How To Study For A Test

Almost no one can ace a test without truly studying and understanding the material. If you really want to get an A+, you will need to have thoroughly prepared yourself for the content of the test far in advance. In addition, there are several techniques that you can use in the few days, hours, and minutes before the exam that can help boost your performance.

1.    Have a goal. You can get an A+ on everything, you just have to try. Have a good goal. Take into mind how well you usually do and your strength in that subject.

2.    Plan your time. All schedules are flexible if you play around with them. Do not procrastinate.

3.    If you have some extra time, use it. It's always better to be over prepared for a test rather than unprepared.

4.    Start in advance. If you're learning a topic in school and you're having trouble with it, start studying then and there. But, don't kill yourself. Slow and steady wins the race. But don't go too slow and steady!

5.    Know how important the test is. Most are about 20% of your final grade! In college they may be 50% or more of your grade. So take it more seriously than you usually do.

6.    Know what you're being tested on. Take all the mini assignments (worksheets, study guides, etc.) from the class your studying for and have them all at hand, if you study those you should ace your test. Most grade school kids have their sheets all in a folder, which is a great idea for higher education as well. An even greater idea is color coding your folders for your classes (ex: red for math, purple for history, blue for English, green for science, etc.) But label them with text if you have to.

7.    Look over all of your classwork and homework, fix all your mistakes and try to think about what might be on the test. Make sure to put stars or a mark on that information.

8.    Make a Review Sheet and give yourself mini-tests. Study with a friend or a parent.

9.    Type up the questions and write the answers underneath them. Make up flash cards. Put the question on one side and the answer on the other side. You might also want to research your topic. If you'd like to use this information, the best thing to do is to print it. Once you've printed it, highlight and take notes on what you've collected that might be on the test. Don't write in complete sentences, as it is too time consuming and makes it harder to memorize.

10. Revise, summarize, review. You can either study this information, or sum it up by typing a report that includes everything that you think will be on the test.

11. Study in a good place for you. You might like to go to a school library, where it is reasonably quiet, but, you have the satisfaction that others are watching you study hard! Remember that while it may be pleasant to have some music playing in the background of your session, make sure the study session doesn't become an excuse to simply listen to music.

12. Quiz yourself inside your head, going over the questions and answers over and over. Do this step everywhere, while eating, while going on the computer, before going to sleep at night.

13. Make up a song or story that is going to get stuck in your head about the information. Its an easy way to know the information!

14. Either be ready, or ask for a blank study guide. Fill in the blanks just like you were taking a test, and check for mistakes when you are finished. This can be repeated many times and is a great way to learn tough information.

15. Find a method that works for you. If that means listening to your study notes on your ipod or using goofy flash cards don't worry, you will do better on the test!

16. Start studying early and often, then you won't be in a hurry and you will be prepared for a pop quiz.

17. Make a schedule and stick to it of the subjects that will have tests on. Include breaks between for meals, stretching, and for anything else you might want to take a break for!

18. Make study notes from the notes you made in class. Highlight the key facts.

19. Always carry around flash cards with you in case you have a couple minutes to go through them.

20. Remember SQ3R:

Survey: Scan your book for the most important things (They may be in bold, italics, or something else that makes it stand out)

Question: Make practice questions and DO NOT write the answers

Read: Skim your material or read it actively

Recite: Answer your questions you have previously written down (Hint: Talk out loud!)

Review: Review this process until you have it down

21. If you have a sibling, friend or parent that would like to help, ask them to make a sheet for your or just ask you questions. You'd be surprised at how well you learn it when someone is asking you questions.

22. Review your vocabulary. Write down your vocabulary in a small note book and carrying it around with you, so that you can review the words whenever you have a few spare minutes. Make sure you know how to spell the words and you know what they mean so you can use them accurately in your test.

23. Never cram the night before or morning of the test. Contrary to common belief this doesn't help in the least. Take your time to practice and study with a good number of time. Also, make sure you use multiple examples on the subject and practice them over and over again. This is normally helpful in math and science.

24. To focus try chewing gum! Mint works best for a scientific study says it makes you stay alert! every 30-15 minutes stretch and do at least 5 minutes of physical activity!

