Does going to what you consider to be the best high school make you apprehensive and cause you to do poorly? Or are you nervous and still do well in your tests.

Dependent upon your answer we can suggest different remedies.

If you do poorly on the tests I can give you many hints on test taking techniques or if you have trouble comprehending the work I can give you many hints about learning better.

Please indicate what you think the problem may be.

1. * * * Improving your focus while studying * * *

a. Break your work down into smaller chunks. Do the hardest part first. Once you reach that goal, take the next hardest, and so on…

b. Make a rule and promise yourself to stick to it: For every 45 minutes you study, you will give yourself a 15 minute break. If you do this faithfully, you will be done in NO TIME! Keep a clock or timer handy!

c. When you are on a 15-minute break, make the most of it! You can go outside and enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise, or just relax. You don’t have to feel guilty, because you know you have the situation completely under control.

2. * * * Improving your reading comprehension * * *

a. Try “active reading”, which means taking the time to think about what you are reading, find the main ideas, and highlight them. Have a colored pen handy to circle, underline, or place stars on important dates, names, labels, or concepts. If you come across a list, number the items in the list. Drawing a little thumbnail sketch will make an abstract idea more concrete for you.

b. Use colored pens (the brain loves color) and outline the textbook in a notebook. You should indicate main idea, topics covered, and supporting data. You could do this on the computer, but it’s not the same. The movement of writing the words helps to keep the information in memory.

c. Make up your own multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank practice tests and drill yourself like crazy until you all know it well.

3. * * * In preparation for a test:

a. Get a good night’s sleep. Your brain needs to be ready for the challenge!

b. Certain foods will help you focus. They are called “brain foods” for that reason! They are: salads, cooked or raw vegetables, and meat. Things that make you sleepy and slow: simple carbs such as chips, pasta, rice, bread, french fries, sugary foods and sodas.

4. * * * During the test:

a. First, read every question very carefully. You don’t want to make a mistake just because you read the question wrong.

b. Use your time wisely, so as you read each question the first time, decide if it is “do-able” or if it’s too hard for you. If it is too hard, skip it and come back later.

c. When you have completed all the questions you are pretty sure about, go back to the hard ones. Use the process of elimination to find the BEST answer.

d. If you get an essay question, take the time to think your answer out logically before you start writing. Make sure you hit all the important points.

f. If time allows, go back and double-check your work before you turn your test in.

You sound very motivated to succeed, so I am sure you will do a great job! Good luck!