In high school, the stakes are high. Achieving good grades and participating in extracurricular activities are essential for gaining admission to your ideal college. Balancing advanced classes with a part-time job can make managing assignments and studying even more challenging. Nevertheless, some helpful tips can assist students in improving their academic performance.
Before you study, schedule your time
Study at a set time: Establishing a study habit is extremely important for developing great study skills. Being committed on a set time will keep you from conflicting times.
Study in a quiet place: Study at a place with little to no distractions. Stay concentrated and focused.
Learn the tricks for efficient note-taking
Shorten your notes with abbreviations & symbols: Save yourself time and abbreviate notes
Get creative: Draw pictures, bubbles, arrows, or anything you need to have a visual guide.
Use your study time wisely
Avoid studying before bed: Give yourself time during the day to study. Be awake and refreshed when studying.
Take frequent breaks: Take 5 minute breaks or even half hours breaks. Refocus after giving your brain a run for its money.
Use creative study tools
Study with friends: Having a study group is a great way to keep each other accountable and make learning fun
Use flashcards or online apps: Using online apps or flashcards can help you keep a sharp mind in memorization. Apps like Quizlet is a great source.
Keep yourself Healthy
Make sure you get enough sleep! Studying is important but sleep is vital. Ensure you sleep at least 8-10 hours
Get vitamins and nutrients: Reward yourself with healthy treats so that you can be boost your energy and keep your mind going.
High school and college students should learn how to write professional emails to important adults, such as teachers, professors, potential employers, supervisors, or college counselors. However, do students actually receive guidance on how to craft these professional emails? That's why we want to assist you in tackling this new adult responsibility.
Start with an appropriate subject line
Consider your intentions for the email when creating a subject. With tons of emails coming in a day, make your subject line stand out.
Address your email recipient appropriately
Starting emails with "Hi" or "Hello" is not personal or professional. A " Dear ___" is more appropriate. Address your recipient with a greeting and by their name. Ex: Dear Mr. Estrada.
Keep emails short and to the point
Be thoughtful about your recipients time. Only address what you need to know. Short and sweet.
Make it easy to read
Write out whole words while adding indentations or spaces between paragraphs for easy reading. Keep your most important information at the begging of each paragraph to make your points clear.
Do not use slang
Do not write your emails like if you are texting a friend. Do not shorten words because you can. Be professional.
Be gracious in your signature
Always remember to be thankful for your recipients time. Gratitude goes along way. Ex: "Warm regards, Many thanks, Best regards, Thank you, etc."
Identify yourself in your signature
Clearly identify your name so that the recipient knows who are they receiving the email from.
Re-read the email before you sent it
Triple check your email before sending it away. Make sure you have no miss-spelling or have any missing information.
We've all been in a situation where we've called someone and they couldn't pick up. But were you ready to leave a clear message when the voicemail beeped? It can be stressful and make us stumble over our words, but learning how to leave a well-crafted voicemail can really reflect well on you.
Prepare your message
Know your purpose: Think about why you're calling (asking questions or providing information)
Gather key details: Write down any important information you need to include
Start with a greeting
Introduce yourself: Say your name clearly (Hi, this is "your name")
Mention your relationship: Briefly state your connection (I'm a student in your class)
State the purpose
Be direct: Clearly explain why you're calling (I'm calling about the upcoming project deadline)
Provide key information
Include important details: Mention dates, times, or specific questions (The deadline is next Friday, and I wanted to ask...)
Keep it brief: Stick to main points to make it easy to follow
Encourage a response
Ask for feedback: Let them know you'd appreciate a call back (Could you please call me back when you have a moment?)
Leave your contact information
Prove your number: repeat your phone number clearly
Mention availability: state when you're available to talk
End on a Positive Note
Thank them: Express appreciation for their time (Thanks for listening)
Say goodbye: use a friendly closing (have a great day)
Knowing how to address an envelope is an essential skill for high school students. It enables them to communicate effectively through traditional mail, whether for college applications, job inquiries, or sending personal letters. Mastering this skill also helps students develop organizational habits that will serve them well in their academic and professional futures. Plus, it’s a great way to add a personal touch to communication in a digital world!
Choose the right envelope
Use a standard size for letters. Make sure its clean and undamaged.
Write the recipient's address
Top Center of the Envelope: Write the recipient's address in the middle of envelope
Format:
Name: Start with the recipient's name
Street Address: On the next line, write the street address
City, State, ZIP Code: On the following line, write the city, state, and ZIP code.
Add your return address
Top Left Corner: Write your return address in the top left corner
Format:
Your name: Start with your name
Your street address: Write your street address on the next line
Your City, State, ZIP Code: Include your city, state, and ZIP code on the next line.
Add a Stamp
Top right corner: Place a stamp in the top right corner of the envelope.
Make sure it's the correct postage for the size and weight of your envelope.
Double-check everything
Review for Accuracy: Make sure all addresses are spelled correctly and that the ZIP codes are correct
Ensure clarity: Write neatly and clearly to avoid any confusion
While credit and debit cards may appear alike, their functions and benefits are quite distinct. Understanding when and how to use each can help you establish a better credit history while managing your debt effectively.
A debit card is a payment card that withdraws funds directly from your checking account. Often referred to as “check cards” or "bank cards," they can be used for purchasing goods and services or for withdrawing cash from ATMs. Debit cards can reduce the need to carry cash, but using them may occasionally involve fees.
Key Takeaways
Best for people trying to budget or prevent debt accumulation.
Money comes directly out from your checking account.
You can access only the money available in your account.
There are no interest charges; however, you may incur fees if you withdraw more than the amount in your account.
It doesn't impact your credit history, so using it won't improve or harm your credit score.
You might need to enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to approve purchases. If you lose your card, you can often temporarily lock it through mobile or online banking.
A credit card is issued by a financial institution, usually a bank, allowing the cardholder to borrow money from that institution. Cardholders agree to repay the borrowed amount with interest, based on the terms set by the institution.
Key Takeaways
You borrow money from a lender and repay some or all of it each month.
When you use your card, the credit card company pays the vender for your purchase.
There is a borrowing limit, usually determined by your creditworthiness.
Interest is charged if you don't pay in your balance in full.
On-time payments could boost your credit score.
Because funds are not deducted right away, you might have protection against fraud or theft. If you lose your card, you can often temporarily lock it through mobile or online banking.