10 Habits of High Effective Students

Some people believe that really successful students are just born that way. True, some students are able to breeze through school with little or no effort. However, the vast majority of successful students achieve their success by developing and applying effective study habits. The following are the top 10 study habits employed by highly successful students. So if you want to become a successful student, don't get discouraged, don't give up, just work to develop each of the study habits below and you're see your grades go up, your knowledge increase and your ability to learn and assimilate information improve.

1. Don't try cram all your studying into one session.

Successful students typically space their work out over shorter periods of time and rarely try to cram all of their studying into just one or two sessions. If you want to become a successful student then you need to learn to be consistent in your studies and to have regular, yet shorter, study periods.

2. Plan when you're going to study.

Successful students schedule specific times throughout the week when they are going to complete their studying -- and then they stick with their schedule. Students who study sporadically and whimsically typically do not perform as well as students who have a set study schedule.

3. Study at the same time.

Not only is it important that you plan when you're going to study but that you also create a consistent, daily study routine. When you study at the same time each day and each week you're studying will become a regular part of your life. You'll be mentally and emotionally more prepared for each study session and each study session will become more productive.

4. Each study time should have a specific goal.

Studying without direction is not effective. You need to know exactly what you need to accomplish during each study session. Before you start studying set a study session goal that supports your overall academic goal (i.e. memorize 30 vocabulary words in order to ace the vocabulary section on an upcoming Spanish test.)

5. Never procrastinate your planned study session.

It’s very easy, and common, to put off your study session because of lack of interest in the subject, because you have other things you need to get done first or just because the assignment is hard. Successful students DO NOT procrastinate studying. If you procrastinate your study session, your studying will become much less effective and you may get everything accomplished that you need to. Procrastination also leads to rushing, and rushing is the number one cause of errors.

6. Start with the most difficult subject first.

As your most difficult assignment or subject will require the most effort and mental energy you should start with it first. Once you've completed the most difficult work it will be much easy to complete the rest of your work. Believe it or not, starting with the most difficult work will greatly improve the effectiveness of your study sessions and your academic performance.

7. Always review your notes before starting an assignment.

Obviously, before you can review your notes you must first have notes. Always make sure to take good notes in class. Before you start each study session and before you start a particular assignment review your notes thoroughly to make sure you know how to complete the assignment correctly.

8. Make sure you're not disturbed whiles you're studying

When you're disturbed while you're studying you (1) lose your train of thought and (2) you get distracted -- both of which will lead to very ineffective studying. Before you start studying find a place where you won't be disturbed.

9. Use study groups effectively

Ever heard the phrase "two heads are better than one"? Well this can be especially true when it comes to studying. Working in groups enables you to (1) get help from other students when you're struggling to understand a concept, (2) complete assignments more quickly, and (3) teach others whereby helping both the other student and yourself to internalize the subject matter. However, study groups can become very ineffective if they're not structured and if groups members come unprepared. Effective students use study groups effectively.

Creating a Career Vision

If you’re like me, once you decide to make a career change (or any kind of change, for that matter), you want it to happen now. You’re ready to start figuring out “how” you’ll get there. But until you’re clear about the “why” part of it, you’ll be moving ahead without a clear sense of direction or purpose.

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey suggests beginning with the end in mind. You can figure out the “why” by creating a vision of where you want to be and then working your way backwards.Your vision tells you your “why.” It’s the big picture that helps you understand who you are and the sort of work that would be a good fit for you, before you get into the details of exactly how you’ll get there.

Your career vision:

~Is an expression of your values and accomplishments as defined by YOU rather than by other people or circumstances.

~Provides focus and a sense of direction, as well as inspiration and motivation. It represents what you want to accomplish in your life and what contributions you wish to offer the world.

~Pulls you toward the work that gives your life purpose. Being pulled is a lot different than feeling pushed from behind to get ahead or to make more money at the expense of career satisfaction.

To create your career vision:

Step Away

Take time away from your usual routine for some reflection and introspection. Find a quiet place, away from distractions or interruptions. It’s vitally important that your vision come from you, not from the other people in your life. Explore what’s most true about you; clarify what’s most important to you. Take a close look at your values and the themes that run throughout your life. Allow yourself all the time you need to understand who you are and what you really want.

