To Increase the ability of push ups

To increase your ability to do push ups and to increase your strength, you will need to vary your workouts. With any exercise, whether you're using your own body weight, free weights or machines, if the resistance doesn't increase, your muscles won't be overloaded and the stimulus these fibers need to grow in size will be missing. Think about it: if you work up to three or four sets of 25 push-ups, how hard can each repetition be? You'd build local muscular endurance, but you wouldn't be any stronger. Say a person doing bicep curls can do three sets of 20 reps with 15 pounds: wouldn't you think they could probably do one set of 10 reps with 20 pounds? That's what they would need to do to make their biceps grow stronger and bigger. However, there are a few ways you can increase the resistance of your push-ups.

One way to increase the resistance is to elevate your feet while doing push-ups. Start with your feet on a step at the bottom of a stair or a low step stool. Raising your feet higher will make you work against gravity, thereby increasing the resistance. Work up to the point where you can do your push-ups with your feet on a chair. Note: The higher your feet, the more you'll work your shoulders, so mix in some flat push-ups to make sure your chest gets a workout, too.

Push-ups must be practiced three to five times per week to ensure progress. If they are practiced more often, the muscles may not have enough time to recuperate and become stronger. Below are some variations that will help you improve your strength and muscular endurance.

Push Up Tips
Tips: Kneel down on the floor and place your hands flat on the floor and slightly wider than shoulder width apart. With your shoulders directly over your hands, straighten your arms. Move your feet back, placing your toes on the floor, so that your knees are off the floor and your legs are straight. At this point, your body should form a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Your body should remain straight throughout this exercise. Keep your head and neck in line with your body so that your are looking down toward the floor. This is the starting position. In a controlled fashion, lower your body down toward the floor, bending your elbows, until your body is nearly touching the floor. Now, push your body up away from the floor, straightening your arms, until you have returned to the starting position. If you need to reduce the intensity of this exercise you can perform the pushup from your knees.

Hints For Push-Ups
Training only on push-ups and/or bench presses can lead to a strength imbalance. Pull-ups or some type of rowing work should be done with resistance or training partner.

When training, pay attention to proper form. Keep your body straight and rigid. Lower yourself or the weight in a controlled manner so that you can gain a training effect. During the test itself, however, to conserve energy and improve your performance, you should work at a much more rapid pace. When being tested, try to do as many repetitions as possible during the first 45 to 60 seconds.

Place your hands at shoulder width with your fingers pointing forward and slightly outward. Keep your heels and toes together. Do not forget to breathe during both training and testing. Change position of hands to a narrower or wider position after you are tired, then try to do some more push-ups.

For normal push-ups, the start position begins with the hands shoulder width apart, elbows fully extended, BODY straight and the feet together or up to 12 inches apart.

To complete a repetition, the trainee lowers his/her BODY , maintaining a straight back, until the upper arm is parallel with the ground, then returns to the start position. Once the two-minute push-up period has started, trainees may not lift their arms or legs off the ground. They may rest in the "start" position. They may also bend at the waist and the knees to relax the back, always maintaining 4-point contact with the ground. Before resuming push-ups, they must return to the start position.

How to Break Boards with Your Bare Hands

You too can learn to do everybody's favorite martial-arts stunt. Breaking boards is a fun way to develop speed, power and control in your strike -- and not fundamentally all that difficult. Here's how to do it.

STEPS:

1. Choose your board wisely. Most schools use soft white pine, 6" x 9" x 1"; cut these from 9" by 1" planks available at any lumberyard. Look for a board that is dry and well seasoned. Sappy, heavy wood is much harder to break. You can also buy specialist re-breakable boards at some Martial Arts shops. These are slightly different, and more expensive, but if you wish to practice a lot they are a good investment.
2. Secure it. Advanced martial artists can strike a loose or flying board so fast that it breaks before it has time to move; but as a beginner, you want a stationary target. The best way is to recruit a human who is at least your strength and weight, and have him or her hold it where you can strike.
3. The break to start with is a palm strike at a 45-degree angle downwards, with the target board held at that 45-degree angle from horizontal at a little above waist height. This angle and position makes it easiest to put your body-weight into the motion. Hit the board straight on with the heel of your hand.
4. the board should be held with the grain parallel to your fingers. if you hit it sideways, injury is exponentially more likely than success
5. Empty your mind. Relax. Don't think about success or failure. Take a calming breath. Focus yourself first. Unless you are extremely weak or sick (in which case you shouldn't be breaking boards at all), mental preparation is the most important aspect of the technique.
6. Now focus on the target. Breaking effectively is less about the amount of force you apply than about putting all that force at the single point of your choice.
7. Strike through the target. Don't aim at the board itself; if you do that, your hand will tend to stop there. Aim your strike six inches beyond the board.
8. Concentrate on speed, not power. You're not trying to push the board away, you're trying to hit it as fast as possible.
9. Yell. The kiai that martial artists often emit when striking is not just for show, nor to startle the opponent. The contraction of the diaphragm and torso muscles can be used to put more power in your strike.
10. Give it your all. Commit your strike. Don't hesitate, don't think, just do it.
11. Follow through. Don't try to stop your hand after the break; relax and let the motion end on its own. If you try to over-control, you will tense up and rob yourself of power. Mental knowledge is the key to a successful break.
12. If you do prepare mentally, and commit your strike fully, you will succeed. Even prepubescent children have the physical capacity to break boards; for any adult in reasonable health, all the obstacles are mental.

TIPS:

• For the easiest target position, have your holder kneel on the ground holding the board up in front of him.
• The next easiest break after the downward palm strike is probably the side knife hand. For this one, the board should be held vertical at upper-chest to neck height. Make first contact with the fleshy part of the outside edge of your hand, not your fingers.
• If all else fails, do karate or tae kwon do or another martial art for a few years. you'll get taught by the time you're done.
• Once you've mastered one board, move on to two. The boards are harder to break when held together than apart, but the holder and striker are at a much bigger risk when boards are separated. Once again, don't strike against the grain.
• If you don't get through the board, all the kinetic energy you've generated will bounce back up your hand and arm. Therefore, the harder you hit, the chance of breaking the board increases and you reduce the chance of getting hurt.

MARTIAL ARTS:

INTRODUCTION TO MARTIAL ARTS:

Martial arts or Wushu, have been created and developed for self-defense and survival throughout human history. Correct Chinese Wushu training improves physical ability, health, and willpower; it gives an individual an excellent method of exercise, a personal art form, a competitive sport, and a basis for self-defense and sparring. Total martial training includes Ti (kicking), Da (punching), Shuai (throwing), Na (controlling), Gi (hitting), Ci (thrusting), etc. Related to each style are basic forms, or sequences, which may involve defense strategies, offense, retreat, mobility and immobility, speed and slowness, hard or soft postures, emptiness and fullness, with or without weapons.

Other training will include practical defense using that particular style, defense simulation such as two-man choreographed sequences for beginning contact training. There are also internal and external body training methods to strengthen the body to withstand strikes and blows. In the advanced stages of training, a student begins full-contact training by sparring with semi-control in order to add realism to the training.

Wushu (literally, "martial methods") was historically termed "Wu-Yi" or martial arts. Fairly recently, the Chinese government changed the term to "Guoshu," or "national method." The term most popular in North America is "Kung-fu," which actually means one's ability in any skill, not necessarily martial.

Under the present Chinese government, the term "Wushu" is accepted. Ancient Chinese history records that during the "Spring and Autumn" and the "Warring States" periods (770 B.C. - 221 A.D.), the king of the Zhou kingdom ordered a sword contest. A young woman by the name of Yuh Niuy emerged from three thousand swordsmen as the ultimate victor in a seven-day contest. Her sword methods and philosophies were passed down for a thousand years. Some of her writings expound timeless Wushu philosophies. For example:

"When fencing, though highly alert,

The appearance is as calm as a fair lady's

But when in action, a vicious Tiger emerges.

On a similar note:

"Weak and exposed in appearance;

But powerful when unleashed.

