Chances are if you’re in high school, struggling with your English courses – it’s at least partially because you’re TEXTING and TWEETING too much. A recent study reported that British teens were using approximate 800 words a day, significantly less than the 40,000 words a typical 16-year-old should have at his or her command.
Here’s an exponential tip for you – try to learn ONE NEW WORD EVERY DAY… That will help replace the one you’re FORGETTING every day!
A great site you can bookmark is Visual Thesaurus. It’s also a great resource when you’re writing term papers and need to find just the right word!
Dear Marc Dussault:
I recently purchased your book. It has now been a week and while I agree with a lot of the suggestions in your book, I have yet to start implementing them yet.
I was a procrastinator in high school. Somehow though I managed to succeed enough to well and still get into the Engineering degree of my choice.
However the same methods don’t work anymore in university. University is so different from high school!
Yet for almost the past 5-6 years this is all I have done in order to complete my studies. I understand everything your book says and I appreciate the e-mail tips; I do the exercises and I try to eat well as well as sleep, but still… I just can’t seem to start.
What’s wrong with me? I’ve researched on the net, and apparently there are not only procrastinators but also chronic procrastinators as well. I think I may be one for sure, for I’ve been procrastinating so long I don’t really know what the meaning of “study” is anymore…
I make lists and lists of what I want to achieve. Each time changing and changing the detail or format, and hoping that I will implement it (I tried to start with this technique from your book first). But somehow I just become tired by the large amount of uni work covered in the day or even if I’m not tired I just would rather have fun things to do.
I really want to succeed and do well… that should be enough motivation… but I still can’t keep it up. I did the 8-minute technique and it seemed to work well, that I actually kept going. But the next day, I looked at the same piece of math homework and I could not bring myself to continue doing it. I literally was having a mental argument inside my head for the pros and cons of not doing the homework, that I physically felt like I was actually getting stressed.
Where do I start? And why can’t I stay motivated?
In saying all of this, I have a mathematics exam this Friday…
Sincerely requiring help………….!
Ann
First of all, Ann, you’re “owning” the label of procrastinator just a little too seriously – what that means is that you SEE YOURSELF and THINK YOU’RE a procrastinator, which means you’re going to continue to procrastinate. Let’s face it – the label of regular every day LOSER is not enough, you need an even WORSE label… “Chronic Procrastinator!” which is a TOTAL LOSER!
How does that make you feel? Because it’s true – procrastinators, especially chronic ones never achieve anything because they never get anything finished – many don’t even start – LIKE YOU!
How do you feel about being branded a LOSER?
Procrastinator sounds better doesn’t it?!?!
You’re still a LOSER…
UNLESS you are just “doing procrastination”… That means you just slipped and got into a bad habit and are in fact a winner who just slipped up…
Is that it? Are you really a WINNER who just had a lapse of judgment and discipline?
Or are you really a LOSER? If you are a LOSER, good riddance, I have no time for you – seriously.
If however you are a WINNER who just lost her way – watch this YouTube video for the cure to procrastination – it works even better for CHRONIC PROCRASTINATION!
I recently filmed a bonus video for people who buy my study book. It’s called “5 Minutes To Go From Panic To Passing Tomorrow’s Exam”. In fact, the introduction video is included at the end of this blog post. In the video, I explain strategies that make the most of the little bit of time you have when cramming for an exam at the last minute.
That’s when the two little guys below came to mind…
Ace Your Next Exam With Troll Power!
Here’s the thing that’s really important, as I explain in my video…
All students rely on Post It Notes to reference where the most important facts, figures and information is. It’s a priceless study tool that we just can’t live without. That being said, this 2-minute YouTube video brings a whole new dimension to how you can use Post It Notes. Enjoy it and then get back to studying!
Studying is always stressful and filled with pressure – it’s even more daunting when you’re a mature student, who has been out of school for 10, 20 or even 30 years… Like Sue Wickliffe of Omaha, Nebraska. In today’s post, I have a few recommendations for someone who’s going back to school after a long absence…
Here I am… I’m going to be 60 in April and the IAAP Chapter that I belong to here in Omaha, Nebraska talked me into becoming certified. I’m currently thinking … “What did I get myself into.” There are four large books I will be studying:
1) Office Systems and Technology
2) Office Administration
3) Management
4) Advanced Management
I have an electronic version of these books (which is better than the books themselves). The actual books are too wordy. Loses the reader. On the electronic version there was a link to “Ask Jeeves” and I typed in How to study. Voila!!! There was your website. I purchased your book “Get The Best Grades With The Least Amount Of Effort” as well as your Speed Reading Video Program.
