Epic Study Plan Cliff Notes

hello folks. this weeks random adventure finds me just after my test for SW325 trying to remember what happened. See this test I felt phenomenally better than how I felt after a prior test, for SW250, and after listening to just about everyone around me floundering in similar classes, I've come up with a few thoughts on the differences between studying and not so studying.

A. Scan those chapters. This isn't and in depth kind of thing and is appropriate to do before class. If this book is in your major, you may as well accept you will need it for the rest of your life as a resource, because you can't possibly remember this stuff completely down the road. Grab that highlighter, and if its in italics, or bold, highlight the word. Read through the paragraph, cut through the the's and ands and highlight the least info necessary to remember exactly what it is. Go over to the side of the page. Write something, the name of the guy responsible for the information(like by maslow's hierarchy of needs write maslow) This will be great, because later when you have a question you will have approximately 20-200 names in each chapter(I'm just talking about social work and psych classes dude, those numbers are absolutely accurate.) and being able to trail straight to them to study or take an open book test is just one lifesaver you can give yourself.

B. This is going to be reaching a little, but read the text before class. Its beyond comprehensible, then try opening the text as the instructor goes through it for notes during class. Write notes and highlight additional info that she/he goes over. If their interested in it enough to talk about it during lecture, then it could definitely be on the exam. At least you won't have to peruse the book the day before the exam and go WHERE DID SHE GET THIS NAME AT? WE NEVER TALKED ABOUT THIS FREAKING MORON>>> because you just might of...

C. Flash cards. This is the end all of best college practices. They take a ton of time, however, and require some planning, however if you do the book highlights and the notes, odds are thats all you need flash cards for, the study guide info would also be a good time to make and break out flash cards. Use the powers of microsoft word, type the def on one side, write the answer on the other. You use multiple styles of learning when you read, write, and then handwrite something. Its like you are processing it into different memory banks to cash out later in the form of learned material at an Epically important time frame, LIKE THE TEST.

D. Study groups are great, choose warily though. The guy who cancels and then asks for the notes? Afraid not. Get people in multiple classes and then break the study guide up for responsibility. Meet at least a week before the exam, if someone doens't pull through, drop them, period.

E. You retain approximately 10% of the information you learn over a day. Cool huh? Yeah, as long as you study for 10 days. This entire plan is to help you study over a 10 day period.

1. Read and highlight chapters in class, this is time you dedicate to class anyways, so whats the point? The point is this would be a bad time to pull out that laptop, pay your bills, get on fb, whatever. This is prime study time. Use it well.

2. Make those study flash cards for the key elements or whats on the study guide. Plan that study group. 7-10 days before exam.

3. Practice study cards actively, drop them in a pile if you have them down, keep another pile for the not so have it downs. Keep running through it for about 10-20 minutes a day until you can whip through them like superman speed. When your kung fu is that strong, you are ready.

This is my prescription for study success. Adopt it, suggestions for tweaking, etc, welcome. Oh, and if no one has told you? Acing a test is fun, so have fun! ;)

on my way...

funny thinks happen when your trying to be funny.

so heres a list of possible ways to answer those really tough interview questions. I'm not saying you should try them, but they are funny.

1>What would you say is your biggest weakness for(the position your applying for, in general, in life, what could you work on, what is your biggest challenge, etc.)
This is my absolute favorite question, you really shouldn't say that. First, this is what their going to focus on, and they are writing down exactly what you say. So start with a label. Something easy that they will remember. Then move on from said label into why it is Your biggest weakness. GOt that finished? Then move it into a strength while recognizing why it is your biggest weakness. Example, you didn't really think you had a weakness means your egocentric.
I'm an overachiever. I tend to never say no and could work on that. I think I put a lot into my work without asking for feedback. I could continue to utilize this as a strength by making sure I get feedback from my supervisor more often and delegate. I enjoy communication but prefer to do a majority of the work alone.

My personal fav answer of all time on that one?
I am a nerd. Ever get into a group situation? There are a lot of team players and one nerd who settles everyone down and gets things going. In general I'm the girl who googles everything rather than admit I don't know an answer. I like research and could listen more often to others ideas, be more patient. Overall, I'm just a nerd, I like ideas but I also like the details to said ideas.

What are your strengths for this....position, in general, see above?
My weakness is my strength, I work hard and have a tendency to never say no to the work. I would say my enthusiasm is my biggest strength. I am very excited about working for this company. I really enjoy assisting others in finding their potential, getting them on track to what they really want out of life. I understand the strengths perspective and how to work with others to achieve what they want in their own environment.

there are a ton more questions that are out there, I just can't think of any, post on this and i'll do my best to get my most insightful answers out there. This really isn't for business majors, its more for those folks going into something creative and want to stick their names out there. Going to career fairs, your not going to run into an executive there, mostly the most expendible people, so they are going to remember the person who does the most interesting thing. I've been accused of coming on too strong, so what. I got an interview. Someone else can get forgotten.

PS, NEVER let that "do you have any quesitons for us" slide, look at the position before you go and ask SOMETHING insightful, they have heard them all, its your last shot at showing them you understand the job. don't ask what their looking for, they have heard that a thousand times. Ask about the next step in the procedure, assuming after today your still in the running, when can you expect to hear back from them. Get them thinking about you future wise.