One's reactions may start afterwards,

But the response arrives there first."

One further writing by Yuh Niuy dwells on the essence of Wushu:

"The Way is so small and simple, but the meaning is timeless and profound.

The Way has an entrance; it also has a Yin and a Yang.

The entrance constantly opens and closes,

Yin and Yang weaken and flourish.

When the Way is battle, be full-spirited within,

But outwardly show calm and be relaxed;

Appear to be as gentle as a fair lady, but react like a vicious tiger.

Though hidden within, the spirit of the body moves;

Though obscured like a setting sun, the spirit moves like an unleashed rabbit,

Catching the body and outrunning shadow like a mirage.

Back and forth in one breath.

The spirit cannot be retained in form.

And, though ever moving, it cannot be heard."

Ever since the Zhou Dynasty, which ended in 771 B.C., practical Wushu training has included basic skills, such as strength training, fencing, staff sparring, spear training, etc., and it has also included training by using forms, such as the Shaolin Eight Methods, with the basic form supplemented by weapons forms, two-man forms, staff forms, etc.

The emphasis and importance of this type of martial training has played an important role throughout Chinese history. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), which was one of the most powerful periods of Chinese history, warriors were actually chosen through martial competition and officers were promoted through this same sort of competition. Since at that time communications were well established with many neighboring countries; Chinese Wushu had a pronounced impact on these countries and was called "Tang Soo Do," the Way of the Chinese Hand. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.), various forms of Wushu were well established in Korea, Japan, Tibet, and many other countries. What is called "Karate" is actually a descendent of Southern Chinese boxing forms, and similarly, Judo can trace its origins to the importation of Chinese wrestling and Qinna, the precursor of Jiu-jitsu.

This spreading of Chinese Wushu has interested martial-arts researchers; some researchers have found many rare martial arts styles from records or isolated practitioners in neighboring countries. Currently, Wushu styles are being openly taught, with martial artists sharing their knowledge and comparing their styles. This movement has brought harmony to the martial community and has encouraged the polishing of the individual styles. Training in the various styles of Wushu has been supplemented by modern knowledge of physiology and the health sciences.

Today, Wushu needs and uses recent advances in sports medicine, nutrition, etc., because it is often practiced as a highly demanding sport and a delicate, complex art form...not just a system of self-defense.

FORMS AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF WUSHU

To attempt to classify Chinese Wushu is very difficult because of the number and variety of styles in the enormous country of China. Don=t forget that one-fourth of the world population is in China! Traditionally, Chinese martial arts are classified by one of three methods:

1. Internal or External styles.
2. Southern or Northern styles.
3. As "Shaolin" or "Wudang" or "Ermei."

Roughly speaking, the difference between internal and external styles can refer to whether the strength is from the torso and legs (internal) or whether the strength is derived from training of the more specific arm and leg muscles (external). The word "internal" often connotes a more pliable martial style. Southern or Northern styles naturally refer to the general origin, but finer distinctions are often made about style differences of these two schools.

Shaolin boxing styles are generally said to be derived from the form of fighting practiced at the Shaolin Temple in Henan province. Similarly, Wudang is the name of a mountain used by Taoists in Hubei province and Ermei is a significant religious mountain in Sichuan province.

General classification aside, modern Wushu competition groups performances into six categories for purposes of judging:

1. Empty Hand Forms
2. Weapon Forms
3. Choreographed Routines (involving 2 or more people.)
4. Group Practice
5. Sparring Competition
6. Qigong (Chi Kung) Power Demonstrations

EMPTY HAND COMPETITION

Empty hand competition involves the performance of a sequence, usually traditional, demonstrating the function and essence of a particular martial style. Competition normally falls into the following subdivisions:

A. Long Fist -- Styles such as Zha, Wa, Wha, Pao, Hun, Fangzi, and many other Shaolin Long Fist styles. Each style may contain 20 to 30 routines.

B. Taiji [T'ai Chi Ch'uan] -Chen style, Yang style, Wu style, Wu [or Hao] style, Sun style, Kun Lun, Spontaneous, Qigong, Bagua Taiji, etc. Also included are Taiji styles derived from the above sets.

C. Southern Fist -- Hong Jia [Hung Gar], Cai Li Fo [Choi Li Fat], Mo, Tiger & Crane, Southern Branch, Wing Chun [Yongchun], Wing Tsun, Diou Family, Ermei Southern, Tai-I Five Elements, Hard Entrance Southern, Nine Temple, Eighteen Kicks, Zi-men Southern, Hun-Men, Yu-Men, Gun-Men, Yui-Men, Wudang Southern, White Eyebrow, White Crane, Crane Ha-Gar, Five Elders, Grand Elder, Lo-Han, Yue-Chia, Kun-Men, Five Plum Flowers, Ermei Shaolin, Wudang Shaolin, etc. It is estimated that in Canton alone there are more than 400 types of Southern Shaolin.

D. Xingyi [Hsing-I] -- Five Elements and Twelve Animals, Linking Five Elements, Four-Grasps Punches, Eight Postures, Ba-tze Kung, Twelve Crosses, Tsu-Ru Ton, Mixed Form, Rin-Yan Jior, etc.

E. Bagua -- Basic Ba-Gua, Innate Ba-Gua, Latent Ba-Gua, Ba-Gua Consecutive Palm, Close-body Ba-Gua, Ba-Gua Dragon Form, etc.

F. Imitating Styles -- Preying Mantis, Eagle Claw, Monkey, Tiger, Leopard, Drunken-Style, Drunken Eight Fairies, Duck, Snake. Rooster, Do~, etc.

G. Other Styles -- Ba-ji, Ton-Bei, Ton-Bae, Six Harmonies/Eight Methods, Wu-Ji Chuan, Liang-I, Ssu-hsiang, Gung-Li, etc.

WEAPONS COMPETITION

Although there are more than 400 different types of ancient Chinese weapons and many usages of each, there are only about 18 standard weapons that you will usually see in Wushu competition. Sometimes a practitioner will combine two weapons in a form or do a variation involving two of the same weapons. Some instances of forms often seen in competition are: Broadsword, straight sword, spear, staff, Kwan-sword, double-swords, double straight-swords, double hook-swords, double-ended spear, nine-section whip, rope-dart, chained hammer, 3-sectional staff, 2-sectional staff, daggers, double short-staff, etc.

CHOREOGRAPHED ROUTINES

Choreographed fighting forms are used by students in order to develop an understanding of the offense, defense, distance, reaction, speed, and so forth of a particular martial style. These forms can be practiced to the extent that spontaneity replaces the more mechanical.

GROUP PRACTICE

SPARRING COMPETITION

Sparring competition is normally broken down into the following categories:

A. Bare-hand sparring -- with or without protective equipment.

B. Taiji Push Hands -- Stationary, moving, free-style, free-sparring.

C. Qinna -- This joint-locking and controlling is done seated or standing.

D. Chinese Wrestling.

E. Short Weapons.

F. Long Weapons.

QIGONG (CHI-KUNG)

The category of Qigong involves demonstrations of internal power and strength. Practitioners of this esoteric art demonstrate the powers that internal strength training and breath-training have given them.

In recent years, many of China's excellent Wushu teams have demonstrated their skills in foreign countries. These displays of finely-honed martial ability have caused a stir wherever they go. Although these teams have exhibited the performance side of Wushu, many of the other beneficial aspects of Wushu have not been equally extolled. In fact, some detractors of Wushu relegate it to at best a form of gymnastic exhibition, having little to do with actual martial arts. Such thinkers usually assign the term "Kung-Fu" to what they believe contains true, functional martial arts, i.e., if a form is pretty, it is probably not useful. It is the author's observation that this distinction cannot so easily be made.

In many North American martial-arts competitions it becomes fairly obvious that the distinction between "Wushu" and "Kung-Fu" is even less clear than in China. In reality, "Kung-Fu" is "Wushu," the major difference being that Wushu training has not only traditional fighting sets, but also difficult tumbling and rigorous basic training of skills. Wushu has some extremely competent fighters among its ranks, as well as those who are more interested in health or performance. Whatever it is called, modern martial arts are evolving and improving...the traditional basics give us a firm base upon which to build.

