Sort Out Your Schedule
You can actually spend less time studying for your exam if you start with a great game plan. Make a list of what topics you need to cover and when youre going to cover them. Start your study schedule as early as possible , and figure out how much time youll need to study each day to stay on track.
What Is A Major Whats The Difference Between A Major And A Minor
A major is a specific subject area college students specialize in. Typically, between one-third and one-half of the courses youll take in college will be in your major or related to it. Some colleges even let you design your own major!
A minor is a secondary field you can study in while completing your major degree program. Its a specialization that requires fewer courses than a major. Minors are only required for certain degrees.
Let Colleges Come To You
A representative from So and So University will be at Your High School on such and such a day. Sound familiar? Go to these information sessions, even if youve never heard of the college or university. Its a great way to learn about all of your options and establish personal connections with the people who decide whether to admit or deny applicants.
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Athletics And Other Extracurriculars
A lot of your time in college will be spent in activities outside the classroomas it should be!
College extracurriculars span virtually every interest you can imagine, from academic clubs to cultural groups to theater troupes to intramural sports. Campus clubs can also help you figure out what major is right for you or if youre on the right career track. And they can help you develop all kinds of useful skills, from teamwork to creative problem solving .
If youre serious about sports, athletics can also add a whole new dimension to your college search too. Student-athletes should start by realistically assessing their abilities and considering which schools are most likely to give them a team jersey. Talk to the coaches at your high school and at the colleges youre interested in and ask them to evaluate your chances of being formally recruited for your sport.
Questions to ask:
- Does the college offer what Im looking for when Im not in class?
- What kinds of extracurricular opportunities exist on campus in art, music, theater, community service, athletics, etc.?
- How many students participate in extracurriculars?
- Are there clubs or pre-professional associations related to my major or intended career?
- Can students start their own clubs? How easy is it to do?
- What is the athletic recruitment process like?
- What athletic conference and division is the school?
Top Tip #: You Can Always Change Your Mind
Yes, this is an important decision. But if you get there and you realise youve made a terrible mistake, its not too late. Talk to the student counsellor on campus, and see if there are better options for you there. Dont spend the next five years of your life staring at textbooks you have no interest in whatsoever. Remember, its all about your passion keep the excitement alive, and you will succeed!
If you want more advice on choosing a course, chat to us on our page.
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Different Schools Different Expectations
At some large universities, it is possible that you will need to pick a field of study when you apply. For example, some of the California public universities are trying to balance enrollments within different programs. You will often be asked to indicate a major on your college application. And if you are applying to a business or engineering school within a larger university, you will often need a specialized application for that school.
At most colleges, however, being undecided is fine or even encouraged. At Alfred University, for example, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences changed the official designation for undecided students from “Undecided” to “Academic Exploration.” Exploring is a good thing, and it’s what the first year of college is for.
A Final Word About College Interviews
You’ll want to be honest in your college interview. If you don’t know what you want to major in, don’t pretend that you do. At the same time, be sure to convey the fact that you do have academic interests and that you are looking forward to exploring those interests in college.
If you want to keep preparing for your interview, be sure to check out these 12 common questions and to be even more prepared, here are 20 more common questions. Also be sure to avoid these 10 college interview mistakes. If you’re wondering what to wear, here is some advice for men and women.
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How To Decide What You Want & Need In A College
With so many different colleges out there, it can be daunting to find the one that is right for you. Many factors comprise the college experience, and differentiating between what you want and need from a college experience can be fun and intimidating. Deciding these things can be overwhelming, but if you take the time to reflect on the factors most important to you, youll create a clearer pathway toward your best college experience.
Its time to brainstorm! Take about fifteen to thirty minutes to think about your priorities and all the things you want to get out of college, writing without censorship and then reflecting on what youve written. You will likely find that you already have a pretty good idea of certain aspects that matter to you. That said, there are so many aspects of college to consider that it may be easy to forget one thing or another.
Take a look at this article to see some essential factors to consider. Depending on your individual priorities, any one of these general details could make or break your decision. Connect with what you want and get one step closer to finding the college that fulfills your interests.
