1210212.us16.myftpupload.com Managed WordPress Site

Author: Susan Huebert

  • Career Profile: Meat Cutter

    Career Profile: Meat Cutter

    One of the easiest lunches to make is a sandwich with sliced meat. Many people have meat at least once or twice a day, but they might not think of how it comes to them. Retail meat cutters, also known as butchers, are the tradespeople who help to make these meals possible.

    Almost seventy-five percent of meat cutters work in grocery stores, and others work in processing plants or places like restaurants. Many of them work long hours, often early in the morning. They sharpen and adjust cutting equipment, cut or grind meat and take out the bones, and sometimes prepare special requests from customers. Meat cutters need enough physical strength and stamina to deal with heavy pieces of meat and to get through bones with their tools. They have to know how to store meats and clean the equipment to avoid spreading diseases. Meat cutters also work with packaging, pricing, and displaying meat in stores.

    Many meat cutters need to know how to deal with customers but also how to work alone. Some of them might work at a meat counter at a grocery store where they deal with customers all day, or they might work at a processing plant and see only their coworkers.

    Meat cutters need a certain amount of manual dexterity to deal with the machines, and they should be able to work in cold conditions. Even though they normally work indoors, they need to be able to handle the cool temperatures necessary to keep meat from going bad. Often, they go in and out of meat freezers where they have to wear special gloves to protect their hands. Meat cutters also need to be able to deal with the sight of blood and the inner organs of animals, as well as other things that they might find unpleasant.

    Depending on where they work and how much experience they have, retail meat cutters can earn between $29,000 and $48,000 per year. Normally, jobs in this trade require a high school education with courses in mathematics, English, and science, and also an apprenticeship of at least four thousand hours. However, you can already get started on your career by learning as much as possible about different types of meat.

    Being a retail meat cutter requires a special set of skills that might not easily transfer to other work, but people in this field can normally find work even when they are older and not very strong. Having special abilities such as cutting meat according to Jewish or Muslim religious guidelines can also help people find work, since not everyone would know how to do this. A wide set of skills can be very helpful for people in this trade.

    As long as people eat meat, they will need meat cutters, but large cities are more likely than small towns to have work in this field. If you prefer to work with a few people, a small deli or butcher’s shop might be a good place to go. However, if you like lots of activity, a large grocery store might be better. Wherever you go, people will appreciate your work at mealtime.

    Bibliography:

    Apprentice Search.com. “What Does a Retail Meat Cutter Do?” http://www.apprenticesearch.com/AboutTrades/GetTradeDetails?tradeId=60&TradeName=retail-meat-cutter.

    Government of Alberta. “Occupational Profile: Meat Cutter.” https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/meat-cutter/.

    Payscale.com. “Meat Cutter, Retail Salary (Canada).”

    https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Meat_Cutter%2c_Retail/Hourly_Rate.

    Truity.com. “Butcher or Meat Cutter.” https://www.truity.com/career-profile/butcher-or-meat-cutter.

  • Career Profile: Arborist

    Career Profile: Arborist

    Many students have the chance at some point in their early years to plant a tree. They might not do much with their trees after that, but taking care of trees and other woody plants as an arborist can be a good job for people who enjoy outdoor work.

    Growing healthy trees involves more than just planting them in the ground. Many trees require pruning to get rid of dead branches or to keep them looking nice and growing properly. Arborists examine trees and bushes for disease and apply treatments to help get rid of caterpillars, flies, and anything else that might cause problems. They might take soil samples to see if that is the issue. If necessary, they might remove entire trees to keep them from infecting others.

    People who want to become arborists usually get either a technical diploma or a university degree as part of their training. Courses in fields such as botany, forestry, horticulture, and environmental sciences are good for people entering this type of work, and experience in growing plants at home can be helpful.

    Some special skills can also be part of the job description of arborists. Anyone in this field who wants to be able to apply pesticides to trees has to be licensed because of the dangerous chemicals that are involved. The job of arborist can also include examining dead trees to see what killed them, and taking courses in plant pathology is useful for people in this field of work.