Right now I’m feeling overwhelmed and haven’t studied since high school. I’m hoping your materials will help me. I plan to apply them. The big 6-hour test will take place this November and the other two hour test (for the last book) will take place in May 2011.
The Good Lord gave me a brain and people like you to bring it to fruition.
I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
ONWARD AND UPWARD!!!
Sue Wickliffe (I hope to have CPS and CAP initials after my name soon)
Study Tips For A Mature Student Going Back To School.
One of our affiliate referral sites, www.mature-student-tips.com has quite a bit of useful content for a mature student going back to school.
Go there and have a look. I’m sure you’ll find some great ideas. We like to support people who endorse our products and programs!
As a student who wants to get the best grades with the least amount of effort, you need to find inspiration and motivation from somewhere. This YouTube video is so cute, I am sure you’ll agree that not only is it original, but the message is positive and uplifting. Enjoy!
Today’s blog post is based on a comment from Ad Poi, he’s a little stressed because he has an exam in about 3 weeks. I recently filmed a video called “5 Minutes To Go From Panic To Passing Tomorrow’s Exam” which is now included as a bonus to my study bookGet The Best Grades With The Least Amount Of Effort. In the video, I explain 5 strategies you can use to cram for an exam if you’ve run out of time and are stuck at the last minute with too much to study and not enough time to get it done.
I came to know about your book and your strategies recently.Your strategies, you say, help get the best grades with the least amount of effort, but I wonder if they are going to help me since , I have 3 and a half weeks until my exam and I feel not quite prepared.
What I need are strategies to get the most done with the least amount of time, not the least effort. I am willing to give in a great deal of effort , but I am anxious and afraid that I won’t be able to complete all the courses to my satisfaction (especially chemistry, which I hate and have neglected greatly until now).
So, I ask whether your book will help me get the best grades with the least amount of TIME?
I have managed to get a copy of the rapid reader software yesterday, and am trying to increase my onscreen as well as off-screen reading speed.
My greatest drawback though is that I get quite nervous during exams and my efficiency is more than halved. As a result, my grades are compromised even though I worked hard. So I ask whether your book can help me getting rid of this anxiety and increase my concentration.
David Fisher, bought my study book and is applying the study tips to get better grades. One of the questions he had was about MindMapping to take better notes. A friend of mine is a gifted artist who created a 2 minute 44 second long YouTube video that begins the explanation about MindMapping which you can view below.
How To Get Better Grades By MindMapping
MindMapping is one of the key speed learning skills I teach my business and professional clients who pay me tens of thousands of dollars per year to improve their results. If you want to access one of the most powerful skills – you can get my Exponential MasterMind Program by clicking on the hyperlink.
But I have to warn you – it’s potent and powerful. If you want to get the best grades possible without becoming a nerd or a geek, this is the fastest and easiest way to do it.
Today’s post is in response to a comment to a previous post on personal development books for students and one on speed reading. Both of them ask the same question “When speed reading, should I highlight? While I do speed reading or after?”
If you’ve been subscribed to my blog for a while, you’ve come to realise that my study book is a system that teaches how to think like an A student without having to spend hours and hours studying, becoming a nerd or a geek. The best way to explain what I do for students is to hear from them directly, like David Fisher below:
The extra emails you send after I bought your study book are great as they keep me on track, otherwise I would wonder a bit.
I am working on a better format for my notes with more drawings and mindmaps as this is a better form of learning for me and audio tapes. (Now that I know
this thanks to your book!)
Exams start end of the month so the next stage is to compile my class notes into A3 mindmap layouts (any extra tips on this technique) would be good and then
the exams.
I am now in a study room not the office which had too many distractions and getting into the mind zone more quickly – it’s the little suggestions like this that make all the difference.