PHYSICAL TECHNIQUES

It is said that there four general techniques which apply to all styles: Kicking, striking, throwing, and controlling. Of course, kicking can involve tripping, in addition to foot and leg strikes. Striking refers to the blows from all areas of the body. ..head, hands, elbows, hips, shoulders, etc. Throwing refers to the techniques of wrestling, grappling, etc. which are used to down an opponent. Controlling is a general term which includes joint locks, tendon or muscle stretching (in a painful manner), striking of nerve points, and the obstruction of breath or blood flow.

These four general techniques should be demonstrated clearly during the performance of a form. In Chinese competition, the competitors receive deductions in points if they cannot express these fighting techniques clearly, superb performance of aerials and somersaults aside.

THE "EIGHT QUALITIES"

During the performance of a form, there are "Eight Qualities" which are looked for and judged:

1. Hands.

2. Eyes.

3. Body Technique.

4. Steps.

5. Spirit.

6. Breath.

7. Strength.

8. Ability.

In Long Fist, the requirements for "Hands" are "fists like shooting stars," which infers that the movements of arms, hands, wrists, and fingers be with a relaxed strength and speed. The motions in Long Fist will be from lightning fast to a sudden, stable halt, and conversely, from motionless to a sudden burst of power. The "Eyes" must be alert and alive, following the hands with lightning speed. One's "Body" or torso, with its central point at the waist, must be agile and lively. The stated traditional requirement is that the "waist behaves like a crawling snake." The "Steps" must be stable and, regardless of how rapid the movements are, the feet must stick to the ground. There is a pertinent traditional saying, "To punch is easier than to walk.

First, we judge the steps, then we judge the attack; if the steps are not stable, then the punches can but be chaotic. If the steps are stagnant, then so must be the punches." "Spirit" refers to the mental state of the individual and is as important as the physical expression. Again, we are not referring to superficial facial expression or pretended aggression, but to that intangible, "Shen." "Breath" or "Qi" is an integral part of sequence practice. By breathing deeply to the lower abdomen we can chance our stamina and delay or avoid the onset of breathlessness. This is often phrased as "sink the chi to the Dan Tian." As an example, let your breath "come up" (fill your lungs) when you are rising from a lower posture to a higher one. From a higher posture to a lower one, "sink the breath" (let out air, keep the pelvis tucked). When generating explosive force, focus the breath by explosively exhaling and allowing the contracting muscles to add to your other focused strength. "Strength" in martial arts is different from the strength in weight lifting.

In martial applications we are very interested in focusing the body's strengths toward a small area of application. To execute a correct thrusting punch, the stable ground provides the basis of power which goes from the feet and is aligned through knees, hips, waist, spine, shoulders, and elbows to the hand. This linked support of the entire body enable a practitioner to "focus" the power of the ground and thereby produce more power than a person using brute strength.

"Ability" is what "Kung Fu" means, i.e. the general ability which can be used to describe any skill. In martial arts, "Ability" refers to the composite strength, speed, endurance, agility, coordination, and technical skill. There are "Twelve Descriptions" which characterize the desired qualities of "Ability:"

1. In motion, move like a thundering wave.

2. When still, be like a mountain.

3. Rising up, be like a monkey.

4. Land swiftly and lightly like a bird.

5. Be steady like a rooster on one leg.

6. One's stance is as firm as a pine tree, yet expresses motion.

7. Spin swiftly and circularly like a wheel.

8. Bend and flex like a bow.

9. Waft gracefully like a leaf in the wind.

10. Sink like a heavy piece of metal.

11. Prey like a watchful, gliding eagle.

12. Accelerate like a gusty wind.

To summarize the "Eight Qualities" of Long Fist practice, we make use of the descriptive Chinese saying: "The fist is like a shooting star, the eyes are as quick as lightning, the body moves like a writhing snake, the steps are sticky, the spirit is full, the breath sinks low...the strength must be articulate and the ability pure." By grasping the meaning of the "Four Fighting Methods," The "Eight Qualities," and the "Twelve Descriptions," we can improve our practice and performance of martial arts by tenfold.

THE REALISTIC APPROACH

Martial arts practitioners have many and diverse goals in practicing this form of physical culture. It should be borne in mind that many people practice Wushu for the health benefits and are not overly concerned with either fighting ability or "machismo." There are many styles of Wushu and most do a good job of exercising the entire body while not being too demanding about the size of the workout area...gender and age are of little consequence. What a grand sport!

Contemporary Wushu emphasizes accurate, artistic movement. The more newly created sequences often combine aerials, tumbling, etc. with the traditional requirements to make the form more impressive or sophisticated. It is a quality of human nature to love beauty of movement, so the practice of these embellishments is understandable...as long as the core movements and the martial philosophy remain intact. The rapid spread of Wushu practice and the appreciation of its performance are good indicators of the general appeal this sport has to people.

Once again it is worth repeating that the martial roots of Wushu should not be forsaken in the rush to display physical ability, for therein lies the distinction between Wushu and dancing. Of the hundreds of styles of Wushu, each has its specialties and interesting history. It is good for an individual to specialize in one style, but it is also important to continually improve by being attentive to the good points of other styles.

The easily accepted "closed door" thinking should be discarded in order to bring a healthy attitude which compliments our contemporary society. Fortunately for all of us, there are many martial artists who are currently sharing their knowledge and research of various styles. "Wu-de," or martial virtue, is the foremost quality of a martial artist. A famous Chinese proverb says, "A full can of water will not make noise, but a half can does." All truly good martial artists, from ancient times to now, have displayed good character and personality control as an example for us to emulate. Although there are thousands of practical training methods, there is no absolute method.

Methods usually imply strict formulas, but people are all different. Efficient use of martial formulas hinges on the understanding and judgment of the individual practitioner. The key point in learning is understanding "why," not "how." The successful practitioner can implement one technique in many variations if his understanding is good; an unsuccessful aspirer will learn one technique and therefore know only one. Realistically, a person who learns a sequence of sixty or so techniques will not be able to use them equally well in an actual situation, but his learning of timing, essence, and the underlying principles of a style make the study more than worthwhile.

In real life, many martial-arts masters were famous for using one simple technique to defeat opponents. The process of discovery in the form that you are learning is more important than the final answers at which you arrive, because there is no absolute answer. That is why there are so many varieties of martial arts! Strategy is another important consideration while learning the essences of a form. You must constantly evaluate the environment, your opponent, distance, etc.

As a simple illustration of strategy, if an opponent appears strong and maintains an overpowering stature, one can pretend to be weak, even insipid, in order to induce him to drop his guard or relax his concentration. A sudden powerful attack from this weak-looking position can be physically and emotionally devastating. Conversely, sometimes a confrontation can be disarmed or won by a display of power, but tempered with caution. There is an applicable Chinese proverb: "Attaining victory by inducing fear in your opponent is better than expending yourself in a physical fight."

There are many "traditional" strategies such as "attack by defense," "retreat to attack," "stay in the center in order to attack from the sides," etc. One can trap an opponent by exposing some area to attack but have a counterattack prepared. A sudden change in rhythm and direction can be effective. The variations are endless; spend time thinking about them. In summary of practical thoughts during your study of martial arts, consider the following: When sparring, do not hurry to succeed and do not try to win through strength. Wisdom and courage are the most important factors. The keys for winning are sharp eyes, fast hands, courage, strong stance, solid strength...plus a confusing combination of techniques. Always continue in your training of the basics, because these have the greatest application in practical situations.

Tips for Public Speaking

10 Tips:

Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and even beneficial, but too much nervousness can be detrimental.

