HOW TO GET STRAIGHT " A "

How to Get Straight "A"s

INTRODUCTION:

Four Methods:General PracticesWorking Hard in ClassWorking Hard At HomeHelpful School Tips and Tricks

Being a great student doesn't mean hours and hours of being studious and having no social life! There's always room to improve, so it helps to always check the work you do. This will lead to happiness and satisfaction with not only yourself but what you are doing with your life. And you know: accomplishments are for life; they last! If you get good grades, you're that much closer to a good college, which leads you to a good job. Keep reading to find out how to be more successful in school.

Method 1 of 4: General Practices

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   Go beyond the surface information. Don’t just stop learning at the bare facts. These will not make you any smarter, nor will they give you the analytical tools you need to get straight A’s. If you really want to excel in school, the most important thing is to always ask why. Learn why things work the way they do, why things matter, and you can apply that knowledge across a vast amount of information, correctly guessing even things you might not have learned about.
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   Use the knowledge of others. We don’t mean cheat…. when we say use the knowledge of others, what we mean is that you should talk with friends, family members and teachers about the subjects you are studying. Get their opinions on topics, see how they would have approached a problem, or learn their method of doing something. In opening your mind to new ways of thinking and doing, you will be better prepared to handle any academic challenge.
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   Be proactive in your education. Participate in study groups. Get help when you need it. Study over time, rather than cramming before a test. Basically, getting straight A’s is hard (if it were easy, everyone would do) so you need to work at it if you want to do this.
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   Get organized. Consistently place all assignments or handed back work/handouts separate and in chronological order. Not only does this make life in generally easier, but it also helps when exam time comes, especially if there will be a cumulative "end-of-the-year" exam. You should also organize your time (to give yourself plenty of time to study and sleep!), organize your notes, and your study space (a cluttered space is distracting).
   • Study and do homework in chunks. If you have 2 days to do a homework assignment, do most of it the first and do the other part the second. Or, if you have 1 week to learn 10 vocabulary words, do a few each day, and review ones already learned. This way, you'll be less overwhelmed and ultimately have more time free from cramming.
   • Get a planner. One of the most important things that you will need to succeed is a planner. Write down your homework right when the teacher assigns it, not later or you will forget! If a teacher tells you when a project is due, or a test, or quiz will be given -- write it down! This will help you know what you have to do.
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   Choose courses you are interested in. If you can, make sure you are studying things you enjoy and can get invested in. You will do better if you care about the material you are studying. This is why you will find that you get the best grades in your favorite classes.
   • Remember to balance things you enjoy with things you need to know! Keep your future in mind!
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   Be aware of your body clock. The human body learns best at specific times (usually in the morning for most people). Be sure you save this time for studying and internalizing important class materials, and reserve the other time for less pensive activities as homework or socializing. Avoid studying when you are tired. In general, you should try to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night.
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   Give your best effort. You need some talent but persistence is most important. Never give up on yourself. If you don't get a question on a test, then think it through and write it out so that you can see what you are doing.

Method 2 of 4: Working Hard in Class

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   Pay attention in class. You would be surprised to know how much you can learn from just listening. You will notice that, if you pay attention, you won't have to study hard for your tests! You will understand the subject better and know what the teacher is talking about prior to a test.
   • If you lack focus or get distracted, remember your vitamins, proper nutrition, and take any prescribed ADD medications (if applicable) before you leave for school so that you can pay attention to the subject. Be lively, wide awake, and interested!
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   Ask questions. Ask the teacher real questions, not fluff. Try to figure out what you really don’t understand, what the key information seems to be, and then ask about that. Wait until you've listened, read and tried to understand, yet don't understand a topic. If you're embarrassed by asking, do it after school, at the instructor’s office hours, between classes (if it's quick), or make an appointment if needed.
   • Never be embarrassed to ask questions! Not everyone knows everything and there’s nothing wrong with not knowing something. We all had to learn at some point! Your teacher knows this and they will understand….they’ll even be happy that you’re asking! Curious students make happy teachers! Make sure you understand each and every concept perfectly. You should not have the slightest doubt!
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   Understand the course of the class. Read any syllabus you are given and generally know where the class is going. You should be aware of what you will be expected to know in the future, so that you can begin making connection in your brain with the material you’re learning now.
   • For example, if you’re in a history class and you’re learning about the formation of the states but you see that the next section will be about the Civil War, try to think about how those two events could connect to each other while you are learning about the formation of the states. This will help you to analyze information much better.
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   Take notes. Don’t write down everything your teacher says. Learn to instead write down an outline and fill it in with bits and pieces of key information. Write a summary of what you learned in class to use it for future reference.
   • You can also work ahead of the class and take notes on what you don’t understand, so that you are well prepared when your teacher explains those things.
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   Show up. Never skip class. This will only hurt your grade. Never play hooky! You will get behind. Only miss school if you are really sick. If you are sick for more than two days, get your work picked up from your teachers by parents. When you come back get all your work done early. Strive to get perfect attendance!
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   Talk to your teachers about your grades. Ask about your quality of work and reasons for any weak grades. Asking about your grade will help you raise your grade, motivate you to do better, or help you feel rewarded for your work. Be careful! Don't ask about grades too often or your teacher may start to resent you, as seeming shallow, and that will not help your grade.

