Visual Learners Strategies for Different Learning Styles

1. Use visual materials such as pictures, charts, maps, graphs, etc.have a clear view of your teachers when they are speaking so you can see their bodylanguage and facial expressionuse color to highlight important points in texttake notes or ask your teacher to provide handoutsillustrate your ideas as a picture or brainstorming bubble before writing them downwrite a story and illustrate ituse multi-media (e.g. computers, videos, and filmstrips)study in a quiet place away from verbal disturbancesread illustrated booksvisualize information as a picture to aid memorization Visual Learners Strategies for Different Learning Styles

2. participate in class discussions/debatesmake speeches and presentationsuse a tape recorder during lectures instead of taking notesread text out aloudcreate musical jingles to aid memorizationcreate mnemonics to aid memorizationdiscuss your ideas verballydictate to someone while they write down your thoughtsuse verbal analogies, and story telling to demonstrate your point Auditory Learners Strategies for Different Learning Styles

3. take frequent study breaksmove around to learn new things (e.g. read while on an exercise bike, mold a piece of clay to learn a new concept)work at a standing positionchew gum while studyinguse bright colors to highlight reading materialdress up your work space with postersif you wish, listen to music while you studyskim through reading material to get a rough idea what it is about before settling down toread it in detail Tactile/ Kinesthetic Learners Strategies for Different Learning Styles

4. Dealing with Anxiety – Coping Strategies Try these when you're feeling anxious or stressed: • Take a time-out. Practice yoga, listen to music, meditate, get a massage, or learn relaxation techniques. Stepping back from the problem helps clear your head. • Eat well-balanced meals. Do not skip any meals. Do keep healthful, energy-boosting snacks on hand. • Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks. • Get enough sleep. When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest. • Exercise daily to help you feel good and maintain your health. Check out the fitness tips below. • Take deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly. • Count to 10 slowly. Repeat, and count to 20 if necessary. • Do your best. Instead of aiming for perfection, which isn't possible, be proud of however close you get. • Accept that you cannot control everything. Put your stress in perspective: Is it really as bad as you think? • Welcome humor. A good laugh goes a long way. • Maintain a positive attitude. Make an effort to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. • Get involved. Volunteer or find another way to be active in your community, which creates a support network and gives you a break from everyday stress. • Learn what triggers your anxiety. Is it work, family, school, or something else you can identify? Write in a journal when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, and look for a pattern. • Talk to someone. Tell friends and family you’re feeling overwhelmed, and let them know how they can help you. Talk to a physician or therapist for professional help.

5. Dealing with Anxiety – Fitness Tips Stay Healthy, Manage Stress For the biggest benefits of exercise, try to include at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity physical activity (e.g. brisk walking) each week, 1¼ hours of a vigorous-intensity activity (such as jogging or swimming laps), or a combination of the two. • 5 X 30: Jog, walk, bike, or dance three to five times a week for 30 minutes. • Set small daily goals and aim for daily consistency rather than perfect workouts. It's better to walk every day for 15-20 minutes than to wait until the weekend for a three-hour fitness marathon. Lots of scientific data suggests that frequency is most important.   • Find forms of exercise that are fun or enjoyable. Extroverted people often like classes and group activities. People who are more introverted often prefer solo pursuits. • Distract yourself with an iPod or other portable media player to download audiobooks, podcasts, or music. Many people find it’s more fun to exercise while listening to something they enjoy. • Recruit an “exercise buddy.” It's often easier to stick to your exercise routine when you have to stay committed to a friend, partner, or colleague.  • Be patient when you start a new exercise program. Most sedentary people require about four to eight weeks to feel coordinated and sufficiently in shape so that exercise feels easier.

6. Dealing With Stress Tips Get some sleep  Between homework, activities and hanging with friends, it can be hard to get enough sleep, especially during the school week. Ideally, adolescents should get nine hours a night. To maximize your chance of sleeping soundly, cut back on watching TV or engaging in a lot of screen time in the late evening hours. Don’t drink caffeine late in the day and try not to do stimulating activities too close to bedtime.  Focus on your strengths  Spend some time really thinking about the things you’re good at, and find ways to do more of those things. If you’re a math ace, you might tutor a younger neighbor who’s having trouble with the subject. If you are a spiritual person, you might volunteer at your church. If you’re artistic, take a photography class. Focusing on your strengths will help you keep your stresses in perspective. Engage in physical activity  Physical activity is one of the most effective stress busters. That doesn’t mean you have to go for a jog if you hate running. Find activities you enjoy and build them into your routine such as yoga, hiking, biking, skateboarding or walking. The best types of physical activities are those that have a social component. Whether you’re into team sports, or prefer kayaking or rollerblading with a friend or two, you’re more likely to have fun — and keep at it — if you’re being active with friends.  Do things that make you happy Besides physical activities, find other hobbies or activities that bring you joy. That might be listening to music, going to the movies or drawing. Make a point to keep doing these things even when you’re stressed and busy.  Talk to someone  It’s so much easier to manage stress when you let others lend a hand. Talk to a parent, teacher or other trusted adult. They may be able to help you find new ways to manage stress. Or they may help put you in touch with a psychologist who is trained in helping people make healthy choices and manage stress. The following resources may be helpful to you and your family to locate services to manage stress • Mental Health Treatment Locator  (http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/MHTreatmentLocator/faces/quickSearch.jspx) • Locate a Psychologist  (http://locator.apa.org/)

