Study for exams using a white board

For me to be able to retain material from class I usually have to rewrite or read it many times. I was recently re-writing some flow diagrams for my anatomy class and felt I was wasting a lot of paper. I will take colored pens and re-write my notes just on another piece of paper normally, but I started thinking and wondering how I could do this, but not use so much paper. I thought about this for a while and then asked myself “What about using a white board?” Teachers use them in class everyday and there are still colors I can write in. So I ended up going to Wal-Mart and getting a 3ft by 1½ ft long white board with five colored dry erase markers. This was perfect! I could rewrite my flow diagrams and notes then erase them. I have been using this method for about 2 months now and it has worked really well. I recommend this idea for sure when study!  I will be making a YouTube video of tips for study for school and I will be using this idea in it. Maybe watching the video will help you see a better understanding of how this idea works. My youtube channel is Kenzie Brook and I will be posting the video to my blog soon!

Hope this helps you get some new ideas for study! And have a wonderful rest of your day(:

Five-day study plan

First day: Go over everything that is going to be on the test. Look through notes, past tests, or anything else that might be on the test. Then before you go to bed, skim over it again. Studies have shown that you think about what you last thought out while you are sleeping. This will trick your mind into studying while you sleep.

Second day: Go over the ideas you are most confused about or that you don’t have down very well. When people study they tend to most focus on the stuff they already know as kind of a self-boost…But you already know that stuff so set it aside for now and really get an understanding of the confusing stuff.

Third day: Have someone quiz you. Write up some questions or have the other person ask you questions from your notes. This will make you really dig deep to get the answers. When you are studying you have your notes to look at and help you. Quizzing yourself will let you know which stuff you have down and what you need to refresh yourself on.    

Fourth day: Refresh yourself on everything thing again but mostly focus on stuff you don’t know every well.

Fifth day: Go over everything again but also give your brain a break. This is the night to go to bed early, rest your brain and let everything you just studying sink in. Stay away from social media, video games, or anything that will make your thoughts wonder.  Good luck on your test! No need to worry you studied and you are amazing!(:

By: Kenzie Brook

Six tips I wish I knew before 
freshman year of college

I am now entering my sophomore year of college and these are my top six tips I wish I knew before freshman year.

1. Make friends!

In my first year of college I struggled, because I was too scared to ask anyone for help. When I missed a day of school I got so far behind and Teachers do not give out notes or an update of what you missed. You are on your own! I now have made some friends and it is SO helpful!! I can ask them for help on homework and now have study groups. Don’t be sky! Go out there and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

2. Don’t procrastinate

I have always procrastinated and I hate it. I wish I didn’t but I always seem to do it. In college this is your worst enemy. School projects and assignments build up fast! Try to start the assignment the day it is given. You don’t have to finished it right away, but at least start it. Get a feel for the assignment and determine how much time it is going to take you to finish. I have started doing this and it has helped tons. No more sitting around during the week and then stressing yourself out on the weekends. The best feeling ever is having all your homework done for the week, then just relaxing on Sunday.  

3.  It goes by fast

College goes by so fast! I feel just yesterday I was walking into my first class of freshman year. Enjoy it! Take in everyday and make everyday awesome (: Yes spend most of your time on school but have some fun. I am not saying go out drinking!!! I am talking about going out to dinner, movies, go outside, maybe go on a hike, try some actives the school puts on, hangout with friends, etc. Find time to do what makes you happy! 

4. Smile and laugh everyday :D

If you are hard-core stressing take a small break and laugh! I know this sounds kind of random, but it works! Watch a funny video or just look through some old photos of you. I went to a seminar a couple weeks ago and one of the speakers just talked about how laughing cures you from any evil. Just think about the last time you were feeling down and someone or something made you laugh or smile. How did you feel after this? Better? When ever I am feeling sad or just not so good and something makes me smile or laugh I feel all warm and better. When you are feeling down just remember it gets better and everything happens for a reason. You are loved and things will work out. You are amazing!! 

5. Ask lots questions

If you have a question in class there are probably five other people that have the same one. No question is stupid! If you don’t understand something it makes the class so much harder! Ask as many questions as you need to understand things better. You are paying for these classes so make sure you get the full amount of knowledge that you paid for. It sucks when you finish a class and didn’t learn or understand a thing.

6. Go to the library often

If I go home right after school my homework gets pushed to the side. There are so many distractions at home! The library is not just for books. There are usually desks or spot where you can sit down and study in silence. I have noticed when I go to the library for a couple of hours every now and then I actually get my work done.

By: Kenzie brook