Method 3 of 4: Working Hard At Home

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   Do your homework. Even in college where they might not always check it, it is important to always do your homework. It is to help you learn the subject and identify what you don’t understand so that you know what you need to study. Homework is assigned to reinforce skills learned in class, so it will lower your study time a lot. Also, if you don't have any homework in a subject, read your notes, read the textbook, anything to practice what you learned.
   • On average, about 10% of your grade is homework but how it is incorporated into your grade really depends on the teacher.
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   Don’t procrastinate. Never stay up doing an assignment, unless you have not finished and it is due very soon. Instead, if you have two weeks to do your assignment, spend the first week outlining and doing the basics. Over the weekend, neatly put it together, and the next week, just put the finishing touches on it, do some editing, and print it out. Don't forget to hand it in to your teacher one day before you actually should. This will show your dedication and give your teacher time to suggest revisions.
   • Starting an assignment ahead of time will also give you time to meet with your teacher and discuss problems you have, directions you can take, and get other assignment help that is crucial to getting A’s. Just going to the extra trouble of asking for help and taking your teacher’s advice will probably earn you a slightly higher grade.
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   Teach the material to someone else. Find a quiet place, like your room, lock the door, and imagine you are the teacher explaining the subject to a student. This is also a good way to measure your understanding of the material, and explaining it to someone who doesn’t understand it at all can often help you develop a better understanding of the material yourself. If you can participate in tutoring programs in school, this serves the same purpose.
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   Get a dedicated study space. You need a space that you know is just for studying. This will help minimize distractions and keep you on track. Studying is just another habit, and if you teach your brain that a certain desk or room is just for studying, then you will have a much easier time focusing and getting work done.
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   Read extra material if you have time. You can always go onto the internet or go to the library and find more books or information about the subjects you are studying. Learning extra, and tossing that information into papers or test questions, will impress your teachers!
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   Consider getting a tutor. If you can afford to, consider getting a tutor. It may seem bad, having to ask for extra help, but there's nothing wrong with getting in some extra learning and it can really make a difference in your grades!

Method 4 of 4: Helpful School Tips and Tricks

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   Learn to take great notes. Still having trouble taking notes that help you later? There’s a wikiHow for that.
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   Learn to outline. Outlining can make any assignment easier, by breaking it up into easy to understand chunks. Dealing with these pieces, rather than trying to wrap your brain around the whole thing can really help you excel!
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   Learn how to spell correctly. If you want to get perfect points on an assignment, you’re going to need to be sure it’s free of spelling problems. We’ve got lots of helpful hints on breaking bad spelling habits and writing like a pro.
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   Learn how to ace that test. If you want to get straight A’s you’re going to need to get A’s on your big tests! To find out how, read our helpful tutorial.
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   Learn how to concentrate. Ever have trouble concentrating while your little brother is running around screaming like Tarzan, or your roommate is blasting country music? Read our helpful guide for getting past the racket and concentrating on your work.
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   Learn how to do well in school. Doing well in school is about more than just getting A’s. Read about how to succeed in school as a whole.
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   Get subject help. WikiHow offers help in all sorts of subjects, including tutorials in Math, a helping hand in Science, and advice for English. Find more general help in the Education and Communications Category.

Tips

• If you're taking an Advanced Placement class, be sure to purchase an "exam preparation book" as a useful study reference.
• When reading text, look for words that wrap the paragraph. Things like "therefore", "additionally", " furthermore", "however", and others like it. Pay attention to these, and the sentences they are contained in.
• Come up with a clever way that will motivate yourself to work harder. For example, try looking at grades as money $100 versus $95, 90, 85,... The higher the mark, the more money you get. The lower the mark, the less money you get.
• When doing an assignment (especially a project), follow the directions as closely and accurately as you can. It sounds like a given, but ensuring you meet and include every requirement is the best thing you can do. Overlook nothing.
• Try to balance all areas of your life; if you're having trouble socially or not getting along with your friends or family, you might feel too emotionally stressed out to do stuff like your homework.
• The skills required to maintain perfect grades vary across levels of education (high school, university, graduate, professional, etc.). Entering new phases of your education will require you to learn new skills and to develop different sorts of study and work habits.
• Set goals for the day and try to finish them by the end of the day.
• When writing an essay, make sure you include as much evidence and research as possible, as well as sticking to your topic. Ensure that you do not get off track on certain topics that have nothing to do with answering the question at hand.
• Know the syllabus. You can not get an A, if you do not know what work and understandings are required to get an A. You might not even do the minimum if you don't know what is expected.
• Make post-it notes! Write your high-lights and important points on post-it notes gradually as progress through your course, and stick all of them in a place (or places) where you find yourself looking everyday. For example: bathroom mirror, closet door, assignment book...
• If you have finals, prepare from day one of class. Keep notes clear, and note what is asked on tests. Also be sure to flip back once in a while to check whether you've remembered things.
• Do not stress too much about final exams! Study daily and prepare early. The more you study, the less stressed you will be. Seek help from adults if there is a concept you do not understand.
• Read about strategies. Books such as Cal Newport's Getting Straight A's, detail the specific study strategies employed by real straight-A college students.
• If you're doing an exam, study past exam papers, and attempt every question -- near the end of the test put something down on paper; you can't lose points by putting something down (at last) when an approach may have come to you:
  
