E-Mail Etiquette

February 8th, 2012

Sending e-mails is now one of the most popular form of sending a correspondence or communicating with someone else. There are still etiquette and rules to be observed and followed. This is important so that you can keep your email cordial and respectful.

You can make your email letter more personal by starting with a greeting and a few words of courtesy. Keep the tone casual and formal when writing your email. You can use a space in between paragraphs and write salutations when ending the email such as “Sincerely” or “Best Regards.”

It is not a good idea to send files that are very large. Just send light attachments in your email so that the recipient would not have any inconveniences when opening your email and downloading the file. If you really have to send a file that is very large, you can ask the recipient in advance if he or she approves of this or if there is a better way of sending the file.

It is considered impolite to send and flood other people’s email with messages that are irrelevant to them. These emails may be in the form of chain letters, jokes or irrelevant announcements that may be considered as spam or junk email. Before sending these kinds of email, you have to think first if that person would really appreciate your forwarded emails.

When sending emails to a number of recipients, you have to keep their email addresses private by using the bcc function. By placing the email addresses on the bcc field, you are hiding the recipients email addresses. When you want to forward an email that was sent to you, the sender’s email address should be removed before clicking the send button.

Sometimes when we are writing emails, we use abbreviated words such as btw (by the way) or brb (be right back). We have to avoid using these words especially if we are writing a formal email. Remember that email is different from chatting and your recipient may not be able to understand those kinds of words. Emoticons and smileys should also be used sparingly.

Using basic etiquette on your email will make it look more professional and sincere. The next time you send an email to your professor, teacher or friends, you should observe proper e-mail etiquette.

 

Choosing a Topic for Your School Assignment

February 5th, 2012

Choosing a topic for your school assignment such as essays and presentations can sometimes be tough and difficult. Different sources can give you ideas for your main topic. You can use magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, internet, television, radio and your life experiences as sources of your topic. Here are some hints and tips to make it easier for you to choose a particular topic in your assignment.

You can always write a lot of things about a certain topic if you are very interested in it. Look for topics that you really like and something that is worth writing.

The next thing you have to look for is to check if there are enough information that is available on the particular topic that you chose. However, you also have to be careful because some topics may provide too much information which also makes it harder and longer to write.

In case your main topic does not work, you should always have a back up topic in mind.

Here are some websites that can provide topics for your school assignments or projects. You can check out the Spinney Press which specializes on social issues and “Issues on Society” books. For hot topics on science and technology, you can go to the ProQuest website. If you want to concentrate on science, you can go to NewScientist.com and find up to date topics.

When is the Best Time to Study?

February 3rd, 2012

Studying takes up a large part of the student’s time especially when the exams are nearing. Sometimes it is best to consider your own lifestyle so that you can determine the best time you can study effectively.

It is a good idea to study before and after classes. It makes sense to open your notes and study for a bit to help you prepare for your upcoming class. Studying after class is also helpful for you because this can help you retain the information that you have just learned in class.

Try to find out what time of the day you are most alert. If you choose the time of day to study, you can get more work done and become more productive. Try to study the most difficult lessons first when you are still fresh and alert.

It can be effective to conduct your studying on the same time every day and this can reinforce your study habits more. This habit can also help to prevent procrastination.

Short study sessions can also be effective. You can study in between classes, when you are waiting for the bus or doing your laundry. You should always carry your notes or textbooks when you think you can study even for a short period of time.

Proper Step-by-Step Approach in Answering Exams

February 1st, 2012

There are certain techniques and strategies that are being used by students when answering exams. Here is an effective way that students can follow when they are already starting their exams.

STEPS in ANSWERING EXAMS

  1. You can look through all the questions first before answering.
  2. You can try to find out how much time you will spend on each questions in the exam.
  3. It is always important that you understand each question of the exam.
  4. You can start with the easiest questions because this can build up your confidence.
  5. You should always try to answer all the questions. It is always the overall score that matters.
  6. For multiple choice questions, if there is no penalty for incorrect answers, guessing the right answer can give you some points. Try to eliminate the choices that you think are wrong and choose between the remaining answers. The chances of getting the right answer increases.
  7. You can use your summaries and trigger words as your easy guides to answering the questions. You can write down the trigger words and elaborate on them one by one.
  8. It is always better not to spend too much time on one question. If you are short on time, you should answer the remaining questions.
  9. If you finished the exam early, you can come back to it and reread the question again, especially the ones that you found difficult. You can check your answers if you are really satisfied with them. You can add relevant information in your answers or correct any errors.

