You Know it is Exam Time When...

There are so many exams going on at the moment. There are VCE exams and (I am not sure of this so do not judge me if I am wrong) the International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. Aside from these there are also all the end-of-year exams that come up for nearly every high school. There are several markers that can help you recognise when an exam is coming (if you do not know dates or are not very organised). Here is a list of just some of the ways you can work out if an exam is coming. If you have any more, do not be afraid to share them either by comments or the contact form to the right.

Source: http://thecampusminister.com/on-the-cle-1st-quarter-exams/

Work will begin to slow down in preparation for study and revision. This can be likened to the "silence before the storm" adage that works in many situations.

You begin to revise old topics in class. If you are doing this and you do not know there is an exam coming up, I am pretty sure there is. Your teacher would not be wasting precious class time on revision if it was not going to benefit you somehow.

People seem to get more distracted and pay even less attention. At least when there is normal work and students are learning something they need to pay some bit of attention so that they learn what they are being taught. However, since revision is going over things we already have learnt students do not seem to be as focused and spend a lot of class time playing games.

My brother watches even more television. It may not seem possible but a good indication of when exams are coming up is when my brother decides to re-watch some old television show just for the hell of it. When the DVD comes out you know someone is procrastinating.

People begin to stress out the night before and your inbox blows up with messages from stressed classmates doing last-minute fact-checking. This happens even before an assignment is due. Facebook just seems to become even busier. It really is an interesting phenomenon.

Posts like these begin to appear. Posts focused on exams like this one appear more on my blog. I know that last exam week every single day was a full post on one part of exams. You also notice a lot less short posts as I do not stay up as late and find it harder to procrastinate. Who am I kidding, I procrastinate anyway.

Do not leave all your studying to the last minute. See you tomorrow!

Getting Distracted

Have you ever started something, gotten distracted and realised hours later that you still have not done what you were originally meant to do? Yeah, story of my life. It happens to me all the time and so today I am going to discuss some of the times this has happened to me through examples. I know I did a post on distractions back in May but that was more about studying as I wrote it around the Semester 1 exams. This one is going to be different so you may see something familiar but overall it is different. So yeah, do not say I write the same stuff over and over again. Even my YouTube Subscriptions and Politics Series were different in that each post contained something different. If you have not read either of these two series then I am not fussed but if you look in the archives down there on your right (it is so hard to point through words) Politics will be under August and September while YouTube Subscriptions will be under June.

Source: http://www.daxmoy.com/london-personal-trainer-asks-what-is-your-distraction/

So when you try to start an assignment you sit down and open your books to start writing (if the assignment is to be done by hand). However, within a short period of time you tell yourself to go get a drink, it's good to keep hydrated, you are a good student. On your way to get a drink you hear the television and stop to look at what is on. BAM, YOU ARE DISTRACTED! Suddenly you have to go to bed and you have not even begun when it is due the very next day.

You are screwed. When you try to start your assignment and you open your laptop because you need to submit it electronically. You then open up your Internet browser to do some research. Ten minutes later you give yourself a little break. Every student needs a break to maintain their attention and health, you are a good student. You spend your break on Facebook and YouTube and BAM, YOU ARE DISTRACTED! Suddenly you have to go to bed and you have not even begun when it is due the very next day.

When you are studying for a test and you can not remember something and can not find any reference to it in any of your books. You decide you will text your friends to see if they can help you. However, you receive no response so you turn to Facebook and message them. However, on your way to message them you come by your news feed and BAM, YOU ARE LIVING YOUR LIFE THROUGH OTHER PEOPLE, YOU ARE DISTRACTED! Suddenly you have to go to bed and you have not even begun when it is due the very next day.

When you are meant to be practicing for a music exam or performance and you have just arrived home from school. You allow yourself a short break because you know you need a rest from music. You turn to the music on your phone and YouTube. BAM, SUDDENLY YOU ARE IN THE DARK EDGE OF YOUTUBE WITH NO HOPE OF ESCAPE, YOU ARE DISTRACTED! Suddenly you have to go to bed and you have not even begun when it is due the very next day.

When you are supposed to be writing a blog post and you turn to news.com for inspiration and find nothing. You decide to turn to Facebook to find something to vent your frustrations on. BAM, YOU FIND YOURSELF ABSORBED IN THE DEPRESSING READING OF FACEBOOK STATUSES, YOU ARE DISTRACTED (and possibly questioning your will to live)! Suddenly you have to go to bed and you have not even begun when it is due the very next day.

I hope these experiences did something for you as they did nothing for me, what is the point of this post? See you tomorrow!

