QUICK STEPS TO IMPROVING YOUR HAND WRITING

MY HANDWRITING is awful — so bad that it’s not so much illegible as unidentifiable. It never bothered me, but I recently attended a creative writing retreat where I wrote some notes by hand. Looking over them now, I can barely read them. It’s rather embarrassing, as well as frustrating, so I decided to look for ways to improve your handwriting. As this article points out, seems I’ve been writing the wrong way my whole life!
Luckily, it is possible to reboot years of misaligned muscle memory and improve your handwriting – you just need time, determination, and the following common sense tips.

1. Decide why you want to improve your handwriting.

You need to know exactly what you hope to achieve, so you know what to focus on. Perhaps (like me) you want to write more legibly, so your notes don’t look like a spider has been dipped in poisonous ink and then violently convulsed itself to death across your page.
Maybe there are a few letters you’ve never really been sure of (that would be you, joined-up s); or you want to impress that sexy graphologist you’re seeing by projecting the wonders of your personality through your loops and whorls.
It might be you want to write more fluently and efficiently, so your hand doesn’t cramp up after five minutes of scribbling; or that you believe it’s easier to manifest the poetic geometry of the universe through an actual pen than a computer keyboard.
There are as many good reasons to improve your handwriting as there are ways to write “spelling” in Old English. Regardless of your reasons, here’s how to do it.

2. Choose your weapon carefully.

English writer Edward Bulwer-Lytton famously wrote that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” Just as you wouldn’t go into battle armed with the rusty paper knife you found down the back of the armchair, you shouldn’t expect to produce beautiful handwriting using a half-chewed Biro encrusted in suspect fluff.
It’s not necessary to buy a gold fountain pen with jewel-studded nib and ink distilled from a virgin squid, unless you happen to be a particularly sophisticated Bond villain. But you should experiment until you find a type of pen (or even pencil) that works for you.
A purist might tell you fountain pens are superior — presumably because it’s so hard to catch enough swans to make quills — but there are plenty of good ballpoints, roller-balls, and even felt tips out there.

Hand position: The top of the pen should rest on
or just in front of the base knuckle.

Writing by hand shouldn’t be like a game of Mercy with your pen, so look for one that’s comfortable to hold, and where the ink flows smoothly without your having to push too hard on the paper.
Also, try pens with different sized nibs or balls to find a line thickness that pleases you, and experiment with different colors. But take care — it doesn’t matter how beautiful your script, it will still look horrendous if rendered in a bilious green ink.

3. Get a grip.

Although your pen does have a pointy bit, it’s not actually a mighty sword, so you needn’t hold it like one. Your grip should be light yet supportive, and there should be no undue tension in your hand position. Don’t squeeze — your pen is no more a tube of toothpaste than it is a weapon, and the ink will flow of its own accord.
It doesn’t really matter which fingers you use to hold the pen, as long as it feels comfortable and balanced. But it’s best for the top (the non-business end) to rest on or just in front of the base knuckle of your index finger, rather than in the gully formed between index finger and thumb.

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM EXCELINPAGES

Hello dear readers,

 

Here we are again within a new year, how times fly!. I am very happy i made it through the hurdles of the last year and here to see the fulfillment of a new year.

 I have laid out plans to post more informative and personal testimonies to enrich your lives.

Here is a list of what i hope to do this year, call it my "New Year blogolutions"

• Try to post about five different articles each month.

• See to hosting and speaking to more people about educational and examination success.  I already have some in the pipeline and if you need any help with any such exercise, just contact me via on +Jude Akhabue.

• I also intend to research to meet more people who are pushing this topic further and also to be part of an NGO that promotes character and attitudinal reformation. If you know any good one, feel free to suggest.

Thanks.

may I ask though, what are your NEW YEAR "BLOGOLUTIONS".

CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING A GOOD STUDY SPACE

Your study space is critical to your ability to study effectively. After all, if you can’t concentrate, you certainly can’t expect to learn very well.

This does not necessarily mean that you have to find a place that's completely silent and set it up as your study area, but it does mean you should find someplace to study that fits your specific personality and learning style.

Students are different. Some do need a completely quiet room free from interruptions when they study, but others actually study better listening to quiet music in the background or taking several breaks.

Take the time to assess your real needs and plan for the perfect study place.

You will study most effectively if you make your study time special, like a ceremony. Assign yourself a specific place and regular time. Some students even give a name to their study space.

