TIPS TO BE MORE SUCCESSFUL IN GODFREY’S HISTORY CLASS
A) Purchase and use a day planner to help you get organized. Make a plan to
balance your academic work with your arts work here at the Governor's School.
Literally map out a daily plan for when you will study/do homework for each
academic subject, when you will practice your art (open studio, music practice
rooms, etc.), and when you will reserve some much needed time for relaxation
and socializing with friends. Try to stick this Monday through Friday plan as
much as you can!
B) Get with another student who is doing extremely well in class and form a
study partnership. Make a schedule to meet once or twice a week to review
history notes, quiz each other, get organized etc.
C) If you are a "visual learner," try old-fashioned "flash cards."
Put an important vocabulary term on one side, and then write a concise
definition on the reverse. Then get a partner to call them
out to you and/or go through the stack yourself a few times. Or download a
free software program on the CNET website called Cue Card - it is a "simple
and intuitive flash card program." It is available at http://download.cnet.com/CueCard/3000-2051_4-10075304.html.
This program enables you to study on your own.
D) History is a very vocabulary-laden discipline (people, battles, laws,
treaties, etc.). Purchase yourself a 5-section spiral notebook (which will
have a section for each nine weeks). Keep a running list of all people
vocabulary terms and all other non-people vocabulary terms. Add to
the list daily the new vocabulary from the notes or readings. Then consider
making flash cards of the terms that you do not remember or that are more
difficult for you to remember.
E) If you are an "auditory learner," try taping your notes/handouts with a
mini-recorder and listening to them a few times before class.
F) Study every night at least 15-20 minutes a night. Don't
just cram the night before. This is the real key! Studying
every night is NOT the same as cramming.
G) Study when you are fresh. Not when your eyelids are
drooping and you are dozing off. Do you have an optimal
time to review? Early in the morning, midday, etc. Create
a small daily time to best suit you.
H) Ask me the day before about topics you've already reviewed but still do not
understand the importance of or meaning of, etc. Or schedule an appointment
with me during my office hours or during the weekly Friday "academic
assistance time" between 12 noon and 1:25 PM.
I) Give me 100% attention in every class meeting. Ask
questions to clarify stuff we are learning. If you feel
drowsy in class, get up for 5 minutes. Get some water.
Rinse your face with cold water. Better to
lose five minutes than ninety minutes!
J) Get someone who is an excellent notetaker with good handwriting and
organizational skills to make a copy of notes for you.
K) Pay attention to the "white board" in the room as it gives you important
reminders about due dates and the dates/topics of weekly quizzes and tests.
Copy these dates into your day planner at the beginning of every period!
L) Check your GroupWise [campus] email account TWICE a day for important
announcements: once before 12 noon and then again before 9
PM. If your password “isn’t working,” see the technology
coordinator (Mr. Camp) to get your password situation fixed.
M) If you have a large reading assignment, try breaking it down into parts.
Always read history material when you are reasonably fresh. Drink
some ice cold water to refresh you. Even nibble on some
healthy snacks. This always helps me to better absorb
material. If you are REALLY fatigued, go to bed.
Get up early when everything is quiet in the dorm and read then.
N) Get up in time to take a shower. Eat a good breakfast
before attending morning classes to get your metabolism going. Review
your history material lightly over breakfast. This tip also
applies to lunch for afternoon students.
O) Plan some time for daily exercise like walking, jogging, etc. Or do
something daily like yoga or meditation to center yourself and reduce stress.
This will improve your overall mental and physical health.