Do you dread exams?

If you dread exams, you’re not alone. I don’t know anyone who likes exams, but there are people who get very anxious and dread midterms and finals.

Chances are, you dread exams because you’re not prepared – or more likely you don’t “feel” like you’re sufficiently or adequately prepared.

Exam Stress, Exam Anxiety, Study Anxiety, Test Stress

We’ve all been there at some point – taking an exam knowing we didn’t study enough. We’ve also all been sitting there thinking “I am going to ace this exam!”

The challenge we all have as students is to be able to gauge how much preparation is enough. In my study book – Get The Best Grades With The Least Amount Of Effort, I explain several tips on how to learn HOW you learn.

When you acquire that skill, you can quickly and easily apply it to exam preparation and then exam execution.

Preparing for an exam is NOT the same as taking an exam. In my study book, I highlight exam taking strategies that can relieve a lot of the anxiety and stress you might have.

Get $100 Off At Apple!

Quack Or Genius Idea? You Decide

I get a lot of emails from all over the world on an on-going basis. I had never heard of this technique to reduce stress for students who are under pressure to get better grades. I have no idea if it works.

Since it can’t hurt, if you feel stressed about school or upcoming exams or tests, I’d like to suggest that you give it a try and let me know if it works for you.

You just never know where the next breakthrough will come from. Since I’m not stressed, I can’t really be an objective test subject.

This would be ideal if you’re under severe stress or have anxiety about tests and exams. From what is described, it takes time for it to “work”, so start now and see if it prevents the next anxiety attack.

Try it and let me know by placing a comment below!

The Cortices Technique Video Demonstration

According to Dr. John Veltheim who demonstrates why and how to do the technique in the video above, the brain is the core of the human body it controls the way the body communicates with all it’s various parts. This in turn controls our amazing healing abilities. When the brains function is compromised the Body cannot properly heal.

The Cortices Technique allows for increased brain function and connectivity between all the parts of the Body. Since the body communicates using electricity and quantum energy this technique has an amazing effect on the body by allowing the body to reconnect broken or overloaded circuits.

The technique is has been demonstrated by EMS Response teams to bring trauma patients out of shock when at the scene of accidents. The basic idea is to hold the point of injury and to preform the technique on the patient. This has the effect of allowing the body to address the injury and to do what is necessary. In the case of a trauma victim they could be bleeding to death and the brain is so overloaded that it doesn’t send the healing instructions to clot the blood. The victim then dies due to the fact that the body can’t respond. By preforming the Cortices Technique on the patient the Brain is able to address the problem and allow the body to re-engage in the healing crisis and to clot the blood. If you ask any EMS worker they will tell you that the first thing they need to do is to address shock in a patient. You can use this Technique in any situation mental or physical.

Dr. Veltheim recommends that in the day and age where we have so much electromagnetic radiation. That this technique can be preformed twice a day for 2 or 3 months as a general maintenance routine. The person preforming the technique will notice many changes in their body due the increased ability of the brain to deal with the daily stresses of student life.

Fun Student Video

With thousands of readers and subscribers to this blog, I get a lot of content contributed – most of it is fantastic, like the fun student video below.

I’m sure it will make you smile regardless of what type of student you are. I love it when students use their creative energy and spirit in positive ways like this. Enjoy and please share it with your friends and family!

Studying Maths Doesn’t Involve Reading, But Doing!

How To Study Math, Math Anxiety, Math ExamsMaureen recently sent in a question:

Hi Dr. Marc,
I just bumped into  your website because we are having our thesis and our topic is about memory enhancers but when I see your blog posts I see that studying can be easy each in our own ways…. My problem is I love reading books and I can read a book of 128 pages within 2 hrs without distraction. How can I be interested in other subjects that are not related to reading?

Because I have difficulty studying math and memorizing.

Maureen M.

First of all, problem-solving subjects like Math, Chemistry and Physics require DOING more than READING. It might help you to read about mathematicians to get immersed in the beauty, elegance and the wonder of science, but you can’t avoid DOING math, chemistry or physics by solving problems.

The best advice is in my study book so you can assess HOW you learn so that you can apply that to math as well as your other subjects.

One way to get better grades in math and other problem-solving subjects is to study in groups with each member working on a different type or format of a problem and sharing the problem-solving process with the group.

That way you can learn more quickly. Ideally, you create a Study MasterMind Group.

Learn a new language for free!