It might sound crazy, but it works. By naming your study space, you generate more respect for your own space. It might just keep your little brother away from your things!

1. Evaluate your personality and preferences. Discover whether or not you are vulnerable to noise and other distractions. Also determine if you work better by sitting quietly for a long period of time or if you need to take short breaks once in awhile and then return to your work.
2. Identify the space and claim it. Your bedroom maybe the best place to study, but it may not be. Some students identify their bedrooms with rest and simply can't concentrate there. A bedroom can also be problematical if you share a room with a sibling.

ELEVEN ULTIMATE TIPS FOR CRAMMING SUCCESSFULLY

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CRAMMING EFFECTIVELY

 

In my last article, I shared with you some facts about cramming and promised to do a follow up on how you can apply those facts to achieve success.

The surest way to win a race is to run according to rules, if you understand the principles that guide how a machine works you will be able to use it to achieve your goal. I hope to help you understand the timeless principles of cramming and also to set guides to successfully cramming anything whether for a test, an exam, a presentation, an interview or just for fun.

•    REST

 Before you venture into cramming anything rest is very important. Since you brain would be doing so much work, its needs to get strength before you begin, so get a good rest a night before. Sleep a good comfortable nine hour sleep.

• EAT

The trick here is NEVER to eat heavy food, cook something nice for yourself and eat and also take along some fries, snacks, fruits maybe a drink- no beer please along. Snacks are very light food and can confortable stay in your back pack. If you choose to do your reading at night, take coffee along.

•    DRAW A READING PLAN: don’t just set out and start reading anything, be purposeful and focused. If you have a test tomorrow, take out your note and create a reading schedule. Also clearly outline and breakdown your reading, I mean look through and choose the area you want to read about.

•      LOCATION! LOCATION: not everywhere or anywhere is good for effective reading. Your location for cramming must meet the following criteria;

Excel In Pages: FACTS ABOUT CRAMMING

Excel In Pages: FACTS ABOUT CRAMMING: The art of cramming has been considered by many as a method that should not be considered by students and anyone because it seems not ...

FACTS ABOUT CRAMMING

The art of cramming has been considered by many as a method that should not be considered by students and anyone because it seems not to produce any tangible results, well the truth is that many people don’t still know or understand the key to successful cramming and its application.

First things first, 

WHAT IS CRAMMING: cramming is an art of pumping or forcing something into any available space. Such space is usually small, for example when twenty people enter a small car.

 In terms of studying, cramming is the art of gathering so much information or content into the head, the smallness of space is not by brain capacity but by time limit and constraints. So Cramming Involves:

·         Forcing many things

·         It is time based

·         It is not permanent

·         Whatever was taken in in a hurry must be poured out fast

·         You never actually understand what you crammed… you are always under pressure.

·         Anyone can cram

HERE ARE SOME TRUTHS ABOUT CRAMMING

¯  Cramming Is A Method: cramming is both a reading method and study method. Its peculiarities are what warrant its use in particular situations. What I mean is that, cramming is not suited for every situation or examination. Learn the best situations to use cramming.

¯  Everyone Can Cram: the idea that some people can cram things and others cannot is false. Everyone on the planet earth can actually do one or many cramming. Cramming can be practiced and perfected; some have developed it into their ultimate study method. It depends on you, to cram or not to cram.

¯  It drains energy: cramming involves putting quite so much into little space, more like crapping 20 people in a small car, you can imagine the discomfort. Cramming is never a pleasant thing to do, I even advice it should only be resorted to as the last alternative after other study methods prove unsuccessful. The amount of energy or food, you will need to do a normal study is lower than what you need to cram successfully. But there is a little snag here, over eating before cramming is a direct dosage for sleep.

¯  It is time based; this is the golden principle of cramming. Cramming is not a long term affair; it is actually a short term method of studying.  I call it the crash course method of studying for any exam or test. NEVER cram months ahead instead start cramming a day or a night to your test or exam.

¯  It is not Permanent: this is principle two, cramming is not a permanent means of comprehending, in fact if you cram, after the test you will lose most if not everything you put in, just like what happens when systems memory is low, it may crash so the same, if your brain space is low, you will crash, by crashing I mean your brain naturally set itself to format mode after the test. So whatever you put in is lost. The trick, NEVER CRAM to understand or comprehend a subject matter, just do it to write and pass an exam. REMEMBER CRAMMING IS A CRASH COURSE WAY TO PASSING.

