Everyday we are constantly bombarded with tons of television commercials products that promise to help improve our memory, be it a brand of milk with “special” ingredients or daily consumption of vitamin supplements to boost the brain’s memory. However, it’s always a question to the effectiveness of these commercials gimmicks.

The truth is it’s the memory muscles we trained each day that boost our memory. And you should not be too afraid that your memory will fail you. All it takes is a few simple techniques that will activate your brain cells.

1. Keep your brain running. Exercise your brain muscles as often as possible by remembering facts, figures, descriptions, numbers, addresses, and the like. Connect all you need to remember with stories and mnemonics. Remember that your brain keeps on growing and developing, so you’ll need to feed it. Play some memory improvement puzzles, like crosswords and mind games to keep your brain at a healthy level instead of watching television. Learning new things is a good way to keep your brain muscles strong. You can start by learning a new language or a new musical instrument.

2. Build up your physical body. The more you exercise the more oxygen circulate to your brain and heart. This can help prevent memory loss. Exercise can also help you feel more relaxed even during tense situations; and with relaxation comes a better chance of retaining the strength your memory.

3. Control your stress level. Do you experience that stress can actually make you more agitated and tense, thereby, making you more prone to forgetting things. You have a difficult time focusing on things. Identify things that make you stress and try to avoid them as much as you can. If you still feel under the weather, you might want to seek professional advice and therapy.

4. Seek to eat healthy. Food supplements may help you improve your memory; but, still, there remains no solid proof that these supplements actually work. Eating a healthy diet contributes to a healthy brain. This would help to keep your memory healthy. Try eating these foods as much as possible: blueberries, spinach, berries, and broccoli.

5. Organizing your life. Planning your time well will also help you maintain your memory’s performance. Organize your phone numbers in your address book, place your keys in the same place, your wallet in your bag, and your reading glasses on your neck. You know what I mean. Allocate or create a place where you would find significant items, so that you can find them when you need them. Besides, knowing that these items are where they are reduces the clutter in your head and helps you focus more.

Brain cells naturally degenerate over time. However, with all these hacks and tips, we can slow this process by living a healthy life and giving our memory leeway to perform better.

Discover the 7 Step Study System That Finally Reveals The Secrets to Score As’!

It is possible for you to accelerate your learning if you want to, you know that don’t you? Not besides helping yourself to learn faster, you can help others as well.

Whether you’re a trainer, a coach, or even a parent, this can be invaluable for you.

Everyone processes information differently -We all learn differently. A person who process thing in a certain way would learn faster using a particular method, using other learning methods would only slow him down. Now do you know why some people study so hard but could not do well in exams? That’s because the teaching method taught in school does not fit his way of processing information.

To start off, we have basically 3 ways of learning and processing…

The Examiner

The Examiner is an analytical person. If he is doing a math problem or applying a new job, he won’t understand it until he can mentally break down the process and fit it back together in his head. He has to memorize the process on the back of his hand before he can feel comfortable with the task or problem.

The ideal way to help the Examiner to accelerate his learning is to give him a great amount of time in the classroom or lab so he can devour the material and learn at their pace – without the pressures and distractions.

The Performer

The Performer is exactly opposite of the Examiner. If you want to help the Performer to learn faster, throw him in a room with the task or problem and let him play with it “physically”. He learns best if he can practice it with his own hands and learn with OTJ (On The Job) training. He’s one that would make a couple of mistakes, but that’s the gist of learning for The Performer. If you have a Performer, do not punish her for mistakes. He may make a few mistakes but he is on the process of learning. Punishing him may lose make you lose a valuable employee. And if you’re teaching your children, understand their learning strategies and praise them for their effort. This will actually encourage them and they will in turn learn faster.

In fact the more mistakes they make, the faster they learn.

The Observer

The Observer could also be called “The Modeler” or “The Imitator”. When the observer is in a classroom, he may seem to be the slowest learner. From outside, it is true that he is a slow student, but it’s certainly not true to say that he is a slow learner. The only people slow between the two are those who do not understand the learning processes of “The Observer”. The Observer understands in a holistic way and can only excel when he sees how everything links together. Only teaching in a holistic way would then provide them with an environment conducive to study.

Whether you are a teacher or a student, learning can be a nightmare or it can be fun. One thing for sure though, unless you know the person’s method of learning, it can be extremely hard to succeed in a particular field or subject.

Having said all of these methods, they are not the only ways people learn. But with these 3 main types, hopefully, with this information, you will be more equipped to train yourself up or groom another genius!

Discover the 7 Step Study System That Finally Reveals The Secrets to Score As’!

