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“Why did you kill the human instead of the monster?” “Umm… I DID kill the monster?” “NO YOU DIDN’T! YOU LET IT GO!” “Listen, I let an innocent, scared creature go, helping him by killing the person cornering him. I’m a MONSTER hunter, not a SUPERNATURAL hunter.”
Notion is an open source planning system that is available on Desktop, Mobile, and most Browsers. Loaded with all kinds of features including customizable pages, embeds, and much more, Notion is a tool that can help you plan anything you need to and keep track of everything you find important.
Pros:
Ability to customize pages
Embed links, PDFs, Upload files and images
FREE options with discounted student accounts. All you need is a valid student email
Freedom to rearrange elements in whatever way you need
Huge library of free and paid templates to choose from
Cons:
Some templates can be quite expensive depending on what you are looking for
This a manual database style tool so web capture is limited
Drawing options for custom diagrams and note-taking is clunky and difficult to integrate
Below you will find an introductory video on how to use notion and highlights key features.
The first section you'll take on the ACT is the English section, which focuses on your knowledge of grammar as well as your editing skills.
#1: Choose the Most Concise Answer
ACT English questions look for answers that result in the most straightforward, logical sentence structure, so try to find the choice that provides all of the necessary information for the sentence to make grammatical sense—and nothing extra. The best writing says what it needs to say clearly and concisely!
#2: Read the Paragraph First
A good plan of attack for ACT English is to read the whole paragraph that has the sentence you must revise before you look at the answer choices. This will give you context for your choices and a better grasp on the structure of the sentence and how you might need to change it. With this strategy, you can reduce the number of errors you make caused by careless misreadings.
#3: Be Careful With "No Change" Answers
On ACT English questions that ask you to choose the answer that makes a sentence grammatically correct, you'll have the option to pick "No Change." This is a dangerous choice because if you aren’t aware of more obscure grammar rules, you might be tempted to choose it on some questions for which the sentence actually can be improved. Thus, it’s really important to double-check all other answers before settling on "No Change" as the correct choice. That said, keep in mind that "No Change" really is the correct answer around 25-30% of the time it's an option, so don't second-guess yourself if you're relatively certain there isn't an error. Read the sentence through with each of the possible suggested changes before you bubble in “No Change” to ensure that you’re ultimately making the right call.
ACT Math Tips
Up next is the ACT Math section. Here, we give you two key tips you'll need to know in order to get a high Math score on test day.
#4: Pay Attention to Diagrams
The ACT Math section will often provide you with diagrams of figures that describe the problem you’re trying to answer. It’s important to pay attention to these figures, as they will give you clues about which answer choices are the most logical. If a problem asks you to figure out an angle, for example, and some of the choices are acute while others are obtuse, you’ll be able to eliminate at least a couple of these answers just by looking at the diagram. If it doesn’t seem like an answer is possible based on the visual aid alone, it’s usually safe to cross it out.
#5: Plug In Answers and Numbers
Two of the most important strategies to help you confirm you've got the correct answer on a math problem are to plug in answers and plug in numbers. Here's how to plug in answers: if a question asks you to solve for x, simply plug each answer choice back into the original equation and see which one works. This will tell you which answer choice is the correct one. You don’t even need to really solve the problem! Plugging in numbers is a little different. With this strategy, you'll choose random numbers to plug into algebraic variables. This strategy lets you analyze the problem using real numbers instead of unknowns, and works best for questions with multiple variables. While helpful, these strategies can sometimes be more time consuming than just solving the equation directly, so only use them as a last resort if you're stumped.
ACT Reading Tips
With ACT Reading—the third section on the test—you'll need to know how to read and interpret passages both quickly and accurately.
#6: Start With Your Strengths
The ACT Reading section is always structured the same way with four topic areas in the same order. Each topic corresponds to a passage or pair of passages. These topics are as follows: Prose fiction/literary narrative Social science Humanities Natural science To make sure you’re getting the most out of this section, start by reading the passage(s) that correspond to the topic area in which you are most comfortable. This might simply mean starting with subject matter that is most interesting to you and will thus make for a quicker read. This way, you can get the questions that are easiest for you out of the way first and won’t risk running out of time before you have a chance to answer others.
#7: Skim Passages
There’s a lot of time pressure on the ACT Reading section, so try to read the passages as efficiently as possible. For some students, it might be manageable to read passages normally and still have enough time to finish the section, but you have to be a really quick and thorough reader in order to pull this off. The best strategy for most people is to skim the passages instead. In order to skim effectively, read the introduction and conclusion paragraphs as well as the first and last sentences of every body paragraph. This will give you a good overview of the main ideas and allow you to answer most main point questions. When you get to questions about details, you can then reread specific parts of the passage if necessary.
ACT Science Tips
For the Science section, you'll need to know how to interpret data and must answer questions dealing with graphs, tables, and scientific experiments. Here are our two best tips.
