Fashion Design Skills 101: Skills That Fashion Schools Don't Cover Nearly Enough

In fashion school, most of your time was spent learning to create fashion illustrations, draping, sewing, and flat patternmaking. While these are good skills to have, they aren't very practical when you're trying to land your first job in the fashion industry. In the real world you'll be expected to know how to create computerized flat sketches, develop garment specs, CADs, and presentation boards. And I know some of you are thinking "But I learned those things in school too!" To which I reply: You think you know, but you have no idea! Take it from experience: fashion schools don't focus on those skills nearly enough to fully prepare you for your first design position. In this article I will discuss each skill and its importance in the fashion industry.

Draping and Patternmaking - Low Importance
While patternmaking and draping are valuable skills, they usually only come in handy when you deal with a lot of fits. However, fittings are usually conducted by technical design teams so if you got into fashion for creative reasons, you'll most likely be miserable in this type of position. On the creative side of design, all you need is a basic understanding of what creates a good fit, and how to fix a bad one. In the majority of design positions, hands-on patternmaking skills are not necessary, unless you plan to enter Project Runway!

Sewing - Low Importance
On the creative side of design, sewing isn't that relevant. Yes, it's good to understand the general concepts of garment construction, but you don't need to be a great seamstress. On the job, if you need to know how a certain garment is constructed, there are tons of references available: from clothes at the stores, to "how to" books and online articles. The point I'm trying to make is: if you're sewing skills leave something to be desired, don't stress over it.

Illustration - Almost Unnecessary
Sadly, fashion illustrations are a dying art in the industry - they are scarcely used by designers in the real world. The fashion illustration has been replaced with computer drawn stylized technical sketches (floats) or more accurate technical flats, which are faster to sketch and much more practical. Not only do they present a clear representation of design concept, but they are a must have for production. Flats can be turned into CADs and can be used in mood/presentation boards. Fashion schools have not followed this shift and still focus more heavily on illustrations, and not enough on flat sketching.

Computer Programs - Must Know
I can't stress enough the importance of knowing popular computer applications for creating floats, flats and CADs. Most companies expect proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft Excel since they are relatively affordable in comparison to more industry specific software. Unfortunately, the coverage of Illustrator and Photoshop provided by fashion schools does not meet the actual demands of the fashion industry. Many companies are also requesting knowledge of WebPDM, so if your college offers a course in this program, it would be to your benefit to take it. If your school does not teach this program, find a school or venue that does offer this program and take it!

Flat Sketching - Must Know
While interviewing candidates for design positions, we've seen applicants' portfolios filled with beautiful illustrations and then say "That's nice, but can you flat sketch?" If flats are included in their portfolios, they are usually basic, lack important details, and are not visually appealing. If the candidates sketches are halfway decent; my next question is "do you know Illustrator and Photoshop? " Almost everyone says yes, but it's usually far from the truth.

A lot of fashion school grads seriously believe that they know these programs well, but what you learned in school isn't enough - fashion schools don't teach these skills well enough for entry level designers to be competent within the fashion industry. Schools just cover basics, which are usually forgotten without practice. Take the extra effort to practice and become comfortable with Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and other programs beyond what schools teach: read books and take additional courses (offered in either classroom or online settings).

Creating Specs in a Copycat Industry - Must Know
Knowing how to spec (measure and detail) a garment to create garment specifications, or "specs" is a fundamental skill. Many companies create their spec sheets using Excel. Although garment sizes and measurements vary from company to company, depending on different market segments and categories, if you know the principles, you'll be able to quickly adapt to the standards of any company. You don't even need to know how to develop specs from scratch!

As a head designer, to set spec standards for a company, I usually went to different stores, found garments with a good fit and copied the basic measurements. This is quite common - the fashion industry is a copycat industry- most fashions hanging in the stores are knock-offs of another company. Once, during a shopping trip in London, a store salesperson noticed I was a fashion designer collecting style ideas. He mentioned that his store received a constant flow of American design companies such as Calvin Klein, whose designers come to knockoff their merchandise. That's right - even top designer brands use knockoffs for their ready-to-wear collections. There are even official terms: a "knockoff" is when a style is copied and a "rub-off" is when patterns are copied.