I don’t cold read my study guide and text anymore so I pre-read first to get a general understanding then highlight and compose the notes and now I comprehend and remember a lot more. I can afford to do this because I can do speed reading, even though I still need to improve and increase my reading speed.
My assignment grades have increased from about 60-80% to the last one which I got 88%!!! This was my highest grade.
My studies are extramural so no lecturers only Webct, study guide and textbooks.
I am practicing my speed reading and using on my first read but need to work on this more. When you speed read a page when do you highlight the text? I read the paragraph then go back and highlight?
So lots more to learn!
Thanking you very much for you help.
David Fisher
Stay tuned for the answers to David’s questions about MindMapping and highlighting while or after Speed Reading…
I want to thank u 4 ur help with studyin and reading fasta… It is actually something dat has really bothered me cuz I know I’m smart but findin da right study type dat fits me has been my challenge. It’s like u said something is trying to bust out of me, that genius in me. I just left secondary school and u know b4 dat my teachers were tellin me dat I could do it cuz dey knew what I waz capable of but as one teacher likened me to the Ntherlands football team “exellent team (players) but low performance”. I know I can do it.
I can be that GENIUS that I was made to be. Thanks 4 ur help sir and I hope to know u physically in the nearest future, I even see myself talking about u and ur work, how it tranformed me on TV, u know interviewing me… . I am in the sciences (aeronautical engineering) like all science, robotics, rc stuffs. C u soon
Onward and Upward YEAH!
Moboluwarin Maku
Isn’t that amazing? You too can learn speed reading and get better grades… Many graduates are not native English Speakers, which means if you are English speaking, you have an adavantage… But y’know what? Speed Reading works in ALL languages!
Yeah, you heard me, don’t be a twit! Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace… They’re GREAT, but don’t be a twit and waste your life surfing and playing on the net when life is lived in the REAL WORLD. Your school grades are determined in a CLASSROOM.
Students And Media (Over) Use
The number of media options available to kids today is having an impact on their grades – but not in a good way. If study material was as addictive as Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms, straight A’s would be rampant – but they’re not.
Ohio University conducted a study in which researchers determined college students who use Facebook spend less time studying and score lower grades than those who don’t waste time ‘poking’ their friends.
It’s not called social NOTworking for nothing…
Perhaps even more disturbing was a study done by the Straits Times that found those who were addicted to online games generally did worse in school than those who were not addicted. In fact, 14 percent of addicts reported scoring Cs or worse, while only 6 percent of their non-addicted counterparts scored just as low. [1]
While it would be easy to quickly blame the social networking craze and even Facebook for the students’ performance, distractions from school work are nothing new. Students bent on ignoring their responsibilities don’t need Facebook or Twitter to produce poor performance; these platforms simply provide an easy excuse.
Multitask your way to Bs, Cs and Ds.
One Fox News report suggests this problem could be related to continuous partial attention, which is the state in which you multitask, but continue to be motivated by the desire to not miss anything. Studies continue to show that those who multitask do each of their tasks worse. If multitasking for students includes interacting via Facebook while studying, it’s safe to assume rote memory and concentration will be noticeably affected. [2]
Just in case you might think I’m anti social networking, I’m not. In fact, in the UK, some are taking a different approach to these latest media sensations. School curricula have been altered to include instruction for Twitter and Wikipedia. While some traditional focus will remain, students will be expected to know how to use and manipulate different sources of information and forms of communication. [3] Let’s face it, if you’re going to do it, you might as well do it efficiently and effectively!
I wonder if a university was to implement a Facebook101 class, what would the homework actually be? How could you get an A+ if you’re on Facebook 24/7?!?!
That’s a conundrum and dilemma wrapped up in a paradox isn’t it?
Quite a few students have asked me which books I recommend after they’ve read my study book. I post my top book recommendations on my Linked In Profile. It includes all the books I recommend for Business, Professional and Career Development. If you’re athletic, you’ll want to subscribe to my Mindset Of A Champion Blog, which lists a different collection of books that I recommend for serious (elite) athletes – focused on Mental Toughness. With these two book lists, you can learn the foundations of an Exponential Mindset. If you are not English Speaking, I am sure most of the classics have been translated into your language.