    The job of arborist varies a lot from one place to another, and it can have regular hours or be very unpredictable. Many arborists spend at least part of their time doing office work, but they also have to respond to emergencies, such as when trees are knocked down during storms. They might conduct research either in the office or outdoors and later give presentations about their discoveries. Arborists usually start at about $15 per hour, but they can eventually receive about twice as much later in their careers.

    The work of arborists is both an art and a science, and many types of people can enjoy a career in this field. They might end up working at a tree nursery, a park, or even a university or other kind of school. They might be involved in planning what a garden should look like or just look after one that has already grown. Arborists need to know what trees will look good together, when they blossom if they are fruit trees, how tall or wide they grow, and anything else that might affect the health and appearance of the place where they are working. A lot of this knowledge also depends on what part of the country they live in, since the trees are not the same everywhere.

    Some arborist jobs involve a lot of physical activity, but there are also opportunities for people who are older or who prefer office work rather than outdoor labour. If you like to study how trees and bushes grow and what makes them thrive, becoming an arborist might be the right choice for you.

    Bibliography:

    Eco Canada. “Career Profile: Arborist.” http://www.eco.ca/career-profiles/arborist/.

    International Society of Arboriculture. “Careers in Arboriculture.”http://www.isa-arbor.com/certification/benefits/careerpaths.aspx

    Payscale.com. “Arborist Salary (Canada). https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Arborist/Hourly_Rate.

    Study.com. “Arborist: Job Description, Duties and Requirements.” http://study.com/articles/Arborist_Job_Description_Duties_and_Requirements.html

  • Career Profile: Railway Car Technician

    Career Profile: Railway Car Technician

    Working with trains might seem like a job from at least a century ago, before cars became common. However, trains of various kinds are still important, and they still need maintenance and repairs. Becoming a railway car technician can be a good job for people who enjoy solving mechanical or structural  problems and helping people get where they need to go.

    Trains are not nearly as common as they once were, but they are still important. Grain still goes by train from where it is grown to the cities or other places for processing, and animals like cattle or horses often go by train, as well. People sometimes use trains for travelling from one place to another, and some cities also have streetcars which have the same kinds of repair problems as train cars have.

    Many things can go wrong on trains or streetcars, and railway car technicians can deal with most of them. Parts can break or become worn out, and then railway car technicians have to fix or replace them. Sometimes they do general maintenance like painting or cleaning, but much of their work involves finding problems, deciding what to do, and completing the repairs. They might work inside or outside the cars, and they should be prepared for all kinds of weather. Being able to lift up to twenty kilograms is also important, since many railway car parts can be heavy. People in this field need good vision, hearing, and manual dexterity to be able to do their work.

    For many railway car technicians, a combination of work experience and education is necessary. Some people learn on the job or through apprenticeships, but it can be a good idea to take courses in mathematics, science, and physics. Some provinces require apprenticeships, such as in Alberta and Manitoba. These apprenticeships can be three or four years long, and they require both classroom work and practical experience. Exams that technicians take at the end of their studies test their knowledge to make sure that they have learned what they need to know.

    Like with many mechanical jobs, becoming a railway car technician requires learning many new things. People in this field need to know how to use power, pneumatic, and hydraulic tools and equipment, as well as other procedures that they might need for specific jobs. They might need to learn about upholstery, air valves, windows, and more. For many railway car technicians, learning is a process that can take their whole careers.

    Most areas of Canada have trains or streetcars, and career prospects for railway car technicians are normally quite good. Wages can start quite low, but skilled technicians can easily earn over $30 an hour, and probably more. Working conditions can be good in some cases, but technicians often have to work outside in cold or rainy weather. Being a railway car technician can be physically demanding, but it can be a good long- term job as long as people have the strength for it. You might want to think about pursuing this career.