These are the steps that every student can take into account when answering their final exams. As mentioned earlier, each students have their own strategies and techniques so this step by step technique is only a guide.

What You Need to Learn When Studying Online

January 29th, 2012

If you are interested in studying online and becoming an online student, you should have certain qualities in order to really learn and take advantage of this kind of teaching. Learning online is not for everybody but here are some tips on what you should need to have in online studying.

The first thing that you need to have is motivation. There is no one there to physically guide you so you need to have strong self discipline and self motivation. You may enjoy the freedom and the flexibility of learning online but it still entails a degree of responsibility and discipline. You should be able to keep yourself motivated and keep on working even though there is no one there to keep you focused on your task.

You should be able to communicate effectively in writing. Online learning involves a lot of emails, chatting and instant messaging so you have to be prepared for this. If you are good in expressing yourself in writing, then you have an advantage in online learning.

Never hesitate to ask for help when you need one. This is not like in the classroom where the teacher may easily notice one student having difficulty in the class. In the virtual classroom, the teacher is not physically there to see you so if you have any problems, just ask the teacher to help you.

Online learning is convenient because all you need is your computer and an internet connection but you should also have the time and the commitment to study.

On the technical side, you will need access to a computer, modem and a good internet connection. Your computer should have the software applications that you need for word processing, managing files, sending emails, chatting and accessing the internet.

You should also have the basic computer skills in order to succeed in online learning. You should have your own email address and you know how to compose one and attach files to it.

These are just some of the things that you would need when you want to enroll in an online learning program. It is better that you are prepared for this kind of program so that you can focus more on learning.

Things to Remember When Sending Written Correspondence

January 28th, 2012

Whether you are sending an email message, text or written letter, you have to remember certain things so that you could effectively express your writing and what you want to say to the reader. Most often, your written correspondence says a lot about you so it is important that you have to improve your writing skills once in a while.

The first thing you have to take into account is the type of format that you have to use for your written correspondence. If it is just a simple email letter to your friend, you can just type your message without any formal format. However, if it is a cover letter for a job application, you have to use a business letter format which contains the date, return address, body of the letter, salutation and closing.

You have to make sure that your message is very clear and straight to the point. Formal written correspondence should always have clarity without the need to include unnecessary information.

When sending effective written correspondence, you should keep in mind that shorter and straight to the point letters are better. Always keep your writings concise because the reader may lose interest if he opened your email and see a letter that will take several minutes to read and understand.

Of course, grammar is always important when sending written correspondence. To avoid these mistakes, you can have someone proofread your writing before you send it. Reading messages and letters containing wrong grammars can be quite embarrassing and the reader may think that you don’t have the proper skills in writing.

If you are sending out a formal written correspondence, the tone of your writing should always be professional. You cannot send out informal writing to your boss because he or she might find it offensive. Match the tone of your writing to whomever will read your letter.

Those are just some of the things that you have to keep in mind when you are writing an email or any written correspondence. Writing skills is very important and it will go a long way especially if you are in the corporate world and you often send written correspondence to your boss, colleagues and business associates.

Motivating Yourself to Study

January 22nd, 2012

Even the brightest and the best students can sometimes find it hard to study. You have to know how to motivate yourself to study hard because this can be the key to find that extra energy and avoid cramming.

A messy desk or study area is not inviting at all. You can start by organizing your table and cleaning all the mess because a clean study area is conducive to studying. An organized room, desk or study area can motivate you to open your notes and start studying.

It also helps to remind yourself about your goals and purpose for studying. You can ask yourself where you want to be ten or twenty years from now. You also have to realize that those goals and aspirations greatly depend on your grades and academic performance. Your studying is like a bridge that you have to cross in order to reach those goals.