You might not know that I have several blogs. One blog that I want to highlight today is the one called the Mindset Of A Champion. I simply want to ask you to go and check it out because there are a lot of parallels between learning and mastering a sport and getting better grades. Bookmark it or better yet, subscribe to it so you don’t miss any of the posts, you just don’t know which one will be the one that will have the breakthrough idea that will make all the difference.
Book Report: Students at a local school were assigned to read 2 books, ‘Titanic’ and ‘My Life’ by Bill Clinton.
One student turned in the following book report, with the proposition that they were nearly identical stories!
His cool professor gave him an A+ for this report.
Titanic:…. Cost – $29.99
Clinton :….. Cost – $29.99
Titanic:….. Over 3 hours to read
Clinton :… Over 3 hours to read
Titanic:….. The story of Jack and Rose, their forbidden love, and subsequent catastrophe.
Clinton :… The story of Bill and Monica, their forbidden love, and subsequent catastrophe.
Titanic:…. Jack is a starving artist.
Clinton :…… Bill is a bullshit artist.
Titanic:…. In one scene, Jack enjoys a good cigar.
Clinton :…. Ditto for Bill.
Titanic:….. During the ordeal, Rose’s dress gets ruined.
Clinton :…… Ditto for Monica.
Titanic:….. Jack teaches Rose to spit.
Clinton :… Let’s not go there.
Without getting on a soapbox about it, I think we can all learn from this example. The only thing I want to say is – why is a school like this the exception rather than the rule? Let me know what you think about your school – the good and bad points.
You might have taken a look at my study book and considered buying it. If you haven’t bought it yet, listen to David’s experience and ask yourself – if it works for him, why wouldn’t it work for you?
Hello Marc
I have been reading your e book and have only once listened to your speed reading video. The extra emails are great as it keeps me on track otherwise I could wander a bit and lose focus on what I should be doing rather than just go through the motions.
I am working on a better format for my class notes with more drawings/mind maps as this is a better form of learning for me and audio recordings. (Now that I know this from your book that explained how to determine my own learning style).
Exams start end of the month so the next stage is to compile the notes into A3 mind maps layouts.
I am now in a study room not the office which had too many distractions that prevented me from getting into the right mind ‘zone’.
I don’t cold read my study guide and text any more so I pre-read first to get a general understanding then highlight and compose the notes and now I comprehend more. (I can’t believe the difference this makes!)
My assignment grades have increased from about 60-80% to the last one 88% and this was the highest grade.
My studies are extramural so no lecturers only Webct and study guide/text books.
I am practicing your speed reading techniques and using it the first time I read something but need to work on this more.
The Economist Magazine recently reported that a male university graduate will make $82,000 more in his working lifetime than his non-university graduate peer. This includes the cost of tuition, lost wages while studying as well as extra taxes paid. What this simply means is that it pays to get better grades.
But getting better grades is not just about winging it – you need to be systematic and discipline about it. My study book and this blog are great way to learn to get better grades with less effort. My study book comes with many bonus materials that will help you – go to the product page now and check it out.
Today’s post is from John Ruiz who wants to share his recent results after buying my study book and applying just 2 strategies. This is the dialogue I had with John…
Hello Dr. Dussault!
I recently bought your study book and after reading it and incorporating only 2 of your strategies I have improved my grades in Math. I scored a 115 A++ on my Honors Algebra 2 test and a 113 A++ on my Honors Pre-calculus test as well. Thank you for your excellent study guide – it will help me not only now, but in the future as well.
Now that’s a great testimonial, but it doesn’t help you does it?
So I asked John what study strategies he used:
Exam Study Tip #1:
First, I used the strategies for identifying exactly what was going to be on my next math test. I paid attention to the subtle hints that the teacher gave about what would be on the test.
Exam Study Tip #2:
I also referred to past exams and found that some of the extra credit problems were taken from the book we use in class. Realizing this, I was able to practice the exact problems that would be on the test and as a result got the highest grade in class on that test — 113. Without those two strateges I would not have scored that well. I used the same two strategies to get a 115 on my other math test ( I take Honors Trig and Alg. 2). I’m exited to try out more strategies and improve exponentially overtime. Thank you.