#8: Do the Conflicting Viewpoints Section Last
The conflicting viewpoints section on ACT Science is usually the most time consuming for students. In case you’re not familiar with it, this part of the section asks you to read two or three passages that detail different viewpoints on a scientific issue. You'll then answer questions about these viewpoints and how they relate to one another. Since this is more reading-intensive and can eat up a lot of time, it’s best to save this part for last so that you don’t end up missing other questions later on in the section that will be quicker and easier for you to answer.
#9: Rely On Visuals
The ACT Science section hits you with a lot of complicated terminology and unfamiliar facts that make it seem overwhelming. The best policy when faced with all of this information is to ignore it and go straight for the graphs, which should provide enough information for you to answer the majority of the questions you’re faced with. Most of the information you’re given is just extra stuff thrown in there to make this section seem more difficult than it really is.
In reality, ACT Science is more about logical reasoning and data interpretation than it is about actually knowing any science. As long as you can read the graphs, you'll be fine!
Need quick ACT tips and tricks to improve your score? Get our tips in ACT Math, Science, English, and Reading to boost your ACT score quickl
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ACT and SAT test prep support is now a reality for The Studious Fox Den. Free Practice test resources; including bubble sheets, answer explanations, and score calculation. Review stages and events coming soon, additional resources available. Come check us out!
Fighting through your depression and finishing a single assignment
Turning in a paper a little late
Taking a mental health day
Getting a C on a test you thought you failed
Academic wins are personal. They're different for everyone and depend on you, your goals, your mental and physical health, and your overall well-being. For someone working full time, getting that C and showing up to class once a week is a win and something they should be proud of! For someone who has everything financially covered and can devote plenty of time, getting the deans list should be something they rightfully should brag about! Achievements are Achievements regardless. Don't let anyone take your wins from you
Find helpful homework tips at bigfuture.collegeboard.org.
So It Doesn't Control You
Although very few students love homework, it does serve a purpose. Homework helps you:
Reinforce what you've learned during the day.
Build study habits that are essential in college.
Prepare for your classes.
Get a sense of progress.
Here are some tips to help you deal with homework more efficiently and effectively:
Set the Mood
Create a good study area with everything you need (for example, a calculator). If you don't have a quiet place at home, try your school or local library.
Know Where to Begin
Make a list of everything you need to do, and note all deadlines. Do the more difficult assignments first, so you don't have to face them at the end.
Study at the Same Time Every Day
Even if you don't have homework every night, use the time to review notes. If sitting down to work is part of your normal routine, you'll approach it with less dread. Also, you'll become a pro at using time productively.
Keep Things in Perspective
Know how much weight each assignment or test carries, and use your time accordingly.
Get More Involved
Keep your mind from wandering by taking notes, underlining sections, discussing topics with others or relating your homework to something you're studying in another class.
Organize the Information
People process information in different ways. Some people like to draw pictures or charts to digest information, others prefer to read out loud or make detailed outlines. Try to find the methods that work best for you. Ask your teacher for recommendations if you're having trouble.
Take Advantage of Any Free Time
If you have a study period or a long bus ride, use the time to review notes, prepare for an upcoming class or start your homework.
Study with a Friend
Get together with friends and classmates to quiz each other, compare notes and predict test questions. Consider joining a study group.
Communicate
If you have concerns about the amount or type of homework you have, you may want to talk to your family, teachers or counselor. They can help you understand how much time you need to allot for homework and how to manage your tasks.
Celebrate Your Achievements
Reward yourself for hitting milestones or doing something well.
Follow these tips if you want to boost your creativity and improve the way you write:
Always be writing. Don’t ignore the random ideas that pop into your head. Even bad ideas can inspire good ones, and you never know what will trigger inspiration for a better idea later. Keep a notepad or download a notes app to your personal device so you can jot down or record any ideas you have
Embrace rewriting. A writer rarely gets it right in the first draft. You might have flexibility with your content, but don’t be afraid to strip away the fluff, eliminate what doesn’t work, or, in some cases, start over. Storytelling and worldbuilding take a lot of time and thought, and only through rewriting will you be able to craft a version that works best.
Have a perspective. Fiction writing often has a story, message, or lesson to share. A narrative without a drive behind it will feel flat, and your audience won’t understand what the point of your story is or why they should care. Use your own unique voice to tell a story that resonates with your readership or audience and to connect with them in a way that will leave a lasting impression.
Know your audience. Ask yourself whether this story is just for your fellow creative writing students or a wider population. Maybe you are an academic writer trying to break into the young adult market. It’s rare for a piece of writing to appeal to all demographics, so knowing your audience can help you narrow down its tone and scope in ways that appeal to your target audience.
Read, read, read. It’s a lot harder to get the hang of creative writing if you don’t have any references from which to draw. Notable writers throughout history have penned excellent examples of well-written creative work that should be required reading for any budding creative writer. Read famous works by great writers in plenty of genres to get a feel for where your interests might lie.
Start writing. Many beginners can feel intimidated or embarrassed by their creative work and where their imagination takes them. Through freewriting, creative writing exercises, writing prompts, and practice, you can improve your own writing skills to become a better writer.