7. Staying focused in Class (1-5) • Get a good night's sleep. Get at least eight hours of sleep each night. Set a bedtime routine, and go to bed at the same time each night. Your mind won't be able to concentrate if it's not rested...it needs a break, too! • Eat a healthy breakfast. (http://www.kidzworld.com/article/5596-nutrition-quick-and-healthy-breakfast-ideas) Eating a nutritious meal in the morning gives you fresh energy for the day. Remember: a healthy breakfast doesn't mean a BIG breakfast. Just something nutritious and yummy to help you feel more energized and less groggy throughout the day. • Avoid sitting with friends. Chatting with friends isn't gonna give you the focus you need to stay on top of class. If you've got an assigned seat near a friend who wants to whisper with you all the time, ask your teacher about getting your seat moved and let your friend know that you just need to focus. • Get rid of any other distractions. Some of us get distracted very easily - and that's perfectly OK. But when distractions keep you from learning, that's a problem. Is that water bottle catching all your attention? Remove it from your desk. How about that gum you're chewing (http://www.kidzworld.com/article/1057-bursting-the-bubble-on-chewing-gum)? Throw it out and start taking notes. Eliminate distractions (even if you don't want to) and you'll soon find your attention going to the teacher each class. • Look at the teacher and make eye contact. Your teacher is not just standing up there babbling - she's trying to give you an education! Show her that she has your full attention by looking her in the eye and observing her movements. Try your best to look alert. If you feel your eyes wandering to something else in the room, catch yourself and focus back on your teacher.

8. Staying focused in Class (6-10) • Know your goal. Most teachers tell you the subject of the class in the beginning. If possible, write it down the minute you hear it. What is it that needs to be done today? What will you be learning about? How can you stay alert and focused during this time? Set goals for yourself, and remind yourself of the objective throughout class. This way, you know exactly what you have to do. • Take notes. By taking accurate notes (http://www.kidzworld.com/article/2666-brushing-up-on-your-study-skills), you'll be able to "get into" the lesson. Recognize key points as your teacher speaks, and listen for key phrases such as, "This is important," "This is the main idea," "This will be on the test," etc. This can help you listen better; you'll have something to do and focus on. • Get involved in class discussions. When a teacher asks a question, offer to answer it. If she asks for an opinion, share yours. This shows the teacher that you're listening during the class, and that you know your stuff. It can also help you avoid those embarrassing moment when the teacher calls on someone and that student has no idea what they're being asked because they haven't been listening in class! • Ask a question. If you don't understand something, NEVER be afraid to ask. This really shows your teacher that you want to be better, and can recognize the things you're having a hard time with. Chances are, someone else in the class has the same question (and was too afraid to ask!). They'll be relieved - and so will you. • Do your best. When you walk into that classroom (http://www.kidzworld.com/article/777-will-kids-without-calculators-be-smarter), put a smile on your face and some confidence in your step. Be the best that you can be at all times, and show your true potential!

9. Dealing with Test AnxietyGeneral Preparation/building confidence • Review your personal situation and skillsAcademic counselors can help you in these areas, or refer to our Guides on the topic: • Developing good study habits and strategies (http://www.studygs.net/index.htm) • Managing time (http://www.studygs.net/schedule) • Organizing material to be studied and learnedTake a step by step approach to build a strategy and not get overwhelmed • Outside pressures success/failure consequences (grades, graduation), peer pressure, competitiveness, etc. • Reviewing your past performance on teststo improve and learn from experience

10. Dealing with Test AnxietyTest Preparation to Reduce Anxiety • Approach the exam with confidence:Use whatever strategies you can to personalize success: visualization, logic, talking to your self, practice, team work, journaling, etc. View the exam as an opportunity to show how much you've studied and to receive a reward for the studying you've done • Be prepared!Learn your material thoroughly and organize what materials you will need for the test. Use a checklist • Choose a comfortable location for taking the testwith good lighting and minimal distractions • Allow yourself plenty of time,especially to do things you need to do before the test and still get there a little early • Avoid thinking you need to cram just before • Strive for a relaxed state of concentrationAvoid speaking with any fellow students who have not prepared, who express negativity, who will distract your preparation • A program of exerciseis said to sharpen the mind • Get a good night's sleep the night before the exam • Don't go to the exam with an empty stomachFresh fruits and vegetables are often recommended to reduce stress.Stressful foods can include processed foods, artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, eggs, fried foods, junk foods, pork, red meat, sugar, white flour products, chips and similar snack foods, foods containing preservatives or heavy spices • Take a small snack, or some other nourishmentto help take your mind off of your anxiety. Avoid high sugar content (candy) which may aggravate your condition

11. Dealing with Test AnxietyGeneral Preparation/building confidence • During the test: • Read the directions carefully • Budget your test taking time • Change positions to help you relax • If you go blank, skip the question and go on • If you're taking an essay testand you go blank on the whole test, pick a question and start writing. It may trigger the answer in your mind • Don't panic when others start handing in their papers. There's no reward for finishing first • Use relaxation techniques If you find yourself tensing and getting anxious during the test: • Relax; you are in control.  Take slow, deep breaths • Don't think about the fear Pause: think about the next step and keep on task, step by step • Use positive reinforcement for yourself:  Acknowledge that you have done, and are doing, your best • Expect some anxiety It's a reminder that you want to do your best and can provide energyJust keep it manageable • Realize that anxiety can be a "habit" and that it takes practice to use it as a tool to succeed