  Use some comparison and arguments pro and con, if you aren't sure to show effort and logic!
• Think of how your future will be if you do not do well in school.
• Learn about your teachers: ask friends who have had them before.
• Stay up to date, enjoying your subjects, throughout the School Year.
• Not all students get straight A's. It's important to try your best, and it will be reflected in your grades.

Warnings

• Never cheat or copy someone else's work! Cheating could get you a zero on the assignment/test and you could risk getting expelled from your school, if you get caught. Cheating won't help you in the long run.
• Stand up and take a 5 minute walk, like on the stairs, every 45 minutes of study or work. It will be healthy for your stamina, eyes, your leg and back muscles, vitality, snap!
• Don't skip assignments; always do your reading or assignments, otherwise you'll just have to make up the work/learning near exam time when you have so many other things to do.
• Enjoying your subjects, seeing the A on the report card, getting into your dream college or grad school, and getting your dream career will make all these bits of extra work, worth it.
• Don't stress, if you do get a B on classwork. Chances are you will get B's on tests, but instead of stressing about it, realize you need to try smarter/harder next time. It's as simple as that.
• If being numero uno, top of the class, is the only thing that matters to you, you need to stop and muse. You probably won't always be the best, (thousands of valedictorians/salutetorians may go to your college) and when that event happens, you need to have something else that makes you happy: like satisfied by doing your thing/as your best, not compared so much to others. That can be anything from sports, reading, to music to stamp collecting, as long as it isn't your grades alone that define your avid interests. You'll be pretty near the top of your class, and your drive will certainly lead you down a successful path in terms of getting into an elite college, grad school -- but also, if you've learn to learn and to work smart/hard, you will be full of good success in life -- which is technically the only benefit of being top of the class, anyway.
• Keep working at that one problem in your book that you can't seem to figure out. Once it makes sense, you'll be proud of yourself, and it helps with your studying.
• You should definitely work at it, but it's important to realize when something's not realistic for your talents. It is a far better use of time to develop a different topic or skill that comes easier to you or is more enjoyable.
• Give yourself a prize, when you have achieved your goal.
• Also, look around a little, don't sit and stare at the screen of a computer for long, uninterrupted periods because of the risk of myopia. Don't lean on your elbow(s) for hours, it can do nerve damage and cause stiffness, numbness,...
• Network in person. Don't only do schoolwork. Unless it's exam week, make room for social activities, sports, and hobbies. Neglecting these things will make you more focused on un-reality while studying, because you'll wish you were doing something else.
• If you get grades that are lower than your friends, don't feel depressed or sad. Move on and learn from your mistakes to achieve better marks.
• Just because you may have all As, or you're the best student, it doesn't mean you're the most talented. So don't pick on kids who might not have as good grades as you.
• Don't compare your efforts and grades -- if you stress after seeing this. Thinking, "It's too much" and feel you're not worth it: so you don't strive for that A and settle with the B. Non-motivation is feeling like you don't get it, and aren't as capable of doing it as someone else. It might sound like a story, but "if you think you can do it, you can usually do it, when you keep on it!" (You can drop a class in college, study on your own -- and try again next semester, or take a transitional class such as a "refresher"/or get a/another tutor as needed!...)
• Make use of additional resources and spend more time studying to accomplish the same goal if necessary, that may be easy for others, but for example: some children that have cerebral palsy, have learning disabilities but do just fine without additional resources or help because of extra effort to do all things (Challenged individuals with learning disabilities will, similarly, need to use courage and extra effort to excel in one's own way!).
• Don't brag about your grades. It only makes people irritated and bitter towards you. Keep them to yourself, family and other excelling students -- and be proud!
• Don't expect to use all these tips in just the last month or weeks of school and see an A. You might, but depending on your grade before you might not.
• Make sure you get enough sleep every night. If you don't, you will find it hard to concentrate. Plus, a lack of sleep reduces your ability to remember what you have already learned ^[1].

HOW TO TAKE BETTER NOTES.

HOW  TO  TAKE  BETTER   NOTES.                   INTRODUCTION:

Three Methods:Being PreparedMaking the Best Notes PossibleReviewing Your Notes

Whether you want to succeed in school or you want to be on top of your professional career , effective note-taking is a valuable skill for retaining, remembering, reciting and recalling information. If you follow these simple steps and tips you will not only learn how to take notes, you’ll learn how to take notes that will help you apply knowledge and retain material.