25. When taking your test, check over your answers so you don't make silly mistakes.

To view the original article, visit:  http://www.wikihow.com/Study-for-a-Test

Student Spotlight – Culinary Grad Overcomes Obstacles, Now Works at Ford World Head Quarters

The hardworking Detroit Auto workers from Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI have a new “Special of the Day”  on their menu~   Ms. Laticia Savage!  We are so proud to share Laticia Savage’s great new job news and are very proud that one of our Dorsey Schools Culinary Academy Graduates are cooking up scrumptious daily culinary delights for the employees of Ford in the building  kindly referred to as, “The Glass House”!

Laticia Savage is a December 2011 Graduate from Dorsey Schools Culinary Academy.  She completed her culinary externship with Sodexo at The Detroit Institute of Arts, and just after one month of graduating, began her new job as a Sauté Cook with Aramark at the Ford World Headquarters facility.

Laticia is a true Dorsey Culinary Academy Graduate success not only because of her new culinary job, but also because of her hard work and determination to overcome obstacles that were a constant daily challenge against her as an individual, single mother, and student. 

During her time as a student at Dorsey, Laticia was faced with homelessness.  She was aided locally by MCREST in Roseville, MI and MATT in Warren, MI to help her find shelters.  She spent half of her year at school with the daily challenge of being a single mother that was faced with finding and utilizing shelters to accommodate her and her son’s lack of housing.

Laticia did not let her unfortunate state of homelessness hold her back ever, nor did she use it as a “life-challenge” excuse during her time at school with her Chef Instructors.   She worked hard continuously, achieving excellent attendance and also good grades. She worked hard to perfect her craft, and to pass her important industry certifications tests.

Laticia’s successes during her year at Dorsey Schools Culinary Academy:  Laticia received her important industry certification, the National Restaurant Association ServSafe Certification and in addition, she received every module’s Competency Award and the Perfect Attendance award!

Laticia’s recent words that she shared with her Career Services Coordinator, Angela Zini were, “I don’t want to sound like a corny TV commercial, but Dorsey Changed my life!” 

She mentioned key players that “held her up”, keeping her focused on her goal during her time at school:  Doug Martin (Laticia’s Admission Rep) and her Chef’s;  Chef Salvatore, Chef Hall and then Chef Adamski.  Latica shared that in her last module, she had wanted to give-up, as the housing situation and juggling her son had become so difficult, and she would have if it had not been for Chef Adamski. “HE WAS THE MOST ECOURAGING OF ALL and I didn’t give up because of him”.

The entire career services and culinary team is extremely proud of Laticia Savage for her Determination and Triumph during a time when she was faced with her hardships and are PROUD to call her a Graduate of the Dorsey Schools Culinary Academy and we wish her ALL THE SUCCESS IN THE WORLD!

Prioritize!

I sat in the middle of my Math class, wondering what in the world my teacher had in store.  Two assistants brought in a tall, cylindrical glass jar with nothing in it, and set it in the middle of his expansive, black marble-topped desk.  They followed up with several large, red ‘kickballs’, a bucket of baseballs, two buckets of golf balls, three buckets of pebbles, and four buckets of sand.  I’m not a huge fan of math, so I was already sweating, not knowing at all where this project might be going.  Could he want us to get dimensions on all of this stuff?  Find out what kind of space is available in the jar?  This is Geometry, right?  Am I even in the right class?! 

“Since this is the first day of class, I wanted to start off with a tough math problem,” his voice boomed around the large, concrete classroom.  Wonderful, I thought.  “It’s a word problem that will instruct you on prioritizing.”  Great, this guy sounds like my Dad.  I find it extremely hard to prioritize things because, to me, everything is important.  ‘Prioritize’ is too close to ‘compromise’ for me.

“Since this is a mathematics class, I wanted to give you an example using real figures and numbers.  Then I realized you would all fall asleep on me if I did, so I thought this might work better.” 

Some laughter around the room, then his assistants started taking the red rubber balls and placing them in the large glass jar until they were all inside. 

“How many of you would say that the glass is full?  Anyone?”  No one raised their hand, there was clearly space around the balls, but the glass was, technically, full to the brim.  Then the assistants started putting the baseballs in with the rubber balls inside the cylinder. 

“How about now?  Is the glass full?,” the teacher asked us.  It was getting there, but light was getting through.  The assistants then poured the golf balls in, and they started filling in all of the spaces between.  Ok, now it was full.  But what were the pebbles and sand for?