¯  Cramming is done in haste: the need to put so much in the head will actually cause you to hasten your studying. When you cram, you don’t take time to digest what you’ve read instead you just want it up and that’s it, if you are able to successfully remember you believe you have got it settled.

¯  Whatever was put in in haste must be released in haste: the next principle or fact of cramming is that whatever you uploaded upstairs MUST be downloaded fast. If you drag releasing whatever content you stored temporarily it gets lost in time. Cramming is like you brain RAM, it’s a temporary easy to lose component of your storage system. So when next you cram, be prepared to pour it all out as fast as you can before it gets lost. Is you ever saw yourself looking up the roof or chewing at your pen in an exam hall, it’s a clear way of saying that you are finding it hard to recollect what you put in the brain.

I have shared with you the facts, read how you can apply these facts and succeed in Cramming, all in the follow up article Ultimate Tips for successful cramming.  

Best approach to creating a Reading Timetable

 

 

time tables are sure helps 

Common problems students face with study include how to study effectively, coping with the amount of reading , how to manage your time, avoiding procrastination and distractions, and improving your concentration. 

 Working to a revision timetable helps you to make clear goals of attainment for each ... The connection between the brain and the hand is a way of helping you to stay in ... Rather than simply reading, break out the other possible ways for getting information to stick in your mind. 

  

 

A time table is a schedule or plan created in which time is allocated to activities. A reading timetable allocates time to reading.

 Effective study and success at university

There's no one way that will always produce the best results for students. It's more about determination than great intelligence! Success has more to do with well developed study skills than intellectual ability.

Below are some suggestions for effective studying practices but it's up to you to find the methods and strategies that work best.

Common problems that students face with study include:

• procrastination and distractions

• time management

• lack of a dedicated study space

• disinterest in a subject

• lack of concentration

• coping with the amount of reading

Procrastination

Only you are totally responsible for using your time in the most productive way. Once you own up to the fact that you are just putting things off (beware because procrastination can masquerade in a thousand different guises), then you're in a better position to control your actions. Don't create a barrier by thinking of your study as an obstacle to be overcome but as a challenge to take up. Find practical ways to increase your motivation and then practise them so that the time you spend studying is quality time.

Distractions

Develop strategies to realistically manage the distractions and interruptions that are bound to arise in any busy person's schedule. For example:

• close the door

• turn off the mobile phone

• prepare a schedule for your study session with beginning and ending times

• take strategic study breaks so you can still pay bills, go to the gym, pick children up from school and make important phone calls

• keep a blank 'procrastination pad' on the desk for jotting to remind you to think more about non-study things later, afteryour study period.

Having a recognised space for your study, and asking family and friends to respect your study times and place, will go a long way towards minimising uninvited distractions.

Time Management

A general rule of thumb is that for each subject you are enrolled in, you will need to spend at least 8-12 hours of independent study time each week. This time commitment will increase during assignment preparation and exam revision.

As a student juggling work, study, family and social commitments, your time is limited and valuable. This is where a schedule or timetable can be useful.

When deciding how to allocate your time:

• take the time to plan and do it regularly, say once each week

• allow adequate periods of time for learning new material, understanding theories and concepts, or drafting an assignment

• use short periods (15 minutes) when beginning or ending a scheduled study session to review previous learning

• rise 15 minutes earlier and go to bed 15 minutes later each day

• reward yourself for achieving daily and/or weekly study goals

• timetable more challenging tasks for when you are most alert and able to concentrate

• study regularly - daily if possible

• set achievable study goals.

Managing your study time

Create a study schedule/timetable where you allocate time for each subject and assessment. This can assist you by taking the pressure off and help you decide how much time you have for other activities.

• begin major projects ahead of time - break the task into a number of sub-tasks

• be realistic - for example if you are a 'night owl' planning to study in the early morning may be unrealistic

• generally organise your timetable into 50 minute study periods with 10 minute breaks

• be specific about what you want to achieve in each study period. Rather than just allocating two hours of study each night, be specific about the study tasks to be done within the time available.

Dedicated study space

A dedicated workspace for study is both a physical and psychological necessity. Regardless of whether you find a tidy study area essential, or you can function among apparent chaos, you'll benefit from creating a physical space where you can keep study material, notes and textbooks organised.

Find a place at home, somewhere quiet on campus, or even a spot you have negotiated with a friend or relative at their place, and begin to 'own' it as your's for study. Aim to have only things you need on your desk, keeping it clear of things which might distract you from study. Devote your workspace solely to study so that each session will make it easier to settle down to some concentrated study.

