9 Tips for Kids to Ace Their End-of-Year Exams

Year-end exams are right around the corner, and many students aren’t sure where to start when it comes to studying. 

Whether students are suffering from pandemic fatigue, procrastination, or are simply lost after several months of remote learning, it’s imperative they take their final tests and year-end exams seriously and study for them. Preparing for an exam is just as important as taking the exam itself. Finishing school with a strong transcript will also give students a leg up in scholarship applications, which use academic merit as a qualification.

Brainly, the world’s largest online learning community, recently conducted a survey of its U.S. user base about their year-end exams. Consider this: Approximately 56% of students said they were anxious about their year-end exams. 

Patrick Quinn, parenting expert at Brainly who’s also a former teacher and father of three school-age kids, has some tips to help students prepare for standardized tests, combat year-end exam anxiety, and ace their next big test.

Read and Review—Early and Often. First and foremost, students should start preparing for their year-end exams as early as possible instead of waiting until the week before. We forget 70% of what we have learned within 24 hours, according to the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve principle. Going over new ideas a day after class will help increase retention and comprehension—so make time each evening for a quick review. Break chapters into sections and review the material at the end of each before moving on. Make notes by summarizing the critical aspects of the reading so you can easily review them without having to reread entire chapters. Bookmark difficult sections to revisit later. Pro Tip: If it is written on the board, add it to your notes. It just might be on the test.

 

Set Study Goals. For each study session, set a goal to keep track of what you’re studying or revising. You can list out your goals as soon as you start with your study session or you can set them at the end of the session for the next one. Here are some examples of study goals you can set:\

I will work through at least five equations.

I will go through and summarize chapters 5 and 6. 

I will understand and learn the key concepts that were taught in class during weeks 1-3.

 

Study to Suit your Learning Style. Your learning style will help you to know what are the best ways to prepare for an examination. For instance, if you are an auditory learner, you may benefit from recording your notes and then listening to them later, or you can even listen to classroom lesson recordings. On the other hand, if you are a visual learner, pictures and diagrams can help you remember. 

 

Limit Distractions With Online Tech Tools. If you’re lacking discipline and can’t help but check your social media during lectures, there’s a great Google Chrome extension called Self Control that can add certain websites to a blacklist for a designated amount of time in which those sites will be blocked, allowing for no school work distractions. 

 

Have Fun with Words. Breaking down the material into small pieces and creating acronyms, phrases, rhymes, or metaphors can be a valuable—and fun—way to memorize concepts. For example, students learning the steps in the scientific method will easily remember an acronym like HOMER, in which each letter stands for one of the five steps: Hypothesize, Operationalize, Measure, Evaluate, and Replicate/Revise/Report. No matter how silly, this method can help students remember important concepts for their year-end exams.

 

Establish Rules of Study Time. Unless students are explicitly using online tools to study, it’s a smart idea to remove phones and laptops from the study area to prevent distractions. Every ding from a text message takes away from valuable study time. When your brain is constantly switching back and forth between social and academic spheres, students are also losing a chance to work on their focus and stamina during a test. Some other rules might include things like: 

If you are studying for a lengthier amount of time, pre-schedule breaks with set time limits. 

Snacks and drinks are okay during study time so long as they are not a distraction.

 

Focus on Understanding. For complex math problems and abstract concepts like the events that led up to a war, for example, the best way to ensure you truly know the information is to focus on understanding instead of merely memorizing. When you’re stuck on a tough problem or challenging concept while you’re at home studying by yourself, there are plenty of amazing free platforms you can utilize to get online tutoring help or step-by-step explanations on the material.  Brainly provides step-by-step guidance and explanations to all questions on its platform, helping students go from questioning to understanding and beyond. Another way to ensure you understand the exam materials ahead of time is to reinforce what you’ve learned by helping explain answers to other students’ questions in subjects you’ve already mastered, which is a core component of Brainly’s peer-to-peer learning community.

 

Review Best Practices for Test-Taking. Studying for a test is only half the battle! Taking the test and doing well is also very important, but for some, can be much harder. For this reason, test-taking is a skill that students need to learn for academic success. There are different strategies and best practices for each type of test question (multiple-choice, true or false, essay questions, fill-in-the-blank, matching, and so on). If students are unfamiliar with these, they can turn to this checklist of test-taking strategies for middle and high school students.

 

Finally, Take Care of Yourself. In the days leading up to an exam, students should remember to take care of themselves. This means getting a full eight hours of sleep every night, drinking plenty of water, getting adequate amounts of exercise, and packing everything needed for school the night before. Remember that students can think better when they have a full stomach, so don’t skip breakfast the morning of the test. Get to school early and do a ten-minute power study right before the test, so your brain is turned on and tuned up. Pro Tip: Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which can give you more energy and better comprehension. Yoga or a stretching session can help with concentration and focus.