    Bibliography:

    ALIS. “Railway Car Technician.” https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/railway-car-technician/.

    Apprentice Search.com. “What Does a Railway Car Technician Do?” http://www.apprenticesearch.com/AboutTrades/GetTradeDetails?tradeId=258&TradeName=railway-car-technician.

    ITA. “Railway Car Technician.” http://www.itabc.ca/program/railway-car-technician.

    Province of Manitoba. “Railway Car Technician.” https://www.gov.mb.ca/wd/apprenticeship/discover/mbtrades/railwaycartech.html.

  • Believe the Hype – There Is a Formidable Career in Telemarketing

    Believe the Hype – There Is a Formidable Career in Telemarketing

    When it comes to jobs, perhaps one of those that receives the most flak is that of telemarketers. We’ve all experienced answering our phones eagerly, thinking it will be a family member or a friend or a classmate, only to find out it is a telemarketer on the other end of the line. We’ve all had our fair share of being on the receiving end of a telemarketer who is asking us to pass them to either mom or dad so they can convince them to buy a new product, participate in a survey, or offer an upgrade for a package they have purchased.

    Most people think that telemarketing is a walk in the park and that it provides people with limited options when it comes to their careers. However, by end of 2015, telemarketing is actually one of the fastest growing professions in Canada according to Workopolis, proving that it is unfairly underestimated. Let us take a close look at telemarketing and how you can get a head start on this promising career.

    So What Is a Telemarketer?

    A common misconception of telemarketers is that they are purely after selling and making a profit for their respective companies. For some, this is indeed one of the major aspects of their job responsibilities. However, there are also telemarketers who are hired by non-profit organizations, either directly or through a third party, to make households aware of important causes or of their fundraising campaigns. At times, this type of telemarketing involves asking for donations or pledges, but they don’t obligate people to do so and even encourage them to help in any way they can in whatever way they can.

    Some telemarketers are also hired by organizations to do a survey, such as a political survey, usually during election period. This gives a good idea of how a particular election can go. Others are simply hired as qualifiers for a lead generation campaign, either for a new product or service. The survey is brief, and there is certainly no harm for people to participate in them. In some cases, the company launching the new product or service are planning to conduct a contest or promotion in which those who participated will be eligible for.

    Salary

    According to PayScale.com, the average earning per hour of a telemarketer in Canada is $11.61 for the first four years and it can grow to up to $17.70 within 10 years. Plus, they can earn up to $4,500 in bonuses in a span of 4 years and up to a whopping $9,000 within ten years. Not bad for being on the phone, right?

    Skills

    It takes more than talking skills to be a good telemarketer. You will need great heaps of natural people skills to engage the other person on the line and get them to listen to you. Building rapport, however, is not a skill that is inherent in most people, but it can be learned or acquired. The important thing for telemarketers is to be sincere to their listeners, and this can be achieved if they do have an honest desire to help

    A telemarketer should also be expected to have exceptional active listening skills to determine exactly what the people on the other end of the line would need. Every product or service has their own set of features or benefits, but to be able to highlight which of those will be most applicable to a person or family takes a great deal of analytical skills.

    A telemarketer should also be open-minded and has a great ability to handle pressure. Every customer is different, and they are always expected to remain professional even when encountering challenging customers.

    Pros and Cons

    The most obvious advantage of being a telemarketer is learning how to deal with different types of people.  While some jobs are monotonous, for telemarketers that is rarely the case as every day is different as they get to talk to various people from all walks of life and cultures. As a result, they gain insight into the workings of people in general.

    The biggest disadvantage though is that a telemarketer may sometimes have to deal with those who are outright rude. While some say it’s nothing personal, words can still hurt, and it takes patience and understanding to soldier on despite the difficulties encountered

    The Future

    Telemarketers who do well in their field can definitely look into a strong career in the sales industry as they are already experts in building rapport. Telemarketer can also successfully transition into client relations. Those who had experienced internal promotions as a team leader or supervisor can look into management roles in any industry as they already acquired leadership skills to lead a team to exceptional performance.