Educate Yourself!
Many fashion schools such as FIT in New York (Fashion Institute of Technology) offer important classes like "flats and specs for the fashion industry", but believe it or not, these courses are not required by the curriculum! Another handy course that should be taken is "creative fashion presentation." Salespeople use presentations a lot as visual aids. In addition they create a good impression and convey creativity level. If you can make outstanding presentations you'll be assigned to do them often, and believe me it's more fun to make boards than do fits or send faxes and organize showrooms.

To sum up: in order to get a job before the rest of the entry level fashion design candidates, you need to focus on refining skills that are highly demanded in the industry. Become proficient with flat sketching, include flats in your portfolio, and be extremely comfortable and knowledgeable in Illustrator and Photoshop. Not only will you be ready with the skills you need to succeed in fashion, but discussing how you went the extra mile to keep up with industry standards will definitely impress any prospective employer!

For your reference we've posted quite a few industry standard examples of flat sketches and CADs in JPEG and vector (Illustrator) formats on www.fashionfrog.com. If you can improve your skills to reach the quality of those shown, you'll be in a very good shape!

© 2008 Designers Nexus Inc. All rights reserved. First published at FashionFrog.com.

author

Natalie Nizhny

A NYC fashion designer, Natalie has traveled Europe and Asia for shopping, researching trends, and manufacturing. In a 14 year career, she's gained an insight in the fashion industry, and trained designers with her extensive knowledge of the global market. Due to popular demand in response to her advice and design training, she created a fashion resource center at FashionFrog.com.

How school discourages learning

Once people stopped forcing me to study certain things, I found out I was actually interested in them after all.

While I was in school, I avoided thinking about subjects like Biology and Science and Maths in my free time. But now, months after graduation, I often find myself very interested in things like what makes plants work, and various other things that I always refused to think about any time other than in school. The reason? Nobody's forcing me to think about it now. I feel free to think about whatever I want, whenever I want.

If my dad wanted to explain to me what nutrients a mushroom (for example), lives on, just a few months ago I would have ignored what he said. But now, I actually am trying to grow some mushrooms (the edible kind), and the more information I have, the better. Imagine just how proud my Biology teacher would have been if I was growing mushrooms back in school... that's probably why I didn't. People trying to encourage me to do things that other people have decided that I should do really discourage me instead.

This is why schools don't work. Education is so over-generalized that everyone has to learn the same stuff, and students aren't encouraged to spend time on things that THEY would rather learn about. About 2 years ago I started learning HTML and making my own website. If I had to do some Maths homework, but would rather work on my site, my teachers would have no sympathy for that. It was the whole "we don't care what you would rather do" attitude of the teachers that made me hate their subjects, not the actual subjects themselves. Every time somebody would try to "nudge" me into doing something related to a subject in my free time, I would just go do something that _I_ chose for myself instead.

You could say this is stupid, and you could say students should continue to be interested in aspects of subjects that interest them, instead of avoiding them because they're taught at school. But you can't tell students how to feel. If the way they're expected to learn things makes them disinterested in those things, it's not the students' fault. It's the school system's fault, and you can't change the way millions of students feel about school, but if you REALLY want to, you CAN change the school system

Home Schooling Online Important Data

The idea of home schooling is broadly recognized nowadays, there are many factors involved in deciding to home school, one of these is usually that you feel that your child is not exhibiting any change for the better in the regular school system and would benefit from your individual attention, but there are many more factors to consider. What information about home schooling online do you need to help you make a decision?

There are only a few guides which can provide assistance to make home schooling easier and so you will know how to start a home school and progress further with your aims here is some information about home schooling online.

The first step even before you start seeking approval from the authorities is to decide whether you are qualified to teach your child. Home schooling is not just restricted to the basics but will include all the essential subjects that would be taught in a traditional school, only the set up differs. Obviously it is important to be legally recognized and to do this you need to meet all the requirements set out by your local school officials.

Also, do not impose your decision on your child. Some children do not benefit from a home-school environment and if there is any doubt you may need to think again. This is because altering the way they are taught might affect their and mindset thus hampering their progress. When you have reached a final decision, several other points have to be taken care of. Depending on the type of education your child needs i.e. high school or basic you have to decide on the subjects that are going to be taught. The fundamentals to be covered in higher grade levels will include complex topics.

Another important piece of information on home schooling online to be kept in mind is what are your State laws related to home schooling, you can be certain that there will be variations from one area to another. Check with your local government officers they will be able to tell you the requirements and what you need to do. Your child's education is only recognized when it is authorised by the education governing bodies.