Can you still recall the cartoon series featuring Wily Coyote and the Roadrunner?

“Fast” brings back the image of the Roadrunner zooming past the obstacles laid out by Wily Coyote.

Speed may allow you to arrive at your intended destination; but along the way, were you able to take note of the things that you may have missed while speeding along the fast lane? As in driving, zooming in fast does not give enough opportunity to see and enjoy the view. The same can be said about learning.

Much of what you learn can be acquired through reading. The simple activity of getting in a comfortable position and start reading a book of your choice opens a new world for you. Reading enables you to tap into the minds of great people.

The more you read, the more you know. In the hope of reading more books, some attempt fast track reading. It is believed that the faster you read, the more you cover.

Fast track reading may involve reading by phrases and concepts compared with the word-for-word method. Fast track reading enables you to cover more pages with the same rate. However, one limitation of this method of learning is that you tend to remember only a small portion of the main idea. There is danger that you might miss the important details in the book.

There is a solution for this. Few people are aware of this seldom-talked about technique in fast learning. This is based on the principle that the mind thinks in pictures.

Learning is accelerated when you “see” the whole idea of the write-up or book. Seeing “live pictures” of ideas and thoughts of the writer makes reading experiential and unforgettable. When you see nothing while reading, you learn nothing. Fast reading becomes useless.

This technique is called visualization. Visualization is vital to quick learning. Visualization in reading is like constructing a jigsaw puzzle where pieces are put together to form the whole picture. The whole thing not only “appears,” but actually “comes alive” before you. All of these happen in the realm of the mind.

Just going through the motions of fast reading can give you a hazy picture of the subject matter. But like a mist, this picture often quickly evaporates into thin air. Fast reading without visual pictures often informs but very seldom impresses.

Impressions last while information changes with time. Past information is easily forgotten in favor of new ones. Impressions change you, and these are stored permanently in the mind.

For learning to become effective, it requires brief pauses to be able to visualize and reflect. Effective learning is not about how fast you can finish reading a book. It is more on how you effectively comprehend the ideas brought forth by the writer.

Visual pictures provide lasting impressions. Go after ideas and how it will enrich people’s existence. Go for lasting impressions and insights that will mold you into better individuals.

Writer’s block has got to be the most frustrating things writers have to grapple with. It’s especially troubling if you have a looming deadline and you’re just staring at your computer with no idea what to write. But even if you don’t have a deadline and you just want to come up with a written piece, it’s still hard being unable to produce anything.

Some people will tell you to just buckle down and start writing, because it will all come together once you get started. But what if you’re simply drawing blanks? Well, don’t just sit there and mope. Try these simple tricks to oil your imagination’s gears a little and kick start your writing.

• Get out of the house. A walk around town may be just the thing to help give you ideas and topics for your story or article. Observe your surroundings and the people around you and try to think up stories about them.

• Read up on your topic. This is particularly helpful if you’re assigned to write an article, essay, or report. It’ll do good if you find out what aspects of the topic have already been extensively discussed, which would help you think of a new way to approach it.

• Take out short stories or essays written by your favorite writers and rewrite them. Approach the topics from a different perspective. Apply your own touches and points of view and you may come up with some ideas of your own.

• Grab a pen and a notebook and just freewrite. Write whatever comes to mind, jot down every thought you’re having. Note every thought you have about your topic. You can even write down your feelings about writer’s block. You don’t have to follow any certain topic, and you can even ignore grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Just let your mind wander and scribble away!

As another writing exercise, you might also want to imagine yourself in new places and different scenarios. Try to imagine how you’d behave or what you would do in such situations and write a story around that topic.

• Do something else entirely. Relax and try not to think of writing for a while. You may be pushing yourself too hard to come up with something that it’s become difficult for you to actually start writing. Talk to a friend, cook yourself a meal, and refresh your mind a little before settling down to work again.

The power of concentration is a skill that is easy to master, that is if you have the willpower to do so.

“If there is a will, there is a way” according to one saying, the same goes with concentration. Popular television newscaster and personality Diane Sawyer was once asked about her secret to professional success. Her response was that paying attention was her secret.

The question therefore remains, “How does one basically maintain focus and concentration?”

The following are helpful tips to improve your ability to concentrate in the best way possible. These suggestions apply whether you are in the office busy with work, school, business meeting, or if you are trying to finish a particular project.

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Remember the other day I talked about this topic:
By The Details: How I Excel In My Exams And Emerge Among The Top 53 Students

I’ve made it into a slide show. This inspiration comes from Guy Kawasak who is a successful entrepreneur and author. If you ever want to be an entrepreneur, you can do a google search and find his blog. It’s full of useful and inspiring information about entrepreneurship.

