1. Plan your study time well in advance. Students always have this notion that studying should be done in a wee-end before the scheduled examination or worse, the night before, this is wrong. It’s far better to study the topic the moment you stepped into your room; review notes and hand outs and try to recall the important details that the teacher has pointed out to the class. The best way to prepare for an exam is not to let all the topics pile up, this will only give you a hard time recalling and studying. According to a research that the two-for-one rule is the best way to utilize your time. The two-for –one rule states that for every one hour that you spent for a subject, you’ve got to study for two hours for the same subject. For example, if your science class meets for an hour three times a week, then you must study at least six hours outside the class, reviewing and understanding the topics tackled. This may sound tiring and so not cool, but it’s the secret of top students.
2. Read, read and read. Reading in advance contributes to your learning, though there are some topics that need to be expounded more by the teacher, this somehow gives you an insight on what to expect during the next meeting. It also widens your vocabulary, which would be a big help, especially during essays and reports. Remember the course outline given at the start of classes? This serves as your guise in a particular subject. Go through it and read up the topics to be tackled and the reference books too. Make use of your books and other hand outs, which may take up dust in your table, these are meant to be used by the owner at all times and not only during exams. The secret to a productive reading time is to understand what you’ve read. Reading comprehension plays a vital role in taking exams.
3. Take down notes during discussions. In this way, you could understand the lesson more once you’ll review on it later.  Here’s a tip: before going to school on an examination day, write what you’ve remembered for that subject in minute letters. This helps sharpen your mind and make you remember these things easily. Experts say that our mind would comprehend more when the letters, we write our lessons on are minute. Remind yourself through to keep that paper in your bag and not bring it with your chair, the teacher might think that you are cheating. We wouldn’t want that to happen, right?
4. Never be afraid or ashamed to ask your teacher if you have not understood something about the topic discussed. Never be shy enough to raise your questions or to even for clarification. When, still you haven’t got enough guts to approach your instructor, asks a competent classmate to help you out. “Competent” here refers to someone who has full knowledge on the topic discussed. “Competent” is also the key word when  going on group studies, be sure that there are two or more who have a clear understanding of the material or else it’ be the case of the blind leading the blind.
5. Avoid cramming. This is the hardest part to do especially us students, we all love to procrastinate. However, we must all remember that when e becomes professionals soon, procrastination is big no-no. You may get lucky once or twice but cramming doesn’t really help in the long run. Cramming force s material into your short –memory and all this would be erased once you’re through with your exams.
6. Eat lightly before an exam. A carbohydrate-heavy breakfast could make you feel sleepy during the exam. Stay away from stimulants like coffee, tea or cola and from foods with high sugar content. Also, don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep before a major exam.
7. Learn from your mistakes. Don’t lose hope once you’ve failed in an exam. Go over the things that you’ve given the wrong answer and remember them next time you take an examination. Take down the important things that you may have missed on while studying.
8. PRAY. There are a lot of things to pray for; thank God for being able to wake up to a brand new day, for giving you parents and benefactors who strive hard to give you your monthly allowances despite the ongoing crisis.

There you have it! Now, apply these things and reap the fruits of thy labor. Who knows you might graduate Cum Laude or be the next topnotch!

Children of today are more knowledgeable about movies and the newest video games. The Internet, while seen as a major aid to education is becoming a big escape hatch for students running way from homework and into the cyber world full of social networking sites, celebrity gossips, even violence.

Many argue that there is not enough support for the public school system. Budgets are being squeezed and teachers continue to become underpaid. The best and the brightest students choose other professions more than become a teacher in the suburbs. The sad plight is while education gets a lion’s share of state and national budgets, it continues to become an enigma, a puzzle.

The issues on the quality of public schools and private schools are at the center of this puzzle. Many politicians and parents have but given up on the public school system and are now pushing for deserving students to be taken out of the rot of community schools and into the private school system. But many have not given hope and are still looking forward to the day when schools become palaces and teachers become the best paid professionals.

As with other national problems, budget defines the parameters of the debates. Many leaders are proposing more cuts on the already bloated budget with proposals to squeeze students into classrooms and even cut the number of school days to save money lest pass on another tax increase to fund a public school system that has continued to meet expectations through the years.

The fact is less and less high school students go and even afford college, ending up entering into their communities as under qualified members of the workforce to start another vicious cycle of under achievement and mediocrity.  Unless leaders break this chain and give more and more opportunities for students to fulfill their potential, go to college and earn a decent job, more and more of the youth will slack down and end up hurting the community even more.

The internet has played a big role in facilitating this type of learning. It has been designed for those who have limited schedules and for the independent learners. It eliminates the notion that learning has to be done on face-to-face lessons with a teacher within the four corners of the classroom. It has definitely challenged the traditional way of education and has raised a lot questions on its benefits and scope.

These are the reasons if you and why you should engage in on-line learning.

• You can study anytime and anywhere.

On-line learning eliminates the hassle of having to leave the office or home early to arrive in school on time. It gives you a flexible schedule and allows you study at your own pace in any place at any time. Though this doesn’t mean that there are no deadlines, there still will be but you can manage your time to meet the deadlines without affecting your work schedule. You can open your laptop even when you’re in a coffee shop or open your computer while waiting for the kids to arrive at home.

• On-line learning can save you cash.

On-line learning would still entail tuition fees. However, since you will be studying at home or anywhere else, you will be able to save finances in terms of transportation and food allowance. If you are also working, you won’t have to limit your time with the overtime hours you render. This will make you earn extra cash. Another cash saving advantage of on-line learning is that you won’t be compelled to take a year or two off work just to pursue your studies. You can juggle both without compromising your work schedule or having to give up one.

• You can learn and adapt new skills.

One of the best skills that you can develop while engaging in on-line learning is that you can definitely master your time management skills. In the work force, this is a very vital ability. You will also be able to work on your flexibility and your writing skills since your interactions would be through e-mails and chats.

• On-line learning can help you rise up to the ranks.

Since the major reason you’re doing on-line learning is to learn, this additional education will not only provide you additional knowledge but can even help you with your work credentials. It can provide you further competency once you translate your learning in the workplace which would help you get or apply for the promotion you’ve long been waiting for. It is important to take note though that you have to make sure that the on-line school you’re enrolled is fully accredited and would give you the credentials you need.

• You can be computer savvy.

On-line learning from the word itself defines that you would learn from the internet. It is a must that you know the computer basics of opening an e-mail, attaching files and typing. As you go along with your lessons, you will be able to improve on your web browsing and typing skills and learn more complex computer stuffs such as installing hardware and troubleshooting computer problems. Thus, with on-line learning you will always get up to date with the computer technology.

If you have the independence and willingness to learn, it would be an investment to study on-line. Due to the complexities of our daily lives and the demanding family and work schedules we have, on-line learning can quench your desire to learn more without affecting a major portion of your time. It’s important to take note though that to be able to fully encompass the advantages of studying on-line you must commit to learning as much as you can and should always pursue your passion on learning. On-line learning just like your classroom learning also requires a lot of discipline to reach your ultimate goal.