In the United States and Canada, the trend towards home schooling has been increased tremendously as a matter of choice. This provides an opportunity for links between home schooling parents through the Internet for networking and support and to obtain more information on home schooling. Here, they can exchange tips and give their own ideas regarding various aspects of home schooling. Such give-and-take of thoughts will be beneficial for you and your child. Another benefit is that it will support you as you work toward your goal of setting up a home school.

It is understood that when a child is home schooled, they can enjoy a certain level of freedom. This is not practical in a regular school. Still, it is advised that you get your child engaged in a schedule and projects which will be an aid to the learning process. You will thus understand where and how further improvement can be made.

There are different ways of teaching a child. Nonetheless, the same learning mode might not be applicable to everyone. So, you would need to try various methods and decide which one gives the best results. If your child is not learning or getting better, all the work you put in will be in vain. Now, here you would be required to apply your knowledge and to understand what basic tools are needed for home schooling. The concept is similar to a class in a normal school which would have a proper set up. While teaching at home, there should be sufficient area where the classes can be taken.

The final piece of information on home schooling online I would like to touch on is the money aspect which should be within your limitations. Once you're certain what is required, forecast the overall cost and whether or not it suits your pocket. There are certain ways to lower the cost; however, it will require some research. Browse the net and check if you can benefit from any rebates or discounts on books or other items demanded. Alternatively you can buy in bulk when you know what materials will be employed in the future.

Take the Most Effective Notes in College

Organization and diligence are paramount to success in college courses. It is up to you, the student, to understand the course material that is presented through various avenues including class lectures, textbook readings and assignments. Attending class lectures is extremely important because professors often emphasize valuable information that is critical to succeeding on the test. Taking detailed, accurate and legible notes will help you grasp the organization of material and will benefit you greatly at study time. Below are some simple note-taking techniques you can employ to help boost your test grades:

-Keep notes organized with lecture dates and chapter numbers. Staying organized helps ensure that you are not missing important material when you study for a test. Writing the date on all of your notes will help you stay organized should the pages get out of order, and also help remind you if you have missed any class meetings for which you need to get the notes. Likewise, noting the chapters being discussed in each lecture will help keep your notes organized and make it easy to reference material for which you need clarification or reiteration.

-Summarize important points and abbreviate words. Professors often speak quickly when lecturing. As a student, you will likely not have enough time to write down the lecture word for word, which is why summarizing material and abbreviating words is helpful. Rather than attempting to write down the lecture verbatim, summarize the most important points being covered by the professor. Be sure to include key terms, dates and names in your summary. If you create abbreviations of your own, be sure to make them obvious or make a side note of what each abbreviation means to avoid confusion later.

-Revisit your notes after class. After a class session of note taking, it is a good idea to read through your notes while the lecture material is fresh on your mind. The point of doing this is to be sure that your notes will be legible and understandable when you revisit them later. Many students find it beneficial to take this process a step further and rewrite or type their class notes. Not only does this give you a more streamlined set of notes to reference later, it reiterates the material, making it easier to learn.

-Read between the lines. Sometimes professors make note taking easy by specifying “this will be on the test.” When you are given such a valuable piece of information, be sure to highlight or otherwise notate its importance in your study material. Professors often provide insight into test material in more subtle ways as well. For instance, a professor may repeat a certain concept more than once, or mention “this is important,” “be sure to know this” or “you will see this again.” These clues should be noted as well to help ensure that you study the appropriate material. It is also a good idea to study heavily concepts that are emphasized in both lecture and the textbook.

-If appropriate, make recordings of lectures. For professors who approve, recording lectures is a good way to ensure that you do not miss important material covered during class. While you should still take notes during the lecture, a mini-recorder can help you fill in the blanks in your notes later if there is something you have missed. Listening to key parts of recorded lectures may also help you study, since material presented in a variety of ways is easier to remember.

Successful note taking is a skill that may take some practice to master. Developing and fine-tuning your own approach to thorough note-taking will help improve the quality of your notes as well as your grades.