If you’re a regular reader or subscribe to this study tips blog, you know about antimimeticisomorphism which is how you can get the best grades with the least amount of effort.

That being said, antimimeticisomorphism is about doing out-of-the-ordinary things to get extra-ordinary results – like Duolingo.com – a web service that allows you to learn a new language for free in exchange for your lessons and exercises in translating the Internet’s content. It’s a win-win proposition.

Have a look at this short video and you’ll be amazed how you can learn a new language quickly – for free!

Irish Math Test

An Irishman wants a job, but the foreman won’t hire him until he passes a little math test.

Here is your first question, the foreman said. “Without using numbers, represent the number 9.”

“Without numbers?” The Irishman says? “Dat is easy.” And proceeds to draw three trees.

“What’s this?” the boss asks.

“Have you ain’t got no brain? Tree and tree plus tree makes 9″ says the Irishman.

“Fair enough,” says the boss. “Here’s your second question. Use the same rules, but this time the number is 99.”

The Irishman stares into space for a while, then picks up the picture that he has just drawn and makes a smudge on each tree… “Ere you go.” Continue reading ‘Irish Math Test’

Puppy petting party soothes stressed students

Following up a successful “puppy day” from last spring, GMU law school enlisted volunteer animal rescue organization A Forever Home to bring a batch of puppies that needed attention to its campus as a treat and a stress reducer for law students leading up to final exams.

Having trouble focusing while studying?

If you’re trying to cram for an exam or otherwise trying to get a lot of studying done or reviewing a lot of notes in a short period of time and losing focus, you might want to stare out the window – or even better, take a walk outside.

Seriously, if there are trees out there, it might just help.

According to Attention Restoration Theory (ART) people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature. Natural environments abound with “soft fascinations” which a person can reflect upon in “effortless attention”, such as clouds moving across the sky, leaves rustling in a breeze or water bubbling over rocks in a stream. The theory was developed by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan in the 1980s in their book The experience of nature: A psychological perspective and has since been found by others to hold true in medical outcomes as well as intellectual task attention.

If you don’t have direct access to nature, researchers seem to agree that WATCHING VIDEOS might be the next best thing.

I did a quick YouTube search and found this video – I am sure some of you can find a better one that we can share… Please post the YouTube URL as a comment and I’ll publish the best ones!

The key is to envelop your visual sense in the experience…

You only need a few minutes of involuntary ‘effortless’ attention to then return to your task and have full concentration and focus.

How To Learn A New Language

A lot of people have asked me how they can learn a new language. First, I am not a language teacher, but I am multi-lingual and have some suggestions.

As you’ve come to expect, with an an antimimeticisomorphism approach, I will have a few twists to offer. But first, let me tell you a story.

Continue reading ‘How To Learn A New Language’

Studies Got You Down?

We’ve all been in that place when we wonder if all the hard work and sacrifices are worth it. Click on the hyperlink to have a look at this Infographic on US Education statistics.

If that doesn’t convince you, maybe you need to know the real value of a degree. <- click here for a more uplifting perspective.

One of my very first mentors wisely explained to me that any investment I made in myself, I took with me wherever I would go, for the rest of my life.

I know when you’re young a week or month is a long time and a year seems like forever.

Just think about how quickly the LAST YEAR flew by and that should convince you that it’s a lot shorter than you’re currently thinking!

Don’t ever give up on yourself -
you are your best investment!

iPad Study Guide

I thought I’d confirm some recent questions about my study guide – yes it’s 100% iPad Compatible.

Click on the image to get your copy now – you don’t just get a study guide, you also get fantastic bonuses PLUS full-colour MindMaps!

Study Guide, iPad Study Guide, iPad Study Tips

Taking notes is so 20th Century

Taking notes is so 20th Century now that we’ve discovered the incredible power of Mind Mapping. Even though it’s been around for several decades, only a very select few use it to become ‘super learners’.

The primary reason is that when asked, most people don’t think they are artistically gifted or talented.

Therein lies the #1 obstacle to effective MindMapping – thinking you need to create a masterpiece.

You don’t.

All you need to do is create VISUAL CUES for your mind to capture the relationships of the elements of the Mind Map. The more vivid and colourful, the better – BUT artistic prowess has NOTHING to do with your ability to recall it on your next exam or test.

For example, as a BASIC MINIMUM, if all you did was go through your notes (in your lined note book) and highlighted, underlined and/or circled the important elements you want to remember, I guarantee you you WILL remember more.