Try a writing workshop. Writing classes and writing groups expose you to a community of writers who can all aid in your creative writing process by offering feedback and constructive criticism on a variety of elements in your writing, like story, main characters, setting, and word choice. Whether you’re writing your first book or you’re an experienced writer suffering from writer’s block, a writer’s group can offer helpful suggestions or inspiration.
Use literary devices. Integral to good writing, literary devices help you write vividly and create imaginative scenes. Metaphors, similes, and other figures of speech create impactful images that can boost your creativity and assist in painting powerful pictures. For example, alliterations, consonance, and assonance can enhance the sound and rhythm of your words.
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Join me in a study marathon with these chill LoFi beats.
I'm WAY behind on my classwork and needed some lengthy options to help me focus through this crunch time to finish out this session that ends next week!
If you prefer to listen to music while studying welcome to the club!
It can be difficult to find the right playlist to listen to that…
Doesn't distract you from your work
Doesn't make you want to fall asleep on your computer/notebook/whatever
Motivates you to work instead of dance around and use your pencil as a microphone (not that I've done anything like that before >.>).
TEMPO
Tempo plays a big part in motivation, so choosing songs that match the tempo of the work you are doing is also important.
For example…
SLOW tempo songs for review work, normal assignments that have a deadline further in the future and general note taking.
FAST tempo songs are useful when your deadline is fast approaching, cram sessions, and exams (if you take them online).
Now to the nitty gritty of this post… Genres of music to use
LYRICS VS NO LYRICS
It is best to focus on songs that don't have lyrics that way your brain doesn't focus on them while you're trying to focus on your work.
Most people suggest lyrics in a language you are not fluent in, personally I find it just as distracting because I find languages I don't speak or read fascinating, so I tend to avoid them when studying.
LOFI
This is a genre that has grown in popularity with music for many different situations including, chill time, studying, sleep, and many more.
From the playlists I've listened to that carry the same vibe as "Field Music" which I'll get into in a second so definitely recommend it!
GAMING MUSIC
Now THIS, this is more like it. And certainly getting closer to the goal of motivating and non-distracting music to study to. There are two categories: Field and Boss.
Field Music, for those who do not game or are unfamiliar with the term, is music that plays in the background when your character in a game is traveling or a cut scene is playing. Usually an even tempo, sometimes relaxing or even whimsical.
Field Music is useful for those SLOW tempo situations I mentioned earlier.
Boss Music
As clarification, this type of Gaming Music is the music that plays in the background of.... you guessed it Boss Battles. Fast tempo, exciting, gets your heart pumping as you try every combo you have learned up to that point to beat the boss and get the loot they drop which is usually pretty good stuff.
This concept can be applied to Studying and Homework as well. The sense of urgency faster tempo music instills tricks our brain into thinking "this needs to be done quickly" and sets the tempo for your work to the same tempo as the music.
Below is a list of helpful websites for Homework, Studying, Learning and Development as well as Essay Help....
Khan Academy A nonprofit that aims to provide "a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere." The site offers a growing library of high-quality educational videos that can help parents brush up on school subjects or guide their child through homework with evidence and visual aids, which are big concepts in the Common Core.
Visit here: https://www.khanacademy.org/about
Quizlet Useful tool for flash card creation for terms and definitions as well as main concepts.
Visit Here: https://quizlet.com/
Desmos Math help website that includes different styles of calculators so you don't have to buy any!
Visit Here: https://www.desmos.com/
LitSolutions A free resource website for any kind of textbook math help
Visit Here: https://www.litsolutions.org/
Sentence Starters This is a document created on tumblr and I have included the file below for help starting sentences when writing essays, papers or any other writing assignments. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KAOjRkAdzac8w4wAv6bb6lNcmR1AACJMdN5iXqfk1nw/edit
10 steps to revise for an exam (and my recommended timeline)
Quickly go over the material that will be covered on the exam. Put each topic into a category of "Good" "Okay" and "Bad" based on your understanding of that topic. (Day 0 - Before revising)
Look at steps 3-10 and put them into a study plan that you can follow. This will keep you on track and ensure you cover everything. (Day 0 - Before revising)
First, start with your "Okay" list. Briefly revise each topic, focusing on definitions, formulas, and general concepts. At this point, you should be ensuring that you know the information, not focusing on exam practice. I like using flashcards for this step to ensure I actually know the information (Day 1)
Now, do the same for your "Good" list. (Day 1 or 2)
Once you've done steps 2 and 3, you're ready to practice! If your professor has given you practice/review questions, use those. You can also find great questions in your textbook or from past assignments. (Day 2)
Now, focus on your "Bad" category. Do a much more thorough review of the information in this category, almost as if you're learning it for the first time. This is a step where flashcards may be super helpful, especially if you need to power through a lot of memorization work (Day 3).
This is where you practice your "Bad" category. Make sure to do multiple questions for each topic to ensure that you're prepared for anything that comes your way (Day 4).
Revisit all the information you've studied over this process, and do more practice problems on the topics you're struggling with the most. (Day 5)
Take a deep breath, get some sleep, and eat a good meal! (Exam day!)