At the beginning of each semester, it’s all too common for students of every level to start slacking off with their academic responsibilities. The best way to have strong grades at the end of the semester is to play strong from the beginning, and not playing “catch up” at the end of the semester.

Here at the Study Hut, we just saw our busiest period, which was finals week for most of our students. We know that after finals, students try to take it easy, but we work hard to keep them on their toes. We know that a little work now will save a lot of work later, and we love to see that work ethic pay off for our kids. We know that our methods work well because we’ve had numerous success stories from our students, which is why we invite you to give us a call to see what the Study Hut is all about. Manhattan Beach: (310) 546-2408 or Redondo Beach: (310) 540-5888

Do you find yourself struggling with math? Besides offering the best available tutoring in math, the Study Hut is here to help you with a few handy tips when it comes to doing assignments and taking exams in math.

The first step in handling math is to read the text. Most students don’t do this because they believe that their teachers will cover all that they need to know in a lecture. This is not true in all cases; some teachers will cover only part of the chapter, and expect the students to read the rest of the text on their own. The second step is to have a good sense of time management. You should complete all readings and homework assignments soon after they are assigned, and make sure that you complete it before new material is assigned or covered because math is a cumulative subject. Next, be sure to write legibly. Writing your numbers and variables clearly will save you from making minor mistakes that may cause you to lose a lot of points on assignments and tests. Also, be sure to bring your necessary materials to math class so that you are prepared to learn. Bring your calculator, textbook, notebook, pencils, and any other materials you need for math class. Another step is to show your work. Avoid the temptation to skip steps when solving a problem unless you are completely sure on what you need to do in order to solve it correctly. Also, showing your work allows you to find mistakes more easier than not showing your work, and sometimes, teachers give partial credit for showing work because the work shown may include some correct answers. Lastly, learn how to use your calculator effectively and efficiently, especially if exams are timed and you have trouble completing tests in the allotted time. Learn how to use important function keys, and get in the habit of carrying the calculator with you. It is better in the long run to become proficient with your own calculator rather than borrowing other people’s calculators.

If you still need help with your math class, please contact the Study Hut today for an appointment with one of our great math tutors. Manhattan Beach: (310) 546-2408 or Redondo Beach: (310) 540-5888

Forgetting isn’t always a good thing, contrary to plot of the movie. While the movie pokes fun at “forgetting” about things (the main character’s ex-girlfriend, in that particular case), forgetting is sometimes a sign of something more serious, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. With that being said, forgetting shouldn’t be viewed as a symptom or sign of impending mental illness (ask your doctor if you think you’re mentally ill), occasionally forgetting things is normal.

While we can’t prevent ourselves from forgetting things once in awhile, we can help take better care of our brains. Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind to keep that brain of yours healthy:

Tip #1: Eat healthy foods. I can’t stress this enough with teenagers nowadays. Fatty and heavily processed foods can acquire a negative effect in our brains synapses, and we all know that those funky little guys in your brains are important for learning and memory. Foods that can boost synapses are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in tasty salmon, walnuts and kiwi fruits.

Tip #2: Hit the gym. Exercise is a mild stressor to our body, eating up energy and releasing the chemicals called growth factors that make the brain’s neurons stronger and healthier. Stretching can also reduce stress, giving a positive impact on the memory centres of our brain. Essentially, exercising is not only good for your body, it’s also good for your brain.

Tip #3: Stimulate your brain. Give your brain a lot of stimulation by working on crossword puzzles and memory games. Studies shows that being mentally active can reduce the risks of developing dementia.

Tip #4: Play mind games on your mind. No, I’m not talking about the “playing hard to get” type of mind games. I’m talking about trying to trick your brain, or rather, quizzing it with memorizing things. Even if it’s something random like what was the name and eye color of your first crush, it’s still a form of stimulation for your mind.

Tip #5: GET PLENTY OF SLEEEEEEP!! Another thing I can’t stress further with kids is to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. While it is difficult nowadays to get that amount of sleep, with a lot of distractions from cable TV, video games, and the internet, sleep gives our brain the chance to replay the memories of the day, and consolidate them for long term storage. Studies shows that our brain can do its reviewing and re-winding much faster when we are asleep than when we are awake.

Now, I realize that none of these tips are foolproof in preventing you from forgetting, but at least you’ll find yourself mentally sharper by practicing these tips and keeping your mind razor sharp. Now go pump some iron.. into your brain, that is.

It’s not too late to jump on the “How to Survive Finals Week” bandwagon. While you only have 2 days left during Finals Week, here are a few suggestions to make a smooth transition to the end of a stressful week, and the beginning of a nice, fun, and relaxing weekend.

* Have a good night’s rest. Be sure to sleep more than 6 hours, and you won’t find yourself a sluggish zombie the day of your exam.

* Try to eat healthy. You know what they say, “a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.” Instead of cramming junk like soda, chips, and twinkies into that little mouth of yours, try eating an apple, an orange, and some yogurt.

