ADHD and School - How to Succeed

It's really not that difficult to imagine that someone with ADHD or ADD might have trouble with school. Between having to focus for a long time to having to sit still for what feels like even longer, ADHD and school just don't seem to mix.

However, there are quite a few things ADHD students can do to improve their school results. One of the things is to change the way they study. Most ADHD students do better while studying in a quiet place, free from distractions. If they study at the same time each day, they are more likely to be able to focus during that time, as they will have trained their brain that this time is time to focus.

Another study tip for students with ADHD is to find a specific study technique or system and follow it religiously. One of the best systems for this is the Pomodoro Technique, which involves using a timer set for 25 minutes to regulate study time, followed by a brief 5 minute break to refresh.

ADHD students also benefit from learning and applying a memory system, such as the loci method or other visualization techniques. This makes remembering things a more active and involved process, leading to higher recall during tests and at other times.

All this is well and great for studying, but what about tests? ADHD and studying is one thing - students usually have some degree of control over their surroundings while studying. But tests are a different story altogether. There is pressure to perform and unavoidable distractions and noises from the surrounding students. What are some things that ADHD students can do to maximize their productivity during tests?

For starters, ADHD students can usually request some sort of accommodation, and teachers usually grant it. For some, taking the test by themselves, or at least separated from the rest of the class, can lessen distractions and greatly increase focus.

During tests, students are encouraged to "distract themselves." Of course, this doesn't mean to actually distract themselves, but instead means to change physical positions, take a deep breath, look around the room or up at the ceiling. If students can successfully "create distractions" like this, they are less likely to succumb to real distractions.

Finally, students should always be on their guard against carelessness. Double-checking answers should be a matter of course, and writing neatly not only keeps the grader happy, it keeps the student's brain organized.

How To Pick The Best ACT Study Course To Improve Your Test Score

Since your ACT test score can determine what schools you can get into and whether you can qualify for scholarships to pay tuition, picking the best ACT study course to help you get a high score is critical.

Will Your Student Complete the Course? Really?

The first rule in picking an ACT test study course is ensuring that it is something that your student will actually complete. The traditional courses that are offered at the school every Tuesday night from 6-8 PM for 8 weeks are not really well liked. As a matter of fact, my buddy jokes about how they would leave after one hour during the break and just go to McDonald's.

The last thing a student wants to do after sitting in class all day is come back and sit in class for two more hours after supper. This option is only viable for the most highly motivated students.

The same goes for expensive tutoring companies who will charge you upwards of $2000 and make your student keep coming back again and again in order to justify the high price tag.

Online Video Is The Answer

The best option for teens nowadays is to present the information in a way that they enjoy: online video. Online video courses have the following advantages:

Videos can be watched again and again, so you can study at your own pace

Videos can be watched anywhere where you have WiFi, so there is no transportation hassle

Videos are generally shorter and easier to digest as compared to hour-long lectures

Important Online Video Considerations

The course you select should be short and offer quick results so that you don't sink a lot of time and money into a losing proposition. A money-back guarantee is a must, and a proven track record is non-negotiable.

Find a course from an outfit that has a good online presence and offers free videos with test tips so that you can get a 'free sample.'

By the way, you can watch free 60 second ACT Test Tip Videos without having to give your name or email address by going HERE

Studying for the ACT anywhere, online with short video clips makes the ACT a breeze.

5 Types of First Aid Courses

Most professions nowadays require employees to undertake a first aid course as part of their training. However, not all employees have to enroll in the same type of course, as different workplaces may have different first aid training requirements. Read below to find out more about the various types of first aid courses that exist, as well as who should participate in them.

• Standard or Basic First Aid Course:

This type of course, sometimes referred to as Emergency First Aid, is especially created for the general public. It covers all the basic principles of first aid training, and it is meant for people who do not work in places where accidents are very likely to occur or in workplaces without specific first aid requirements. A standard first aid course is also suitable for pupils, students, stay at home parents, or elderly people.