Here are some proven tips on how to control your butterflies and give better presentations:

1. Know your material. Pick a topic you are interested in. Know more about it than you include in your speech. Use humor, personal stories and conversational language – that way you won’t easily forget what to say.
2. Practice. Practice. Practice! Rehearse out loud with all equipment you plan on using. Revise as necessary. Work to control filler words; Practice, pause and breathe. Practice with a timer and allow time for the unexpected.
3. Know the audience. Greet some of the audience members as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to strangers.
4. Know the room. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.
5. Relax. Begin by addressing the audience. It buys you time and calms your nerves. Pause, smile and count to three before saying anything. ("One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand. Pause. Begin.) Transform nervous energy into enthusiasm.
6. Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and confident. Visualize the audience clapping – it will boost your confidence.
7. Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining. They’re rooting for you.
8. Don’t apologize for any nervousness or problem – the audience probably never noticed it.
9. Concentrate on the message – not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties and concentrate on your message and your audience.
10. Gain experience. Mainly, your speech should represent you — as an authority and as a person. Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. A Toastmasters club can provide the experience you need in a safe and friendly environment.

How to Be an A+ Student in School

Are you jealous of the class "know-it-all" and want to show them that they aren't the only smart one in the classroom? Well, here are some ideas on how to get those excellent grades!
STEPS:

1. Walk home from school. If it is possible, walk home to reap the benefits fresh air after a day cooped up in school. Breathe deeply. It's great for you and activates your brainpower. Get some outdoor exercise in a local park if walking home is not an option.
2. Eat a healthy snack. When you reach home, get a glass of fruit juice, water or milk. Avoid the fizzy pop! Eat some fruit, a yogurt or other healthy snacks that appeal to you.
3. Keep a school planner. Most schools give these to you for free. Your planner or diary should contain lots of info and space to write in it. If not, make sure you buy one that has space. Use it every day to record your assignments, homework and other relevant information. Every night before commencing homework, use this planner first to give you a sense of direction. Tick off items that you have completed at the end of the study session.
4. Do the homework early. If you have homework, do it after the snack and before you feel like watching TV, want to play on the computer, or have to help around the house. Your mind is at its best for homework straight after coming back from school. If you have a lot of homework to do, or a big project to work on, break it down into time slots that allow for regular breaks, such as every 30 minutes. If you can, get your homework done at lunch or breaktimes at school.
5. Reap the rewards. Once you have done all your homework, reward yourself! Finishing homework makes you feel like you have achieved something good. The reward doesn't have to be big, just something you feel like doing (for example, watching some TV, going out for a game in the park) or something special to eat (such as a chocolate bar).
6. Go outside and have fun! Getting out is good for you and will get you fit after sitting own all day in a classroom. Treat it as both a reward and relaxation. It will also help to relieve any tension from the day.
7. Return to homework if needed. Later in the evening, if you have any questions still bothering you about your homework or some unfinished parts, you may wish to allot some extra time to complete these things. Research and check up on anything you didn't understand about your lessons. Reading and research are easier things to do than hard thinking when it is later in the evening.
8. Get a good night's sleep. Get to bed at around 8-9 pm. Take a glass of water with you. Also, if possible, have a warm shower or bath before you go to bed because it is great for relaxing both mind and body. Do not take homework to bed unless it is a novel you really want to read! Make sure to get at least nine hours' sleep, more if possible, as young students need a lot of sleep.
9. Wake up bright and early. Get a good breakfast and get to school early. Getting to school late causes panic, stress and unnecessary upset. You'll have to come up with excuses and it will affect your reputation as a punctual student. Stay calm and get in on time.

TIPS:

• Relax after you have studied and review your notes with a friend or family member. Communication is the key!
• But remember being a good student just doesn't involve you doing your homework. You also need to pay attention in class and do well on tests and exams.
• Don't get stressed over about tests/exams. It will only make you get confused and cause you to feel like a nervous wreck - and what's the point in that?! Anyways if you do your homework and pay attention in class you will probably pass the test anyways!
• Eat a good breakfast - a piece of toast doesn't go far! If you find breakfast hard to eat, see Feel Like Eating Breakfast First Thing in the Morning for some help.
• After every lesson at school, have some fresh air and have some water. You only need five minutes to do that! Then spend the rest of your break relaxing and chatting with your friends or playing sport.
• Remember, some lessons require practical work rather than book study (for example, running in PE or performing a piece of drama). Be aware that you may not be able to get A's in everything, but try your best and you will succeed!
• Don't procrastinate about doing your homework! Although going on MySpace may sound tempting, it's better to do your homework first and go on the computer later!

How to Choose Your First Computer

So you want to buy your first computer? This will show you how to find the right computer for you.

STEPS:

1. Make a budget. Think about how much money you are willing to pay for a computer.
2. What purpose will it serve. If it is for basic applications like word processing, then look for a cheap model. If you want to play games, you'll need something with a fast processor, lots of RAM, a large hard drive, and good sound and graphics cards.
3. Where will it be used. If you need to take it all over the place, you'll need a laptop. If you intend to leave it in the office or at home on the desk, then buy a desktop.
4. Who is going to use it? If it's for an office and you have to share it, you might need one with more memory and Vista Business or Ubuntu. If you will be the only one using it, and mostly for playing games, then Vista Home Basic or Premium will serve you well.
5. Choose an operating system. For stability and cost, Linux and BSD are free. Currently Windows Operating System is the most commonly used operating system for the home. For compatibility and gaming try Vista Home. For multimedia consider a Mac with OS X. For eye candy consider Vista, Fedora or Ubuntu.
6. Choose the hardware Decide whether you want a desktop machine, a laptop that you can take with you, or a netbook. A netbook is a smaller version of the laptop but more portable and with fewer built-in devices such as CD and DVD drives.
7. Decide on the amount of memory Decide how much RAM memory you want your computer to have. Many software have a minimum RAM requirement in order to run. So if your software say it requires 2 GB of memory, and your computer has only one GB of memory, it will not run. The more RAM the better, but it will be more expensive. You should at least have 2 GB or more RAM, unless the only thing you are using the computer for is connecting to the internet (in which case you can do with only 1 GB).
8. Research. Scan the Internet, and become more knowledgeable. Compare prices, and whether the computer can be upgraded as needed. Then you are ready to order, either online, or in a computer store.

TIPS:

• If you find a computer you like, compare all the prices. You don't want to pay £700 and find the same thing on eBay for £300.
• If you're only doing basic things like word processing, see if you can use a friend's computer, or go to a library.

How to Enhance Your Learning Ability

Do you have a tough time learning or studying? Do you want to become a better learner/studier? Well if you follow this how-to guide, you will have no problem mastering the art of learning/studying and begin on the road to success in the educational world!
Steps:

