06 Jan 2013, 4:31 am
10 Jan 2013, 2:33 am
A few randomly useful things:
Shut down your computer when not using it. Unless you have a very new computer, the long and annoying wake up time gives you time to think about whether you need to use your computer, and anticipating the long start up time might make you less likely to impulsively turn on your computer. This way, you can't impulsively go online instead of working. You can also use apps like concentrate on chrome to block yourself off of distracting sites when you need to be on the computer writing an essay or something.
Focus more on doing homework than studying. Usually, if you do your work, you master the material well enough that you don't need to study very much.
Other than that, I'm useless. I don't study. 
10 Jan 2013, 11:14 am
14 Jan 2013, 2:44 pm
Throughout college I did all my homework on a seperate computer (my laptop), which I kept free of games and any distrating programs, however, this was before facebook became known. This, in itself, is great for keeping work and free time seperate. Whenever you turn that computer on, you know it's for work, and nothing else.
ADD or not, you may simply not be wired to sit behind a desk. Many kids (especially boys) are fidgety and have a lot of energy simply because they are evolutionarily meant to be hunters, not accountants. They are meant to learn practical stuff by using their hands and bodies. Exercise is a good way to burn some of that excess energy, sports even more so, as many sports incorporate the element of a hunt (usually a ball).
This problem isn't limited to you, but millions of boys that sit in schools, not learning the way they are meant to.
Homework is where your main focus should be. It's not only a way for the school to grade your progress, but for you to help retain the knowledge you're supposed to, which in turn helps you when studying and, in the end, pass an exam.
Another way to tame the masses of homework and studying, is to prioritize. What do you need to go where you want in life?
Turning all those letters into A's will not be easy, but there are a few tips...
English: Even though it's a first language for many, there are lots of things that an be improved. Not only grammar (The X,square, triangle, circle thing, what we used to call the Playstation notation 
), but also vocabulary and spelling are still useful to learn and practice. Flash cards are one way of doing so. It can also help with your communication skills in the long run. These days, bringing in a resume with zero errors should bring a tear to any manager's eyes.
Math: Math is cold, hard logic, numbers and confusing symbols. I don't know what level "2 unit maths" is at, but it is a good place to focus since you took software development as well... Math gives you a good starting point for many algorithms and things (ie. vector calculation) that are important in programming.
1. Each discipline of math has a straightforward "key" to solving it, however the proof is usually much more confusing, and is usually taught before the "key". Reading a bit ahead in the math book can help a lot 
2. never worry about the proof unless you want to become a math professor. As long as you know the basic rules of a given discipline and you can wrangle the numbers according to the proper rules, you're doing it right
3. practice; write up problems for yourself and solve them, this is a good way to not only learn the rules, but to solve them mentally. This includes problems that have to do with formulas that are handy to remember (ie. volume of a cylinder and various conditions that exist in shapes and objects).
Chemistry: Depends on that discipline of chem you're going to do. Organic chemistry is almost a field in its own right and pertains basically to anything that has a carbon molecule in it. To get a good start on chemistry in general, I can suggest the youtube channel "periodicvids" and their periodic table of videos series. Not only does a watchthough teach a good deal about chemical properties or why they react like that, but you also get some hints into how the table works and how you can determine the chemistry of an element without having observed it. While 117 elements have been found, the chemical properties of some 150 elements have been predicted due to how the periodic table works.
Reaction diagrams are easy as pie once you know how to read the periodic table.
Music: can't tell you much about this, except that you play and read music. I've never had it on more than grade school level.
Business studies: simple math and complicated regulations is the core of this. The math you know, the regulations and structure of businesses is mostly a question of how good your memory is.
Software D&D: If you know what programming language you're going to be taught in, why not take abit of a head start? Start making small tutorials and get the hang of the basics (datatypes, loops, conditional branching (ifs)). Programming classes are not only a good way to learn how to write clean code,but since your class will most likely contain UML and OOA&D, it also gives you tools that can be useful in other projects.
engineering: math, but applied to something tangible, there will also likely bee a good deal of drawing, and again, learning about regulations and laws.
By looking at the core of the education you will recieve, you can see what is useful in your path and what isn't. If you want to become, say, a programmer, you can take some effort from the subjects you don't need that much and cram it into those that count, in that case, you should focus on math and software D&D, while music and chemistry are not that important.
Now, not using the computer is rarely an option these days, but you need to train your willpower and self-control when on the computer, at least set aside "homework time", which could be from 4-6 pm. If your trip to school is long, you take a bus or train etc., you can also set aside the travel time for a part of the homework.
You may learn Scrum in the software D&D class, which is a method for keeping development processes going. Every time school's over, you ask yourself what you need to do (write it in a calendar) and how long you have to do it. Do the most pressing homework first, and at least get STARTED with some of the less pressing homework. Make an email folder or a drawer where you have your homework stacked up in a tangible way ready for access and always in view. That way you're constantly reminded of your homework.