Online Education - Know What You're Getting Worth Your Time

When it comes to online education, there is so much information out there. Over the past few years, online learning has really moved up the ranks as far as education options are concerned. There are many reasons that people are interested in online learning education, and if this sounds like you, you should consider getting started in this area. The fact of the matter is that you can learn quite a bit with this type of education without ever having to take a seat in the classroom. To some people it does not get any better than this. But before you get started with online learning education you will want to know where you can search for information on this way of doing things. After all, you will need this information so that you can stay ahead of the game and make the right decision. Ask other people you know if they have ever taken online classes. Chances are that if you ask around enough you will find somebody who has. This is a great way to get first hand information from people who you trust.

The best place to gather information concerning online learning education is quite obvious; you should start your search online! Since these institutions are based online they put a lot of time and effort into making plenty of information available via the internet. You should be able to find a webpage as well as detailed information on any online learning education school that you are interested in attending. A simple search will turn up all of the information that you could ever need. Another way to learn about online learning education is to give the institution a call. Even though these schools offer their courses online, they will more than likely have several numbers that you can call if you are interested in more information.

This will allow you to get in touch with people such as financial aid and admissions officers. By talking with them you will be able to get a better feel for what online learning education is all about. Not to mention the fact that they can answer any questions that you may have. Finally, do not forget that you can simply talk with others who are experienced with online learning education. Ask other people you know if they have ever taken online classes. Chances are that if you ask around enough you will find somebody who has. This is a great way to get first hand information from people who you trust.

All in all, online learning education is more popular today than it has ever been in the past. If you are interested in this way of learning, you really need to consider getting as much information as you can before you get started. When you know all there is to know about online learning education you will have a much easier time making a choice on when and how to get started.

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to Google Adsense, do please browse for more information at our websites. http://www.greateducationonline.com

Online Career Schools

Are you interested in enhancing your career prospects without going to colleges and attending regular classes? If you are interested in continuing your studies at your own leisure and make a job change or better progression in your current job, whenever you get time, then the answer for you lies in the online career schools.

What are online career schools?

Online career schools are the best places to earn online degrees in any subject. When you go through the various websites searching for the right kind of degree you would find that there are names of the schools and colleges mentioned besides the degree or diploma programs. These are the online career schools where you need to register yourself for earning a degree.

Features of online career schools

There are some distinguished features of the online career schools which make them different from the traditional community schools and colleges. The features of online career schools are:

a) The accreditations of the online career schools depend on the close links that they maintain with the local business houses. In fact you can find that this link has its impact on the course curriculum of these schools. The traditional schools do not need to maintain such relationship with the business houses and therefore the curriculum followed by them are different from those followed by the online career schools.

b) The online career schools are not overseen by the state board of governors. The Accrediting Council for Independent Schools and Colleges is the institute with which they work and ensure that the standard of education imparted by them are at par with those offered by the traditional schools and colleges offering distance education programs.

Advantages of online career schools

No traditional institution would offer you so many advantages such as the online career schools. The advantages that you can enjoy in any online career school are the following:

i) Helping you determining your aptitude: Some of the sites offering you online degrees have a system of aptitude test. This aptitude test is to determine your professional strength and the ways in which you can utilize them properly. After you succeed in this aptitude test you can find out the courses that are suitable for you. ii) No need to be physically present in a class: Generally the online classes are held in the own website of the online career schools, though there might be some exceptions. You would find all the lectures and the course materials posted in the site and you can post your questions or suggestions regarding the course material in the bulletin board. iii) Help at hand: When you register in an online career school you would have an academic instructor to help you with your curriculum. You can also sought the help of the fellow classmates for studying iv) Cost effective: The cost of studying depends on the schools and the programs that you choose. The cost of a credit range somewhere between less than $100 to $300. You might have to pay additional registration and enrollment charges if necessary. Moreover you do not need to pay for the tuition charges. Combine with them the cost that you save on fuel, parking and food that you need to pay if you were studying in a traditional school or institute, and you would find that it is always better to go for an online career school.

If you want to have more information on the available online career schools visit the site http://www.topeducationguide.com

Top Education Guide is a comprehensive directory of colleges, universities, online career schools, trade schools, vocational training and online degree programs. You can quickly search through our database of online and campus college locations to find the right degree program best suited for advancing your professional goals. Start searching today, find a degree, and discover a rewarding new career.

Online Vocational Training Courses

When you search for the online vocational training courses you would find various choices in front of you. But before you choose any course it is better that you do a research to know which vocational training course would offer you a better job opportunity.

