Why You Keep Failing Your Exams.

Why You Keep Failing Your Exams. You Start Studying Too Late. Whether or not you want to hear it, it takes months to prepare adequately and score really well on a test like the ACT, SAT, GRE and other standardized, high-stakes test. Why? They do not simply test your content knowledge, which could theoretically be crammed into your head a week before the test. (i.e. Who was Ronald Reagans press secretary? How do you say the word, eradicate in French?) Standardized tests often measure your ability to reason. Predict. Infer. Draw conclusions. And in your everyday, regular school life, you may not be practicing those skills. So, in order to get better at them, you need to brush up on them early and often. Repetition is key and cannot be mimicked the week prior to the test. Fix It: Get a study schedule put together several months before your exam. Write down study times into your calendar and commit yourself to them firmly. Let go of the idea that you can wing it and get the score youd like. I promise youll be grateful for prepping early for your major test! You Dont Prepare in a Way That Suits Your Learning Style This may be news to you, but everyone learns in different ways. Some people learn material really well sitting at a desk in a quiet corner, rehashing all their notes with headphones set to white noise. Other people learn best in a group! They want to be quizzed by friends, laughing and joking along the way. Still others prefer to type all their notes over again while they play a recorded lecture of the class review. If youre trying to force yourself to learn in a way that doesnt suit your learning style, youll doom yourself to fail your exams. Fix It: Take the learning styles quiz. Sure, its anecdotal and not 100% scientific, but it may help give you an idea about how you learn best. Find out if youre a visual, kinesthetic or auditory learner and prepare in a way that can actually help you learn. You Dont Learn the Ins and Outs of Your Exam Did you know that the ACT is very different from the SAT? Your vocabulary quiz is going to be an incredibly different type of test than your midterm exam. Perhaps youre failing your exams because you havent quite caught on that you need to prepare in different ways for different kinds of tests. Fix It: If youre taking a test in school, find out from your teacher the type of exam it will be – multiple choice? Essay? Youll prepare differently if so. Get a test prep book for the ACT or SAT and learn the strategies for each test. Youll save time (which leads to earning more points) by familiarizing yourself with the test content prior to testing.    You Pressure Yourself. Nothing is worse than test anxiety. Well, maybe childbirth. Or being eaten by sharks. But mostly, nothing is worse than test anxiety. For days before the test you can think of nothing else. You pressure yourself straight into hives. Youve decided that nothing – NOTHING – matters except a perfect score and youve sweated and cursed and hoped and despaired over your upcoming exam. And after having taken the exam, you realize that your score was absolutely awful and you wonder what you couldve done differently. Fix It: Practice steps to overcome test anxiety from your desk right before the exam. If that doesnt help, draw a timeline of your imagined life. (Birth – Death at 115 years old.) Place major events on it: first learned to walk; lost a grandparent; got married; the births of your 17 children; won the Nobel prize. Now, place a tiny dot of your test date on your timeline. Doesnt seem so enormous, now does it? Although a test can make you fraught with nerves, it helps to put it into perspective. Will you remember it on your deathbed? Highly unlikely. Youve Labeled Yourself a Bad Test-Taker Right now – this minute – stop calling yourself a poor test-taker. That label, called a  cognitive distortion, does more harm than you know! Whatever you believe yourself to be you  will become. Even if youve taken  and failed  tests in the past, your future testing self is not a guaranteed failure. Figure out the mistakes you made on those tests in the past (Maybe you didnt study? Perhaps you didnt sleep enough? Maybe you didnt learn the test strategy?) and give yourself the chance to rock this test by preparing. Fix It:  At least 30 days prior to the exam, write the words, Im a great test-taker! on post-its and stick them everywhere - your bathroom mirror, the dashboard of your car, the inside of your binder for school. Nerdy, but totally worth it. Write it on the back of your hand. Make it your screensaver and your computer password. Live it for the next month and watch your brain slowly begin to overcome the label youve given yourself in the past.