    So will you be exploring a career in telemarketing now?

    SOURCES:

    https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/the-fastest-growing-occupations-in-canada/

    https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Industry=Telemarketing/Hourly_Rate

    https://www.monster.ca/career-advice/article/telemarketing-as-a-calling-canada

    https://charityvillage.com/Content.aspx?topic=ten_myths_of_telemarketing
    http://learntipsandtricks.com/blog/marketing/269/The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Telemarketing

  • Career Profile: Tile Setter

    Career Profile: Tile Setter

    So you know that you want to enter the trades, but you’re still not sure what trade you might like the most. Here’s one to think about: the terrazzo (which is a funny word for a speckled floor made out of chips of marble, quartz, granite, and glass), tile and marble setter. What these tradesmen do is they set different terrazzo, tile, and marble patterns down in buildings to cover the inner walls, the floors, or the outside walls. To take up this job, you need to be able to mix and place mortar (a paste that helps tiles stick to walls and floors) and cement down to keep tiles in place when setting them down; be able to measure a workable area before laying tile down; be able to remove and replace broken tiles; know how to use power tools that are needed in the job – and how to do all of this work safely.

    What are the perks of the job?

    As a novice terrazzo, tile, and marble setter, you can expect an entry-level salary of around $37,473 and an intermediate salary of about $74,611. As with any trade, a career like this also has a very positive outlook, meaning you will very likely get a job after training in this field. Most marble setters enter the building finishing industry where workers join a union. Terrazzo, tile, and marble setters can also be self-employed, which means they work at their own business and make their own money. Another perk that most people entering the trades enjoy is that the education and training not only costs you nothing – but you actually get paid while taking an apprenticeship program!

    What are some of the setbacks?

    There are a few issues people might have with the idea of becoming a terrazzo, marble, and tile setter and that’s the amount of work involved. The working day isn’t the usual 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM work day, you only get to go home after the job is done. The lack of certainty in the hours and the amount of hard work in this career could be a problem for some people. The industry could also do poorly sometimes which would cause marble setters to go unemployed for certain periods of time.

    How can I grow with this career?

    There are a few ways to be promoted in this career: being hired by a construction company, residential and industrial building developers and masonry contractors presents its own chain of promotion capabilities. Another way to move up in this career is to become your own boss and start a tile setting business. Being self-employed has its own risks, but the reward can be very high if your business does well. You can even hire your own group of terrazzo, tile, and marble setters and expand your business.

    That’s all great, but could I be hired for other careers?

    The skills that you gain from working as a terrazzo, tile, and marble setter can be used for many other trade-related careers like bricklaying, cement masonry, marble masonry, cement and concrete finishing, drywall finisher, floor covering installer, construction craft-worker, and restoration mason.

    All in all, being a terrazzo, tile, and marble setter has a very good future in the trades industry and requires a lot of physical work, which can appeal to a lot of people.

    Reference:

    Truity, “Tile or Marble Setter”: https://www.truity.com/career-profile/tile-or-marble-setter

    ApprenticeSearch.com, “What does a terrazzo, tile and marble setter do?”: http://www.apprenticesearch.com/AboutTrades/GetTradeDetails?tradeId=101&

  • How to Get a Great Scholarship Recommendation Letter

    How to Get a Great Scholarship Recommendation Letter

    Letters of recommendation are an essential part of many scholarship applications.  They provide a way for the scholarship award committee to learn about you from people who know you personally, and can vouch for your academic abilities and your suitability for your chosen college or university program.

    Recommendation letters, also known as reference letters, can have a significant effect on your chances of winning a scholarship, so it’s important to understand how to get the best letter you possibly can.

    These four tips will help ensure you receive a great recommendation letter:

    Ask Someone Who Knows You Well

    You want to be sure and ask for recommendation letters from people who know you well.  However, you should not ask family members or close friends, since a scholarship committee will not consider these letters to be impartial.