Study Distractions

We have all experienced distractions. We all know how annoying they can be and how destructive they are to our planned events. For someone to be always able to study without experiencing any distractions is to be very lucky. It is no easy task being able to sit down and study for an extended period of time without being distracted a few times. It is incredibly frustrating and so I have decided to compile a list of sorts that contains certain things I find distracting when I am trying to study. Chances are that you guys have experienced at least one of these and if you have not then I envy you. Oh, do I envy you...

Image Source: http://studysuccess.org/

The first, and main, distraction I come across while trying to study is people. Have you ever tried studying with your friends? It is really hard to do it well when every few seconds you start talking about something else or going out on a tangent that is in no way related to what you are trying to focus on. Sometimes you end up spending half the time studying and half the time socialising. Of course, this is not a bad thing but it can be very distracting and frustrating afterwards. Having people watching you while you are trying to study is also very distracting. Suddenly you become very self-conscious and think twice about every move you make. Suddenly a task that should have taken only forty minutes goes on for an hour. You can see why I do not like people staring over my shoulder when I am trying to just get my work done. Electronics is another major distraction. This is especially annoying when you are on your laptop researching something and  you just say to yourself that you will spend ten minutes on Facebook for a break. However, this break tends to stretch into time periods that are much longer than previously intended which is why I like just going in and getting things done. That way there is less chance of me being distracted while on breaks. Then there are the background sounds like television or radio that distracts you and all you can think about is storming down there and switching the offending article off. This happens way too often to me and as you can see, even this Blog can be distracting. The above list is but some of what distracts me and there is a lot more but I will not list them all here as it would be very long.

Don't let distractions stop you from studying and never take breaks on Facebook or technology, see you tomorrow.

Free Periods

We have all had them and, at times, we have all enjoyed them. Of course, if you bothered to read the title, I am talking about free periods. Those rare times where the teacher says those magic five words that can send a class over the edge. Who knew what an impact "work on whatever you want" could have? It is one of those times you can really see the ethic students put into their work. I myself enjoy free periods because it either gives me time to catch up on work or relax. Of course, some students take "relax" a little too far but we'll get to that in a minute. Basically, free periods rock!
I mentioned earlier that a free period can split a class up and allow people to see the work ethic of a number of students. First you have the students who are 'frantically' trying to finish assignments or work they left to the last minute. I say 'frantically' with inverted commas because they always seem to have time to talk or, worse, criticise those around them. The next group of people are those who are not in a rush, are ahead and are just doing work now to save themselves homework in the future. This is generally the category I fall into. It's the best one not only because I'm in it but because we are not in a rush and we have time to socialise which makes it even more relaxing. The third, and almost worst, group is the one where people do nothing but chat when they know they have something important due. It annoys me because I would worry/stress a bit too much if I did that, those lucky bastards. The fourth, and most entertaining, group is the one where they take relaxing too far and end up falling asleep. I say entertaining because often they accidentally do something like fall off their chair or someone does something to them like push them off their chair. I guess I really do enjoy free periods.

Don't leave things to the last minute, see you tomorrow!

Exam Logic

As you all will know if you have been reading my posts recently, this week is exam week. I just have to say that during exams people have some really messed up logic. I am terming such logic "Exam Logic" as it only happens when there is an exam. During the past two days I have experienced people doing some really illogical things. It is like full-moon madness except with exams, I guess you could call it Exam-Madness or something. If I miss anything be sure to comment down below on any weird "Exam Logic" you may have experienced.

Image Source: http://www.ivoryresearch.com/custom-exam-notes-writing/

One of the worst examples of "Exam Logic" I can think of right now happens before you even sit the exam. This is the logic where people think they will be able to get by without studying. I do not know how people even manage to do this when I still get stressed out with exams even after I have studied all night for them. I had a friend who claims (I say "claims" because I don't believe he could do that) to not have done any studying for his exams today and when I arrived to school he was playing a game on his laptop. The weird part is that when it comes to tests and assignments these people will study but when it comes to exams which is really just a big test they do not even get stressed when they don't study. How can you not study for exams? I would be a mess if I didn't study for any exams. "Exam Logic" can be really illogical at times.

Image Source: http://www.vrkmphoto.com/interesting/more-study-more-confusion-no-study-no-confusion/

"Exam Logic" really comes into play during the actual exam. The first part is when people get out all their pens and pencils but forget to bring out the most important part they'll need like a rubber or ruler. Halfway through they realise and they have to move their chairs to reach what they need and so they do what I talked about yesterday with the chair. They'll start out quick and then realise the noise it makes. From here they'll go extra slow to drag out the noise instead of going fast to get rid of the noise (oh the logic). Then there are the people who turn up on the day of a Maths exam without a calculator. Who would not think of bringing a calculator to their Maths exam? Then they go running around everywhere trying to find a spare calculator. It is even worse when they just assume they'll be able to borrow the calculator off the person nearest them. Like I said in yesterday's post they'll act like they're doing you a big favour in letting you use it until they need it. Excuse me, it's a Maths exam, you are more likely than not going to need the calculator most of the time. I just do not know how these people actually think anymore. Sometimes I think people just automatically switch off when exams come around. I really hope "Exam Logic" isn't contagious. Yes, I know the person in the picture is playing Pokemon, if you don't like it then email me at legolukeytutorials@gmail.com I'll be happy to reply. So I know this isn't all the "Exam Logic" that is going around these days so if I've missed out anything you have thought of then comment it down below or email me (see above).