Method 1 of 3: Being Prepared

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   Gather your note-taking materials. It may sound pretty basic, but it's important to have all of your note-taking materials organized and ready to go before the start of any class, meeting or lecture.
   • If you're writing with paper and pens, make sure you have an A4 sized notebook with plenty of blank pages and two of each color pen. If you're using a laptop, make sure it's fully charged or that you can sit near a power outlet.
   • If you wear glasses, make sure you have them with you in case the teacher/lecturer writes down any important information on a black or whiteboard. Also remember to position yourself in an area of the room where you can effectively see and hear the speaker.
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   Come prepared. Before you come to a class, lecture, or meeting, make sure to review your notes from the last time round. This will bring you fully up to speed and ready to pick up where you left off.
   • If you were advised to do any background reading to prepare for the class, make sure that you get it done. This will help you to understand any themes, concepts or ideas that the teacher/lecturer is likely to present in class.^[1]
   • Remember the old adage "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail".
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   Be an active listener. When note-taking, many people make the mistake of mindlessly taking down every word, without really comprehending what is being said.
   • This is a mistake. If you don't make an effort to understand the topic while you're in class, you miss out on a valuable learning opportunity.
   • Therefore, you should try to absorb the information you're hearing the first time round, then you won't have as much work to do or risk feeling confused come review time.
4. 4
   Take notes by hand. Although taking notes on your laptop is convenient, a study conducted at Princeton University has shown that notetakers actually retain information better when they take notes by hand.
   • It's suspected that this is due to the fact that laptop users tend to transcribe what they hear word-for-word, without really processing what's being said.
   • Longhand notetakers, on the other hand, can't write fast enough to copy each word verbatim, so they are forced to engage with the material a little more in order to pick out the most important and relevant information.^[2]
   • As a result, you should try to take notes by hand whenever possible.
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   Don't be afraid to ask questions. When you come across something you don't understand, don't just jot it down and tell yourself that you'll worry about it later -- ask the teacher/lecturer for clarification.
   • Think about it -- if you find something confusing now, you'll find it twice as confusing during your note-review later.
   • Don't be afraid to ask the teacher/lecturer to repeat themselves either -- particularly if you feel that they've said something important.

Method 2 of 3: Making the Best Notes Possible

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   Focus on key words and concepts. The most important change you can make to improve your note-taking skills is to focus solely on taking down key words and concepts.
   • Identify the most relevant information. Write down individual words or key phrases that are most relevant to the topic at hand -- things like dates, names, theories, definitions -- only the most important details should make the cut. Eliminate all the filler words and secondary details -- if you wanted those things you could read a textbook.
   • Think about what you want to retain. Why are you taking the class? Why are you attending the seminar? Why did your employer send you to the conference? While it may be your first instinct to try and write down what you hear or see verbatim, you have to remember that you are taking notes in order to learn something from them -- you're not writing a novella.
   • Prioritize any "new" information. Don't waste time writing down information that you already know -- this is useless to you and just wastes time. Focus on writing down any new information that you've never learned before -- this will give you the most value from your note-taking.
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   Use the "question, answer, evidence" method. This is a very effective method of taking notes, as it forces you to engage with the material as you write and allows you to describe the topic in your own words. This technique of paraphrasing information has been proven to help students understand and retain material much more effectively.^[3]
   • Instead of copying down line after line of information, listen carefully to what the speaker is saying and make an effort to understand the material. Once you've done that, formulate your notes as a series of questions raised by the material, then fill in your own answers.
   • For example, if the question was "what is the central theme of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?", the answer could be "more than a tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet is about the consequences of holding grudges".^[4]
   • Then underneath this answer, you can provide evidence for your conclusion by pointing to specific examples from within the text. This strategy allows you to record all of the relevant information, in a concise, easy-to-read format.
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   Use shorthand. The average student writes 1/3 word per second, while the average speaker speaks at a rate of 2/3 words per minute. Therefore, developing your own system of shorthand writing can help you to write more efficiently and avoid falling behind.
   • Try writing things like "wd" for would, "cd" for could and "w/" for with. Write a plus sign for the word "and". Also try to abbreviate long words that appear again and again throughout the class or lecture -- for example, instead of writing "popular sovereignty" 25 times over the course of a history class, write "pop sov".
   • Of course, it's essential that you're able to decipher your own shorthand later on -- if you think you might have difficulty, try writing out a key on the inside cover of your copy.You could also go back and fill in the full length version of the words after class.
   • If the speaker is still going too fast for you despite your shorthand, consider bringing a recording device to your next class -- this will allow you to listen a second time and fill in any gaps in your notes.
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   Make your notes visually appealing. You will be reluctant to go back and study your notes if they are messy, disorganized and difficult to read, so it's important that they look nice! Here are some tips on how to create more visually appealing notes:
   • Always start on a fresh page. You'll find your notes much easier to read if you start on a fresh, blank page for each new class or topic. Put the date in the top right hand corner and only write on one side of each page, especially if you're writing with very inky pens.
   • Make sure your writing is legible. Taking notes will be a complete waste of time if you can't read them afterwards! No matter how fast you write, make sure you're writing is small, neat and legible, and avoid using cursive handwriting if possible.
   • Use wide margins. Line each page with a pen and ruler, giving yourself a wide margin on the left hand side. This will prevent the page from becoming too overcrowded and will leave you space to write in any additional information once you review your notes.
   • Use symbols and diagrams. Things like arrows, dots and boxes, diagrams, charts, and other visual aids are often great ways to associate and remember key concepts, especially if you're a visual learner.
5. 5
   Color-code your notes. Many people find that adding a splash of color to their notes helps to make the information more readable and easier to retain.
   • This is due to the fact that color stimulates the creative side of your brain, making your notes more interesting and therefore easier to retain. Color-coding helps you to link color with memory, allowing you to remember the contents of your notes with relatively little effort.^[5]
   • Try using different colored pens for different parts of your notes -- for example, you could write questions in red, definitions in blue and conclusions in green.
   • You could also use a highlighter pen to highlight key words, dates and definitions. Don't go overboard though -- you shouldn't mistake highlighting your notes for actual study.
6. 6
   Take notes from your textbook. After a class or lecture, you may want to supplement your notes with information from a textbook. Taking notes from a textbook is another skill worth mastering.
   • Preview the material: Before you jump straight in to reading a text, preview the material to get a sense of what it's about. Read any introductions and conclusions, headers and sub-headers, and the first and last line of every paragraph. Alo glance over any charts, illustrations or diagrams.
   • Actively read the text: Now go back to the beginning of the text and read it thoroughly from start to finish. Once you have finished a paragraph, go back and highlight any key words, facts, concepts or important quotes. Look for visual cues in the text book itself -- things like bolded or italicized words and the use of color or bullet points are often used to highlight significant points.
   • Take notes: Once you've thoroughly read the text, go back and make notes from the information you highlighted. Try not to copy full sentences from the text -- this simply wastes time -- and paraphrase using your own words where possible.^[6]