Some of the online vocational training courses that are worth mentioning are:

a) Animal Care Programs: This is an important online vocational training course which helps you to become a veterinary, animal groomer or veterinary technician. The specific programs that are offered by the online colleges are

i) Veterinary Assistant Program ii) Pet Groomer Program iii) Dog Obedience Trainer/Instructor iv) Professional Animal Care Specialist Program

The online vocational schools that offer these courses are Ashworth University, Penn Foster Career School.

Job Prospects: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics among all the occupations, the prospects of this career option will be much higher by the year 2014. As pet owners also become affluent, there will be increasing prospect in the field of animal trainers.

b) Cosmetology: This vocational course which is available online will let you know a lot about the beauty industry and the various areas in which you can specialize include the following:

i) Beauty Therapist Diploma Course ii) Beauty Salon Management iii) Beauty Makeup Professional iv) Holistic Beauty Therapist Diploma v) Manicure and Pedicure vi) Teenage Beauty Makeover Specialist Diploma Course

Job Prospects: After the completion of any of these vocational courses you can get a job as a fashion consultant, teacher, make up specialist and many more

c) Gunsmith Courses: According to a survey the Americans own about 200 million guns and therefore no wonder that there is increasing employment for knowledgeable people in this field. The course offered is: i) Professional Gunsmithing Program The online vocational institutes imparting this course are Penn Foster Career School and Ashworth University.

Job Prospects: If you have an interest in firearms then you can turn your interest into your hobby and it can be taken either as part time or as a full time career option.

d) Tourism and Travel: Tourism and travel is another great vocational training option that you can have online. The courses that are offered include

i) Professional Travel Career Program ii) Travel Agent

If you want to do any of these courses then you can either register with Ashworth University or with Penn Foster Career School

Job Prospects: After finishing this course you can work as a travel agent, become a professional in offering vacation packages and can also start your own travel agency.

e) Wedding Planner: After completion of this online vocational course you can be a floral designer, bridal consultant or caterer. The courses that are offered are: i) Professional Bridal Consultant ii) The Bridal Consultant Program

These courses are offered by Penn Foster Career School and Ashworth University.

Job Prospects: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 10% of the US citizens consult a wedding planner before they go for marriage. The completion of the course makes you eligible for opening a wedding planner consultancy, work as wedding designer and floral designer.

These along with the other vocational courses offer good career opportunities for people who opt for online vocational training courses.

More information is offered in the site http://www.topeducationguide.com

Top Education Guide is a comprehensive directory of colleges, universities, career schools, trade schools, online vocational training and degree programs. You can quickly search through our database of online and campus college locations to find the right degree program best suited for advancing your professional goals. Start searching today, find a degree, and discover a rewarding new career.

Distance Learning College Degree - The Wise Way To Not Get Suckered Into A Useless Distance Learning College Degree

Technology and Internet speeds are closing the gap between distance learning and on-campus education. However there are times where a distance learning college degree program can be different enough to cause you some serious problems. Because of this you need to be aware of how your distance learning degree requirements differ from a standard degree, and you will want to know how your employer views the degree as well.

It would be in your best interest to investigate a company’s requirements and all the other parts of a distance learning college degree before you sign up for one. And also make sure that getting a distance learning college degree is going to accelerate your career or accomplish whatever other personal goals you are trying to accomplish. Just because these colleges use the Internet does not mean that distance learning degree is going to be cheap. It would be financially foolish to invest years of your time and thousands of dollars into a degree that you find out is not recognized.

The first step to take is to talk to your HR rep for your company. You will want to see if a degree from a distance learning college will help or hinder your chances for career advancement.

Some HR directors still think of distance learning as the old school correspondence courses and thus think them useless. So make sure to find out your companies stance on this issue before you enroll.

Check On The Requirements As Well

From the college side of the equation it is important to know the requisite courses to earn a degree from distance learning. Some schools have different degree requirements if you are pursuing a degree via distance learning versus an on-campus degree. So make sure to know the degree requirements before you jump in and make sure you are able to complete them on your schedule. The fact is that you are still pursuing a college degree and there are time requirements with any degree, so know exactly what kind of hours and which events demand a scheduled event.

When it comes to distance learning the details matter a lot and you need to be certain that the degree you will receive will serve your career.

Homeschooling - The Darker Side

It's not all hunky-dory and smooth sailing on the homeschooling front. Like all things in life, there is a downside that has to be seriously considered when you explore the homeschooling option. Though one man's bane may be another man's boon, there are certain common reasons for concern.