1. Acknowledge your surroundings. If you are going to be learning in a school environment, you will have to prepare yourself differently than if you are going to be learning by yourself.
   • These steps are the general guide to how to learn and study better, but apply specifically to self-learning in your own home or in a quiet place without disturbances. If you come across a situation where some of the steps need to be changed or altered, try bringing the use of these steps back to the home/quiet area environment they were originally intended for.
   • Use your best judgement and try to stick as close to these guidelines as possible. If you do, you will ensure your success while learning!
2. To start, after assessing your environment, is to figure out which methods will be the best to learn/study in this environment. This can be achieved by understanding where you will be learning, and using past experiences to guide you along the process.
3. Next, you must prepare yourself for the learning ahead by getting trivial disturbances out of your way.
   1. Start off by assessing your body. Are you too cold/warm? Are you tired, stressed, irritated, angry, bored? Take a piece of paper and quickly write down everything that is bothering you or anything that might be a disturbance for you when you are about to learn. If this is in preparation for a school day, try and do this BEFORE you go to school.
   2. Once you have your list written up, start at the most important problems and fix them, working your way from your biggest problems to your smallest. This should include ANYTHING that might be bothering you because anything, even the smallest of disturbances will affect how well your brain processes information. Your disturbances should fully be taken care of (as in, if you have to go to the bathroom, DO IT!
   3. If you need sleep and can afford to get more rest, SLEEP! If you have bad breath and that bothers you, BRUSH! If you have little pet peeves that are bothering you, FIX THEM. The more that you have to keep your brain from wandering to the better!!!)
4. Now that your important and trivial, bodily, disturbances have been taken care of, it's time to begin the process of readying your brain for learning. Now your brain is like a giant camera. Every time you do something, it takes tiny snapshots of the information for later.
   • Most of the time your brain is spent processing EVERYTHING equally and taking millions of snapshots per second, by closing what is called synapses, of everything consistently at the same rate.
   • What you need to achieve is making your brain focus all, or most, of its snapshots onto your topic of study! If this can be done correctly, you will increase your learning potential by 60%!
5. PREPARATION PHASE: To begin focusing in on these snapshots, you must remove all disturbances from your area of study. Find a quiet area and remove all disturbances from it.
   • If you have a computer on, and it's not the source of learning, turn it off. Make the room as quiet as possible.
   • Close the shades and windows so as little light as possible enters the room and then turn on lights to a level that allows you to study your material without squinting or straining AT ALL but while still being dimmer than normal.
   • This step is critical to keeping your brain from focusing on your environment.
   • When choosing a room, try a place with a comfortable arm chair or bed/coach to lie down on.
     • A good location is your own bedroom, as long as it is empty of any people and completely quiet.
6. You need to blank out your mind and body of concerns. A wise monk once said that this was his secret to his studies.
   • You must do something calming yet slightly active for exactly 10 minutes.
   • Use a stopwatch if it helps to time it right. This calming activity can be anything from taking a shower {don't actually wash yourself, just let the water calm and soothe you), to taking a leisurely stroll around your quiet room, to reading a soothing childrens' book.
   • Anything that is slightly active (requires slight concentration) and calming at the same time. Once you have your activity of choice, you will find that doing it over and over will help.
7. Now onto the learning. After your 10 minutes in the shower or some other similar activity, you need to completely relax.
   • You can do this by lying down on a bed/coach and concentrating on every muscles and tense point in your body and letting control of that area slip completely away.
   • Start at your head and work your way down to your feet. Relax everything, allow yourself to sink into the bed, pretend you have died if that helps. You shouldn't move at all or use any muscle (besides breathing/living of course!).
   • Allow all of your senses to become alert, and listen for everything as you slowly find your muscles to be itching as they relax fully for the first time.
   • Do this for five minutes and then stop, slowly allowing your muscles to begin working again. Now it's time to drink some water. Your brain may be different but try 32 oz. to begin with. Drink it slowly and calmly and then you will be ready to begin learning.
8. LEARNING PHASE: Now, gather your learning materials in front of you, and begin reading/learning. Take deep, even, non-conscious breathing and pay no attention to anything around you BUT what you are learning. Read EVERY line, and every important piece of information. You will remember it if you follow these instructions!
9. RE-ITERATION PHASE: Every 15 minutes, stop and practice what you've just learned (or if this is impossible, go back and re-read only the most important parts of the article/topic).
10. RETAINMENT PHASE: Then, once you have done the re-iteration step, get up and take a quick jog or a fast walk, or anything that will make your mind remember the information.
    • Remember, it's a simple concept that your brain is more likely to remember something big and loud than something dull and boring.
      • For instance a tiger escapes from the zoo and chooses to chase you. You will most likely remember that event more than the cereal you ate for breakfast less than a week ago. This tiger attack will cause your brain to snap pictures twice as fast and all at once focusing in on the one event. This, on accident, takes all other information in your brain, and saves it along with the memory of the tiger. Without even meaning to, you will probably find, had you really been attacked by a tiger and survived, that you will probably have noticed EVERY detail.
    • The trick now is to make your brain think learning your dull and boring topic is as important as remembering how you escaped from that tiger! Don't worry, it's easier done than said in this case!
    • Allow yourself to think of important events, or listen to music. Both will allow you to associate yourself with the topic when you hear or think of those things.
    • Another good method is to play an action packed video game for 5 minutes. Anything that makes you jumpy, or causes your brain to pick up in speed will cause you to remember better.
    • Also, the more you study, the more streamlined you will find your behavior becomes. You will feel more like a machine than a person as you crunch through your work.
11. RE-DO PHASE: Once you have finished the "retainment" phase, relax yourself and repeat the processes starting at the "LEARNING PHASE". Do this for about 1-2 hours per session, breaking every 15 minutes. After your desired session length if over, don't start the process again for at least 4 hours!!! Your brain needs this time to sort, organize, process, and store this new information!
12. If you follow these steps to the line, and use your best judgement, you will succeed in learning your topic. You will notice immediately that this will become an easy and efficient routine for you and you should also find that your brain remembers far better than you had ever thought it could. So away with you, and happy learning!

TIPS:

• Remember, preparation is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!
• Your location and person need to be AS QUIET AS POSSIBLE, AS FREE FROM DISTRACTION AS POSSIBLE, and AS CALM/ORGANIZED/OPEN-MINDED/FOCUSED AS POSSIBLE!
• The best results are achieved when your studying/learning is the last thing you do just before going to bed. Your brain will have lots of time to do nothing but process your new information.
• ALL of the steps must be followed for the best results!
• Try studying/learning for the first session of two hours at night just before bed, and then continuing for an hour of study the following morning. This will ensure you have the information locked away for good!
• Try to get at least 8-10 hours of sleep on the night before you plan to study, and also make sure you get to bed early after studying, otherwise a good percentage of your learned information could be lost.
• Make sure you have a plan before learning/studying. Heading in without a plan will get you nowhere. A good plan, is a simple written diagram that shows you what you plan on studying, otherwise, if you are learning a completely new topic, make sure your source of information is up-to-date, and reliable.
• Try reading some of the suggested articles in the "Related wikiHow articles" section. They have been chosen, after reviewing each, as excellent topics for further practice for any part of the above instructions that you may find challenging or difficult. They will also help you master the art of learning better.

Studying Tips for College Students

The following tips have proven to be extremely powerful guides for organizing, thinking, studying, and learning in college. They represent the best advice of successful college students. The can also work for high school students.

Study Space

Tip: Your study space should be as quiet and comfortable as possible. Avoid studying in noisy places such as cafeterias, recreation rooms, or lounges.

Tip: When studying, keep a waste basket handy.

Tip: Have a consistent place for everything, and above all, keep it there!

Tip: Have everything needed for study handy beforehand. Don't waste valuable time looking for books, notes, of other information. After you have assembled the items you need, put them where you can reach them easily.

Study Habits

Tip: Begin study no less than 30-90 minutes after a meal.

Tip: Never study within 30 minutes of going to sleep.

Tip: Prioritize! Make a list of what you intend to study, prioritize the list, and stick to it!

Tip: If possible, study no more than 30-40 minutes at a stretch. Many students retain more by studying for short periods with breaks in between. It all depends on what you're trying to study, but generally, after a period of study, take a break.

Tip: Take study breaks away from your desk or wherever you are studying. Let the break be a time to think about other things. Use some break time to reflect, not constantly review what you have just studied.

The Classroom

Tip: Distractions in the classroom are deadly. To help avoid distractions, sit near the front of the class. You're less likely to miss something important, and there are far less distractions at the front than any other location.

Tip: Think! Thinking is one of the most important things you can do in class. If you just sit there passively, and not think, class can be deadly. Think about what the teacher is saying BEFORE writing down anything. Writing down each word is a WASTE OF TIME. Reorganize in your mind what the teacher says, and then write it down. This way you will be connecting the teacher's words with HOW you think. If you do this, your notes will make a lot more sense later on.

Tip: Pay attention to the course outline or syllabus. Generally, important points and materials are referenced here and repeated. Don't be afraid to ask the teacher if there is something you don't understand. Most teachers will be glad to clarify for you.

Preparing for Class

Tip: Efficient students do not underline! Underlining is not a productive way to emphasize textbook material. It's best to use a highlighter.

Tip: Read the table of contents of your texts carefully. If the textbooks have chapter summaries, read them first! If you don't understand the material from the summaries, go back and highlight. Take notes on what you have highlighted and review your notes. Tip: Break study material into short segments of length dependent on its difficulty. Remember, concise notes are more powerful than copious notes. Think about the material! Then take notes on what you don't know or are not sure of.