Look Ahead

Now imagine yourself at some point in the future, living the way you’ve always wanted. Take a look at yourself – really see yourself, your true self. What does your ideal lifework look like? What are you doing, what have you accomplished, what’s important to you? Who are the people in your life, how much are you making, where do you live?

Describe your career vision clearly and in as much detail as you can. If you leave it too undefined or hazy, chances are good you won’t get there. Suspend all judgment – don’t allow yourself to dismiss possibilities as “too impractical” or “unrealistic.” Let your vision come from your heart.

See the steps forward

Come back to your life as it is now. Where are you currently in relation to your vision? When you know where you want to be, you’ll see your current situation much more clearly. Once you know the “why”, the action steps you’ll need to take to reach your vision (the “how”) will become apparent, even if it’s just one step at a time.

Put it on paper

Now make it “official.” Create a vision statement that you can keep in front of you at all times. It can be either written or visual. Some of my clients like to create a collage to remind them of their vision. Others write it out and post it where they can see it every day.

With a clear vision as your guide, you’ll be better able to evaluate opportunities and decisions in terms of how well they align with the things that are important to you. If something doesn’t fit with your career vision, you’ll have to ask yourself if it’s worth it.

Creating a vision for your career and life allows you to consciously choose how you wish to use your talents and honor your values.

COLOR QUIZ

Color Quiz is a free five minute personality test based on decades of research by color psychologists around the world. There are no complicated questions to answer, you simply choose colors with a click of the mouse! Your test results are completely confidential and we do not keep the results.

This test is based on the work of Dr. Max LÃscher and is used worldwide, most notably in Europe, by psychologists, doctors, government agencies, and universities to screen their candidates. Since the 1950's the test has been given to hundreds of thousands of people.

Click HERE to take the Test

Personal Support Workers In Demand!

As the Ontario government announces their $40 Million provincial investment for Personal Support Worker positions in long-term care homes across the province, CTS Canadian Career College is more than ready to meet the demand from both students and employers.

August 30, 2011, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced the following:

Markham, Ontario, August 30, 2011 – The Central Local Health Integration Network, along with Ontario’s 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), is investing $3.97 million to enhance services for seniors who exhibit behaviors associated with complex and challenging mental health, dementia or other neurological conditions by investing in local initiatives that will improve care.

The $40 million provincial investment will allow local health service providers to hire new staff – nurses, personal support workers and other health care providers – and train them in the specialized skills necessary to provide care for these patients with dignity and respect.

The investment is part of the provincial Behavioral Supports Ontario (BSO) project, which focuses on providing quality care for individuals with these conditions, in an environment that is based on safety, high quality, evidence-based care and practice.

CTS Canadian Career College has a reputable relationship with the NACC and a history of providing quality education to students wanting to become Personal Support Workers. In fact, local employers express a strong preference for CTS graduates, as indicated by our 100 per cent employment rate.

In response to community demand, CTS offers a 24 week program with a 10 week placement.

For more information contact Bridgit @ 705 725 8776 ext 29 or bridgitm@cts.on.ca

ONTARIO QUICK FACTS

 65% of long-term care home residents have dementia

 By 2020 the number of persons with dementia in Ontario will increase by 40% to 220,000

 34% of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) bed days are occupied by people with dementia

Death Notification Training

Notifying a family of a loved one's sudden death is one of the most difficult and stressful tasks police officers perform. In these situations, officers must not only deal with the shock and grief of the family, but also their own emotions. Training is crucial for preparing police, emergency response personnel, and other support workers to communicate with survivors in an informed and competent way during a tragic situation.

For several years, Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), a charitable organization committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime, has offered death notification training to members of the first response and victim support network across Canada. Recently, CPKN partnered with MADD Canada to adapt its traditional seminar-based Death Notification training program.

This program will be held on campus April 19, 2012 1pm - 4pm, Cost $45, RSVP with payment to myself no later than April 1, 2012

Bridgit @ bridgitm@cts.on.ca