Misc. Links and Info.

International Club celebrates cultures from around the world and promotes constructive interactions between students. The NGHS IC organizes activities and events to explore international as well as local cultural topics and to bring people together in an encouraging environment.  

Study Skills:

Getting Organized to Study

Getting organized is an important first step to effective study.  Decide where to study and develop a network of contacts who can help you when you need it.

Find Time to Study

If you manage your time badly then you will be less productive, which can lead to stress and anxiety. Make a personal study timetable, set goals, and prioritize your time.

Sources of Information for Study

Learn what is meant by, and the importance of, primary, secondary and tertiary documents and how you may source such information in a library or online.

Styles of Writing

By understanding different writing styles you can put what you read into perspective. The main writing styles that you are likely to come across include: academic, journal, and journalistic styles.

Effective Reading

When studying, it is likely that you will need to read a lot of information – and you will wish to use this time effectively as possible by developing your reading skills. Discover ways that you can engage with your reading, form links, understand opinions and put ideas and research into perspective. In short, develop your reading skills.

Critical Reading and Reading Strategies

Use critical reading (reading for information, not forming an opinion about it) and critical thinking (considering why, for example, or forming your opinion based on the information)– skills which are fundamental to true learning, personal development and advancement. 

Note Taking

Learning to take notes effectively is not only important to study but also in many other situations, at work and in your personal life. 

Writing—short answers, essays, research papers, etc.

It pays to carefully think about and plan an essay or other piece of written work before you start writing. 

Avoid common mistakes and follow best practice to help ensure that the work you produce is of a high quality. Working on a dissertation, thesis or other research project can be the most challenging part of study. Learning how to reference correctly is vital if you are a student. You should reference, but also learn how to reference different types of materials.

Assignment Finishing Touches

Before you submit an assignment for school, university or work, run through a series of final checks.  Avoid potentially embarrassing or costly mistakes and increase the credibility of your work.

Reflecting On Marked Work

Engage in the feedback you receive from a marker when your work is returned.  Don’t just look at the bottom line, the mark, but understand the comments and feedback and learn from any mistakes.

Revision Skills

Revising for examinations can be a real challenge for many people. Learn and practice some key skills to make your revision time as productive and effective as possible,

Writing Skills

Writing skills are not only useful, but they are of vital importance. Good writing skills help you communicate your thoughts clearly and can help others feel confident in your findings.

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills are the skills we use every day to interact with others and many are relevant to effective study. 

For example, see: Listening Skills, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Questioning and Types of Questions, Verbal Communication and Effective Speaking.

Personal Skills

Examples include:  Building Confidence and Self-Esteem, Dealing with Stress, Relaxation Techniques, and Self-Motivation.

 

Read more at: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/study-skills.html

How to organize a notebook for school (optional)

1. Decide how you want to keep your notebook: chronologically only or by categories (or even some other way). Place papers in chronological order or decide what categories your notebook needs and spread out papers you need to organize by categories, and then arrange the categories by date. Place the papers in your 3-ring binder in order by date or by categories using dividers; some subjects may require an entire binder while it may be possible to keep multiple classes in a single binder—you have to make the call for yourself. Everything needs a “home” and needs to remain there when not in use. Any time you notice something is not “home”, take it there immediately. Begin to enjoy having “everything in its place”.

 

2. Place every paper in your notebook in its “place” right away, every time you have a new paper or handout. If each teacher does not have a hole punch, consider purchasing your own—a single hole punch will not take up much space and can be quite handy. Never just place papers/handouts in your backpack to organize later, unless there is a dire emergency.

 

3. Periodically review your class notes and papers until you are finished with the subject. When finished with a course, consider storing the papers in your binder in a logical spot (e.g., a bookshelf in your home) or in a folder (e.g., in a filing cabinet or a desk drawer) or even scanned and stored electronically. Notes may be condensed, stored and the originals discarded. If your binder gets too many papers in it, get another binder or place some of the papers you do not reference often in a folder that’s kept in an easily-accessible place [Once you know you are finished with the subject, discard the papers or give them to someone who will use them. If you will be taking the subject again (in college) or if it is important to your career, consider long-term storage or electronic storage for future reference/use.]

 

4. In your phone, a plan book or an online calendar*, arrange all tasks/events/appointments/ assignments/quizzes/tests/etc. in chronological order (include the scheduled time, if applicable—

such as for appointments/assignments/quizzes/tests/etc.). A blank, laminated “task manager” sheet and a dry erase marker could be used to help you through your day or week more easily.

*Set reminders for online calendars so you will know ahead of time—set the reminder for however much in advance you think you may need to make appropriate plans.

 

5. Do not procrastinate. Work on one task at a time until you have the task completed or a complete “step” in the process finalized before you begin working on the next task. Keep an eye on due dates and finish early, if possible, to allow time for reviewing your work and making edits, if needed. Enjoy free time when you’re all caught up. Begin to dislike missing a deadline and being late! Learn to find satisfaction in being done early (or at least on time).