Disinterest

Most students will find that they have at least one subject they're not keen on but the subject still has to be tackled to meet graduation requirements. You owe it to yourself to do your best. Stay motivated and maintain a positive attitude towards your studies by:

• tackling the readings and assignments for this subject first in your study schedule

• treating the topic seriously, accepting the difficulty or the uninteresting nature of the subject matter as a challenge, and reward yourself for completing a reading or spending a productive hour on the subject.

• keeping a running record of your study times and achievements in the subject and measuring your performance against previously stated goals.

Reading

One of the challenges at university is the amount of reading you will have to do. At first, this can seem overwhelming. However, there are a range of strategies you can apply to help you to read faster and to remember more of what you have read.

Reading is much more than having a whole lot of words pass before your eyes. Trying to master the topic by doing a lot of reading may be going about things the hard way. Instead, try to:

• Identify the purpose. Before you start reading, you need to know your purpose for reading a particular text. Often too much concentrated reading, without any real purpose, can cause information overload. Think about the questions you're trying to answer and the reasons for reading the text.

• Skim. Read the text for the main ideas. Don't worry about remembering all the examples or the unimportant information. This kind of reading is usually quite sufficient for pre-reading for lectures, if you want to prepare yourself for discussions in tutorials, or see if an article is relevant for your research.

• Scan. Read for specific information you need for an essay or report. For example, if you are doing research and you are looking for some specific information to back up a statement you have made, you don't have to read every word. Take in the headings, briefly read any introduction or conclusion, and check the first sentences of main paragraphs (often the topic sentence), along with any charts and diagrams in the main text to pick up on leading themes.

• Highlight. As you read in more detail, digest the things that you can understand. You might choose to highlight, circle or underline key words and concepts.

• Take notes, or create a concept/mind map. Take brief notes without letting yourself get bogged down in the difficult passages of the text, or draw a visual representation of the ideas, concepts and themes to help define relationships between them.

• Review. Get into the habit of reviewing readings, notes, or your assignment task immediatelyafter a study period (rather than at some later date). This will be helpful in your grasp of the subject matter and also in retaining information.

Concentration

You need to recognise that study is hard work, and therefore it's important for you to keep up a balanced diet with proper amounts of rest and periods of relaxation to study effectively.

• Create the right frame of mind. If you're feeling tired around your study time, go for a brisk walk or just get some fresh air to clear your head before you start.

• Take breaks. If you find your attention beginning to fade, you may need a break. Get up, stretch or go for a walk around. Take a few slow, deep breaths, and have a drink of water.

• Study in short time blocks with short breaks in between. This approach keeps your mind from wandering or from feeling fatigued, and will also help reduce time-wasting activities as you try to settle into study.

• Be an active learner: make notes, create mind maps, talk through key points aloud or explain new concepts as though there is another interested adult in the room with you. Walk around the room as you talk, throw a soft ball against the wall as you recite points to remember, make up rhymes or songs to help remember facts or sequences.

  Many thanks to http://www.csu.edu.au/distance-education/study-life-balance/managing-your-study

GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

TOPIC: Basics of Communication.

To communicate means to share or express ideas, feelings or information. Every single day we do one form of communication or the other, from saying hello to smiling to just plain sitting alone in one spot, it is all a way of (sharing, expressing) something.

I intend to show you the basics or foundation of any effective or successful communication.

Communication can take place by only one person, between two, three, a group or even an audience. All these scales have their unique challenges but one principle or basic still works for them all.

Two things happen whenever we choose to communicate:

1.      Interaction: via speaking, writing, gestures, dressing etc.

2.      Attention: via body signals, gestures, sounds or facial dispositions.

I will give more on these two in subsequent ECG posts.

THE COMMUNIRGRAM…

Input (receivers end) -------------- COMMUNICATION ----------------- output (giver end)

                                                    Attention                Interaction

Outward expression                                  LISTENING             Reply (outward signal)

N.B whenever there is a breach of interaction/attention, the result = “#misunderstanding”

The basic feature of an effective communication is LISTENING. It is also the common ground or factor between interaction and attention. We as human desire these two things, but we find it had to really listen. Many misunderstanding has really come because we failed to listen. Listening goes beyond only what you do with your ears. To learn more on listening, watch out for next POST.

WHY ON EARTH DO I COMMUNICATE: the need to do so is not far from you? You communicate because you want to know, feel, understand, share, relate and to be understood.

The secret to getting people to communicating is for us all to take time to LISTEN!