I hope you can use this to at least some degree, even though I come from a different educational system (where "A"'s are nearly impossible to get).
15 Jan 2013, 1:24 am
ADD or not, you may simply not be wired to sit behind a desk. Many kids (especially boys) are fidgety and have a lot of energy simply because they are evolutionarily meant to be hunters, not accountants. They are meant to learn practical stuff by using their hands and bodies. Exercise is a good way to burn some of that excess energy, sports even more so, as many sports incorporate the element of a hunt (usually a ball).
This problem isn't limited to you, but millions of boys that sit in schools, not learning the way they are meant to.
Homework is where your main focus should be. It's not only a way for the school to grade your progress, but for you to help retain the knowledge you're supposed to, which in turn helps you when studying and, in the end, pass an exam.
Another way to tame the masses of homework and studying, is to prioritize. What do you need to go where you want in life?
Turning all those letters into A's will not be easy, but there are a few tips...
English: Even though it's a first language for many, there are lots of things that an be improved. Not only grammar (The X,square, triangle, circle thing, what we used to call the Playstation notation
), but also vocabulary and spelling are still useful to learn and practice. Flash cards are one way of doing so. It can also help with your communication skills in the long run. These days, bringing in a resume with zero errors should bring a tear to any manager's eyes.Math: Math is cold, hard logic, numbers and confusing symbols. I don't know what level "2 unit maths" is at, but it is a good place to focus since you took software development as well... Math gives you a good starting point for many algorithms and things (ie. vector calculation) that are important in programming.
1. Each discipline of math has a straightforward "key" to solving it, however the proof is usually much more confusing, and is usually taught before the "key". Reading a bit ahead in the math book can help a lot
2. never worry about the proof unless you want to become a math professor. As long as you know the basic rules of a given discipline and you can wrangle the numbers according to the proper rules, you're doing it right
3. practice; write up problems for yourself and solve them, this is a good way to not only learn the rules, but to solve them mentally. This includes problems that have to do with formulas that are handy to remember (ie. volume of a cylinder and various conditions that exist in shapes and objects).
Chemistry: Depends on that discipline of chem you're going to do. Organic chemistry is almost a field in its own right and pertains basically to anything that has a carbon molecule in it. To get a good start on chemistry in general, I can suggest the youtube channel "periodicvids" and their periodic table of videos series. Not only does a watchthough teach a good deal about chemical properties or why they react like that, but you also get some hints into how the table works and how you can determine the chemistry of an element without having observed it. While 117 elements have been found, the chemical properties of some 150 elements have been predicted due to how the periodic table works.
Reaction diagrams are easy as pie once you know how to read the periodic table.
Music: can't tell you much about this, except that you play and read music. I've never had it on more than grade school level.
Business studies: simple math and complicated regulations is the core of this. The math you know, the regulations and structure of businesses is mostly a question of how good your memory is.
Software D&D: If you know what programming language you're going to be taught in, why not take abit of a head start? Start making small tutorials and get the hang of the basics (datatypes, loops, conditional branching (ifs)). Programming classes are not only a good way to learn how to write clean code,but since your class will most likely contain UML and OOA&D, it also gives you tools that can be useful in other projects.
engineering: math, but applied to something tangible, there will also likely bee a good deal of drawing, and again, learning about regulations and laws.
By looking at the core of the education you will recieve, you can see what is useful in your path and what isn't. If you want to become, say, a programmer, you can take some effort from the subjects you don't need that much and cram it into those that count, in that case, you should focus on math and software D&D, while music and chemistry are not that important.
Now, not using the computer is rarely an option these days, but you need to train your willpower and self-control when on the computer, at least set aside "homework time", which could be from 4-6 pm. If your trip to school is long, you take a bus or train etc., you can also set aside the travel time for a part of the homework.
You may learn Scrum in the software D&D class, which is a method for keeping development processes going. Every time school's over, you ask yourself what you need to do (write it in a calendar) and how long you have to do it. Do the most pressing homework first, and at least get STARTED with some of the less pressing homework. Make an email folder or a drawer where you have your homework stacked up in a tangible way ready for access and always in view. That way you're constantly reminded of your homework.
I hope you can use this to at least some degree, even though I come from a different educational system (where "A"'s are nearly impossible to get).
You have been more then helpful!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this out.
I think once I start doing that homework, assignment and studying then I should get much better marks.
15 Jan 2013, 11:23 am
VAGraduateStudent
Deinonychus
Joined: 13 Apr 2012
Age: 49
Gender: Female
Posts: 340
Location: Virginia, USA
15 Jan 2013, 8:42 pm