And above are the slides. Hope you enjoy it. Share it to your friends too!

After going through 2 years of junior college, I had a total different perspective about excel in exams. I don’t really need to be hardworking – I can still have fun, relax and still score distinctions. Here’s some details of what I went through.

1. 7. It took me 7 months of hard work to improve my grades from C, D, E to A, A, A.
2. 3.5. I spent an average of 3.5 hours to study daily. Sometimes I studied lesser and sometimes I studied more. (4 – 6 pm & 10:30pm to 12 pm)
3. 1. I had 1 girlfriend during the 2 years and I talked to her every night from 9 pm to 10:30 pm. I would continue study after that if I’m not too tired. She came from the top 5 colleges while I’m not. Because of this, I had a tendency to work even harder.
4. 1159. Sleeping time was around 11:59 pm. I can’t sleep too late when I’m in college because I’ve got to wake up at 6:15 am.
5. 11. I had 11 books for 3 subjects (Maths, Physics, Chemistry). It includes the past year questions and textbooks but it does not include my notes.
6. 13. I’ve completed a total of 13 papers for each subject from 13 different colleges before I went for my exams. I know it sounds crazy, but I was desperate to get distinctions for every single subject.
7. 6. I was always with the same group of 6 friends. And amazingly, most of us scored full distinctions for our ‘A’ Level Examinations. Sticking with friends that will support you helps in your studies.
8. Saturday – It’s one of the days I went out and have fun. Watching movie and playing games. “Work hard and play hard”.
9. 10. Even 10 days before the teachers teach a new topic, I had already done the tutorials and look through the homework. I was never on a hurry to finish up my homework because I was 10 days ahead of everyone. That is also why I can have fun on Saturday.
10. Sunday – It’s usually the time when I planned the week ahead. Plan what to study, what homework to complete, and what are things to revise.
11. 7. I watched television from 7 pm to 8 pm after school. Sometimes I watched and study at the same time. It’s very unproductive.
12. 8. I spent around 8 hours in school everyday. My school ended around 3pm (sometimes 4.30). There are several breaks in between. I usually spend the time doing tutorials and homework. That explains why I study so fast ahead of everyone else.
13. 53. I was the top 53 students in my college when I’ve gotten back my final grades.
14. 46. My average grades for my first tests were 46. I scored something like C, D, F. Some friends said I was quite good for my first tests.
15. 90. I started revising all my subjects 90 days before my final exams. But mind you, it’s a bit too late to revise. I studied in a consistent basis and hence revision was a breeze to me.
16. 11. I had a total of 11 notebooks, scrapbooks, organizers and planners. Around 3 Scrapbooks to draw Mindmaps for each of the 3 different subjects. I had 3 notebooks to write down all the notes. And I had around 5 organizers and planners.
17. 0. I had 0 tuition teachers when I’m in college. If I don’t understand the concepts, I would ask the teachers.
18. 5. I was 5 days behind schedule even I had planned my revision plans. Fortunately, I had allocated some days as buffer.
19. 4. 4 things you can learn from reading this.
    1. Planning. I had 5 organizers and planners. Why do I buy so many if they are not important?
    2. Being consistent plays a big role. You can have fun and excel in your studies if you are consistent.
    3. Friends can make you or break you. Sticking with the right friends will help you in getting good grades.
    4. Having a relationship doesn’t necessary affect your studies.

You may have classes of different levels of interest. Some may be boring, some may be worth anticipating; you may even have classes you wish you don’t have to take. Here are some tips to stay awake in your most dreary classes:

1. Have enough sleep the night before. The average sleep for an adolescent is 8 hours daily. Of course, we can’t avoid those late nights or early mornings that we have to stay awake, but make sure that the reason is academics, and not those booty calls. You know what I mean.
   

2. Exercise. Make your muscles and bones happy by giving them stretches first thing in the morning. Some of us might have classes in the sixth floor, then the sixth floor of another building. Engaging in morning exercise prepares your body for that tedious stair-climbing and helps blood circulate to your brain.
   

3. Caffeine. Coffee, cola, chocolates, and the like stimulate the Central Nervous System. This means that taking generous amounts of caffeine keeps your brain working. However, too much is never good; excessive caffeine can cause insomnia, anxiety, and the like. So, if you don’t want to end up being a lifeless vegetable, be careful with your intake.
   

4. Eat. Never come to class hungry, because an empty stomach won’t help your brain and body fully work. Add to that the embarrassment of hearing your tummy grumble, crying for food. In simple words, an empty stomach distracts your concentration. You can just have some simple finger food, but don’t get caught by the teacher.

