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F.A.Q.
- Q. Why does my mind go blank when I'm taking a test?A. If you study several hours but can’t seem to recall the material during a test, you’re probably not studying effectively. Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, you’re sticking to a regular study schedule, and you’re watching for themes or formulas in your subject material. Test yourself periodically to make sure you’re keeping up with the important themes as the days pass.
- Q. How long should I study each night?A. Ideally, you should set aside two hours each night for studying and doing assignments. From time to time, special events or family obligations will interrupt your schedule. That’s okay, just as long as you get right back on track as soon as possible.
- Q. Why is it that my notes don’t make sense when it’s time to study for a test?A. When class notes get out of sequence, they can be very confusing. Be sure to date your notes every day and create a theme or title for each day’s notes.
- Q. What is a thesis?A. A thesis is a basic statement, theory or argument that you are prepared to support with evidence and examples. Typically, a thesis sentence will appear in the first paragraph of a research paper.
- Q. What are reference sources?A. When researching a project or paper, you’ll need to use sources to back up your thesis. Sources will include published materials like books, articles, magazines, encyclopedias, web sites, almanacs, maps, and dictionaries. Primary sources are unpublished documents or personal papers.
- Q. What if I can’t understand a book I have to read?A. If you read a book twice, it will make much more sense the second time. If your time is limited, skim the book the first time and take notice of chapter titles and easier passages. Then, try a more thorough reading.
- Q. I have a big research project. Where do I start?A. It’s difficult to start on a project that seems overwhelming. Divide your project into phases or steps and set small goals. Start with choosing a strong thesis.
- Q. What is a character analysis?A. In literature, a character analysis is a summary of the traits and characteristics of a specific character. Why is the character important to the story and how do his physical or emotional traits affect his behavior?
- Q. What is plagiarism?A. Plagiarism is the act of using of someone else’s work and claiming it as your own—whether it is intentional or unintentional. Plagiarism is a serious offense that will result in expulsion and/or academic failure.
- Q. What if I have an impossible teacher?A. Let’s not kid ourselves, teachers are people, too, and they have diverse personalities. If life, you will run into personalities that conflict with your own. Focus on the positive traits of your teacher or the subject matter, and try to emphasize those positives each day, in your attitude in class or in your assignments. Often, you can turn a negative into a positive.