• Advanced First Aid Course:

Apart from the standard principles of first aid, this type of course also deals with the use of oxygen and automated external defibrillators (AED) when taking care of victims. The Advanced First Aid Course, which is sometimes called Advanced Life Support, is most suitable for first aid employees or mangers of first aid facilities. This course is also useful for any employee working in a facility equipped with an oxygen tank and mask and an AED.

• Aquatic or Marine First Aid Course:

This is a specific type of first aid course, meant for people who work as lifeguards, sailors, rescue divers, or any other profession involving activities performed on or in the water. The aquatic first aid course deals with specific situations, such as pulling a victim out of the water or providing care for a victim that cannot reach a medical facility very fast (which can occur, for example, when a ship is stranded at sea).

• Wilderness First Aid Course:

Also called Remote or Outdoors First Aid, this course teaches participants how to provide first aid in remote locations, where the arrival professional medical help can be delayed and where there is no access to specialized equipment. Wilderness First Aid Course is fit for mountain rescue, professional hikers, or the average citizen who enjoys spending time in the great outdoors.

• Mental Health First Aid Course:

Not only physical ailments require first aid intervention. In a Mental Health First Aid Course, participants can learn how to provide support for people affected by mental illnesses or for someone who is undergoing a stressful situation. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn the first signs of a mental disease; in this way, the will be able to guide the person in question towards adequate medical help. This type of course is most appropriate for physiologists and school counselors.

These are some of the most important first aid courses available for employees. Other specific training courses include Babysitter Training, Battlefield First Aid, Hydrofluoric Acid First Aid, or Dog and Cat First Aid. So, you see, whatever your profession may be, you can surely find a first aid course that is just right for you.

Beginning Public Speaking In Your Classroom

This procedure will work well in all year levels from Prep to Year Seven.

When you join a public speaking club such as Rostrum or Toastmasters, you would have to do a series of speeches to develop your skill. The first speech you would do would have the title: 'About Me'. It is regarded as the easiest speech to do because the speaker already knows the content and only needs to think about the delivery of the speech.

I always demonstrate the speech. I make sure my 'demo' is on the ideas I suggest they have in their speech and is as long as I want it. To get some interest I often make it a funny demonstration speech.

The length can vary from 20 seconds in prep to perhaps one minute in Year Seven. Thus the lesson will take from 30 to 60 minutes. I approach lower school classes differently to those in the middle school. Here is how I proceed.

Lower school:

I can ask the children to:

1. Come out to the front of the room and stand beside you. 

2. Introduce themselves to the class. 

3. Say how old they are. 

4. Mention their favourite game or their favourite food or even T.V. show.

Middle school:

1. I suggest that they talk on three or four things about themselves. These should be expanded on, not just stated. They, of course, introduce themselves if I don't have a chair person. 

2. Each child, after you have given the instructions, sits at their desk and writes in note form what they plan to say. (3-4 minutes only). 

3. Each child has a practice alone. (2 -3 minutes). 

4. Then students are paired off. Here each student does his/her speech with notes using the partner as the audience. Then he/she repeats the speech without notes. (Allow up to 10 minutes). 

5. Then the class becomes the audience for all the speeches. 

6. The speech must be delivered without notes. The teacher may intervene to help a struggling student by giving hints on what to say. Tell them that no one knows what they are going to say so no one knows if they have made a mistake or have made it all up. 

7. Remind them to look at and to speak to their audience and that everyone wants them to make a good speech (for them). 

8. For older classes, you should sit down the back of the room. 

9. It is also important to teach the class how to be a good audience. In other words, what your expectations are for the audience? 

10. In the upper grades, I might also have a chairperson. It is important to demonstrate the role of the chair by doing the first couple of introductions. 

11. In the middle years, you could also have a time keeper with a bell.

Teacher's Role:

There is a major development role for the teacher in this lesson. I always:

- Review each speech mentioning the good points first. 

- Offer advice for improvement. 

- Ask students in the class to offer the suggestions in the above points. However, they must be in a positive form. I, too, could add further points or clarify them. 

- Comment as I go on audience participation and behaviour.