Steer Clear Of Distractions
Distractions are everywherefrom cell phones to social media to friends. Be aware of what distracts you in class and know how to steer clear of these distractions. Avoid sitting next to friends if you know they will distract you. Turning off your cell phone will also help make sure you are paying attention to your teacher.
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Example Answer: Community College
I chose community college because I was supporting myself, and I wanted a college that was both flexible and affordable. While I was attending classes, I was also working 30 hours a week, but I still managed to get my associate degree in two and a half years.
Why It Works: You get a real sense of the candidate’s strong work ethic from this response, as well as some of the priorities that are important to the candidate.
The Dilemma Of The Curious And Well
In his article on how to get into Harvard and the Ivy League, PrepScholar co-founder Allen Cheng talks about developing a “spike” to make you attractive to highly selective national universities.
The idea of developing a spike makes sense for students who are both dedicated to being the best at one thing in particular and who are interested in applying to the Ivy League and similarly selective universities. If attending somewhere like Stanford or Columbia is your goal, you want to have one area that you really stand out in, rather than being well-rounded.
For students who have grown up being told that being a well-rounded student is important, the fact that you probably won’t get into a top national university by being good at everything can feel like the deepest betrayal.
Now, I didn’t know any of this information about not being well-rounded or having a “spike” when I was applying to schools.
But even if I had known about this strategy, I doubt I would have opted for it, because it just didn’t match who I was as a student. Rather than that picture of one ball with a spike rising out of it, I was more like a morningstarlots of spikes going off into all different directions for all my different interests.
A morningstar, or my different interests? Impossible to tell apart!
The different directions of my interests, but with Ludwigsburg tourist attractions instead of academic subjects.
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How To Answer Why Did You Choose Your College
In your response, you want to walk the interviewer through your decision-making process.
That way, you can show that you made a deliberate and informed choice . If there’s a way to connect your decision here to the role at hand, do so! For example, you may want to call out the college’s small size, and talk about how you thrive in smaller groups if you’re applying for a job at a smaller company.
Here are some specific factors that you can tease out depending on the type of school you attended:
Work More Efficiently With The Pomodoro Technique
Pomodoro, the Italian word for tomato, was the shape of the kitchen timer used by Francesco Cirillo, who invented this popular technique for getting things done.
He would do one task for 25 minutes, and once the timer buzzed, he would take a 5-minute break. Rinse and repeat.
This technique is superb for getting in the zone when studying.
Its much easier to tell yourself to study for 25 minutes than an entire hour. The little break you get in between will also serve to refresh your brain before taking on the next chapter.
One task, one tomato at a time.
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What Can Help Me Focus On Studying
If you are having a hard time focusing and your issue is not motivation, here are some simple things you can do:
1. Remove Distractions
The number one reason students have a hard time staying focused is because you have too many distractions.
Turn off your phone.
Turn off your web browsers.
And turn off the TV.
Get rid of anything that can stop you from staying focused.
2. Create A Study Space
Its important to create a space that is designated for studying only.
Just like your bedroom is designated for sleeping , you need a space that is only for studying because it sends a signal to your brain, We are studying now.
This is why going to the gym or to a yoga class is better than doing it at home because it is a space that has a specific energy being cultivated for that task only.
The key here is only.
If you try and study on your couch or your dining room table, that wont have as much of an impact as going to the library or having a desk and workspace.
Find your space and stick to it.
3. Use Social Media Less
Yes. I know this one is going to be difficult.
But heres the deal
A recent study has shown that we now have the attention span of a goldfish .
When you spend a lot of time on social media, you are conditioning your mind to multi-task and take in lots of different information.
And while there can be some benefits to this if you want to be a good at multi-tasking, the down side is that it affects your ability to focus one thing at a time.
This excites your brain.
How To Get Motivated To Study For A Test
1. Remember Your Goal
The most important thing you must do is associate taking the test with your goal.
Remember
You are taking these tests for a reason.
And hopefully the reason is to go get your dream job and build your career.
So associate taking the test with what you want from life .
2. Read Articles From People You Admire
We all admire and look up to someone.