“Would most of you say that the glass is full now?”  One student piped up and said it was.  “So, in your opinion, we won’t be able to get all of these buckets of pebbles and sand in here?,” the teacher grinned and asked.  Most of us shook our heads.  There really didn’t seem to be any way at all, especially all seven buckets!

Then the assistants poured all three buckets of pebbles and then four buckets of sand into the glass jar.  Every single one.  The pebbles plinked and dropped into every single available space left, then the sand sifted over and through space that seemed even too small for air to occupy.  It took some shaking of the jar, but it happened nonetheless.  We were in awe. 

“Everybody is in agreement that this glass jar is completely full, am I correct?” Our teacher stood next to the towering jar and smiled.  Absolutely nothing else was getting into that jar. 

“Well, I disagree.  I think that there is still some space left.  And I’ll prove it to you.”  He went around the desk and pulled out a pitcher of water.  As he started pouring the water in, and nothing was spilling out over the top of the glass jar, he said, “Our lives are like this glass jar.  We have space for everything we want to put in our lives.  However, we have to choose what the large, rubber balls are that are going to be first.  Prioritize doesn’t mean cut things out or give up on something.  Prioritize means plan for those things that are most important, first.  Prioritize for a purpose.  If that purpose is the first and foremost thing we need in our lives, and we take care of it as such, we will always have room for everything else.” 

The pitcher emptied and we sat and stared at the now solid mass inside that glass jar.  I started thinking about all of the things that are first and foremost in my life and how I prioritize them.  Family.  My faith.  My future.  A good home.  An honest wage and stable job.  Helping people.  Doing something I am passionate about, every day. 

There are so many things we need in our lives.  You’re probably reading this, thinking on all of those things that are special to you.  Remember that when you leave the house early in the morning for class here at Dorsey, or for your afternoon session, or maybe you’re coming right from work - remember that you’re building a foundation for the rest of your life. 

If you focus on the priority of your education, you’ll still be able to have all of those other things you want as well.  Remember to take care of those first and foremost priorities of your life, and you will still have room for everything else.

Dorsey Roseville Student Advisory Board Presents - Jeans Day!

Saturday February 11th, Open House & Skill Building Workshops!

Students, friends, and family are invited to attend the Dorsey open house on Saturday, February 11^th , from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

What a great opportunity to show your friends and family where you go to school.

Do you know anyone interested in getting started on a great career path?  The Admissions Team will be here in Building ‘A’ to help potential students with program information and choosing a career that’s in demand!

Catch up on school work or put together a study group.  We will also have several workshops on that day. Here’s a description of the workshops below:

Open Clinical Skills Lab (10am-2pm in Building C)

Students can work on their proficiencies and improve their skills during this hands-on workshop. Students can perform vital signs, ECGs, injections, and phlebotomy (vacutainer only). This is a great opportunity to work on areas where you struggle and to continue to improve on your clinical skills. Team up with another student or bring your own family/friend/volunteer (injections can only be given to students). The more proficient you are the more likely you are to get hired.

Dental Assisting Lab (10am-2pm in Building C)

Dental assisting students can work on their proficiencies and improve their skills during this hands-on workshop. This is a great opportunity to work on areas where you struggle and to continue to improve on your clinical skills. Team up with another student or bring your own family/friend/volunteer. The more proficient you are the more likely you are to get hired.

Computer Skills Lab (10am-12pm in Building C)

This is a great hands-on workshop for all students. You will learn important things like how to login, how to use the Dorsey network and access your student folder, and other basic skills to improve your success at Dorsey. These skills will prove valuable throughout your learning experience at Dorsey, at home and in the workplace.'

Medical Billing Lab

(11am-1pm in Building C)

Students can brush up on billing skills, get extra help and/or work on billing proficiencies.  The more proficient you are the more likely you are to get hired.

Career Services Workshop For Graduates

(10am-12pm in Building C)

The Career Services department will be hosting a workshop for graduates who are currently employed, have some experience and are now looking for an upgrade.  They will be helping to update resumes and cover letters as well as give pointers on interviewing to emphasize new experience in the field.  Current students are also welcome to stop by to ask questions.