    Your best option is to ask teachers, employers, the leader of your church/temple/mosque, or another community organization.  You want someone who can speak to your academic skills and how they will relate to your studies, and who can talk about your personal qualities that make you a deserving recipient of the scholarship.

    Give Them Lots of Time to Write

    Chances are, anyone you ask for a letter will be busy, and might even have multiple letter requests, so it’s important to give them at least 3-4 weeks notice before the scholarship deadline when you ask for your letter.

    This ensures that they will have lots of time to complete the letter and either send it directly to the scholarship committee, or return it to you. This is also to make sure they don’t have to rush and can take the time to write a positive and detailed letter.

    Provide All the Details of the Scholarship

    Asking someone to write you a letter isn’t enough on its own.  To get a letter that best demonstrates why you’re ideal for the scholarship, it’s vital to provide all the details the letter writer will need to know.

    The information you should provide your letter writer includes details of the scholarship and its requirements, info about your school and program of study, as well as a sample of your writing or other work, depending on the scholarship.

    This way, the letter writer will be able to highlight the right aspects of your qualifications.

    Remember to Express Your Thanks

    Always follow up with your letter providers to express your thanks for their willingness to give you a recommendation.  Not only is this polite, but it will leave things on a good note that can be useful if you ever need to ask them for another letter or reference in the future.

    Handwritten thank you notes are the best way to let them know, as it is personal and shows that you value their help.  It’s also a nice touch for you to update them after receiving the scholarships you applied for.

    Sources:

    https://www.petersons.com/college-search/letter-recommendation-how-ask.aspx

    http://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/scholarships/tips/recommendations.html

    https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-scholarship-coach/2013/03/07/6-ways-to-get-great-scholarship-recommendation-letters

  • What You Can Do with an English BA

    What You Can Do with an English BA

    It takes a simple Google search to see just how many people search what to do with an English degree. For the most part, people already think that the arts is more of a hobby than anything else, English included. Apparently, reading is for the bath and long commutes. “What are you going to do with that?” “Are you planning on becoming a teacher?” “You know, English majors don’t really get anywhere.” “Only one in a million writers make it.” You don’t even need to be an English major to hear these things; just the thought of it welcomes unsupportive opinions.

    Well, as an English major, I’m here to tell you that that there are plenty of things you can do with an English degree besides being a teacher. If you have some inkling as to where you’d like to go for university of college, they usually have a list of jobs available for each program. For example, I graduated from the University of Toronto and if you head over to their website, they have a list of career options available for my degree. Some of the job suggestions include print journalist, fundraiser, editor, marketing researcher, director, insurance broker, lawyer, and librarian. The list includes dozens of suggestions.

    There are also plenty of people who have written about their experiences online to give you some inspiration that yes, it’ll be tough, but you also won’t be unemployed and wishing you had done what your parents suggested. Selloutyoursoul.com is a great blog that has been updated recently to include more positions for those enrolled or recently graduated from the humanities. News reporters, copywriters, public relations, and corporate blogger are just a few of the suggestions available. The suggestions also come with good tips for breaking into specific fields. So, if you’re looking at journalism, the blog suggests: “before getting a job you need to understand the principles of journalism. And being a smart writer with interesting ideas for articles helps. Be sure to get some writing samples together.”

    It may seem a little disheartening to know that so many people have researched what to do with an English major, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get a career with a degree in English. A lot of people before you have wondered the same thing, which is why there are so many options available for researching your future career path.

    It’s important to do your research. It’s important to speak to someone to who has the experience not only in your field but also as an English major. One piece of advice I would give is that you should get some experience in as early as you can. I was on my student paper for five years and it may not seem like much but it’s such a great stepping stone for bigger things. You don’t just learn journalistic practices either. You learn marketing, team management, event planning, administrative techniques, and copy editing. Even if you were to volunteer with a club on campus that’s designed for writers or English majors, you’re bound to learn something from them as well like how to work well with a team, plan events, coordinating events, and being a part of a community that has similar interests.