“Not every studying technique works for every student, so experiment with a few of these important study tips to find out which ones work best for you. Test-taking can be a real struggle for many high school students. Even after studying for hours the night before, many students will have anxiety during test time,” says Quinn. 

5 Tips for Planning a Service with a Funeral Home

It's unfortunate, but death is a part of life, and all life has to end. Some people say it's hardest when you experience the death of a loved one for the first time in your life. They say it gets easier after you have been to a couple of funerals. But no matter what people say or how prepared you were, losing a loved one is never easy. For help getting through this tough time, check out the following tips on planning a service with a funeral home. 

Learn What Happens At a Funeral

Before you arrange a funeral, you must know everything that happens at one. 

Generally, three things happen at each funeral. First is preparing the body of the deceased. The second is holding the service. The final one is handling the internment. 

With all three of those, you have a variety of choices, and you need to pick the right one. Therefore, you should start educating yourself on the things that are involved in each part of the process. You can even find some helpful checklists on the internet for planning funerals, as they can help you make decisions. 

Pick the Right Funeral Home

When you know the kind of funeral you want for your loved one, you can start looking into funeral homes that can help you set it up. 

There are many funeral homes out there, which is why you should pick the closest option that caters to your needs adequately. Alternatively, a place where all the relatives, family members, friends, and acquaintances can gather. 

You can ask your close friends and family members to accompany you everywhere. It can be tough to do everything by yourself. 

Choose the Kind of a Service

Familiarize yourself with the types of funeral services that funeral homes generally offer. For instance, you can get anything from direct cremation to a full funeral with a proper burial.

When you're at funeral homes, they will most likely offer plenty of packages. At this stage, you're more than likely not to be thinking clearly because of the death. That is entirely understandable. But, you should still try to keep an eye out for these packages. 

Often, people don't look too deep into the details of a package and agree to it because it offers the basic things they need for the service. But you should only get what you want and not pay for anything more. You can even go out of the package. 

Keep the Service Personal

Not every funeral needs to be precisely the same as the other. For instance, everyone shows up at a cemetery. They sit on the chairs, listen to some eulogies, and finally bury the dead. That's what happens in most movies and TV shows as well. 

However, you don't have to stick with the basics. These days, many people are going with the option to personalize the funerals of their loved ones. It makes the funerals more unique and personal. 

Take Care of Yourself

Regardless of how ready you were for the news of their passing away, the death of a loved one can be incredibly heavy.

Therefore, you need to seriously take care of yourself during these challenging times. For starters, you should try to be closer to members of your family and close friends. While you can be alone, it's better not to be by yourself. 

If you're having a challenging time processing the death, you can also look into support groups or counseling. They can really help you process the death and move on with your life. 

Getting Ready For Graduation Season With Basic Invite

It is so hard to believe that we will soon enter the month of April. I mean really, where did the time go? We just celebrated our son's 13th birthday and are still working through our feelings on that one! In just another couple months, our younger daughter will hit another big milestone in her life. She will be walking across the stage to accept her diploma for her grad school program. And guess what? Later this year in December, my older daughter will be doing the very same thing herself! It's unreal thinking about having two of your children completing grad school and moving into the next stages of their adult lives. 

Today's conversation is sponsored by Basic Invite

We have such big milestones to start planning for and celebrating. Like us, many families are getting ready to have new graduates in their household whether it's high school or college. While graduations might be a little different this time around, the celebrations will still go on. Both of my daughters have been trying to find the right photographer to capture images so they can make graduation invitations and announcements.  We have spoken to other families who are planning to opt out of a large party, and are choosing a small dinner at a local restaurant. This is definitely the route that we are taking given the current climate around the world. 

I have been browsing Basic Invite to check out their selection of personalized graduation invites. One great feature that they offer is almost unlimited colors with instant previews online. Once you select a design, you can change the color of each element on the card. With over 180 colors to choose from, the invite is sure to be exactly how you want it! This is what sets Basic Invite apart from almost any other online stationery company. You can also request custom samples to make sure you are happy with the paper quality and colors before you are ready to have your final order printed. 

Basic Invite has over 40 different envelope colors to choose from. That's a lot compared to most places that tend to only offer white. All of the envelopes are peel and seal so they can be closed quickly and securely. They also offer an address capturing service that allows customers to share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media to request their friends and family’s addresses. The addresses are stored in the customer’s account and can be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all card orders. A great place to start is with their open house invitation templates. 

