Exam Preparation Tips, or How to Limit the amount of Stress During a Stressful Time

You know the old saying-no one plans to fail they fail to plan.  For most students exams writing is the most stressful part of school. In many cases students are stressed and if you have not been studying properly within the academic year it looks like you are going to fail everything. However the reality is not that bad as you still have some time to increase your exam writing success rate. If you follow the tips below it is hoped that you can gain success on your exam outcomes.

1. Make sure you will collect all lecture notes and related material at least 2 weeks before the exam.
2.  1-2 weeks before the exam talk to your instructors and ask him or her what kind of questions there will be on exam [many of you are aware of the structure of your exams already]. In 70% of cases you will receive very valuable information which will significantly help you to prepare. Another important aspect is the number and worth of questions.
3. Carefully plan your time for exam preparation. You should give yourself at least 2 full days to prepare. If you are working – take several days off work – it worth it.
4.  Firstly read all your lecture notes. Vast majority of exams are based on the lecture notes (only or mainly) therefore you don’t need to read all your textbooks from cover-to-cover; talk to your classmates, read books, search Internet. Make sure you understand everything.
5.  Secondly, answer ALL past exam papers and check your answers. It is useful to collaborate with your classmates because in this case group work may help you to avoid some mistakes.
6.  Thirdly, analyse all previous exam papers and information received from your tutor. Try to estimate what kind of exams there will be. Then, assess your capabilities. For example, if you are good with numbers and calculations and KNOW that there will be some questions of such kind on exam, it is advisable for you to concentrate on reviewing techniques related to such questions. Try to plan the questions which you are going to answer (if you are more or less sure they will appear). On 99% of exams students have choice to answer 4 questions from 6 for example), therefore you SHOULD NOT know everything! It is sometimes better to leave some areas and to concentrate on others.
7.  If you have a chance – talk to someone from previous year who took this exam. Quite often you can receive some valuable information for them.
8.  Make sure you get good sleep before the exam. Many students are much stressed and can’t sleep. Try to use your own tricks to avoid it, for example go to bed earlier, read something, don’t watch TV and etc.
9. And lastly, when the exam has started – DON’T PANIC even if you seem not to know anything. Relax and write everything you know. Watch the time carefully, so that you have approximately equal amount of time for each questions, or at least spend more time on those responses that are worth more marks.
10  Good Luck! 
REMEMBER THERE IS NO MAGIC POTION TO ENSURE SUCCESS!

Town of Drayton Valley Municipal Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship

This scholarship's application form should be coming out early in the new year [According to the Town's Website.  Go to town office for an application form, if I have not contacted you previously.

Career Aptitude Test – Pass Your Career Aptitude Test And Land The Job

Some 40% of employers now use some form of career aptitude test as part of their employee selection process and this number appears to be rising. Here’s advice on taking a career aptitude test and some examples, provided by the interviewers themselves. This is because employers recognize that choosing candidates on the basis of a job interview only is very subjective. Employers know that it’s not always the most suitable candidate who performs best in the interview and making a recruitment decision based on 45 minutes is not ideal. So many choose to base their recruitment decisions on selection test results as well as a job interview to add an element of objectivity to the decision making.

But some employers use a career aptitude test as a way to select candidates for job interview. In this case, employers review resumes and CVs [curriculum vitaes] as usual, choose suitable candidates, put them through testing and invite only those who do well in the selection tests for an interview.

Your potential employer may do either or may not do job testing at all – you can always ask when you apply, so you can be ready whatever the case.  Click on the link below to help assist you with:

Job Application Advice

How to Create Resumes/Cover Letters, etc.

Interview Advice

Dealing with Rejection, etc.

http://www.job-application-and-interview-advice.com/logic-test-questions.html

SCHOLARSHIP SITES

Use the following URL Address to access general information on scholarship and related application form information. 
http://www.pwsd76.ab.ca/scholarships/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/index.asp?


Seniors I also gave you this information to you in the counselling package that was sent to your homes.

CAREER SEARCH SITES

High school students whether you are just starting to research careers or you already know what occupation you want to enter into, the following sites are excellent resources for you to explore your career choice in more detail.

https://www.myblueprint.ca/
ThisIf have not set up an acoount yet come and see me for instructions.  This is a one stop experience for planning your post-secondary future.

http://alis.alberta.ca/

This site helps with: 

Assists in planning your career

Information on Occupations

Planning for Your Education

Finding a Job

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/lifeevents/job.shtml

A Government of Canada resource site.  If you are searching for a new full-time or part-time job in the private or public sector, Service Canada can help. There are a number of tools available to help you search job listings, create a résumé, choose a career, and assess your skills.


"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life." Charles Darwin

Being Your Own Best Friend

Whenever I needed friendship advice during my life, I never knew where to turn. However, after a lot of searching, I finally decided to turn to myself for the answers.
Part of building a better "relationship with yourself" means that you are willing to become your own best friend. Yet, many people have difficulty with this idea and are typically more comfortable with...

"Being Their Own Worst Enemy!"

Relating to this experience, I've often looked outside of myself for comfort and acceptance. I've depended on others to love me in order to feel important, needed, and valued because I never understood how to truly love myself.
Now I believe it's much better being by yourself than being with friends who don't appreciate who you are.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Deciding Whether or Not a Friendship is Unhealthy!

• How do I feel when I am around this person?
• Does this person lift me up in times of pain, disappointment, or struggle?
• Does this person create more drama in my life than I need?
• Are my needs being met?
• Is this friendship one-sided?
• Can I be myself with this person?

Usually, you'll know when a friendship is unhealthy by trusting the way you feel. For instance, if you feel drained, exhausted, defensive or if the two of you are fighting more than getting along, it's time to reevaluate your friendship.
If you're having problems with a group of friends, being your own best friend is more important than ever. It's much easier to follow a group when you have an unhealthy relationship with yourself.
Overall, the best friendship advice I can give you is...

..take an active role in your life and choose your friends wisely. Once you learn how to

appreciate your uniqueness, you'll find friends with the same like-minded qualities.

    This material is adapted from Relationship-with-Self.com

GRADE 12 Post-Secondary Applications

Grade 12s you can start appying to your post-secondary institutions of choice ASAP.  Early applications may mean you will be selected first for your preferred program.  Many students apply to more than one post-secondary school in order to increase their chance of being enrolled in the fall.

Keep in mind that each application [unless waived by that institution] requires a fee to be sent along-side the application form.  The fee could range from $50.00-150.00.

Check the information that was included with the counselling packages that I sent to each of your homes;  they contain criteria needed for admission into the post-secondary schools in Alberta.