    But, hands down, the most important thing is to do your research. Speak to someone who graduated from an English program. Speak to someone in the field. Read about people who made something of themselves. You might surprise yourself with how many options are available.

    Sources:

    http://www.selloutyoursoul.com/2011/12/19/jobs-for-english-majors/

    https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/english

    https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/careers-by-major-english

  • CBC Podcast for High School Students

    CBC Podcast for High School Students

    CBC has introduced a new podcast, specifically designed for high school students called This is High School. So, if you’ve ever had a hard time trying to explain the difficulties of high school, have your parents and grandparents watch this podcast. What CBC did was put 50 cameras in a high school and let them run for eight weeks. The end result is this six-part series currently available for your viewing pleasure.

    South Kamloops Secondary School in British Columbia had allowed for CBC to record the everyday scenarios of the school. People obviously were a little freaked out at first but the awareness of cameras doesn’t last forever and soon, teachers and students and faculty members began behaving like their normal selves again. You may think that the cameras caught the kind of situations you might see on an after-school special, but the podcast digs deeper into serious struggles that students deal with, reminding people that these things happen more often than we think they do. We all know that high school is a life-changing time and This is High School shines a light on that.

    Each episode focusses on two students having to deal with the various events that plague a high school student’s life. The producers of the podcast got the chance to see how students and teachers truly interact with one another, exposing both sides of a kid trying to figure themselves out and a teacher trying to shape their students into educated people ready for the adult world.

    Available on CBC’s website is biographies for each of the highlighted students. One of the students, Karsen, is a drama student who deals with anxiety. Though, her anxieties tend to melt away when she’s on stage. Harry is a confident First Nations student who enjoys bantering with his teachers and wants to become an advocate for First Nations people. Maddy is a student who is a bit shy around adults but way more extroverted around her friends, like many high school students.

    But, the podcast also focusses on the staff and faculty. For example, Vice-principal Blake Buemann needs to deal with the fact that his good nature doesn’t fly with some of the more troublesome students of the school. You’ve got the biology teacher, Dom, who gets along pretty well with his students and has all the typical fixings of a stereotypical biology classroom (including the skeletons and tarantulas).

    One of the most inspiring things about This is High School is their focus on the everyday lives of everyday people. It doesn’t paint anyone to be the bad guy and doesn’t try to act like high school kids are the only ones who need to find balance in their lives. But, they also don’t take away from their struggles to focus on those of the teachers. The neutral podcast allows for someone to learn something in every episode, which is one of its greatest strengths.

    The creators also tried to ensure that their balanced understanding stretched into the comments section, which is why they kindly ask on their Facebook for people to leave “kind and fair” comments. Their inclusivity also allows for people to suggest edits for their Facebook page, should you want to see a serious change made. This is High School also has a Twitter and an Instagram page.

    The first season is available for viewing so if you feel like you or anyone in your life has something to learn about the struggles of high school, pop on over to their website and have a watch.

    Sources:

    https://www.facebook.com/thisishighschoolcbc/

    http://www.cbc.ca/thisishighschool/videos/about-this-is-high-school

  • Where to Live During Post-Secondary Education

    Where to Live During Post-Secondary Education

    I’m not going to lie to you. When you leave high school, things are really going to change. You need to worry about paying way more for school, thinking about a career, mapping out your majors, and where to live. A lot of being adult centers around money and it’s pretty freaky.

    Easily one of the biggest changes is that you may be moving out. You can live in residence or you can rent out a place with a friend but either way, living arrangements are going need some serious thought and maintenance.