Method 3 of 3: Reviewing Your Notes

1. 1
   Review your notes later in the day. Reviewing your notes after class, or later the same day will help you to retain the information much more effectively. You don't need to study them intensely -- just spend 15 to 20 minutes going back over them each night.
   • Fill in any blanks. Use your review time to fill in any additional information that you remember from the class or lecture.
   • Write a summary. Another effective tool for committing your notes to memory is to summarize the information contained in your notes at the bottom of the page.
2. 2
   Test yourself. Test yourself on your understanding of the material by covering up your notes and trying to explain the topic to yourself -- out loud or in your head.
   • See how many of the important details you can remember, then read the notes again to recap on any information you might have missed.
   • Explain the material to a friend. Teaching or explaining the material to a friend is a good way to test whether you've fully understood the topic, and whether your notes deal with the topic comprehensively.
3. 3
   Memorize your notes. You'll really see the benefit of having good notes when it comes to exam time and you have to memorize all of the material. If you have been consistently reviewing your notes for 20 to 30 minutes each night, you'll find the memorization process much easier. Here are some popular memorization techniques you can try:
   • Line-by-line method: If you have to memorize a chunk of text, one good technique is is to read the first line a couple of times, then try to repeat it out loud without looking at the page. Read the second line a couple of times, then try to repeat the first and second line out loud, without looking at the page. Keep going in this fashion until you can repeat the entire chunk of text without looking at the page.
   • Story method: This method involves turning the information you have to memorize into a simple story that's easy to remember. For example, if you wanted to remember the first three elements in Group one of the periodic table (hydrogen, lithium and beryllium) you could use the following story "(H)arriet and (L)inda went to (Be)d". The story doesn't need to make sense -- in fact, the sillier it is, the better.
   • Mnemonic devices: Using mnemonic devices is a good way to remember lists of words in a particular order. To make a mnemonic, simply take the first letter of each word you wish to remember and come up with a short sentence where each word starts with those letters. For example, to remember the lines on a musical staff EGBDF you could use the mnemonic "Every Good Boy Does Fine".^[7]
   • For more detailed instructions on popular and effective memorization techniques, see this article.

Tips

• If your school allows it, you can use different brightly-colored highlighters. That way, when you see the colors, you will want to take a look at it.
• Pay attention to what the instructor is saying and don't get distracted by something or someone else.
• Write the most important stuff you need to know.
• Make sure to have a separate notebook or page for your subjects, and remember to label.
• Don't write every single word you hear.
• Use software, such as Evernote, to arrange notes.
• Stick to short phrases and bullet points: remember these are just notes, not an essay.
• When you take notes make sure you underline keywords that might appear on your test.
• If the speaker repeats something more than twice, then it's probably important and worth paying attention to.
• Write it down with different wording, it helps get the actual idea into your mind

Warnings

• Don't be distracted by people who are not the speaker.
• Have a separate sheet or bring sticky notes for asides, and (optionally) number what you wrote down on both sheets, marking what corresponds to what.

Things You'll Need

• At least two pens or pencils
• An eraser, for pencils that do not have erasers attached.
• Glasses or other aids
• Plenty of paper
• Highlighters (at least two colors)
• At least one pack of different colored sticky notes.
• A binder or folder to organize your notes.