Test Taking

Tip: For essay examinations, try the "memory dump" technique. If permitted, write down everything you've memorized - facts, names, dates, ideas, events, and so on BEFORE you do anything else. Sometimes reading through the essay questions can distract you from what you've studied. The "memory dump" technique requires that you write down everything possible BEFORE you begin writing essay answers. This way, you are less likely to forget something important.

Stay Active after school

Usually it happens that after attending school, students become week. so if want to remain active u have to follow few steps given below.

STEPS:

1. Get a group of friends to join in. Invite a bunch of pals to get started in your new activity together. Exercise goes much faster when you are doing it with a bunch of buds!
2. Find out what type of exercise you'd like to do. If you are a daredevil, you might like something like Rock climbing or in-line skating. If you are a bit more calm, try some relaxing Yoga or a nice walk in the Park.
3. Go to the YMCA closest to you or your local park district and see what programs are offered. Make sure that it fits your busy schedule and meets all of your fitness needs.
4. If you can't go to a fitness center, try talking to your school gym teachers or coaches for something to do. Many schools offer sports like Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Tennis to get students moving!
5. Run! Running uses very little equipment, gets you in shape qiuckly, and allows you to participate more actively in other sports. Start out with long, slow runs, at a pace where you feel comfortable talking. If you wish, you may increase the pace of your runs after a few weeks.

How to be a good student of Taekwondo

If you do Taekwondo and would like to be a better student or if you would like to join Taekwondo the following is for you.

STEPS:

1. Show courtesy show courtesy and respect to the instructor and all other students at all times. Black belts should be referred to as 'Sir' or 'Ma'am'. At the end of any exercise where you have worked with a partner or group, you must bow to your partner or to the members of your group and say 'Thank you'. Courtesy is a key part of Taekwondo.
2. Be honest at all times in your study of Taekwondo, not only to your instructor and your fellow students, but also to yourself.
3. Persevere: exercises are often tough and there will many times when you want to give up, but to persevere is to carry on regardless.
4. Adopt an indomitable spirit: it is likely that you will suffer set backs at some point during your practice of Taekwondo, but it is important not to let these put you off. 'Fall Seven times, stand up eight'.
5. Be sensible: don't over train or try to continue with an injury. Listen to your body. If you are injured, take some time off and come back when you are ready.
6. Train regularly: at least three times a week to get the most from the sport.
7. Grade whenever possible: don't miss a grading, prepare yourself properly and be ready for it on time.
8. Compete in tournaments: put your skills to the test against new people. Watch other students and pick up tips.
9. Ask Black Belts to help: in most Dojangs, the black belts are friendly and more than willing to help you, whether you need to go over your form, kicking, or blocks. Just ask nicely, be polite and remember to thank them for their time.
10. Pay your training fees on the day they are due, and make sure your license and club membership are up to date.
11. Do extra exercise outside your Taekwondo classes to build fitness, strength and flexibility
12. Eat sensibly: make sure your diet is high in protein for muscles and carbohydrates for energy (especially on training days).
13. Drink water: before, during and after training. Dehydration can seriously affect your performance.
14. Practice everything you are taught. Go over all the patterns every week to keep them fresh in your mind.
15. Stretch so that you don't damage your muscles

How to Exercise While Sitting at Your Computer

Sitting at the computer all day is not exactly good for the body. If you have to be at a desk all day long, doing some simple things can improve your posture and health.

STEPS:

1. Sit properly in a good chair designed for desk work. Your back should be straight, your shoulders back, and the top of your monitor should be level with your eyes. If you have to look down or up, you need to adjust the height of your screen. Also, make sure that your wrists do not lay on the keyboard or on the mousepad (unless you have a pad with a wrist rest). This will help prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Keep your legs bent at the knees so that the knees are only slightly higher than your hips. Feet should be flat on the floor or on a step stool of some sort.
2. Stand up every half hour to stretch or walk around a bit.
3. Stretch your calves, and give your eyes a break from focusing on your computer screen. This will also help prevent blood clots from developing in your legs. Blood clots are very common among middle-aged computer users.
4. Learn to stretch. To stretch your neck, flex your head forward/backward, side to side and look right and left. Never roll your head around your neck. This could cause damage to the joints of the neck.
5. Roll your wrists regularly (this will help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome if you spend a lot of time typing).
6. Roll your ankles regularly, this helps improve blood circulation (and that tingling feeling you can get when blood circulation is cut off, also known as "Pins and Needles").
7. Notice if you tend to hunch in front of the keyboard. To counter that, perform the following exercise: open your arms wide as if you are going to hug someone, rotate your wrists externally (thumbs going up and back) and pull your shoulders back. This stretch is moving your body the opposite way to being hunched and you should feel a good stretch across your upper chest.
8. Contract your abdominal and gluteal muscles, hold them there for a few seconds, then release. Repeat this for every few minutes all day long while you are working at your desk.
9. Stretch your arms, legs, neck and torso while sitting. This will help prevent you from feeling stiff.
10. Take advantage of the downtime created by rebooting or large file downloads to get up and try something more ambitious such as doing a few push-ups, sit-ups, and/or jumping jacks. Beware of your snickering co-workers though.
11. Acquire a hand gripper. They are cheap, small and light. When you have to read something either on the screen or on paper, you probably won't be using your hands very often so squeeze your gripper. It is an excellent forearm workout.
12. Acquire an elastic band (also cheap, small and light) and use it to do the actions mentioned in step 9 (i.e., when stretching your arms, do it by pulling apart the elastic band). You will not only stretch but it will also work the muscles slightly.
13. Take a few deep breaths. If possible, get some fresh air in your lungs.
14. Invest in a large size stability ball or stability ball style desk chair, and sit on it with back straight and abs firm. The actual stability ball is more effective, however the chair is a more viable option for use in an office environment. Sit, bounce or do basic toning exercises while watching TV or talking on the phone as well. Use the actual ball form in moderation when typing, as this is probably not the most supportive seating to prevent carpal tunnel and tendinitis.
15. While sitting, lift up your legs on the balls of your feet and set them down. Repeat these until your legs are comfortably tired. Then repeat it again about 10 minutes later. Do this whole routine for about an hour or so. This will exercise your calves.
16. Have a bottle of water by your side and make a habit of drinking some every half hour. If you do this consistently you will begin to feel more alert.
17. A good stretch for your arms and shoulders is to brace your hands on the edge your desk, each about a shoulder width away from your body. Twist your hands in so they point towards your body and lean forwards, hunching your shoulders.
18. Take this a step further and push your shoulders and elbows closer to the desk.

HOW TO STUDY

Effective Study skills are about more than understanding

Effective study skills must be practiced in order for you to improve. It is not enough to simply "think about" studying; you have to actually do it, and in the process use information from what you do to get better. This is the central idea of this page. All that follows depends on this single concept. There is a saying that goes like this: "Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect." If you want to be an achiever, take this saying to heart.

The value of a schedule

Before you even begin to think about the process of studying, you must develop a schedule. If you don't have a schedule or plan for studying, then you will not have any way of allocating your valuable time when the unexpected comes up. A good, well thought out schedule can be a lifesaver. It's up to you to learn how develop a schedule that meets your needs, revise it if necessary, and most important, follow it.

A schedule saves time

All schedules should be made with the idea that they can be revised. A good schedule keeps you from wandering off course. A good schedule, if properly managed, assigns time where time is needed, but you've got to want to do it!

Making every hour count

A schedule should take into account every class, laboratory, lecture, social event, and other work in which you engage. There are givens such as classes and so on that have to be incorporated. You must focus on the other "free time" available and how you will use it. Make a weekly schedule and block off the 24 hour day in one hour increments. Indicate times for classes, labs, lectures, social, and work time. Also block off a period for sleeping each day. With what is left over, plan time for study. This gives you a rough road map of the time available. Of course, you can revise your schedule as circumstances warrant.