Decide whether you want to have mediocre or average academic records or excellent and high academic grades. Consider it a personal achievement on your part if you successfully forced yourself to study.

Before even sitting down to study, you have to visualize a positive outcome for your tests or exams. If you continue thinking that you will do poorly in your test, you are already defeating yourself and the outcome would not be good. If you know that you will get a high grade in your exam then the motivation part will come easily.

Different Exam Relaxation Tips

January 19th, 2012

Every student knows that final exams can make you tense and nervous. It is important that you can control these feelings of anxiety and tension because this may lead to stress and it may affect your exam performance. You can use these exam relaxation tips to condition your mind and body to relax during the exam.

Students who are confident and positive before the exam usually get higher grades than those students who tend to worry a lot. If you are well prepared and you have studied weeks before the exam, chances are, you feel tremendously confident that you can answer all the questions in your exam.

It is important that you eat properly before your exam. Drinking enough water and eating healthy food can make your brain sharper and more focused. A full breakfast before an exam is ideal so that you won’t get hungry and get distracted when you are answering the test.

It is proven that sleep deprivation can greatly affect the brain’s ability to recall information and focus. You should sleep early the night before the exam so that you will feel well rested in the morning.

During the exam, you can skim the questions first before answering them right away. You can take note the easy questions and the harder questions included in the exam. You can answer the items that you think are easier than the other questions.

Anxiety and tension can be lessened through proper breathing techniques. Deep breathing can reduce fast heart rates and relaxes tensed muscles. So go ahead and breathe deeply before answering your exams.

If there are breaks during your exam, you should definitely take advantage of it. You can walk around, stretch or go to the bathroom. However, you should not let your mind wander too far away from the exam during your break.

The Importance of Formal Writing

January 15th, 2012

Formal writing is still very important today and it is a must for every student to learn this writing skill. Even though we always use informal writing on our texts, online chatting and emails, we have to develop the formal style of writing because we need this when applying for a job, writing a report and other formal and business settings.

When writing for a college application or sending a job application letter, you will need to put it in formal writing. A good formal writing skill will give the reader a good impression about yourself. Your resume or application letter can show traces of good character, confidence and intelligence if it is well written and error free.

In the corporate world, the standard for written communication is formal or business writing. If you do not have the skill to write a good formal letter, then it would be very hard for you to communicate or present your ideas.

A well written report or business letter shows credibility and professionalism. A poorly written report will not be taken seriously by your boss or your business colleagues. Some companies see poor formal writing as a sign of incompetence from the employee.

Formal writing is also a way of showing your respect to the recipient of the letter or the email. If you write clearly, without any errors and well formatted, this shows that you really took the time and gave special attention to construct the letter.

Ways on How to Remember Things

January 14th, 2012

Sometimes it can be hard for the students to remember everything they have studied, especially if they just reviewed and studied a few days before the exam. Difficulty in remember things may come with age but most often, it is just the lack of mental focus and concentration which leads to forgetting the things they have studied. Here are some tips on how students can remember things easily when they are studying.

Before studying, you must clear your head of all the unnecessary things that you are worrying about or keep thinking about. Create a space in your mind to store all the information that you need to remember. If possible, avoid all the distractions that you will encounter when you are studying.

It is proven that you can remember an information if you say it out loud several times. Just thinking about it will not help in retaining the information in your memory. You have to read it out loud or say it repeatedly until you are sure that you have memorized the information.

You have to use your visualization technique. You can picture out the information in your mind and create an image which is easier to remember.

You can also create acronyms to help you remember long information that is hard to memorize. One example is the color spectrum which is easier to remember because of the acronym ROY G. BIV.

You can create a rhythm, beat or rhyme to make things easier to remember. You may even use a popular tune or beat so that you can remember the information clearly.

While you are studying, you can write down the information that you need to remember in a separate paper. Writing things down when you are trying to store it in your memory is effective.

These are just some tips that you can use when you are studying for your exam. You can easily remember those notes and lessons when you use these tips.