Career Planning

Self Assessment and Career Planning
Self-knowledge is multifaceted and ever changing. There are many activities designed to allow students to gain information about themselves in order to begin exploring occupations that blend their interests, skills, work and personal values. Through this process students not only learn but also develop a model for critical decision-making.

There are extensive resources available in the section on Post-Secondary Planning. Each individual (grade 9, 10, 11, or 12) student academic year page provides an outline to follow for that school year. The following links also offer some excellent information to aid in clarifying career options.

http://www.nextstepmagazine.com/
http://www.mapping-you-future.org/
http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/

Doing well on tests and earning good grades begin with good study habits and some strategies on how to approach tests.

The following sites provide tips for tutoring, study skills, and testing.

Tutoring
Tutoring may be available to your child under certain conditions. The most common is for an extended absence due to a serious illness or injury. Please call to check on your child’s tutoring at 582-3150.

Study Skills
Tools for Success

If you think you can do well is school, you’re right. If you don’t think you can do well in school, you’re still right, but at Gardiner Area High School we have help for you because we know that it is not a matter of brains, it’s a matter of ATTITUDE. You can get better grades with less effort, less pressure, and less anxiety if you follow this guide carefully. Study smart, not hard. An example would be: If two people were given the task to cut down a tree, one takes an ax, he works smart. The other student takes a sledgehammer; he’s going to work harder. Both got the job done. Which student do you want to be?

From now on you are going to work smart. Learn to use the right tool to get better Grades.

Brain: Learning can be fun and it’s what you do best. You began to learn when you were a baby. Believe in yourself. Set priorities. Learning should be fun and #1.

Creativity: The ways to learn are endless. Use your imagination to make your study time something to look forward to.

Goals: Your reach should exceed our grasp. Make yourself stretch. Write your goals. Make your goals specific. State your goals in all areas of your life, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, family, social, and money. Put your goals in time frames. Keep score. Let your goals belong to you alone.

Exercise: Your body and your mind

Choices: Choose classes and activities that you like when you get the opportunity.

Knowledge: Get to know and enjoy your teachers. They are not the enemy.

Speed: The first two weeks of school give everything you’ve got. The rest will fall into place. Use spare time well. Don’t waste time.

Memory: Learn to train your memory by practicing acronyms, rhyming, linking ideas, using key words, and preparing pneumonic devices. Keep a calendar of due dates for assignments. Save all homework, quizzes, and tests to study for mid-term and final exams.

Reading Power: Underline important ideas, take notes while reading, and review your underlined material.

Study Time: Study according to your biological clock. Determine when you study best then take advantage of it. Study in short sessions. Study actively with pencil in hand. Review material. Study alone and in groups. Find the right environment to study.

Organization: Bring pen, pencil, and marker to every class. Cover all books neatly. Have one notebook for each class. 3 ring binders work well as you can move materials when needed. Use an assignment book as provided by the high school or tape an assignment sheet to each notebook, use it. Keep your locker and book bag organized. Perhaps you want two book bags one for each color day. Take notes with a purpose. Short notes using keywords usually work best. Mark assignments, long term projects, and test dates on a desk calendar as well as in your assignment book. Revise your notes when studying. Organize and pull your materials together in the evening. Use a milk crate at home to organize your school work into hanging file folders so that it will be available to you during mid and final exam time. Save all home-work, quizzes and test papers. Date them and place them in your milk crate. Throw nothing away until the school year ends and you are certain you will not need it for courses that build on a previous class.

Attendance: Don’t miss class, listen carefully, sit close to the front, be visible, be early, leave late, and speak to the teacher. If you should miss class borrow someone else’s notes. Participate, stay alert, and have a great attitude.

Perfect Papers: The appearance of your papers does make a difference. Use a computer whenever possible. See the English Department for MLS Format.

Homework: Student achievement rises significantly when teachers regularly assign homework and students conscientiously do it. Home work is most useful when teachers carefully prepare the assignment, thoroughly explain it, and give prompt comments and criticism. The way you do your homework will greatly influence the way you learn. Adjust the way you study by: The demand of the material and the teacher, the amount of time available, do not cram, connect new material to things you already know, break large tasks into smaller parts, and pass all work in on time.

Testing: Know what the test will cover and study the right things. Answer study questions at the end of each chapter. Quiz with a partner. Be prepared not nervous. Be physically comfortable (bring a sweatshirt to class). Look over the whole test before beginning. Read the directions carefully. Put answers in the right places. Budget your time, but don’t watch the clock. Answer the questions you know first. If you don’t know the answer, try eliminating before you guess. Leave the question and go back to it at the end of the test. Don’t become anxious about what you don’t know. Answer what you do know. Go back over the test. Learn from your mistakes.

Behavior: Are you an underachiever, hostile, aggressive, defiant, hyperactive, easily distracted, socially withdrawn or rejected, perhaps a class clown. Turn this behavior around by concentrating on all of the tools for learning.

Relax: Relax during class and tests. The brain records all information. If you relax you can find what you need. Relaxation after mental and physical exercise increases your mental preparation. Avoid harmful substances. Let someone know if you are feeling anxious. There is help: Friends, parents, teachers, counselors, administration are all willing to support and assist you.

Reward: Reward yourself after studying and doing a good job on your homework. Always use positive self talk.

Responsibility: If you perceive yourself as being in control of your own destiny you will be responsible for your own learning and you will be motivated to continue learning new skills. Don’t blame your teachers. Your grades are your paycheck. You get what you work for.

The following is a good place to start. Thee sites include more tips on how to listen, take and keep track of assignments, and test well.

http://www.testakingtips.com
http://www.how-to-study.com
http://www.kidsclick.org/

SQ3R: Survey, Question, Read, Recall and Review