HOW   TO    USE    A     DICTIONARY.

INTRODUCTION:

Two Methods:Dictionary HelpUsing a Dictionary

Of the approximately 1 million words in the English language, the average English speaker knows 60,000 of those words,^[1] A dictionary can be a very handy tool. Besides helping with spelling and word meanings, being able to use a dictionary effectively and regularly is a perfect way to improve your English language skills through the dictionary's range of other helpful information on everyday language usage and grammar. This article will explain how to make the most of using your dictionary.

Using a Dictionary

1. 
   1
   Purchase a quality dictionary. If you don't already own a good dictionary, consider purchasing one during sale time. It's also a good idea to upgrade your dictionary every now and then so that you have access to the latest new words that are added to the dictionary every year.
   • Consider purchasing specialist dictionaries if they'd be useful in your study or career. Some examples of specialist dictionaries include language dictionaries, technical dictionaries, rhymes, crossword, subject dictionaries (for example, for math, chemistry, biology, horticulture, etc.), illustrated dictionaries (excellent for learning another language or for technical knowledge), slang and idioms, etc.
   • Note that many countries have their own native dictionaries that might be more helpful than sourcing a dictionary from just anywhere, such as the Macquarie dictionary in Australia, Oxford dictionary in England, Webster's dictionary in the United States, etc.
   • Some schools, universities and workplaces prefer the use of one particular dictionary. This is for reasons of maintaining a consistent style and understanding among everyone using them; make sure you use the right one for your assignments, editing, and reports.
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   Familiarize yourself with your dictionary. Dictionaries vary in approach. The best way to learn how to use your particular dictionary effectively is to read its introductory section where you'll find out how the entries are arranged. The introductory section of your dictionary will explain important information such as the abbreviations and pronunciation symbols used throughout the entries. There may also be information on pronunciation of words with similar spellings; this can be helpful if you have only heard a word and you're not sure of its spelling. For example, if you hear "not", it might also be "knot" but the "k" is silent, and this list can help you with suggestions.
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   Know how to look up a word. When you come across a word you don't recognize or know the meaning of, keep a note of it. When you get around to looking it up, here is the sequence to follow:
   • Proceed to the letter of the alphabet that your word begins with. For example, "dog" begins with "d". Don't forget the possible spellings for trickier words, such as "gnome" begins with a "g", or "psychology" begins with a "p", or "knock" begins with a "k", etc.
   • Check for the guide words. These are located in the upper corner of each page and give you an indication of how close you are to locating your word, speeding up the process of going through the pages.
   • Once close, use the second letter of your word to run down the page and locate your word. For example, if you were looking for the word "futile", "u" is the second letter. Perhaps you will see "furrow/futtock" in the upper left corner of the left page and "futtock plate/gaberlunzie" in the upper right corner of the right page. Now you know that "futile" is going to be located on one of these two pages.
   • Scan down the list of entry words moving past "Furry" and "Fuse" and "Fuss". Since the example word begins with "Fut", go past all the "Fur" and all the "Fus" words alphabetically until you reach the "FUT" area of the page. In this example, move right down through "Fut" and "Futhark" and this is at last, where you will find "futile".
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   Know how to make the most of your find. Once you've located the word, there are several useful elements that you can discover about the word from the dictionary entry. Read the information given about this entry, and depending on your dictionary, you might find many things:
   • A definition of the word.
   • One or more pronunciations. Look for a pronunciation key near the beginning of the dictionary to help you interpret the written pronunciation. Learn how to use the stress marks, as these will aid your pronunciation. The stress mark ' is place just prior to the syllable where the stress is placed.^[2]
   • Capitalization, where relevant.
   • Prepositions, such as "in", "on", etc. and their use with the word in question.
   • Irregular endings for verbs.
   • Synonyms and antonyms. You can use these in your writing, or as further clues towards the word's meaning.
   • An etymology, derivation, or history of the word. Even if you don't know Latin or Ancient Greek, you may find that this information helps you to remember or understand the word.
   • Examples or citations of how the word is used. Use these to add context to the meaning of the word.
   • Derived terms and inflections (I am, you are, etc).
   • Phrases or idioms associated with the word, and slang usage. In addition, the dictionary may explain whether a word is formal or informal.
   • Plurals of nouns.
   • Near neighbor words that might be related, such as "futility".
   • Spellings in other English (US English, British English, Australian English, etc.)
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   Think about how the information you've found relates to the word as you encountered it. If there are multiple definitions, decide which one matches your source or context for the word and notice how the different definitions are related to one another. In an English dictionary, the most common meaning is usually placed first where there are multiple meanings.
   • Try using your new word in a sentence. If it's difficult to spell, write it a few times to help yourself remember it.
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   Use your dictionary for other purposes than looking up a word. Many dictionaries come with an array of other useful information. Some of the information that you might find in your dictionary includes:
   • Standard letters for jobs, RSVPs, filing complaints, official writing, etc.
   • Maps and geographical information.
   • Statistics on population.
   • Weights, volume and measurements.
   • Lists of countries, cities, capitals, etc.
   • Flags of countries, states, provinces, regions, etc.
   • Lists of famous or historical people.
   • Lists of facts.
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   Learn how to use an online dictionary. Online dictionaries are easy. Choose a suitable free online dictionary, or a subscription one if your place of work or study subscribes, and simply type in the word you're looking for. The search engine will return the word to you and the definition section should contain most of the elements discussed above. Note that free services may not be as comprehensive as a subscription or book dictionary, so keep this in mind when you're not sure that you've found the right answer.
   • Make use of the audio content provided with online dictionaries. This can help considerably when you're unsure how to pronounce the word.
   • To use Google to find online definitions, type: "define: futile". The search engine will only look for definitions.
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   Have fun using a dictionary. The last step is the most fun – simply browse a dictionary to enlighten yourself about new words now and then. Just open the dictionary up to any page and scan the page for words that are unfamiliar or seem interesting. Pinpoint them, read the definition and try to add the new word to your thinking or talking during the next few days until it becomes a remembered part of your natural vocabulary.
   • Play the dictionary game with friends. This consists of getting some friends together and a dictionary. The first player looks up a challenging word and uses it in a sentence. The other players have to guess if the use of the word is accurate or an outright fabrication. If a player guesses correctly, it's their turn next.
   • Another dictionary game: Each player chooses a word which should be familiar to the other players, then reads out the dictionary definition. The other players compete to guess the word as quickly as possible - perhaps even shouting out while the definition is still being read.