    The good news is that whichever college or university you choose wants to help you figure out where to live. (Okay, I mean, they’ll probably try to convince you to live in residence but don’t let them talk you into something you don’t want to do.) Living in residence is a great option for being right on campus and not having to worry about a hectic commute but there are some things you should look into first:

    Most post-secondary institutes will require you to maintain a certain grade point average in order to continue using their housing. When teachers tell you (at least I hope they’re telling you) that things are going to be very different in your first year of university, they’re not lying. Some students want to adjust to life as a university or college student in their first year, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Some don’t want the added stress of having to maintain a certain GPA when all they’re trying to do is get used to the course loads. So, just know that that’s one requirement for many schools. You also need to think about the added expense of living in residence as well as a meal plan and the stress of leaving your familiar surroundings behind. One of the biggest things you can do to see if residence is the best choice for you is to attend campus tours. They always offer a look into their student housing and from there you can see if you’d like it.

    Something else you can do is live off-campus, which comes with its own set of things to think about. Again, money is an issue. You’d more than likely need to find a part-time job in order to make rent payments, afford food, bills, and have some extra spending money. You can definitely look into getting a roommate, but you should do your research on trusted sources to use for finding a suitable roommate. There are also several websites affiliated with certain universities and college campuses that welcome student residents, which means you get a cheaper price for an apartment and don’t need a roommate. Depending on which school you choose to go to, hunt around on Google or through the school’s website to see what services they offer for students who want to live off-campus in affordable places.

    No matter which route you choose to take, there are a lot of options available and just like anything, you need to do your research into which option is best for you. Don’t do something just because your friend is doing it or your parents are pushing you to do it. Listen to what they have to say and weigh all your options. Don’t dismiss anyone’s opinion because everyone has something to bring to the table. Don’t convince yourself that you have to move out to fully experience post-secondary education either because you don’t. The last thing you want to do is be stuck in a place that wasn’t as glamorous as you thought it would be and have no money. Weigh all your options and be sure to think things through. This is your time and you want to make sure it’s something you enjoy!

  • Mid-Year High School Exams Study Tips

    Mid-Year High School Exams Study Tips

    Everyone learns differently. If you’re having trouble understanding what’s going on, sometimes a different approach can help and your marks will improve. There are always different methods to learn, and different strategies that you can try on a longer-term basis. I would suggest you look for alternative methods every once in a while, because someone may use a method that you had never thought of, and it might turn out to be incredibly helpful.

    Many study methods use visual or audio aids. Visual aids don’t always have to be cue cards in your hands. The cue cards themselves could be separated by colour according to the subject, particularly if it’s a fact-heavy course, like English or History. They can be placed on your wall to read as you get ready for the day or at the end of the day as you get ready for some sleep.  Practising memorization is easier when you write the test because “cramming” will not help you in the long run. You can create a poster with the same idea of graphic aids, as an attempt to be both creative and to help you remember. This is also helpful for math, since you have to remember a lot of formulas, especially in courses like algebra.

    Social Sciences require you to know the facts, but tests and exams also require long paragraphs explaining your answer to a question, much like an essay question. This can be practised through visual aids by recalling the facts and being able to construct an essay quickly, so you can have time to write the answer. Visual aids can create questions for you to answer – they may not be the same question your teacher might use, but they can be helpful.

    Audio is the other major study method, it can mean more than just “hearing” things. The reason for this is that it doesn’t always require simply listening to the professor.  Try talking to yourself (out loud) with the information, perhaps in your room or some other place where you can talk without being self-conscious.  You might also consider recording yourself talking about the subject (to increase your confidence); or to repeat patterns and sentences so you memorize it easily and quickly.

    There are several creative options that can help you learn the material for any subject, for almost any kind of test. The idea is to understand and to quickly recall facts or formulas so you can ace that test. However, this doesn’t work if you do not put in the effort to do so.  Without studying for your mid-year tests, you will do worse than not studying, since in some classes, there is more information than you will recall. (Yes, it’s true that most courses have “open book” tests and exams, but they tend to be very hard and don’t give you time to search out every fact you may need.)  By studying early and often, you won’t have to spend so much time cramming for the final exams, which will cover the entire course.