Right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51 

If you are planning graduation festivities, a baby shower, birthday party or wedding, be sure to keep Basic Invite in mind for your custom invitations and announcements. I better get on the ball right now since there is still time! Thank you for stopping by today. 

The Best Roofing for Residential Homes

When choosing a roof, you need something that will protect you and your family from nature's elements and lasts for a long time.  You also need a roof that will fit your budget and improve your home’s aesthetics. Check several options for residential homes on IKO Roofing and choose what works for you. Some best roofs for your home include:

Asphalt Shingles

This is one of the best roofs we have in the market today.  People prefer them because they are affordable, and they look good for most home styles.  It has a broad selection of colors, meaning you can easily find something that matches your home. If you enjoy DIY projects, you can easily install asphalt shingles on your home with the right skills, experience, and equipment. You can also reach out to a company like the IKO roofing team to do the roofing for you. 

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing has a life span of 50-100 years, making it one of the most durable roofs. You will be given a warranty of 30-50 years in most areas, which shows you how long-lasting it is. Also, it helps in keeping your home cool by reflecting solar radiant heat in hot weather. In recent years manufacturers have been producing metal roofing that resembles wood shake and natural slate, which can give your home the appeal you are looking for. 

Wood Shingles and Shakes

Wood shingles are machine-cut, which gives them a clean edge and a smooth surface. In return, it gives your home a uniform appearance enhancing its appeal. Wood shakes are hand-split with a rugged appearance because each piece has a different look than the rest. When you want to install this roof, keep in mind that this material requires someone with technical skills and knowledge with this kind of roof. Therefore, ensure that you thoroughly research a contractor and find someone who can deliver

Clay Tile Roof

This kind of roof is suitable for hot climates and coastal areas. It is also durable, withstanding fire, hail, and high winds. It comes in different tile shapes like flat, curved, or fluted, enhancing the curb appeal of your home.

Slate Roofing

Slate has a long lifespan due to its ability to withstand any weather conditions. It also requires minimum maintenance once you have already installed it. The cost of installation is slightly higher than other roofs, but it is worth it because of its quality.

A roof is a big part of home construction. It is recommended to research what kind of roof you can go for depending on your budget and the local weather conditions. Also, talk to different roofing companies, see what they offer, and then compare prices and choose the best alternative.

Five Signs That You’re in Need of an Eye Test

Your vision is one of the most important senses that you have, so when it’s impaired, it can cause great stress and discomfort. It’s always best to visit your optician on a regular basis, as many eyesight issues will only deteriorate if they are not treated in time. There are several tell-tale signs that can indicate whether you are in need of a new eye test, here are just a few. 

You Have Blurred Vision 

If you are experiencing blurred vision it may be time for you to go and get another comprehensive eye exam. Eyesight tends to worsen with age, so your blurred vision may be a sign that you need a new prescription or that you should try out a different glasses side view. 

Your Eyes Feel Itchy 

Itchy, red, or dry eyes are tell-tale signs that you need to go see your optician. Although these symptoms could be related to an array of other conditions, like allergies, they could also be related to glaucoma, conjunctivitis, or dry eye syndrome. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so make sure to book an appointment if you exhibit these symptoms.

You Have Frequent Headaches 

If you suffer from frequent headaches, this may be a result of poorly functioning eyesight. This is probably the most common symptom cited by individuals who are in need of glasses. 

By overworking your vision, you are causing the muscles in your eyes to contract and ultimately strain themselves which causes a terrible headache.

You’re at a High Risk for Eye Diseases 

Unfortunately, having poor eyesight can run in the family and be passed down by generations. Although environmental factors also play a part in determining your eyesight, if you have a family history of eye disease, you should regularly see your optician. More specifically, if you have diabetes, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma in your family history, it’s better to stay on top of your eye exams.  

You Find Yourself Squinting Often 

We’ve all been there; you can’t quite work out what the small print says, and you need to hold the book further or closer from your face. If you are constantly squinting when you are reading, we recommend that you go see your local optician. You will definitely need a new set of glasses, and if you avoid getting an eye exam, you could seriously strain your vision in the long run.

If you haven’t experienced any of these symptoms, you should still consider visiting your nearest opticians on a yearly basis. It is highly advisable that you go take an eye test at least every two years. A comprehensive eye exam can let you know whether you are farsighted, nearsighted, have astigmatism, or maybe even presbyopia.

Depending on your age you may have to visit the opticians more frequently. Nevertheless, if you have felt any of the symptoms we have mentioned in this article, it’s best that you book an appointment with your opticians as soon as possible.