A dictionary is one of the most valuable tools available for improving your English language skills. Here are some ways to maximize a dictionary's usefulness.

Tips

• If you can't seem to locate your word, make sure you're spelling the word correctly. For example, you won't find "isotope" if you're looking in the A section, which you might be tempted to do if, for example, your chemistry teacher speaks with a bit of a southern accent!
• Language is defined to a large degree by usage. You can help keep our language alive by using more of it. Try to occasionally use words that are "getting dusty" either in written or verbal communication. English is the closest thing to a universal language on Earth, and it deserves a chance to thrive. Using words like "dude" a little bit less can help to keep our language healthy.
• Don't be afraid to study the etymology of a word. Since much of our language is derived from Greek or Latin, you'll often find yourself learning root words from them, but after you have, you'll find that it can be easier to understand words that are new to you simply by looking at the structure of the word.
• Even though it's easy to check words using an online dictionary, the free ones don't always provide enough information, so it pays to always have a hard copy dictionary on your bookshelf to call upon whenever needed.
• A dictionary is a good survival tool. Always take a big dictionary with you wherever you go. If you are stranded on an island, the pages can be glued together to form a basic shelter, and help you start a fire. If your book is made of metal, it can be used as a mirror to signal your position to planes.
• If you're having trouble spelling a word, try the spell-checker in a word processor and see what it suggests.
• Old dictionaries make excellent door stops or hollow books.

Warnings

• Dictionaries vary in content, and some are very specific. Look at the title to find out what you have. If you have a dictionary of rhymes, slang, idioms, synonyms, a foreign language, or a specific interest, such as woodworking terms, seek a more general dictionary.
• Printed dictionaries may go out of date as the language changes, so check the copyright date of yours. Another way to gauge the currency of a dictionary is to look for relatively new words, such as "chick flick"^[3] or "metrosexual"^[4].

Things You'll Need

• Dictionary
• Internet access

HOW TO TAKE NOTES.

HOW    TO    TAKE   NOTES.                                INTRODUCTION:

Four Methods:Purpose and ContentLectureAssignmentsText

Good note-taking can play a huge role in your academic success but not everyone has the note-taking skill necessary to make use of this beneficial practice. With these tips and methods, you can improve your note-taking and your grades, while learning more with less effort.         

Method 1 of 4: Purpose and Content

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   Consider your subject. What type of notes you take and how you take them will partially depend on what the subject matter is. The format of the subject matter will also play a significant role in how you take your notes. Depending on the subject and format, you will also need to focus your attention to different types of information.
   • You may be taking notes from a lecture, during an assignment, or from a text. These formats each require you to work in certain ways. A lecture, for example, is fast paced and will require you to take notes quickly and efficiently.
   • Notes on the sciences will be very different than notes on the humanities. You might be taking notes on history, which will take on more of a narrative outline than notes on chemistry, which will focus on formulas and concepts.
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   Consider your purpose. Why you are taking your notes, your eventual goal, will also affect how you take your notes. It will play a part in determining what information you need to learn and what the most efficient way for you to learn it will be.
   • Test. If the material you are working with will eventually end up on a test, you will want to capture as much information as efficiently as possible. Focus on key terms, important events or facts, and broad concepts. Know the format of your test so that you can guess at the types of information that you need to know while studying.
   • Paper. If you’re taking notes that will be used to write a paper, you will want to focus on the types of information that you need. Take your notes to fill an outline of your paper or, if you don’t have an outline, look for themes and significant information.
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   Benefits. Taking notes has clear benefits. It will give you a guide for remembering information later but it will also help you to process the information. In having to think about what is important and how it should be organized, you will learn it much more efficiently. Studies have shown that students who work from broad notes do better on tests than those who rely on taking down everything verbatim.^[1]