Essay on Yolo or Carpe Diem

Essay on Yolo or Carpe Diem â€Å"Yolo† is a popular acronym used these days as a take on â€Å"Carpe Diem,† or seize the day. It stands for â€Å"You Only Live Once.† It has implications of it being okay to make stupid mistakes because each and every one of us lives once, we think. Life is short, we all know that, and we – well, most of us – want to live life to the utmost fullest, in turn getting everything we can out of life. After all, it is a wonderful, beautiful gift: Life. But we didn’t ask for it. As a matter of fact, it takes some people a lifetime to figure what it means to be alive. â€Å"Yolo† may be a term used by the youngsters of today, as heard in songs by Adam Levine and Drake, but it carries meanings and implications that are universal and everlasting. The phrase is too often used by the hipsters of today in the United States to make excuses for their dumb mistakes. The phrase will never catch on and be used ubiquitously by the American people – or other nationalities, either – because it is cumbersome to say and even harder to care about and remember. To the ordinary person, it sounds like some frozen yogurt brand nobody wants to try, or some variation of the color yellow. But the acronym has good intentions. â€Å"You Only Live Once† reminds one of a hopeful youth, of seeing and wanting the best in life, of seizing the day because tomorrow is not promised – nor is even the next moment. Nonetheless, the wrong people seem to be using the term. They are the slackers who don’t take blame for their impulsive, risky decisions, and then when the problems arise from the decisions, they blame it on â€Å"You Only Live Once.† But it’s just one more way to enable these kinds of behaviors where judgment is lacked. Also, the mentality attached to this word provides people more reasons not to blame themselves for when they make a monumental mistake. They blame it on â€Å"Life† and not their own erroneous decision. What does this create? A bunch of cultures which don’t hold themselves accountable for their actions. SAMPLE ESSAY ABOUT HAPPINESS So this â€Å"Yolo† mentality is not so cut and dry. It is good and bad. It is both a hindrance and an empowering philosophy, depending on the person using it and how they use it. But it is being used nonetheless. Most people want to get all they can out of life, and so, in this case, it is quite motivating. â€Å"Yolo† can be inspirational to those trying new things – who want to take calculated risks, meet new people, take exciting trips, etc. It can mean understanding what it means to be born to die – and in between, there are opportunities to make the most out of this crazy life. In between birth and death, there is of course suffering, problems, the death of others, bad people and bad experiences – but there is also love and hope and family and beauty. Unfortunately, this â€Å"Yolo† philosophy does not seem to focus on the most optimistic aspects of life. It seems more that this philosophy only provides excuses for young rich kids to account for their immature, impulsive, selfish actions. The phrase will never be used by the masses like â€Å"Carpe Diem.† It is one more excuse for spoiled American kids to put off growing up and becoming responsible, productive adults. It is really quite a pathetic, irritating notion to people who don’t have the luxury of staying children their entire lives, putting off adulthood because it doesn’t suit them. â€Å"Yolo† is an irritating acronym, one that is not only confusing to most people but one that will just never catch on. Only the young hipsters will use it, and they are not â€Å"mainstream† anyway.

Slavery and the atlantic slave trade Research Paper

Slavery and the atlantic slave trade - Research Paper Example The importing of African slaves became an essential, acceptable and profitable part of European commerce. Taking advantage of the internecine warring amidst African nations, Europeans forcefully removed Africans from their homeland, with the largest numbers from the Gold, Ivory and West Coasts. The cruel system of African slavery was uniquely different from other forms of slavery due to the brutal manner in which it was conducted, the treatment of African slaves as goods or personal property, and the great numbers of people who were captured as slaves, believed to be over 50 million. The one-way trip to the Americas was known as the â€Å"Middle-Passage†. One of the major debates among historians about the transatlantic slave trade argues the specific reasons for Europeans to enslave Africans during an extensive period spanning the 15th to the early 19th century. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to determine whether European motivation for the slave trade was rel ated to profits, racism, or had another explanation. The Significance and Long-Term Effects of the Slave Trade Historian Marcus Rediker has explored not only the transatlantic slave trade, but also the slave ships by which the trade was carried out for centuries. The transportation of enslaved Africans and business transactions of slaves towards their use as forced labor, forms history’s greatest imposed migration. ... Contrastingly, the loss of large numbers of its people led to extensive decline in Africa’s economy and political situation. Despite rich natural resources, the continent’s inability to overcome its low levels of development towards progress is attributed fully to its past of enslavement and depletion of its population3. However, other reasons such as the siphoning away of world financial aids meant for Africa’s development, by politicians in the weak political system, further undermines the continent’s future. Racism and the Brutality of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Significantly, racism is defined as white supremacy4, because no other race in the world has asserted itself to be the superior race; and used political or economic resources to impose oppression on others on the basis of race. The Europeans considered themselves as the superior race on the basis of their light skin color, and believed that dark skin genetically predetermined Africans as infe rior, and suitable only for the status of slave. Thus, the Europeans developed deeply ingrained discrimination against the dark coloured Africans as â€Å"others† belonging to a lower class of humanity. This approach is also evident in the fact that Europeans did not enslave other Europeans because of an underlying commitment to individual rights. They considered other whites as similar to themselves, and consequently their equals. Since Africans were considered as different both physically and culturally, this â€Å"otherness† was the rationalization for enslaving, ill-treating and enforcing hard labor on them. Carl Degler5 and Winthrop Jordan6 supported this view of racism being key to Africans’ enslavement by the white Europeans.