When to study

The problem of when to study is critical. A good rule of thumb is that studying should be carried out only when you are rested, alert, and have planned for it. Last minute studying just before a class is usually a waste of time.

Studying for lecture courses

If your study period is before the lecture class, be sure you have read all the assignments and made notes on what you don't understand. If the study period is after the lecture class, review the notes you took during class while the information is still fresh.

Studying for recitation courses

For classes that require recitation, such as foreign language, be sure to schedule a study period just before the class. Use the time to practice. Sometimes, practice with others can help sharpen your skills in a before-class study period.

Making and revising a schedule

Don't be afraid to revise your schedule. Schedules are really plans for how you intend to use your time. If your schedule doesn't work, revise it. You must understand that your schedule is to help you develop good study habits. Once you have developed them, schedule building becomes easier.

The Process of Study

How to use your time

Time is the most valuable resource a student has. It is also one of the most wasted of resources. The schedule you develop should guide you in how to allocate the available time in the most productive manner. Sticking to your schedule can be tough. Don't dribble away valuable time. Avoiding study is the easiest thing in the world. It's up to you to follow the schedule you prepared. A good deal of your success in high school or college depends on this simple truth.

Where to study

You can study anywhere. Obviously, some places are better than others. Libraries, study lounges or private rooms are best. Above all, the place you choose to study should not be distracting. Distractions can build up, and the first thing you know, you're out of time and out of luck. Make choosing a good physical environment a part of your study habits.

Strategies

Thinking skills

Everybody has thinking skills, but few use them effectively. Effective thinking skills cannot be studied, but must be built up over a period of time. Good thinkers see possibilities where others see only dead-ends. If you're not a good thinker, start now by developing habits that make you ask yourself questions as you read. Talk to other students who you feel are good thinkers. Ask them what it is they do when they think critically or creatively. Often times, you can pick up valuable insights to help you become a better thinker.

The SQ3R method

The SQ3R method has been a proven way to sharpen study skills. SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. Take a moment now and write SQ3R down. It is a good slogan to commit to memory to carry out an effective study strategy.

Survey - get the best overall picture of what you're going to study BEFORE you study it an any detail. It's like looking at a road map before going on a trip. If you don't know the territory, studying a map is the best way to begin.

Question - ask questions for learning. The important things to learn are usually answers to questions. Questions should lead to emphasis on the what, why, how, when, who and where of study content. Ask yourself questions as you read or study. As you answer them, you will help to make sense of the material and remember it more easily because the process will make an impression on you. Those things that make impressions are more meaningful, and therefore more easily remembered. Don't be afraid to write your questions in the margins of textbooks, on lecture notes, or wherever it makes sense.

Read - Reading is NOT running your eyes over a textbook. When you read, read actively. Read to answer questions you have asked yourself or questions the instructor or author has asked. Always be alert to bold or italicized print. The authors intend that this material receive special emphasis. Also, when you read, be sure to read everything, including tables, graphs and illustrations. Often times tables, graphs and illustrations can convey an idea more powerfully than written text.

Recite - When you recite, you stop reading periodically to recall what you have read. Try to recall main headings, important ideas of concepts presented in bold or italicized type, and what graphs charts or illustrations indicate. Try to develop an overall concept of what you have read in your own words and thoughts. Try to connect things you have just read to things you already know. When you do this periodically, the chances are you will remember much more and be able to recall material for papers, essays and objective tests.

Review - A review is a survey of what you have covered. It is a review of what you are supposed to accomplish, not what you are going to do. Rereading is an important part of the review process. Reread with the idea that you are measuring what you have gained from the process. During review, it's a good time to go over notes you have taken to help clarify points you may have missed or don't understand. The best time to review is when you have just finished studying something. Don't wait until just before an examination to begin the review process. Before an examination, do a final review. If you manage your time, the final review can be thought of as a "fine-tuning" of your knowledge of the material. Thousands of high school and college students have followed the SQ3R steps to achieve higher grades with less stress.

Reading

A primary means by which you acquire information is through reading. In college you're expected to do much more reading than in high school. Don't assume just because you've "read" the assignments that is the end of it. You must learn to read with a purpose. In studying, you may read the same assignment three or four times, each time with a different purpose. You must know before you begin reading what your purpose is, and read accordingly.

Getting the Main Idea

Getting the main idea in reading is central to effective studying. You must learn what the author's central idea is, and understand it in your own way. Every paragraph contains a main idea. Main ideas are perfect for outlining textbooks. Make it a habit to find the main idea in each paragraph you read.

Extracting Important Details

Extracting important details means that you locate in your reading the basis for main ideas. There is usually one important detail associated with every main idea. The more important details you can identify, the easier it will be to review for examinations because you have made a link between an idea and information that supports it. The more links you can make between details and ideas, as well as ideas themselves, the more powerful will be the efforts of your study.

Don't Read Aloud to Yourself

Generally, reading aloud to yourself does not help you study more effectively. If you move your lips while you read, you're not reading efficiently. If you read aloud or move your lips while you're reading, you are reading slowly, so stop moving your lips. Try putting a finger over your lips. Your finger will remind you not to move your lips. Make an effort to read faster and retain more - after a while, you'll be surprised how little effort it will take.

Taking Notes

Like reading, note-taking is a skill which must be learned and refined. Almost invariably, note taking, or the lack of it, is a constant deficiency in the study methods of many high school and college students. Learning the ingredients of good note taking is rather easy; applying them to your own situation depends on how serious you are in becoming a successful student.

Where to Keep Notes

You must learn to keep notes logically and legibly. Remember, if you can't read your own writing a few days after taking notes, they are of little use. By all accounts, the best place to keep notes is in a loose-leaf notebook. Use dividers to separate the different classes you take. Make it a habit of using your notebook to record ALL your notes. If you're caught without your notebook and need to take notes, always have a supply of loose-leaf paper with you. Insert your note papers into the notebook as soon as you can. Be sure to buy a good notebook, as it will get a lot of wear and tear.

Outlining Textbooks

First of all, don't underline. Use a highlighter. Experience has shown that text passages highlighted are more easily remembered than the same passages underlined. In outlining a text, don't just read along and highlight what seem to important words. That technique rarely works. The act of outlining works much better.

Taking Lecture Notes

Surveying, Questioning, Listening

Taking accurate and concise lecture notes is essential. Develop the habit of taking notes using appropriate methods described earlier in the SQ3R technique. For example, when you listen to a lecture, formulate questions as you listen. Your main job in taking lecture notes is to be a good listener. To be a good listener, you must learn to focus and concentrate on the main points of the lecture. Get them down, and then later reorganize them in your own words. Once you have done this, you have set the stage for successful reviewing and revising.

Reviewing and Revising

As you prepare for examinations, tests, or other assessments, you should spend time reviewing and revising your lecture notes. Begin the process by reviewing your notes right after a lecture. If you wait too long, you may discover that the notes just don't make sense. Don't hesitate to revise your notes based on the review process.

Research Notes

Any form of note-taking that requires compilation of information by categories, rather than in narrative form is best done using index cards. You can sort, edit and arrange index cards to suit your particular study needs. The most important point in using cards is to indicate the correct reference or topic at the top of the card. Use the cards for study, review, to help organize information for papers, reports, or projects. An even better idea, if you have a personal computer, is to organize your categorical information in a database. Once you set it up, finding, updating and adding new information is quite easy. If you have a printer, you can print out your notes in a variety of ways.

How To attempt Paper

Taking Examinations

Objective Examinations

Surveying

Survey any objective examination to find out what types of questions are being asked. Surveying helps you to know what to expect.

Knowing the Ground Rules

Always read directions! Indicate your answers exactly the way the directions state. Make sure your answers are clear. Determine what the scoring rules for the test are and follow them to your advantage. For example, if wrong answers are penalized, don't guess unless you can reduce the choices to two.

Answering Easy Questions First

Answering easy (to you) questions first is the best strategy. If you stumble over difficult questions for too long a time, you may not be able to complete the exam.