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TOP UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD

one  of the major prerequisite of admission seekers in campuses is the standard of the school. there are many rating standard for placing universities all over the world.
the latest rating was released recently

On top of the scale are schools like MIT, Cambridge, Yale, Stanford etc.
here is a link to the site..

Top 400 Universities in the world

The set of method used can be found here also, hope you would find it useful
Ranking Scheme for Universities

QUICK STEPS TO MANAGING PRE EXAM CRISIS

The exam or test time table is out and you have barely few weeks to go. So now you are thinking what am I going to do to cover up, how would I manage time.. So many things to do

You need to cover up those remaining text

You need to take care of yourself so you don’t fall sick

You still need to be in touch with the world around you.

Any other that is not in this list..

I want to offer you tips on how to manage yourself as that exam approaches, I will discuss under the following headings.

TIME MANAGEMENT:

The most important and easy to waste asset you have is time, so guard it jealously. In managing time ii advice you do the following

Draw out a timetable for reading : Arrange for more slots for areas you are yet to cover or grey areas of your course work. Also include siesta and nap times (P.S nap not sleeps). Cut back on how much and how long you spend online chatting, surfing except for research purpose, cut back on visiting so many friends, on unnecessary watching of TV. Maximize every free moment, and use the time for chores to review and recite to yourself whatever you have read, you can also have a friend come over join you in the work while you also discuss together areas covered. 

Don’t Miss Classes: experience has shown that when examinations are close most students tend to miss classes, this attitude is bad. I discovered that this is the period lecturers are more likely to relate with you whatever they intend to ask, smart students also know that teachers at this time give away questions in a subtle way, you just have to be attentive and crafty.

SELF MANAGEMENT

The next most important aspect that needs attention is yourself, yep you! Because of the need to do so much, you may neglect yourself through starvation, lack of hygiene, lack of rest etc.

Here is what you can do

Eat Good food: trash those junk foods, go “fruitified”, Bananas are quite good, they help nervous system coordination, some fruits are antioxidant and clear up your head. Fruits are great since they don’t need cooking, just wash and eat. Kill two birds with one stone by taking out time to cook good food, I mean real food. You can invite friends over to discuss on topics while the cooking is going on.

Rest: lack of rest automatically sets the brain on crash mode. If you don’t rest, the brain is not refreshed; it is starved of much nutrient. Think of it this way, to drive your car from Lagos to Benin nonstop, the engine will overheat and develop faults. A little rest is needed. Rest also returns the brain to default mode and helps its assimilation rate. Ret also boost bodily health. So rest especially at night and include naps of say 30 minutes during the day in your day planner or time table.

Reduce the following

Visits by you and to you. You can do this by reading in the library or places you are less likely to meet friends.

Social media and online chats

Gaming

Drinking and smoking as well as drugs

Noise

Spending

Stress, you body does much work already by just reading, don’t stretch yourself by adding more work, job.

Keep you thought Life alive: think but don’t be anxious or fretful, think on positive things not negatives, make up your mind to think high of yourself. Try hard to cut yourself from addictions, drugs, pornography, sex, theft etc anything that would distract you. Your mind should be clear to think straight.

BOOK WORK

Now we are down to the main thing, the book itself. When you are close to exam, how, what, where, when and why should you read?

What – read your lecture notes, your text books, and research materials? Take time to as also look over previous assignment, the ones you submitted and otherwise, lecturers like setting students up. Look for past questions also as they give you insight into the kinds of question to expect plus how it may be crafted where it may likely come from as well as time factor.

Where – library would be good or may secluded place. The general rule of thumb is places where you are less likely to bump with classmates, friends and family. I strongly discourage reading at home, they would be tendency to be relaxed, and slack in reading, you can also get unexpected visitors too. But generally read where you are very comfortable.

When – anytime but most preferably during the day so you can rest at night. Remember your siesta and nap. Evening classes may also help, but anytime you feel sleepy or week kindly return to your room.

How: I recommend two very simple reading styles for crash reading especially as exams draw closer. I will do a proper write up later (so check back soon)

• Group study: this is efficient because you can cover grounds faster; it also gives you the advantage of hearing from many sources and summarizing to draw out your own. Group study gives you opportunity to ask questions as well. A group of 5-7 is ok, more than this and you got a crowd.

• Cramming: yeah, am so dead serious. If you can’t get it, cram it. Cramming is effective for temporary storing info and retrieving it when needed. You can cram your way to the top.

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