The Gods of Ancient Greece Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Gods of Ancient Greece - Essay Example For the Greeks their gods were immortal, omnipresent and adorable. They could control all mortals at every stage of their lives, prescribing their fate and their relationships. Zeus According to the belief of the Ancient Greeks, Zeus was the king of all gods. He got this position after fighting with his father, Kronos who killed his children by swallowing him because he feared that they might kill him when they grow up. However, he was tricked by his wife and Zeus was saved from death. Zeus saved his two sisters and three brothers also from the wicked father (Hansen, 2004). Zeus and his brothers - Poseidon and Hades - decided to rule the world after dividing it amongst themselves. Zeus took charge of all the heavens while Poseidon was responsible for the sea. Hades took over the underworld. The three brothers were quite happy with their choice. Zeus’ wife, Hera, was very jealous because her husband had a number of girlfriends and a whole bunch of children. Zeus loved his child ren and all of them had super powers. The most powerful god was Zeus. He could throw his voice and sound like anybody and change the shape of his body. He could even take the form of an animal. Zeus could throw lightning bolts which were carried by his horse, Pegasus. Zeus was short tempered though his sense of humor was very good. Nothing could scare Zeus but his wife Hera. Zeus’ symbols were the thunderbolt, eagle and oak. Every four years Greeks hold an Olympic Games festival which is dedicated to Zeus and men from all over Greek world participate in the competitions. Hera Hera was the sister and wife of the king of gods, Zeus, and the queen of gods. She was the goddess of motherhood and marriage and their main purpose was to protect women, although usually liked to persecute and punish the many mistresses of her husband and children resulting from these courtships outside of their marriage. She was known as Juno in Ancient Rome. Her parents were Rhea and Cronus (Littleton , 2005). Peacock and cow were sacred to Hera. She was portrayed as a royal and sincere goddess and was often crowned with polos which were worn by several Great Goddesses. Hera was extremely jealous of the women her husband was involved with. When Zeus fell in love with a lady, Alkemene, Hera did not like it. The lady bore Zeus’ child Hercules who Hera many times attempted to kill. She kept two snakes in Hercules cot but he was able to save himself with his superhuman strength. Hera was known for her jealous and vengeful nature against the ladies who were involved with Zeus and their children. She was also offended when she was not chosen as the most beautiful goddess. Samos is believed to be Hera’s birth place. Polos and scepter are the symbols of Hera. Athena Athena was Zeus’ daughter and was born without a mother. Myths say that she was born directly out of Zeus’ brain, holding a spear and shield and wearing a helmet. Athena was her father’s fav orite child. She began as a fully armed goddess of war and then became the patron goddess of Athens and a symbol of wisdom. Athena was a very powerful goddess and was one of the 12 deities who had a seat on Mount Olympus. Athena was the one who invented the bridle, chariot and the built the first ship. Athena was worshipped by the Greeks all over the world and was called as Athena Polias which means â€Å"Athena of the city†

The True Dangers of the H5N1 Virus :: Bird Flu Avian Influenza Pandemic

The True Dangers of the Feared Pandemic Abstract The H5N1 strain of the avian flu is a virus. It has the potential to be very dangerous especially through its ways of transmission. The statistics of the current deaths and possible deaths also show the possible pandemic arising in the near future. However, this topic must be put into perspective and the common belief that it will eradicate our world is rather exaggerated. There is actually a higher chance that the avian flu will not become a deadly killer. Still, there are many possibilities and no one can be completely sure of the outcome. The H5N1 Virus Avian flu is probably one of the most feared possible outbreaks. The H5N1 strain is the particular strain in question. If this strain mutates, allowing for easy human to human transmission, there is an immense chance for a worldwide pandemic. This pandemic could leave the Earth barren with the possible eradication of humans unless there is a gene that allows a small percent of humans to be resistant (Siegel 33). The H5N1 virus has been the most feared virus because of its likelihood to mutate. The structure of the H5N1 virus is the main reason of its possible mutation. The envelope of the H5N1 virus is comprised of three proteins. Two of them are the hemagglutinin (H) and the neuraminidase (N). The hemagglutinin is the layer used to penetrate the host cell. It has receptors that bind to cells, allowing it to open and infiltrate the host cells. The receptors are very specific to the receptors on the cells to which it binds. This is the reason that viruses with H5N1 Dangers 2 the H5 subtype have not been able to transmit from human to human very easily. Birds have been its main target and up to this point, have been affected to most. The neuraminidase serves as a mechanism used to cut the virus free from the mucus and other inhibiting factors of the immune system, allowing the virus to move about freely in the body (Tambyah, Leung 16). Because this virus very rarely infects humans, the resistance it will face in the human immune system is predicted to be minimal. The virulence of H5N1 in its ability to multiply rapidly, making it more likely for the virus to mutate by chance. The greatest fear is that the virus will mutate in a way that permits it to gain airborne transmission, allowing it to spread rapidly from human to human.

