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HSFPP Update # 208 — Skills to Succeed

Message from Bob: This week’s lesson is not typical. We are very fortunate this year to have Claire working with us in selecting and developing weekly lessons.

Many teens never learn how to study for their school test or other standardized tests. There are books to help with the ACT and SAT, but how many of your students use them? How many take advantage of opportunities for test coaching? As you all know, teens in Kentucky can earn a lot of money through the KEES program to further their education. So having good study skills can really pay off, not only in getting into one’s school of choice, but also in getting financial assistance throughout the college years.

Message from Claire: I am a graduate student in the Family Studies program at the University of Kentucky. My interests are in interpersonal relationships and, in particular, the relationship between the educator and his or her student. This past year, I worked for a program on campus that focused on raising the retention rates of students at the University of Kentucky. Following is a study skills handout for you to use with your teens: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/FCS/HSFP/updates/2008/Update208-handout.pdf

 

Web Site Picks of the Week:

“The Study Skills Guide for Students”
 http://www.educationatlas.com/study-skills.html

“Homework Center Study Skills”
http://www.infoplease.com/homework/studyskills1.html

“Information and Study Skills” (This is more advanced and career oriented.)
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_ISS.htm

 

Pre-Test Activity (Choose one):

“Study Skills Quiz” (Mercer University)
http://www2.mercer.edu/NR/rdonlyres/143DCA35-672F-4A28-B8E1-D815C695A66A/0/StudySkillsQuiz.pdf

“Study Skills Quiz” (Anacortes School District – Anacortes, WA)
http://www.asd103.org/students/studySkillsQuiz.cfm

“Study Skills Quiz” (Trusty Guides)
http://www.trustyguides.com/study-skills-quiz.html

 

Supplemental Readings:

“Temecula Valley High’s Delta Academy Gets Freshman Going.”
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_sdelta14.22a0cba.html

“Campus Bigwigs’ Advice on Getting through College”
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/08/19/college.more.than.party/

 

In the New$… The New Frontier: Standardized Tests

by Claire Kimberly, Graduate Student in Family Studies, University of Kentucky

Almost 2 million students who graduated last year took the ACT and SAT. The decision over which test to take, though, can be very difficult.

Many rumors float around that persuade students to take one test or the other. For example, the SAT only docks you one-quarter of a point for incorrect answers. Does that make the SAT better for students who guess well, though? The answer to that question is debatable.

Most of these theories and rumors are false: the two tests are very similar to each other. The SAT includes sections on reading, math, and writing and takes three hours and 45 minutes to complete. The ACT includes sections on reading, math, science, and English, with an optional writing portion and lasts two hours and 55 minutes.

Either way, most students do not feel that standardized tests are the best way to measure a student. However, more states (including Kentucky) are adopting the ACT as a standard test in high school.

How does one even begin to study for an exam that covers such a multitude of information? You might be surprised to find that one of the best things you can do is limit the amount of time you study for the test. The biggest factor contributing to a lower score on standardized tests is the increase of anxiety.

Here are some tips about studying that I have found extremely useful for both standardized tests and for other high school exams. Do not study up to the day of the exam. Be sure to give yourself time to relax and focus on other things before the day of the test. And do not arrive too early on the day of the test. If you do that, you are likely to find other students talking about how nervous they are or how much or little they have prepared and this can increase your own anxiety level.

Once you are in the room, you can use the following techniques to relax. First, take a deep breath; this allows you time to refocus your head and lower your feelings of nervousness. Second, flex and relax your muscles. Tightening your muscles can assist in relieving the pressure you feel.

The best thing you can do, though, is to go in with a positive attitude. Be your own motivator and cheerleader, as this can give you the confidence you need.

Source: Gale Holland, “ACT Gains on SAT, Rival College Entrance Test”, Los Angeles Times, 06/14/08.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/14/BA2M12QPPQ.DTL

  
Group Discussion:

1)      Where do you study? What are some things that distract you? What can you do to eliminate these distractions?

 

1. Are you nervous when you take tests? What causes this anxiety (e.g., not spending enough time studying, not liking the subject matter, etc.)?

 

1. What happens after you take the test? Is there anything you can do to learn from the experience?

 

Kentucky High School Financial Planning Program

http://www.ca.uky.edu/fcs/hsfp

The purpose of the HSFPP financial updates, video lessons, and Web site is to assist county Extension agents, credit union educators, high school teachers, and parents who home school their teenagers so that they may improve the economic well-being of our teenagers; and also to show educators how the HSFPP, updates, and video lessons meet Kentucky core concepts. The Web site, updates, and video lessons are provided by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, and are free to all educators. The list of core concepts and order form for free program materials including the student guide and instructors manual can be found on the Kentucky HSFPP home page.

If you are not already on our listserv:

The video lessons are available only to members of our listserv and will not be posted to the HSFPP Web site because of the timeliness of the information. If you would like to receive our video lessons, which are sent to our listserv biweekly, on alternate weeks from these updates, please sign up at the following page of our Web site: http://www.ca.uky.edu/fcs/HSFP/response.htm