SKILL BUILDING WORKSHOPS Saturday  February 11th    10AM – 2PM
10:00AM		11:00AM	12:00PM	1:00PM	2:00PM
10am - 12pm Basic Computer Skills Lab Bldg. C Room C1 (students must be here no later than 11am to work on skills)
10am - 2pm   Open Clinical Skills Lab   Bldg. C   Room C4 (students must be here no later than 12pm to work on skills)
10am - 2pm     Dental Assisting Lab    Bldg. C    Room C6
	11am-1pm Medical Billing Lab  Bldg. C Room C3 (students must be here no later than 12pm to work on skills)
10am-12pm Career Services For Graduates Workshop  Bldg. C Room C2

With all these GREAT workshops, it’s the perfect time to invest a couple hours in getting prepared for upcoming final exams.  Hope to see you Saturday!

One Sure-Fire Way To Success

This is a great article on why you should take risks.  Many Dorsey students risked leaving their comfort zone to learn new skills and ultimately achieve a succesful career.  Enjoy...

 One Sure-fire Way to Success

By Zig Ziglar

One of the main reasons people fail to reach their full potential is because they are unwilling to risk anything.  They are fearful of losing, failing, or getting hurt and just want to do the things they believe will keep them safe. They simply want to maintain their status quo and avoid anything that might upset the mediocre expectations they have for their lives. Now, I don’t want you to get the idea that I am making fun of people who have mediocre expectations. Most people have mediocre expectations for themselves, and they come by it naturally. Their experience has conditioned them to believe mediocrity is about as good as it gets, so their expectations match their experience.

What I am saying is that experience is a great teacher but we should never let our experience influence what we think about our potential. Did you know that every human being is created with a purpose and that they have a responsibility to not only discover their purpose but also to fulfill it? I don’t mean that it is every person’s destiny to be rich and famous, but it is every person’s destiny to do something that will make a positive difference in the lives of others. That is one of the reasons I believe you can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want. I love what Joan of Arc said when she stated, “I’m not afraid. I was born to do this.” If you believe as I do that you were born to win, you’re going to have to find your fears and start facing them. Face them over and over again until you have nothing to fear but fear itself.

To discover your purpose and act on it, you will have to take risks. What does it mean to take a risk, and how can you overcome the fear of taking risks? First, let’s consider how you might have become fearful of taking risks in the first place. Most people become fearful because they have been hurt by taking risks in the past. That is why our experience contributes to possibly limiting what we think we can do or are willing to do. The way to correct this thinking is to realize that the mistakes we made in our past are actually assets that we can use for our benefit today. It is not that we should stop taking risks. It is that we should not repeat things we have done in the past that did not work.

There is a big difference between the two!

Think about all the lessons you have learned from past attempts and then find a way to use them in a new endeavor.  By taking risks you open your life up to new and exciting possibilities.  Let others sit around and wait for opportunity—you go out and find it.

Quote

It is not that we should stop taking risks. It is that we should not repeat things we have done in the past that did not work.   There is a big difference between the two!   ~Zig Ziglar

To view the original article, please visit:

http://www.ziglar.com/newsletter/?m=201201

Student Spotlight - Roseville Graduate Lands Job at Dorsey Schools’ Corporate Office

Visitors to Dorsey Schools' Corporate office in Madison Heights are greeted by a face familiar to Dorsey Roseville, Gloria Brown.  Gloria graduated in August, 2011 with a diploma as an Administrative Specialist. She’s using the skills she garnered in school, along with her experience as a front desk receptionist to assist with administrative responsibilities for Dorsey’s corporate team.

The secret to her success?  “Your attitude plays a big part. It makes or breaks you,” she says. “Positive attitude takes you a long way.”

She also said she relies on the skills she learned in her classes at Dorsey. “The classes paid off,” she says. “Sometimes I have to look at my books from school. I had a project recently and I had to pull out my Excel book – it really helped me.”

Gloria’s success is no surprise to her Career Services Coordinator, JoAnne Jamrog. “I found Gloria to be a very friendly person who worked very hard to gain employment after she graduated.  She kept in contact with me daily and weekly,” said JoAnne. “She pursued every job lead I gave her and she found a number of leads on her own. She called anytime she had questions or any problems with her job search. I found Gloria to be the perfect Dorsey graduate - friendly and hard working!”

That hard work paid off when JoAnne recommended Gloria for the opening at the Corporate Office.  Gloria exemplifies how a great attitude, hard work and persistence produces outstanding results.