Speaking Skills

2 of 10

When you’re assigned a class presentation, think twice before dismissing it as an unimportant part of your education. Employers look for speaking skills in job applicants, who may have to give presentations to clients or represent their organization in the field. It’s never too soon to practice good eye contact and other public speaking techniques.

According to The Book of Lists, the fear of public speaking ranks number one in the minds of the majority of the people. Far above the fear of death and disease, comes the fear of standing in front of a crowd. Joel Weiner noted author and public speaker wants to help people overcome that fear.

“The biggest fear is public speaking, with 15 percent of American experiencing a dramatic fear of it,” said Dr. Michael Telch of the Laboratory for the study of Anxiety Disorders (LSAD) in the Department of Psychology at The University of Texas at Austin. “People have had to turn down jobs, and certainly students have dropped classes because of it.”

Regardless of your occupation, your success depends a great deal upon your ability to communicate effectively! Whether you’re running a meeting, selling a product, making a presentation, motivating co-workers or just communicating one-on-one with others, you’ll get far better results if you can speak persuasively, smoothly and intelligently.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Exam Day: Survival Tips

Test-Taking

Part 2

During the Test

Read the Directions.

It’s important that you follow the instructions exactly. For example, some questions may have more than one correct answer.

Answer easy questions first.

Doing this you can jog your memory about useful facts. You may also come across information that can help you with other questions.

Answer every question.

Unless there is a penalty for wrong answers, try to answer every question, you may be able to get partial credit for those you begin but don’t complete correctly.

Ask questions.

If a question isn’t clear, talk to your teacher. If that’s not possible, explain your answer in the margin.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

It’s Online, but Is It On Target?

Part 2

Research with Attitude

Conduct your research with the attitude of a skeptic. As you examine websites for clues that they’re trustworthy, ask these questions:

·       Who wrote the Web page? If you can’t identify the individual or organization responsible for the information, don’t use it.

·       What are the author’s qualifications for writing on the subject?

·       Has the article passed through an editorial process designed to ensure quality and accuracy?

·       What is the website’s purpose? Look for motives – like selling products or winning votes – that could result in biased or incomplete information.

·       Is the information accurate? Is it up to date?

·       Where did the author get the information?

 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Note-Taking Strategies

Part 2

During Class

One approach that has been proven effective is called the Cornell Note-Taking System. Here are some of its methods.

Start by using the main section of your page to take down your notes during class. Be sure to leave space on the left side of the page and the bottom. Things to keep in mind:

1.    Get the speaker’s main points. Don’t write down every word you hear.

2.    Leave blanks in your notes to add explanations later.

3.    Organize as you write. Pay attention to cues such as repetition and emphasis.

4.    Indicate main and supporting points as you go.

5.    Jot down key vocabulary, important facts and formulas.

6.    Ask questions. If you’re confused, it’s better to ask while the material is still fresh in your mind.

 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

The Power of Study Groups

http://www.collegeboard.com/students/plan/high-school/50432.html

Part 2

The Benefits of Study Groups

Group study offers other advantages in addition to gaining a deeper understanding of class material. These include the opportunity to;

Reinforce note taking. If your AP Biology notes are unclear, you can ask a member of your study group to help you fill in the gaps.

Share talents. Each person brings different strengths, such as organizational skills, the ability to stick to a task or a capacity for memorization.

Cover more ground. Group members may be able to solve a calculus problem together that none would have solved alone.

Benefit from a support system. Members often have common goals, such as good grades. Each person’s work affects the other members, which results in making members supportive of one another.

Socialize. It’s more fun to study with others; the give-and-take makes it more interesting. And because it’s more fun, you spend more time studying!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

How to Take on College Studying

Part 2

http://www.brainpop.com/

Choose Where to Study

W

here you should study depends on two factors: the environment in which you are best able to concentrate and the type of work you are planning to do.

·       The best places to study have good light, a comfortable temperature and enough desk space – usually your dorm room, your apartment or the library.

·       For completing problem sets or brainstorming possible test questions, you may want to study with a group or at least in a setting where fellow students are available for discussion.

·       When you are reading book chapters or working on a research paper, you are probably better off in a less social environment.

Improve Your Study Habits

H

ere are some simple steps you can take to help you get a handle on studying:

·       Have a Routine for when and where you study.

·       Choose reasonable and specific goals that you can accomplish for each study session.

·       Do things that are harder or require more intense thought at your most productive time of day.

·       Take breaks if you need them so you don’t waste time looking at material but not absorbing it.

·       Get to know students whom you respect and can study with or contact to ask questions.

·       Keep up with the workload and seek help when you need it.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens

Habit 2

Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind

I

f teens aren’t clear about where they want to end up in life, about their values, goals, and what they stand for, they will wander, waste time, and be tossed to and fro by the options of others. Help your teen create a personal mission statement which will act as a road map and direct and guide his decision-making process.

“Keep your eyes on the prize.” Determine your desired prize and don’t quit until you have realized the achievement of your prize. Then set another prize, another goal or desire that you would really like to achieve. Begin with the achievement of your prize in mind. Visualize and then realize. Start by having a target in mind; know where you are going.

One prize or goal you definitely need to establish for yourself is the prize of an honorable graduation from high school – that you will receive your diploma honestly and with integrity – that you earned it with perfect honesty.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!