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This is similar to previous day email but it’s related to you.

If you looked at the right side of this page, under the comments and discussions
section, Charlene would like to know the exact strategy to scoring A’s.

Today, I’ll just share with you something that will improve your grades tremendously.

Let me ask a few questions.

1) How much should you study?
2) What should you study?

I have taught many students before and when they answered these question, none of them had the same answer!

Although many of them have started preparing at least a month before their examinations, many of them do not know how to study. They only revise with only a few ways (between 1 to 5).

Read the rest of this entry

After learning the powerful studying strategies, I began thinking the difference between me and the average students.

Even before I learned these powerful strategies, my school had many different educators that came to motivate and teach us “how to excel” in exams.

Things like being consistency, using flash cards, study before we play, were taught to us.

I’m not saying some of these things are not effective, but the fact is I did not do well even I learned all these stuff.

You can say that it’s mainly my fault. I did not follow them at all. The motivation of doing well lasted only a few days and I’m back to my old habits of playing and have fun.

Another reason is some of these things are just not powerful enough to simulate the brain. Perhaps you can score ‘B’s by using the things but it’s not effective enough to help you excel.

Let me share with you this theory.

Let’s just say you are business owner and you are opening up a fruit stall. You wished to earn $1000 from it every month. If you open this fruit stall at a wet market, you should be able to earn this amount of money.

What if you want to earn $100,000 from fruit stall. Can you do that by opening this type of fruit stall?

Of course. However, you definitely can’t stick with the same strategy.

It’s an entirely new game.Businessman would probably need to think of ways like franchising the fruit stall out or set up a chain of fruit stalls. They may even need to advertise with hot-air balloons.

I don’t really know how but you get the idea.

Coming back to studies, if you just want to score a ‘B’s or a ‘C’s, just like opening up a fruit stall, you can just use lousy methods. But if you want to excel in your studies like a report card full of ‘A’s, it’s a completely new game.

You need powerful strategies that will shorten your learning curve, improve your efficiency, and motivates you to excel in your studies.

I’ll leave you to think about this. If you want to know about the powerful strategies, sign up for our email course at the right of this site.

I have prepared many useful strategies and things which students always overlooked.

So what are you waiting for?

Planning for college is never easy both for you and your parents. Perhaps, even before you were born, your parents were already pushing pencils and doing research to get you in the best school possible, while trying to minimize the potential risks and expenses.

There are infinite strategies to effectively prepare for college and a lot of agencies and consultants are now available to help you make the best choice.

Finances may be the most relevant consideration among parents, with university caliber at a close second. You need to evaluate different schools, so you can guarantee that it will best serve your interests and optimize your skills and talents.

It would be a waste if you entered a college that you cannot effectively adjust in socially, physically and most, especially, academically. A university education is pretty expensive; so the standards of your future school must be compatible with your goals for your future profession.

Choose a career. This is probably the most important factor. What do you want to become professionally? A question endlessly asked yet mostly left unanswered. Now that you realize you only have a few years or months to decide on your career path, you must select one that coincides with your talents, skills, and interests.

Also, have an appropriate reason for choosing that career. If you want to become a lawyer because it pays big, you must rethink the other factors involved because college is a long and rather costly journey toward a degree.

It is almost a matter of survival whether you can perform as much as your academe requires. But, hey, if you’re confident you can make it, then, by all means, go ahead.

Choose a college. Your future college is equivalent to your career option. After you select the profession you want, the next step is to find the school that can best educate you for it.

You may also want to find out if your course can be finished in a two or four-year program. Two-year colleges only require that you accomplish all the courses in a four-year program and they’d be willing to grant you even an Associates Degree.

Aside from considering the academic benefits of a college, also look at extra-curricular programs that may help you enhance your learning experience.

Are there clubs and organizations in the university that stir your interest? Is there a community that you think would give you the support you need to survive college?

If funds are your problem, there are available agencies willing to grant you a scholarship until you find a job after college. These study now, pay later programs will deduct your college fees from your salary once you become employed until you are fully paid.

Other quotes are also client-customized, so you can individualize your plan and negotiate with the agency. Better yet, strive to ace the college entrance examinations and get a full scholarship.

As most parents plan for college decades before the student is eligible for application, it is recommended that the student plan for it, as well. You must be physically ready for the big possibility of living away from home, mentally aware of the duties and requirements your college will ask of you, and socially competent to establish relationships that can support you in your future academe.

College is an exciting and rewarding experience. Do well and the gains will come.