Method 2 of 4: Lecture

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   Basics. Taking notes is more than just writing down what the lecturer says, word-for-word. You will need to position yourself to facilitate your note taking. Sit where you know you can hear and see and be sure to have enough table space to write things down. Sitting away from your friends might help, if you are prone to distraction, or you can sit with your friends if you benefit from collaborating on notes.
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   Outline. As the lecturer talks, outline what they are saying. Mark in your notes when they start a new topic, then note each sub category as it is addressed. Fill in information and details as you have time. Sample outlines can easily be found on the internet, so that you can get a sense of the format.
   • Each lecture should have it’s own page or series of pages. This will help keep you organized. Make sure to date and title the pages so that you can find them more easily later on.
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   Terms and concepts. Write down any terms or concepts which are new or unfamiliar to you. These should be written down separately from the rest of your notes, either on the adjoining page or in a separate notebook.
   • For notes on the sciences, it may be easier to accompany notes on concepts will small illustrations. Copy images used in the lecture or draw what you imagine from your understanding of the information.
   • Terms are probably best written down dictionary-style, with the word followed by the definition. Ensuring they are not spread randomly through your notes will make it easier to study them later on.
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   Use shorthand. A key to taking useful lecture notes is to use or develop a system of shorthand. This is where you write down a few letters or symbols which signify much longer words. Reducing the number of characters you write will help you write faster so that you can keep up with the lecturer and have more time to just listen and absorb.
   • For example, writing & instead of and or w/ instead of with. You can also use abbreviations, either ones you make up for familiar terms or official abbreviations.                          

Method 3 of 4: Assignments

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   Science labs. For taking notes on science labs, you may want to begin by outlining the experiment. Be sure each lab has it’s own page. The most important thing is to take notes in real time, so you do not miss any information or remember it incorrectly later. If possible, draw illustrations and graphs to visually represent information that does not come across well with words.
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   Math. The main key to math notes is to outline the steps. Write down, in detail, what you should do at each step and why you should do it. Make note of when things didn’t work and illustrate with equations whenever possible. When you have found the final solution and correct methods, outline these for future reference.
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   Art. For art assignments, you may wish to take visual notes of your creation process. This will help you think through your work, rather than wasting time or supplies on ideas that will go nowhere. It will also help you see gaps in your ideas and presentation, as well as lead you to think critically about what you like and why it appeals to you.
   • Do sketches of possible layouts and compositions. Mark the best aspects of each and eliminate what doesn't work. Take note of compositions of other works you enjoy or that fit with what you are working on. Make note of what it is about those compositions that make the original work so effective.
   • Make lists of themes or topics you wish to depict. If your piece is going have a larger message to it, take notes about what exactly you want it to say and how you intend to get your message across. If the art is commercial in nature, test out copy and branding in your notes before incorporating it into final design.                 

Method 4 of 4: Text

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   Define terms. As with other subjects, you should keep a running (but separated) list of terms with which you are unfamiliar. Define them and, if desired, list pages on which they appear or are particularly relevant. This will help you go back to the text later for clarification if you become confused.
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   2
   List concepts. On another page, you may wish to give brief outlines of important concepts. This will help you by keeping track of ideas which play a significant role in the text you are reading. It can also help you to simplify complex ideas.
   • Give a detailed explanation for all concepts. List how they arose, important people attached to them, and events in which they played a significant role. If the ideas changed over time, list this and briefly outline how.
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   Fill in outline. Begin with a general idea of what you’re trying to learn. Use a copy of your lecture outline or an outline of the paper you intend to write. When you see information in the text that is relevant to a topic in your outline, write it down and take note of the page number.
   • Taking note of the page numbers from which you pull information is very important, especially when writing papers. This will keep you from having to dig back through the text later in order to properly cite your information.
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   Color coding. Color coding your text is probably the easiest way to take notes, though it requires almost no writing. This method will help you to clearly visualize and organize the information. It can easily be adapted into an outline as well, for use in writing papers.
   • If reading on the computer, you can use highlighting tools to color block sections of information. Assign one color to each of the topics in your outline and then, when you find relevant information in the text, mark it with that color.
   • If you’re reading from a physical book, you can certainly mark text with a highlighter. It may be easier, however, to use color-coded tabs. These colorful stickers can help you to navigate the pages and find exactly what you’re looking for.

Tips

• Don't write sloppily or illegibly. This will make your notes hard to read and possibly useless later on.
• When studying a list of terms, you will memorize them more easily if you take them in small batches. Study only four or five terms from your notes at a time until you have absolutely mastered them. Only then should you move on to the next set.
• Remember, don't write everything down. Think about what's important and what you'll need to know later.
• Highlight the word if you need to so you don't get off track on your test or essay.
• Use the new vocabulary you are learning, both in your speech and elsewhere in your notes. This will help solidify it in your mind.

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Things You'll Need

• notebook or Index cards
• pencil or pen
• white out
• colored tabs or post-it notes