Whether you are a programmer who admires Steve Jobs or a financial expert who admires Warren Buffet, it is important to have people we look up to.
Spend ten minutes watching videos or reading article by or about the people you admire.
This will remind you about what you want to become and it will get you excited to study for your test
3. Pump Yourself Up
Whether you do some jumping jacks, listen to good music, go for a run, or read some inspirational and motivational quotes, find something you can do that will get you pumped up!
4. Embrace The Journey
Heres the deal
You are on a journey right now and this journey consists of doing lots of things you may not want to do.
We all have to do it.
You are not special.
Whether you are a famous athlete who has to train seven hours a day or a performer who has to practice the same dance moves ten hours a day, we all have to commit to the process and details of our craft.
Manup and get it done.
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Find A Flexible University System
If youre still not sure, the best suggestion I can make is to choose a university with a flexible system, that will allow you to explore more than one subject area, and if necessary to change your mind.
In North America, for example, its common to spend the first two years of an undergraduate degree covering a wide variety of subjects, before deciding on a major. Elsewhere, many universities offer dual degrees, which allow you to study two or more different subjects. Others will have scope for students to take at least some modules from other courses.
Its also worth asking how easy it is to switch subjects if you really have a change of heart though I wouldnt advise doing that during an admissions interview!
Feed Your Brain Study
Your brain is like any other organ in your body, and responds well to nourishment.
Eat brain foods known to improve energy levels and focus for more effective study sessions. Examples of these include fatty fish, broccoli, and leafy greens.
For those averse to vegetables, youll be happy to note that dark chocolate is also considered brain food!
On the flip side, avoid brain poison like sugary snacks or junk food. These foods spike your energy, which is great at first but not so much when the sugar crash hits.
Fuel your body well and it will keep your most important engine running.
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Questions To Ask Before A Test
- What material will the test cover?
- Will there be an exam review session during class?
- Will there be after-school opportunities for more review?
- What is the format of the exam? Multiple-choice? Short answer? Will there be essays to write?
- How many points is the exam worth?
- Do you have specific study tips to help me prepare? .
Studying In Canada: Choosing A School College Or University
There are many different types of schools and institutions in Canada. For more information and listings of schools, contact the organizations listed below for each institution type, or consult:
- EduCanada, the Government of Canada website on this topic
- the Ministry of Education of the province in which you would like to study
Many schools and institutions across the country offer opportunities to study in French.
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Six Tips To Help You Choose What To Study In College
The start of the second semester marks a time when many universities require college sophomores to declare their majors. By the time spring rolls around, students have conquered a variety of classes and discovered what appeals to them, but narrowing it down to a single subject or two can still seem like a make-or-break decision. An important thing to keep in mind is that, while college majors certainly affect the jobs you’ll apply for after school, they don’t necessarily dictate your future. Internships, part-time jobs, grad school, and other resume-builders will make a big impact on the direction your career will take, too.
We talked to college students about how they chose what to study while pursuing undergrad degrees, and what kind of advice they have for those who are still undecided.
Look to your family for insight. Sometimes it’s hard to recognize your own strengths and skills your family and close friends are a great sounding board when it comes to outlining your talents and tapping into your passions. “I consulted with my parents and my siblings, because they’re my biggest support group and know me the best out of everyone,” says Chanel, 19, from California. “Although my family influenced what I decided on, they never pushed or pressured me to major in something I wouldn’t enjoy. It was exciting to have the liberty to choose what I wanted to do, knowing I would be happy and successful.”
When Do You Declare A Major
Generally at most four-year colleges you dont have to decide on a major until the end of your sophomore year. This gives you time to try a couple of classes and see what you like before you decide, and earn general education credits that count toward your degree. Keep in mind, certain fields and programs require an early commitment so you can take all the required classes and graduate on time.
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Top Tip #: Whats Important To You
While you are researching, youll come up with all kinds of different criteria to judge a university or course by. So make a shortlist of the top three features youre looking for. These could be school ranking or prestige, research facilities, practical experience and internships, cost of tuition, student support services, safety, social life, chance to travel there are so many variables, and whats right for you may be completely wrong for someone else.