Image Source: 

http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/ti-nspire-cx-cas-calculator-lets-you-play-pokemon-in-full-color-during-class

May the odds be ever in your favour, see you tomorrow!

Studying Tips

So it's that time of year again. Yes, it's time for exams! The time we all love to hate. The only really good thing about this is we only have to go to school for the exams which means really short school days. It's also good because the whole week before is just Revision Week where they can't teach us anything new. The downside of this is also that we can't have anything due that week and so all our assignments are due the week before (this week) meaning a very stressful time for students. At least once this week is over all that's left to do is study. In today's post I am going to discuss some study techniques that could help you do really well on your exams!

For Maths subjects I find starting my revision by reading through the chapters we have completed to be my first step in studying. From this reading I make summary notes on key concepts of the chapters. These may include formulas, graphs, rules and a few questions as examples. After this is completed I find it time to complete the chapter review just from the summary notes so you can see if you need to add something. Once this is done it is also useful to go back to the chapters and complete some more questions that you weren't on the layout that you completed the first time around. I have used this many times both in normal Maths and Maths Methods and it really has helped me a lot in remembering all that I need to. It is also useful to go online and do find some practice tests on Google. It is very helpful to complete these tests under exam conditions and without breaks as this will provide you with great practice. Remember, cramming the night before will do you no good as you will not retain what you just read. If this does work for you (and you get good marks), I am very jealous of you.

For subjects like Humanities and Science where there is a lot of information to remember I find the following study methods helpful. First, I create a summary sheet of all that I can remember about the topic (or topics) without looking at the text book or notebook and then I look through my textbook/notebook/workbook and write down any extra notes I may have forgotten in a different colour so that it stands out and I know what I need to work on remembering. After this I go online and search up online quizzes or tests about the topic that can help me revise. I also find the use of flashcards to be very helpful and I used it a lot (and to great effect) in the Semester 2 exams last year as there was a lot to remember with Health and Physical Education and Science. There is a great free app for android called StudyDroid  where you go online and make the flash cards (you can also create them on the phone) and you can sync the ones you create online with the ones on the phone so that you can study topics on the go. I also use this app in my Piano lessons for theory. I find it very helpful and there is bound to be a similar flash card app on the Apple App Store. Remember, trying a variety of study methods is best so you can find which one works best for you.

For LOTE subjects (such as French or Chinese) there are a number of tactics I use to revise. The first thing (and most favourite) I do is use Language Perfect to revise some old vocabulary that could come in handy as well as learn some new adjectives that might help in the written task. The next thing I do is read through my workbook and look at some of the activities we have completed and then do similar ones that I make up myself or search for online. This really helps with the application of different words and verbs because there is only so much you can do when you know what a word means. If there is a written component it is also very helpful to look over some of the previous topics you may have covered to gauge what sort of writing task it might be. If the teacher provides a Revision Sheet make sure you complete it as they are very useful. Then you can try your hand at several different writing activities to see how you do, the teacher will be happy to look through it with you to see where you could improve. Remember, just because you learnt something last year does not mean it will not be involved in the exam.

For English where there may be a text response essay there are ways you can study. First, the teacher will generally tell you what it is you will be responding to if it is a text, or the sort of topic (such as persuasive writing). If it is a text the first thing to do is to write a summary of each part of the text so you can gauge what you can remember about it. This way you know what parts of the book you may need to re-read if you cannot remember what it is about. From your summary look at some key themes and write down some good  quotes for each because there is more than likely going to be questions relating to some theme or something. From here it may also be useful to make up your own prompts based on previous ones you have worked on or other ones relating to major (or minor) themes in the text and then write a plan out for this. If you want, you could write out an essay and show it to your teacher for feedback but just a plan is enough so you can work out what sort of topics you might discuss. For something else, like a persuasive piece or text analysis, it is best to look at examples of these and use textbooks or notebooks for examples of how to write something like this. You might even do a Google search for some of these topics and practice things for you to work on. Just don't forget to practice, even if this just means writing out a plan. Some practice is better than none. Remember, just because you may not be allowed to bring in your text does not mean you do not use quotes.

May the odds be ever in your favour for Exams, see you tomorrow!

