Reading

5 tips for success

www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-you-skills/189995.html

Reading and writing go hand in hand. The better you understand a text, the more likely you are to successfully communicate your thoughts about it in writing. So it is important to develop strong skills in both areas. With that in mind, here is how to improve your reading comprehension.

Tips 1-2

Tip 1: Annotate

Be an active reader. Instead of passively reading a text, take notes about important story elements, key factual information and significant ideas in the text.

Tips 2: Note the authors writing style

Every author writes with a purpose, using deliberate methods to successfully relate specific information to the audience. When you are reading, look for patterns in the author’s writing. For example, you may notice a repetition of key words, phrases or symbols – or the use of a distinct type of sentence structure. Authors employ these writing strategies to help readers comprehend a central argument or theme, so be sure to explore how these techniques create meaning.

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Choose the right

5 Tips for Staying Motivated

3. Set attainable goals

If you are having trouble writing a 2-5 page paper for class because it seems like such a big job, don’t focus on that final number. Break the paper down and consider each section of your paper individually. You can handle any project in small chunks,

4. Find social support networks

Create a group of people around you who want to help you succeed. Mentors can be teachers or family friends who can give you guidance and help you develop you new skills. Counselors can help you with planning your courses and starting to explore colleges. You can also reach out to friends and peers who can motivate you by listening and sharing ideas.

5. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

Give yourself a quick reward when you complete an assignment or task. Take a walk, send an email, and get a snack. Then move on to the next project. 

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5 Tips For staying motivated

www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/8454.html

To succeed in high school and college, you have to do your best at all times. But sometimes it is hard to stay motivated, even when you really care about the work you are doing. Here are five ways to stay on the right track

1.     Focus on High-Impact Activities

The key to success in high school is staying focused on your course work. Make a list to get an overall picture of your workload before you start to tackle any of it. Then, make a plan. Although it’s tempting to do the simplest assignments first, those that take more time and effort to accomplish are probably the ones that you’ll learn the most from. To determine what your priorities are, rank your assignments in the order of their importance. Then rearrange your time and devote more energy toward those that have the greatest impact on your course work and grades. For example, even though all homework assignments are important, studying for a midterm exam takes priority over writing a paragraph for English class. As you complete each task, think of it as another step on your way to college success.

2.     Create New Challenges

Changing your approach can help you stay interested in what you’re doing. If you’ve been given an assignment similar to one you’ve done in the past, think about it in a different way. If you wrote an essay for a creative writing assignment last year, try a poem this time. For book reports, pick a history book instead of another biography.

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