Picking out Key Words

Objective examination questions usually contain one or more key words. A key word or group of words are those on which the truth or falsity of a statement hinges. Learn to spot the key words in the statement that define the meaning. If a statement contains two clauses, one of which is false, the whole statement is false. Usually, two-statement true-false questions are either both true or both false.

Reading Multiple-Choice Questions

Multiple choice questions are essentially true-false questions arranged in groups. Usually, only one alternative is correct. Your job is to pick the alternative that is more nearly true than the others. Read multiple-choice questions the same way as for true-false. Eliminate obvious false choices.

Reading Other Types of Questions

The methods used to answer true-false and multiple choice questions apply to matching questions as well. Always scan the entire list of alternatives before matching any. As in the other types of questions, try to identify key words in each list and test them. Completion questions require you to provide a word or phrase. When you encounter completion questions, choose your words carefully. If you don't know the answer, give it your best guess, as often times such responses get at least partial credit.

Essay Examinations

Planning your time in answering essay questions is more important than in objective type tests. The general rule is not to get carried away on one or two questions to the extent that you cannot answer that other questions in the time allowed. Read through the entire examination first. Get a feel for the questions you are expected to answer. If the exam allows you to choose from a number of questions, be sure to number your answers exactly to match the questions.

When you follow directions for an essay exam, pay attention to the key words the instructor has included. Such words as "list," "describe," "compare and contrast," and "outline" have special meaning. Don't "write around" the question but answer it directly. If a question asks you to list something, don't write a narrative about it. Answering essay questions directly is always the best policy.

After scanning the list of questions to be answered, choose the ones you know most about. A good idea is to prepare an outline of your answers. The outline will help you remember important ideas and facts to be included in your response. Another technique is to do a "memory-dump." This technique is discussed in the last section of this guide, "Power Study Tips."

Good handwriting is an absolute essential. If your cursive writing is very hard to read, try printing instead. Most instructors value clear handwriting. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling also count. Well-written grammatically correct answers almost always receive higher grades than poorly written grammatically incorrect answers, even though the answers themselves are the same.

Writing Themes and Reports

Reviewing the Topic

Students usually have some freedom to choose the subject of themes or reports. When you make this choice, be sure that the topic is acceptable to the teacher, and is as interesting to you as possible. Another consideration is that of availability of resource material. Your task is made much easier when there is a good amount of reference and resource material available.

Using Correct Punctuation and Grammar

As in writing essays questions, good grammar and punctuation are a must. Most students use word processors to write papers. Be sure to use the spell checker that almost all word processors have built in. Many word processors also have some sort of grammar checker. Learn to use a grammar checker, as it can point out serious flaws in your writing and help you become a better writer. Most grammar checkers explain the grammar rules that apply to the suggested corrections to your writing.

Gathering Materials Before You Write

Before you begin writing, assemble the materials you will need. Use index cards, notes, bibliographies, summaries, reports and reviews as part of your preparation process. Using index cards for references is an excellent way to organize your materials. Computer database programs can also help you classify and organize reference materials.

Preparing an Outline and Writing the Paper

Once you have your topic, have gathered and organized your materials, it is time to outline your paper. Put your outline on paper! Don't make the mistake of trying to keep everything in your head. Make your outline in the form of main headings or ideas with sub-headings fleshing out the flow of the paper. Using the outline as a guide begin writing begin by asking yourself what the paper is going to say and what conclusions you want to reach. Doing this ahead of time will help keep you focused and prevent you from straying from the purpose of the paper. Making up the outline as you go along almost always results in a less than satisfactory product. Writing is important in high school and is a key to success in college and in many professions. Become a good writer by writing, revising, and reviewing your work. Don't be afraid to ask other students to critique your work. Try to write in your own natural style, be aware that most good writers go through many revisions, and be prepared to do the same. Writing and test-taking are the end results of developing good study skills. There is no magic formula for success. If you follow the suggestions in this guide, apply them and think about them, you'll have taken a giant step toward becoming a successful student.

How to Get Rid of Pimples

1) What Is A Pimple?

A pimple is a result of a blockage of the skin's pore. It is a skin disorder that ranges in seriousness from mild to severe and affects nearly majority of teenagers to young adults in their early twenties.

It is important to understand why it is necessary to get rid of pimple



2) Why We Must Get Rid Of Pimples?

Apart from being just a physical condition, pimples can have adverse emotional effect and can severely affect one's self-esteem and self-confidence. That alone is enough reason for one to get rid of pimples.

3) What are the causes of pimples?

Pimples are caused by the blockage of follicle ducts of sebum glands. However, this may be caused by many indirect factors such as stress and environment.

4) What are the common ways of getting rid of pimples?

- Drink lots of water throughout the day to flush the toxins out of your body which might help to lighten your condition

- Cleanse your skin 3-5 times daily with a specialized acne cleanser or an unscented soap.

- Exercise regularly to reduce your stress level which will indirectly help to improve your skin condition

- Lime juice mixed with groundnut oil may be good treatment for acne and pimples

5) How To Get Rid Of Pimples Fast?

- Apply a bit of toothpaste on the affected area before bed to reduce irritation and redness.

- Mix three table spoons of pure honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply it on the pimples and leave it there overnight. Wash it the following morning with warm water. Continue this for several weeks to achieve results.

Ten Speech Tips

Tips for Writing Powerful and Persuasive Presentation:

Have you ever had to give a speech?

Do you remember that feeling? A knot in the stomach, sweaty palms and a panic attack!

Not a very pleasant experience. And yet, I'm sure your speech was a success because 90 per cent of a typical audience want the speaker to succeed.

Much of this anxiety is due to a lack of confidence in writing and preparing a speech rather than in the delivery.

1. Assess how much time your speech should take. If you don't have a time limit, try to keep your speech brief yet informative.

2. Have a formal structure - beginning, middle and end.

Audiences love structure and the best speeches stick to this tried and true rule. As they say: "tell them what you're going to say, tell them and then tell them again".

3. Avoid having too much content.

Hands up those that are guilty of this sin. I know I am. I have lost count the number of technical presentations given by CEO's, managers, scientists, engineers, geologists and other professionals who have just put too much content into their presentations. Far too much for an audience to absorb - remember even the best audiences face information overload after 20 minutes.
How do you overcome the content crisis? See Tip # 8.

4. Define who your audience is and use the most appropriate communication
channels to reach them.

Analyse how your audience likes to take in information - do they like to be visually stimulated or do they enjoy just sitting back and listening. Or do they like to get involved, to touch and feel in a kinaesthetic way. Work out the best mix of visual, audio and kinaesthetic and use this in your speechwriting.

5. Research your speech using a range of sources.

Be a keen observer of the trends your audience is likely to be interested in and keep a file of interesting articles and information. If you are time poor- a few quick questions when meeting an audience just prior to a speech, such as "what are the issues facing your business/industry/association at the moment?" can really help target your presentation and build rapport.

6. Use personal stories, examples and metaphors to make intangible concepts
tangible.

In many cases you are trying to sell ideas and concepts in a speech. These are intangible and often difficult for the audience to grasp. Personal stories, examples and metaphors make the invisible visible.

7. Have a strong opening and closing.

People remember the opening - first impressions count! The closing is important as it should reinforce the key message you want the audience to go away with in their head after they have heard the presentation. Ending with a 'call to action' can be a powerful way to get your audience to act on your message.

8. Add value and extra detail through a handout.

Here's a tip: if you want to provide detail - put it in a handout! You can get far more content across in the written form than in a speech. Always refer to this in your presentation but hand it out after your speech so the audience is not distracted reading through it while you talk. There is nothing more soul destroying for a presenter to see the audience leafing through written notes rather than looking at you!

9. Use short words and plain English.

The short words are always the best words. Avoid jargon. Use active words instead of passive. This has far more impact in the minds of your listeners.

10. Evaluate and review on a regular basis.

There's nothing more powerful than to hear back a speech you've written. If you are writing a speech for someone else always try and hear the speech or at least get some feedback. Recording and listening back to a presentation is the fastest way to improve your skills.