* Set reasonable study goals, and work hard to keep at them. Don’t set aside a whole day to memorize your biology book; instead, study a chapter or two each day. If you find yourself in a “study rut,” try using color-coding and flashcards to create mini-challenges for yourself.

Remember, even though finals week is tough, hang in there, and stay focused. You can reward yourself for all your hard work after exams are over! 🙂

Residents and students of the Palos Verdes Unified School District,

There will be a free H1N1 vaccination clinic will be held at Miraleste Intermediate School on February 9, 2010. The clinic will be from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and will be located in the TAB building.

The school address is listed below:

Miraleste Intermediate School
29323 Palos Verdes Drive East
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Nowadays, kids have all sorts of commitments, and odds are, your son or daughter is one of the many that juggle academics with extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, or both. These busy students find that a weekly appointment or two at the Study Hut keeps school on their agenda, and that’s because our tutors are committed to your son or daughter’s academic needs and success.

Our energetic young staff comprises of recent college graduates who grew up in the South Bay and attended local schools such as Grand View Elementary, Meadows Elementary, Pacific Elementary, Pennekamp Elementary, Robinson Elementary, Circle of Love, Manhattan Academy, Del Sol, American Martyrs, Rolling Hills Preparatory, Manhattan Beach Middle School, Chadwick, and Mira Costa.

Every day, we work with elementary, middle, and high school students to maximize performance and learning. First, we tackle immediate concerns like upcoming due assignments, tough homework, and upcoming quizzes and tests. Organizing and prioritizing are at the top of our agenda. We set goals and orient our sessions around them. Our approach isn’t just about passing a test tomorrow – it’s about making sure your child completely understands what his or she is having difficulty learning. With the right attitude and a commitment to comprehension and study skills, our many clients turn Fs into Bs, score 4s or 5s on their AP exams, or bump up to advance level classes. Some students come to us at a point of an academic crisis, and in turn, we provide the structure and support for them to get on track and stay there. Many come because they’re doing great now, but they’re worried about the essays they’ll face as they transition to middle or high school. Others attend advance level classes, but crave even more stimulation. Students like this need enrichment, and we can focus on reading comprehension, writing exercises, mathematics, or both. The most common type of request we get though is homework help, or providing a quiet and relax environment for students to do their homework daily.

We offer the best and affordable tutoring in the South Bay, and many of our students are repeat clients that have been coming into the Hut for years. We invite parents and students who are currently not clients of ours to schedule an appointment today to see what the Study Hut Tutoring is all about. Manhattan Beach: (310) 546-2408 or Redondo Beach: (310) 540-5888

The January 23rd SAT exam is coming up in less than 2 days, and I know that there are students out there that are stressing out with some last minute prepping before taking the test this Saturday. To help any student that is taking the test this Saturday, I have come up with a few helpful “last minute” SAT tips. Read more to find out what they are.

Before the Test

1. The night before the test, make sure you have your admission ticket, valid photo ID, new batteries in your calculator, several No. 2 pencils, and energy snacks for the breaks in between the sections.

2. Get a good night’s sleep; be sure to have at least 7 hours of sleep, and don’t stay up late studying for the test. Your brain will thank you on test day.

3. Be sure to dress in layers. You’ll never know what type of room the test will be administered in, so be prepared for cold or hot temperatures. Wear a shirt, a sweater, and bring a coat or jacket. If it gets too hot, you can always take off your layers.

4. Try to go to bathroom before you leave your house, or when you get to the testing site (if you have enough time).

5. Commit to being serious about the SAT test, and try to have a positive outlook. If you worked hard, the odds are that it will pay off.

6. Eat a nutritious breakfast filled with protein like eggs, yogurt, or nuts. Don’t eat too much though, as it may cause you to get drowsy.

7. Get to the testing site early. I recommend being 20-30 minutes early in case you get lost or unforeseen incidences such as traffic, flat tire, etc. Also, be sure to know where the location is before the test day.

During the Test

8. Know where you are on the SAT test because the questions go from easiest to hardest, so the obvious answers early in a set are more likely right than at near the end of a section.

9. Make educated guesses. The math grid-in questions have no wrong-answer penalties, so it pays to guess.

10. Wear a WATCH!! Often, rooms do not have clocks, and ETS is not required to provide one.

It pays to be “overly” prepared than being “under” prepared.

It is almost time for exams! Instead of panicking and cramming it in all at the last moment, here are a few good tips for making the most out of your studying.

1. Get it done early in the day.
You tend to concentrate much better during the early hours of the morning and afternoon. If you get up at 7am and eat a light breakfast, you can easily knock out 4-5 hours of studying before you even have lunch, which means you can finish before the day is even half way over!