The responsibility of teaching your child rests solely on you. You cannot blame anyone else if your child is seen wanting in the skills that his peers excel in. If your child cannot do the things that are expected from other children of his age group, it reflects badly on you as an educator as well as a parent.

A critical part of homeschooling is the time that you have to spend with your children. You may have to give up your friends, shopping and other entertainment and dedicate all these to your child. This can become frustrating at times. You have to learn to take the aggravation with equanimity and wait for the rewards with patience and enthusiasm.

A parent who is dedicated to tutor his or her child single handedly does not realistically have much time left over for a career. This means that the family is robbed of an additional source of income. In turn, this may lead to stress over finances. You will have to train yourself to live on a strictly controlled budget. While this is a matter of habit, it does need some getting used to.

You cannot take a break when you feel like it. Feelings of guilt will assail you if you neglect studies just because you are feeling blue. You also fear that the child will take advantage of the situation. Even when you have given homework, you have to be around to give a helping hand. This means that anytime your child is around you, you are on duty! For some, this may mean working every waking hour. The child studying at home also needs to get out more. This comes from staying at home all the time. Interaction with adults and other children needs to be given special attention.

Children tutored at home cannot develop in the various directions that are open to children attending public schools. To achieve that kind of exposure, you either have to be a super-parent skilled in everything, or enroll your child to various activities. This may not only prove too costly, but also be counter-productive.

It is sometimes observed that homeschooled children do not do as well in SAT tests as their school-going counterparts. Without a diploma or a GED, some students find it difficult to get into the military.

Lastly, if you envision enrolling your child to a public school, there may be a certain period of emotional as well as social adjustment. A child who is used to being at home for the whole day and enjoying so much of uncontained freedom may have to undergo some distressing emotional upheavals before he or she gets used to the rigors of a regular school life.

Online Degree University: Take Classes On Your Schedule

Busy people today believe they have no time in their lives for college, but they are more wrong than ever before. A variety of options make it feasible for a person with a full-time job and family to continue his education, including an online degree university. A degree from an online university gives students flexibility and can help their dream of a degree come true.

Dreams shouldn't be derailed because of a busy life. A college degree is the first step to a variety of future options. People who have earned degrees are proven to make more money than those who have no degree. Wouldn't the extra income be a great benefit for your family and give you extra peace of mind? If you agree, it's time to investigate an online degree university.

Because an online degree university is located online, the best way to search about the topic is to search online. There are lots of different distance learning degree options that you can look into. You might choose to go into business or computers, which are two of the most popular degree options available to you when you go to school online.

You will find that there are also various programs that can help you further your career. Try looking into an online masters degree. You might even get that promotion that you have been looking for. Don't let a busy life stand between you and that raise. Get going to school online today!

You can easily locate an online degree university. Literally hundreds are available that offer a wide array of curricula. Before you start looking for a school, decide on exactly what you are looking for. This is your decision and this is your life, so don't let someone else even try to steer you in one direction or another.

Once you make the decision to attend classes online, you can immediately reap the benefits of non-traditional study. You do not have to carve out a portion of your busy day to attend traditional classes. Now you can go to class whenever you want -- even at night when the kids are in bed and the house is blissfully quiet. All you have to do is make the decision and get your education back on track!

10 Tips For Efficient Learning

Learning is a lifelong skill. From birth and throughout life, a person goes on a journey of acquiring knowledge. How this knowledge is gained varies from one individual to another because each one is created unique.

There are some people who make little or no effort to learn and yet they do well in school. Others spend endless hours over their books but do not excel at all. Genes may have something to do with this, but more than the hereditary factor, it is the attitude towards learning that increases one's ability to perform well. How one efficiently studies makes a capable learner. Here are a few tips to make the most out of learning:

1. Take care of your health

People, like machines, also need downtimes. Stress and fatigue due to studying for long periods of time render the brain less effective to absorb data. Hence, adequate rest should be taken. A healthy mind needs a healthy body - see to it that proper nutrition and regular exercise is always maintained.

2. Develop a passion for learning

One should have a thirst for knowledge in order for learning to take place. Attending classes every day, reading and studying for hours, and accomplishing assignments do not guarantee positive results if you do not have that craving or focus to learn. Self-esteem somehow triggers this passion. The higher your self-confidence is, the more challenged you will become to learn faster.

