Being a Good Student
As we’re getting settled into the school year, it’s important that we start creating good habits for ourselves as a student. This’ll help you achieve the grades that you want by the end of the year as well as paving a path for another successful school year!
Topic: Setting Reasonable Goals (S.M.A.R.T. Goals)
S.M.A.R.T goal is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. It is used by individuals and organizations when setting and measuring their goals. Goals can be short or long term but they all connect to the S.M.A.R.T goal template. By following this template, you will be able to create good goals that will actually be achievable instead of just being there for display. Creating good goals will serve as a big source of motivation for many things in one’s life. By setting S.M.A.R.T goals, individuals and organizations can identify and prioritize their objectives, break them down into smaller, achievable tasks, monitor their progress, and adjust their goals as needed. This helps to ensure that everyone in the organization is working towards the same goal and that they are all held accountable for their progress. This ultimately leads to greater success, as individuals and teams are able to stay organized and focused, and are able to more quickly recognize and capitalize on opportunities. Ultimately, having a shared goal and being held accountable for progress is essential in driving success.
Topic: Study Methods
Tech is definitely not considered an easy school with the amount of classes you are taking and the amount of homework you get every night. With all the quizzes, tests, assignments, and extracurricular activities most Tech students have, time management is crucial to staying on top of your priorities. Studying might be something most of us are struggling with as we spend tons of hours in the late night cramming our exams while finishing up our homework. Not all people follow the same study methods. If that means playing music in the background or doing your work in the mornings because you're a morning person, whatever it is you have to do to get the grade you want, do it.
Study Tips and Suggestions
Methods
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Pomodoro: The one that most probably already know about, the pomodoro method is all about studying productively for a limited time and then treating yourself to a break. 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of break, keep going and increase your break time in between as you increase your productivity. This is perfect for those who have trouble with building up their stamina.
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Studying while teaching: Have trouble understanding or remembering concepts? Grab a friend or family member and try to teach them a lesson on what you're trying to study. This way, while teaching you are going to try and simplify the lesson and at the same time learn the concepts that you're trying to teach.
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The Study Cycle, by Frank Christ: The key steps to studying; previewing, attending class, reviewing, studying, and checking your understanding. Missing any one of the steps can get in the way of effective studying. It’s important to pay attention to each step to be properly prepared.
All that being said, studying is more than a certain technique, don't underestimate the power of rest and prioritization. Ensuring you get an adequate amount of sleep and knowing how to prioritize assignments can significantly enhance your study methods. Self-awareness is a valuable tool in honing your skills.
Topic: Note-Taking Skills
Taking effective notes is a crucial aspect of being a successful student. It's important to recognize that various note taking methods may work better for different individuals and subjects. The diversity in teaching styles, especially in Tech, can make this task seem challenging. We have compiled lists of note taking methods and some suggestions!
Note-Taking Methods and Suggestions
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Methods
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Electronic Notes - It is quite efficient to take notes digitally as the font is always legible and the notes stay organized. It also more eco-friendly and helps you save money from buying paper.
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Symbols and Abbreviations - Writing notes can be difficult, especially if your teacher talks fast! Sometimes they will post their slides on google classroom, but more often than not, information is verbally communicated. Abbreviations and symbols such as gov for government, = + & or →, or w/o and w/ can save you some extra time. Don't go overboard with them though - you might forget what they stand for!
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Highlighting and Categorizing - These are two strategies used in note-taking to enhance organization, clarity, and retention of information. Highlighting involves using different colors or formatting (like bold or underlining) to emphasize key points or essential information within your notes. This visual distinction makes critical information stand out, making it easier to review and study later. Categorizing notes means grouping related information under specific headings, categories, or sections. This creates a structured outline of your notes, making it easier to follow and understand.
Topic: School-Life Balance
School-life balance is an important factor when it comes to stress. High school life is more than just homework and tests, it is the time of your life when you meet and make new friends. Balancing your social life and academic life is important so that you can succeed as a student without feeling overwhelmed. Being a student at Brooklyn Tech can demand a lot of work and time from you, but it is important to take breaks to avoid burnouts. Here are some tips to keep yourself oriented.
Tips
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Staying organized is crucial! It avoids unnecessary forgetfulness and it is a good way to keep a check on yourself (planners, calendar app, etc.)
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Communicate with your family and friends! Let them know when you will be busy. Sometimes we will feel guilty that we are not spending enough time with a friend/family and will feel unable to reject hanging out. However, they are here to support us, communicate, and let them know!
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MAINTAIN A GOOD SLEEP SCHEDULE!!! Sleep is extremely important when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. Try to avoid procrastination and leave all the work late at night. You cannot perform well academically if you don’t get enough sleep.
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While immersed in studying for tests, it is a good habit to take breaks when needed. Set a limit on yourself, and don’t aim for expectations that are unrealistic and not within your capability. Start small and work big.
Topic: Ways to Stay Organized
To-Do List​
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A great way to keep all your assignments and deadlines organized! To-do lists are simple: write down all your assignments, projects, homework, etc. and the deadlines next to each one.
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As you finish each assignment, check it off your list and move on to the next one! This is a great way to keep organized, as it helps you keep track of all your assignments so you don’t miss any.
Calendar
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A calendar is essential; a calendar provides a visual of all your commitments and tasks, helping you manage your time effectively.
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A calendar can include all your events, not limited to just assignments! You can add your test dates, extracurriculars, reminders, events, birthdays, and other significant dates.
Topic: Resources
At BTHS, it can get really overwhelming with the workload and the amount of tests every week. It is important to know where to find extra help when needed to help you better understand the topics and alleviate confusion. Here are some resources that can help you.
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Khan Academy - Use Khan Academy as a way to solidify your understanding of material on your own outside of class. Khan Academy has a variety of practice questions, lessons, and videos that covers subjects including history, science, math, and even SATs.
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Teachers - Your teachers are there to enrich your learning experience and make you feel welcome in their classroom! Use your teacher as a resource to help you with work that you’re confused with and ask if they have office hours if you need more help. They’re there for you!
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Friends - Try to make friends in the classroom! It’s one of the best ways to catch up on work that you missed or work that you’re confused with. Plus, there are plenty of group chats with people available to help you with your assignments.
Topic: Motivation Videos and Websites
It’s definitely important to have organizational skills and good note taking skills, but having the mentality to know what you want to achieve is the MOST important thing of all. You could have the physical skills, but not apply them. If you have the mentality, you could learn the physical skills! The motivation to study hard, or work hard in school is tough to find, so it’s important to first know EXACTLY what you’re trying to aim for.