2. Don’t take a breaks often.
As odd as that may seem, taking breaks every hour will actually increase your risk of not studying as hard or effective as you are able to. As soon as you start of lose focus, take a quick breath, and start focusing again. Don’t go take a 10 minute break because those 10 minutes you spend on video games, TV, talking to friends, etc. may turn into 30 minutes, an hour, a few hours, etc., and before you know it, you have been distracted and wasted time when you could have just endured studying longer.

3. Study in a quiet environment.
One of the biggest distractions while studying at home is the TV and internet. Study somewhere you won’t have access to TV or the internet. If you can, try studying at your local library.

4. Emails, Instant Messaging, Facebook, Myspace – they can all wait.
Seriously, if you want to do well, you should avoid using any of these services I listed, and those I didn’t that don’t pertain to your studying. You’ll end up wasting time and getting sidetracked from your primary goal – studying.

5. Get a good night’s rest.
Sleep is very essential to normal brain functions. You’ll need at least 7-8 hours of sleep in order to be at your best for exams, so instead of burning the midnight oil the night before your exams, you should be resting.

6. Eat nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Fruits and vegetables are full of so many goodies – vitamins, nutrients and most importantly, lasting energy. The natural sugars in fruit will provide you the energy you’ll need to stay focused, while vegetables will give you the proper nutrition for your body.

7. Drink lots of water.
While drinking a lot of water may require you to use the restroom more frequently, water will keep you alert and hydrated. Remember, a hydrated body = a focused mind.

8. Review your notes.
The key to remembering information for an exam is to review your notes on a more frequent basis. Review your notes after each class, and again a few days later to ensure that the information stays fresh in your mind. You will be amazed at how much more you can retain on test day.

9. Be calm, and don’t worry.
Exams are meant to be tough, but if you prepared efficiently, then you shouldn’t worry. All your hard effort will pay off.

I hope these tips have helped. The most important tip in here is to get preparing for finals and studying done as early as possible so that you’ll have time to memorize the information you need. Good luck on your exams, everyone!!

No matter what level of school you are in, being a student means that you are given homework or assignments by different teachers, and this usually means that homework is piling up faster than a student can can manage. In order to effectively finish your homework, you will need good homework organizing skills to help you sort your assignments by date, difficulty, and subject. Here are ways to organize your homework:

1. You can organize your homework by assigning them with different colors of school materials like colored highlighters, colored stickers or labels, sticky notes, and colored folders. Assign a color for a specific subject, and when you have to do homework, simply put a colored label or sticker on top of your notebooks and folders pertaining to those classes. Remember to include the deadline for the assignments on your label. Through this, you can easily identify which subject you should prioritize and which deadlines are closest.

2. Another method is to use a calendar to write down due assignment dates. You can also use a large desktop calendar for this because it will be easier to write things down, and to be able to read them. Be sure to check it daily to see what assignments are due soon, and what you need to start working on.

3. Another example to organize your homework is to make a table in MS Word, and add several columns for: the name of the assignment, the due date, what class it is for, and a comments/notes section, where you can put your own comments and notes for that particular assignment.

4. The last way you can organize your homework is by using a medium to large white board, where you can write down reminders. This is my favorite method to organizing homework because it’s easy to clean up and it’s cheap. You should place this white board in front of your desk, if possible, so that you can view it at all times as a “reminder” to do homework or other tasks.

These are the basic ways that you should try out. You can also combine the various steps to allow you to create a more effective scheme that is tailored for your study habits, or add a variation to these methods to suit your needs.

Procrastination… it’s a problem that basically everyone has experienced at some point in their life. Whether if it’s working on a 5-page essay, finishing your homework, or studying for finals, procrastination will rear it’s ugly head if you aren’t conscious of it. Here are a few tips that will help you avoid it:

1. Do the work early.
As soon as you know that you have something important that you need to do, get started! Don’t procrasinate on even a simple task like reading. The longer you wait to get started on the assignment, the more you’ll be stressed out if something comes up at the last minute, and you aren’t able to finish your reading assignment. So remember, GET STARTED EARLY TO AVOID LAST MINUTE PROBLEMS.

2. Take small breaks while working.
Even just a small break can bring you back to your work with more energy and stamina to keep working. A break every 2-3 hours is usually a good idea when doing a long term job.

3. Set a reward for yourself for completing a task.
This doesn’t have to be expensive. If you are working on a paper or studying for an exam, reward yourself by having a sweet treat, or do something fun when you finish, but try to avoid watching TV or playing games if you are studying. Those “rewards” will often set you back in being efficient. Remember this: decide on your reward before you start your work. This will keep you from putting the job off and staying focused on your tasks.

4. Eliminate distractions and get rid of them (at least, temporarily).
If the television or radio is on, it may be hard to focus on that test or paper you are working on, so TURN IT OFF. If you’re getting texts or calls from your friends, TURN OFF YOUR CELL. Use common sense; what’s more important – your grades or chatting with your friends? You have to set yourself up with an environment that will cause you to win.

Even though procrastination is may not be an easy thing to overcome, with some hard work and planning ahead, you can become successful in avoiding procrastination.