Pressure

Pressure, we all feel it from time to time. Pressure can come in many forms and at many levels. It can affect us in different ways. Pressure can be a bad thing but it can also be a good thing and can motivate us to new levels. However too much pressure is not a good thing. We all experience pressure in our daily-lives and some of us handle it well while others don't. Pressure can come from many different sources as well which can sometimes throw us off guard if we aren't expecting it.

Pressure doesn't have to be bad thing, it can be used to motivate us and push us to better things. If we feel pressured to do something we usually will do it almost right away just to get it over with. This can also mean that we have more time to work on it such that it turns out better than if we felt no pressure at all. A great example of this is a school assignment that we have a short period of time to complete. Some people feel pressured into starting straight away so they can get it over with, this tends to leave the person with a lot more time at the end to go over it and spend time on the presentation of it. Some others would leave it to the last minute and they feel even more pressure and they get over-worked and don't complete the work to as high a standard as the people who started straight away. It just goes to show that even though pressure can be a good thing too much of it is not such a good thing.

It's no secret that we all face pressure in our daily lives and that this pressure comes from many different sources. Pressure can come from school, work, friends or even family. It can come in the form of work (assignments, reports), relationships or even illness. Pressure can change us and can bring out the best in us. For example, we might be feeling the pressure of a family illness. This puts a lot of pressure on a person (trust me, I know) and it can bring out the best of a person. It can show a person the depth of their emotions and the ability of theirs to keep up with the work load and their family issues. Pressure can bring out the best in us even when it comes from a number of sources.

Pressure comes in many forms and can be beneficial and detrimental to us in many ways. It can also come from many different sources and can bring out the best in us. Pressure can teach us things about ourselves we otherwise would not have known.

May the odds be ever in your favour, see you tomorrow!

Science and Keeping Young

Sorry for the late post today!

So, Science Science Science! I spent most of tonight actually completing an assignment on the TAC's Wipe off 5 Campaign and how it is effective where we had to incorporate our own data regarding reaction times, breaking distances and stopping distances. This was not as long as it could have been as our class had already handed in the assignment but the teacher found out that every other class got a rubric for the task but we hadn't which meant she gave us back our raw score based on the rubric and we had an extra week to complete our task via the rubric. This was great but now I am so SICK of the TAC and their "WIPE OFF 5" CAMPAIGN! It is a good campaign and it is quite interesting but this assignment ruined it for me. Anyway, I enjoyed doing it and now it is 10pm and I am writing this post quickly before going to bed. The worst part with this is that we had to submit it using this online thing called eWorkspace and the Dropbox (but don't worry about what that is if you don't know) but of course it wasn't submitting the document so now I'll have to do it tomorrow morning before class. Anyway, glad that is over.

On the way home from my Methods Tutoring we drove past a park that was empty except for this one old man. Normally I would just be like "Ok, what else is going on?" but it was what this guy was doing that attracted my attention. This elderly man in the deserted park was atop of the slide after climbing up the steps and was about to go down the slide. I didn't get to see if he actually went down the slide because we passed it pretty quickly but that was still the highlight of my day! I mean, my Dad thought I was cracking it because I couldn't stop laughing... Anyway, I guess that must have made him feel young but imagine that, an elderly citizen enjoying a ride on the slide at the park.

Well that is it for today because I have to go to bed.

May the odds be ever in your favour, see you tomorrow.

Essays, Tests, Assignments and Revenge

SO MUCH WORK! The thought on most of my classmates minds this week. It is a busy week, even though it is the last of Term 1. Today (Monday) we had to write a Text Response Essay on Bali Rai's "City of Ghosts" which was simple enough, quite an easy way to start the week.

So luckily there was only a quiet start to the week. However, we have a Science Assignment due on Wednesday, a Unit 1 Maths Methods SAC on Matrices on Thursday, a Linear Algebra normal Maths test also on Thursday and a Health and Physical Education Nutrition Assignment due on Thursday. So there really is a lot of stuff going on this week which should hopefully finish in quiet holidays as we won't have a class to start anything new! Here's hoping. Anyway, I understand why they give us all this stuff and why it is due before the holidays and all the rest but I just think it is a bit annoying that we can't enjoy the last week of Term 1 instead of working so hard! Anyway, there are 3 more terms so here's hoping they are quieter, though they most likely won't be.

Also, is it just me or is REVENGE amazingly addictive? I am just so addicted to it and I have been so since the first episode was aired in Australia last year. Now in its second season I can't believe how addicting and intriguing it still is. The writers are amazing because there are so many layers and foreshadowing. Not to mention all the TWISTS AND TURNS! If you don't know what Revenge is, who are you? Research it immediately! Tonight's episode is a new one (well to Australia anyway) in Season 2 where Victoria Grayson's Mother comes to town, things are bound to get interesting! CAN'T WAIT! I love Revenge! The actors and writers are so good and you should really check it out!

May the odds be ever in your favour, see you tomorrow!