3. Find a study environment that is conducive

Elements in the environment play an important role in one's quest for learning. A specific study area with ample lighting, privacy, and complete supplies and reference materials are but some essentials for a smooth and stress-free study time. A set routine should also be imposed. Assign a specific time during the day for study. Don't just "fit it in" your schedule or else you'll have no time at all.

4. Set goals and targets

In order for each learning experience to be realistic, it is wise to set goals for yourself - goals that are measurable, achievable, time-bound, and flexible. Prepare weekly schedules, taking note of deadlines. For example, to get high grades, extra effort must be taken in studying and preparing for exams.

5. Take breaks in between study sessions

The brain needs to be recharged once in a while as this is when it absorbs all data obtained from studying. Overexertion causes it to repel information and makes studying futile. Do not go on a study marathon. Instead, study in short but frequent sessions and take breathers in between.

6. Engage in study groups

Two heads are better than one - so goes the cliché. Learning with a group is synergetic. You get to share your opinions, ideas, and views, and at the same time it is a venue for clarifying mind-boggling matters. It is also more interesting and challenging because you gain different perspectives or outlooks.

7. Understand concepts instead of memorizing details

Most of the time, students pass exams and quizzes with flying colors. But after a while, their knowledge of the subject matter would already slip their minds. This is mainly due to a wrong approach to learning - that of memorization. Memorization is only short-term "disguised learning". If one develops the habit of understanding concepts rather than focusing on details, the learning process will flow smoothly and will have a long-term impact.

8. Use shortcuts

Applying shortcuts to your study habits maximize your learning skills. You accomplish more when you abbreviate in note-taking, when you focus your notes around ideas instead of taking them down verbatim, and when you put everything straight into your computer. In this day and age, we need to pack a lot of information into a very limited timeframe.

9. Manage your time wisely

Learning is an ongoing skill. Hand in hand with your goal-setting is allotting and managing your time for things to be done - projects to work on, homework to finish, and term papers and theses to submit. Time properly managed is time well spent. Even your time for socializing should be taken into consideration. Remember - all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

10. Reward yourself

It is important to make the learning experience enjoyable whenever possible. Try out things that may spark that craving within you to learn - listening to music, perhaps, or engaging in a delightful snack - whatever may inspire you. Continuous hours of studying will not only make you weary but also make you lose interest.

The above tips show that devoting long hours to study does not necessarily yield productive results. Studying efficiently and effectively are the key factors to learning better.

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Choosing A College

Most students begin choosing a university they want to attend the summer before their senior year in high school. It is really important to begin researching and applying to colleges early on so that you will have all the decisions made when it comes time to apply in the fall. It is important to apply early because if you wait too long there may not be any spots left. So, here are a few things you will want to consider when it comes to choosing a college.

Academics

The biggest reason for kids to go to college is to get an education. So, the first thing you should focus on when it comes to choosing a college is the academics. Remember, that some colleges are known for their science programs while others are known for engineering, medicine, law, and others. Determine more or less what you want to major in and then choose a college based on this. It is important to make a list of your top three majors so that you look for a school that is good at all of these. The reason why is most college kids change their majors several times and you never know when you begin where you will end up!

Extracurricular Activities

You want to have fun while you aren't studying, so it is important to find a college that has a great selection of extracurricular activities. This includes political clubs, intramural sports, and more. You want to have fun while at college and foster new ideas and friends. Extracurricular activities are a great way to do this. Plus, you can explore things you like in a safe setting. For example, you could join the Young Republicans or Young Democrats club. Join a sorority or fraternity, or play a sport! There should be a lot of options open to you so that you can make the best decisions for your college years.

Cost

Another thing you will want to look at when choosing a college is cost. Public institutions cost less than private ones, and generally a lot less. You could probably even cover your tuition at a public institution on your student credit card if you didn't have any other funds. But, that is never the case with private colleges. They cost $20,000 or more per year and when you add up four years of college, not to mention post graduate studies, you are looking at some major debt. So, if there is a public institution that rivals a private one, then consider the cheaper option. You will find your student credit card limit goes a lot further when your semester's tuition is only a couple thousand dollars.

Ranking

School ranking is also important. You want to go to the best school you can get into so you get the best education. That means you need to evaluate the schools you are interested in and see where they are ranked. Doing this will help you choose the best schools to apply to.