A Microfinance MIS

Mifos is an internet based management information system designed for microfinance. The system is user friendly and flexible for the company and it’s client information. Mifos is a unique system that provides tools which allows the user to research client’s information. This information used for this system would research information such as payments, client personal information for their accounts, reports and much more. The system helps the user navigate to different accounts and provides details of an individual client. There are several tabs the user can navigate to with the system. The first tab is the home tab which allows the user to search for the client’s information by name or groups. The second tab is clients and accounts tab to give full detail of the client’s information. In this tab the user can assist the client with opening accounts, closing and reviewing the client’s information and questions the client may have. The third tab is the report tab; this tab is used to process operational and financial reports. The last tab is the Administrative tab which is only used by a designated office administrator to create new system users and find office products. These tabs are provided to make sure information can be accessed and the side tabs are in place help the user navigate through the system without problems. The Mifos system is for IT skilled users and designed for financing purposes only.

Americas M4 Sherman Tank, a WWII War Machine

The iconic American tank of World War II, the M4 Sherman was employed in all theaters of the conflict by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, as well as most Allied nations. Considered a medium tank, the Sherman initially had a mounted 75mm gun and had a crew of five. In addition, the M4 chassis served as the platform for several derivative armored vehicles such as tank retrievers, tank destroyers, and self-propelled artillery. Christened Sherman by the British, who named their U.S.-built tanks after Civil War generals, the designation quickly caught on with American forces. Design Designed as a replacement for the M3 Lee medium tank, the plans for the M4 were submitted to the U.S. Army Ordnance Department on August 31, 1940. Approved the following April, the goal of the project was to create a dependable, fast tank with the ability to defeat any vehicle then currently in use by Axis forces. In addition, the new tank was not to exceed certain width and weight parameters to ensure a high level of tactical flexibility and permit its use over a wide array of bridges, roads, and transportation systems. Specifications M4A1 Sherman Tank Dimensions Weight: 33.4 tonsLength: 19 feet, 2 inchesWidth: 8 feet, 7 inchesHeight: 9 feet Armor and Armament Armor: 19-91 mmMain gun: 75 mm (later 76 mm)Secondary armament: 1 x .50 cal. Browning M2HB machine gun, 2 x .30 Browning M1919A4 machine gun Engine Engine: 400 hp Continental R975-C1 (gasoline)Range: 120 milesSpeed: 24 mph Production During its 50,000-unit production run, the U.S. Army built seven principle variations of the M4 Sherman. These were the M4, M4A1, M4A2, M4A3, M4A4, M4A5, and M4A6. These variations did not represent a linear improvement of the vehicle but rather changes in engine type, production location, or fuel type. As the tank was produced, a variety of improvements were introduced, including a heavier, high-velocity 76mm gun, wet ammunition storage, a more powerful engine, and thicker armor. In addition, numerous variations of the basic medium tank were built. These included a number of Shermans mounted with a 105mm howitzer instead of the usual 75mm gun, as well as the M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman. Featuring a heavier turret and armor, the Jumbo Sherman was designed for assaulting fortifications and aiding in breaking out of Normandy. Other popular variations included Shermans equipped with duplex drive systems for amphibious operations and those armed with the R3 flame thrower. Tanks possessing this weapon were frequently used for clearing enemy bunkers and earned the nickname Zippos, after the famous lighter. Early Combat Operations Entering combat in October 1942, the first Shermans saw action with the British Army at the Second Battle of El Alamein. The first U.S. Shermans saw combat the following month in North Africa. As the North Africa campaign progressed, M4s and M4A1s replaced the older M3 Lee in most American armor formations. These two variants were the principle versions in use until the introduction of the popular 500 hp M4A3 in late 1944. When the Sherman first entered service, it was superior to the German tanks it faced in North Africa and remained at least on par with the medium Panzer IV series throughout the war. Combat Operations After D-Day With the landings in Normandy in June 1944, it was learned that the Shermans 75mm gun was incapable of penetrating the front armor of the heavier German Panther and Tiger tanks. This led to the rapid introduction of the high-velocity 76mm gun. Even with this upgrade, it was found that the Sherman was only capable of defeating the Panther and Tiger at close range or from the flank. Utilizing superior tactics and working in conjunction with tank destroyers, American armor units were able to overcome this handicap and achieved favorable results on the battlefield. Operations in the Pacific and Later Due to the nature of the war in the Pacific, very few tank battles were fought with the Japanese. As the Japanese seldom used any armor heavier than light tanks, even early Shermans with 75mm guns were able to dominate the battlefield. Following World War II, many Shermans remained in U.S. service and saw action during the Korean War. Replaced by the Patton series of tanks in the 1950s, the Sherman was heavily exported and continued to operate with many of the worlds militaries into the 1970s.