That is the starting point. Eventually, you want to get rid of the lines and MindMap on blank white paper.

Take a look at these student note taking samples to see how you can start the process.

But y’know what” there’s nothing like seeing it to believe it.

Have a look at this short YouTube video below to see what I mean.

Math Got You Down?

I’m not sure where I got this, but it was so funny, I had to share it with you. Enjoy!
Math, Dear Math, Study Tips Math

Student Budgets

If you’re wondering where all your money goes, look no further. Today’s infographic shows you where the average student’s money’s going. Click on the image to enlarge!

Student Budgeting, Back To School, Student Spending

Get Better Grades Now… Help Spread The Word!

I recently had someone in Boston write this on a few blackboards for me… That’s when I thought I might as you to do the same – spread the word to other students.

If you do, take a photo and send it to me and I’ll post it here on the blog.

Thanks in advance for helping us get the word out to more students. Sometimes all it takes is one idea to transform a mediocre student into a ‘genius’. By doing this, you’re engaging in a concept called ‘paying it forward’. Engaging the Law Of Attraction is something special that once you set it in motion, good things will start to happen, almost like magic.

Do it because you want to help and then see and tell me what happens!

Get Better Grades, Student Tips, Study Guide, Student Guide

Help Spread The Word: Get Better Grades Now.com

Hard To Read = Easier To Remember!

A PARADOX of education is that presenting information in a way that looks easy to learn often has the opposite effect.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that when people are forced to think hard about what they are shown they remember it better, so it is worth looking at ways this can be done.

A piece of research about to be published in Cognition, by Daniel Oppenheimer, a psychologist at Princeton University and his colleagues, suggests a simple one: make the text conveying the information harder to read.

Speed Reading, Get Better GradesDr Oppenheimer recruited 28 volunteers aged between 18 and 40 and asked them to learn, from written descriptions, about three “species” of extraterrestrial alien, each of which had seven features. This task was meant to be similar to learning about animal species in a biology lesson. It used aliens in place of actual species to be certain that the participants could not draw on prior knowledge.

Half of the volunteers were presented with the information in difficult-to-read fonts (12-point Comic Sans MS 75% greyscale and 12-point Bodoni MT 75% greyscale). The other half saw it in 16-point Arial pure-black font, which tests have shown is one of the easiest to read.

Participants were given 90 seconds to memorise the information in the lists. They were then distracted with unrelated tasks for a quarter of an hour or so, before being asked questions about the aliens, such as “What is the diet of the Pangerish?” and “What colour eyes does the Norgletti have?” The upshot was that those reading the Arial font got the answers right 72.8% of the time, on average. Those forced to read the more difficult fonts answered correctly 86.5% of the time.

The question was, would this result translate from the controlled circumstances of the laboratory to the unruly environment of the classroom?

It did.

When the researchers asked teachers to use the technique in high-school lessons on chemistry, physics, English and history, they got similar results. The lesson, then, is to make text books harder to read, not easier.

Why my study tips work

I think you should watch this video, it’s only 3 minutes long and explains…

How and why my study techniques work

Students Social NOTworking

Today’s post is quick and to the point because The Economist Magazine recently reported that 75% of student time is used for socialising, recreation and sleeping and only 7% for studying.

It’s no mystery why so many students are struggling to get good grades.

Stop reading this and get back to your books!!!!

Speed Reading Results

If you haven’t yet purchased my Speed Reading Video Program, this is what you’re missing out on – RESULTS LIKE THESE. One of my ‘students’ sent me his actual results with the condition of anonymity because I know he’s going to improve even more than this.

These are comparisons of three different tests before and after using my speed reading technique.

OFFICIAL RESULTS FROM DOING
Dr Marc Dussault’s
SPEED READING VIDEO PROGRAM
BEFORE AFTER TIMES
INCREASE
%
INCREASE
TEST #1 310 869 2.8 280
359 792 2.2 221
308 620 2.0 201
144 504 3.5 350
TEST #2 367 1300 3.5 354
250 900 3.6 360
248 2160 8.7 871
260 550 2.1 212
147 342 2.3 233
271 1111 4.1 410
270 720 2.7 267
TEST #3 260 737 2.8 283
253 860 3.4 340
194 550 2.8 284
338 754 2.2 223
190 710 3.7 374
247 825 3.3 334
183 585 3.2 320
Average 256 827 3.2 324