on studying

There are many resources on the Web that can help you when you need homework assistance. They can also serve as useful study aids. Here are a few sites:

• Channel 4 — Homework High
  Homework High can help students with their homework. The site offers virtual libraries dedicated to English, math, science, geography, language, and history.
  www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/H/homeworkhigh
• DiscoverySchool.com — Student's Guide
  DiscoverySchool.com has tools to help students study, games to challenge their minds, and tons of great clip art to use. In addition, there are nearly a dozen learning adventures that let students explore everything from ancient Egypt to the International Space Station.
  http://school.discovery.com/students/
• NationalGeographic.com Kids — Homework Help
  Homework Help from NationalGeographic.com Kids provides information about animals, history and culture, geography, places, and science. The site is a useful research tool to find pictures, articles, maps, and more on many subjects — perfect for reports, presentations, and more.
  www.nationalgeographic.com/homework

You can also find more scholarship-related Web sites in AIE's "Internet Resources" (www.AIE.org/Links/Paying/).

Watch for next week's issue of AIEmail for more scholarship resources.

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Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen and sophomores

• Exams are coming up; each assignment, exam, and project will probably carry a certain weight in your final grade. Ask your teacher what these weights will be, and study first for the parts that will count the most.
• Some teachers offer study sheets and review sessions outside of the regular class period. Take advantage — all of these activities can only help you improve your grade.
• Keep your materials organized and easy to find; become familiar with where to locate and review key information.
• Make sure you are making notes in your daily planner. The information available in these tools is only valuable if it is maintained regularly.
• Study in groups whenever possible. Group studying helps you gather different ideas about how to learn the materials, and it gives you other resources to assist with your studying.
• Make a calendar that clearly shows timelines for tests and exams. Review regularly.

For juniors

• Visit with your counselor now about your course load and selection for next semester. Check to make sure you are on track to complete your requirements for graduation. As you near completion, your options become more limited for course selection.
• Plan your time well and study as much as possible. Cramming for a test is rarely helpful, and sometimes it can actually hurt your grade. Besides, you don't need the stress.
• Set up a study group for your more challenging courses. Chances are, if you're having problems mastering material for a class, there are probably other students with the same experience.

For seniors

• Visit with your counselor now about your course load and selection for next semester. Check to make sure you are on track to complete your requirements for graduation. As you near completion, your options become more limited for course selection.
• If any of the college applications you have submitted require a mid-year report, make sure you have provided the form to your counselor or school registrar to complete. This information is used to report your progress after your first semester — so don't slack off on your studies.
• Set up a study group for your more challenging courses. Chances are, if you're having problems mastering material for a class, there are probably other students struggling through the material.

For parents

• Encourage your child to find out what the grade requirements are for each class. Frequently, assignments, tests, and class participation all count towards the final grade. Make sure your child understands this and concentrates on class requirements appropriately.
• If you have a freshman or sophomore, consider encouraging him or her to set up a study calendar that includes exam and major project dates and deadlines.
• If your child hasn't set up a study location or time, encourage him or her to do so. Recognize and respect study times as "quiet time" in the household, and provide encouragement whenever possible.
• Avoid scheduling doctor and dentist appointments that will conflict with study sessions.

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Take notice

Important dates

Mark down these dates.

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web Site(www.collegeboard.com) or call (609) 771-7600.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web Site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

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