Controversy Over the New Post-9/11 GI Bill

If you are looking to further your education and are attached to the military in any way, make sure you take full advantage of your military education benefits. Don't let it go to waste. There are a few things you should be aware of first. Specifically, there has been some negative coverage pertaining to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill 2.0. This article explains what the controversy is about and gives you tips for avoiding the challenges of this new Bill.

What exactly is the GI Bill?

This is actually a variety if bills in place to help active military, veterans and their family members pay for a higher level of education. This involves financial assistance for education-related expenses such as tuition, books, supplies and housing allowances.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill

The US Department of Veteran Affairs describes this new Bill as "financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill."

Where does the controversy come from?

Benefits that were left out of the new bill that may have an effect on some of the students currently going to school on the Bill

Confusion about what the Post-9/11 Bill does or does not contain

According to Tom Tarantino, author of New GI Bill 2.0: 400,000 Student Vets No Longer Left Behind,Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) are working to amend the bill to include many of the benefits that were lost and are "fighting to remove the 'payer of last resort' provision that punishes student veterans for receiving academic scholarships, (and) are also working to restore summer and winter break living stipends."

How to Minimize these Challenges

The new Post-9/11 GI Bill will likely still have its challenges. If this is something you would rather avoid, follow this advice:

Check out the traditional Montgomery GI Bill and see if it works better for you.

Make sure you are eligible for whatever benefits you choose to pursue.

Do your research. The more thorough you are, the more successful you will be in your educational pursuits.

Contact your local College or Trade School to find out how to use your military education benefits to your greatest advantage and start your educational path today.

How to Arrange a Bee Hive Removal

Honey bees are some of the most fascinating and productive insects that most people are likely to encounter in their day-to-day lives. They pollinate our flowers and crops, and provide honey for the breakfast table. Unfortunately, bees are being threatened by diseases like Colony Collapse Disorder -- a mysterious die-off that has been in the news recently.

So when they move into unwanted spaces, it is important to safely remove them intact whenever possible. Let's take a look at the life of a honey bee colony, and what to do if you encounter honey bees that need to be removed.

Honey bee hives

A bee hive is organized around the life of the queen bee who is the parent of every bee in the colony. All of the bees in a hive are female, except for drones. Their job is simple -- mate with the queen to ensure the survival of the hive. One bee hive can contain up to 100,000 bees.

Swarms

Contrary to the image portrayed by some Hollywood movies, bee swarming is not an aggressive activity. It is a natural response to population pressures and is the way that bees ensure their survival. When the time is right, about half of the bees in a colony will exit the hive, along with a new queen. Usually, they will alight as one mass on a branch of a nearby tree or other structure.

If you should encounter such a clump of bees, do not be afraid. If they have not been there long, they are normally quite peaceful at this time. The reason is that before leaving their parent hive, they have gorged themselves on honey. A full bee is a happy bee.

The best thing to do is slowly back away and call your pest control company. They can either come out themselves to remove the swarm or put you in touch with a local beekeeper who can perform the removal. Sometimes, free bee hive removals are available.

Do not spray the bees or attempt to remove them yourself. This will only make them aggressive. Normally, a swarm is unaggressive since they have no young or honey to defend.

If they are clumped in a swarm, they tend to be very easy to remove at this stage. The pest control professional or beekeeper can simply scoop them into a box to be taken away. Some structures can present a problem, but swarm removal is normally a fairly easy process.

Established hives

It is when bee colonies move into unwanted structures, particularly homes, that the situation can become more tricky. Bees prefer wooden structures that are sheltered from the elements, making houses a common destination. They tend to build under a home's eaves or inside the walls.

This type of removal is not always a free bee hive removal, since boards may need to be pried loose and replaced, and specialized equipment may be required. However, the outcome is usually good if the bees can be accessed.

A bee keeper or someone else who is a specialist in bee hive removal can provide the option of relocating the bee hive without having to destroy the hive or the bees. While you may not like the insects, bees do play a key role in pollinating plants. Without them, the ecosystem would struggle. By calling a bee keeper or other specialist, you have the opportunity to protect the bees and preserve their colony and also help the ecosystem out. Too many people simply destroy the bees because it is easier to spray the hive, kill the bees, and then remove the hive than it is to call a specialist in to help you sort things out.

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