Tutor Doctor Blog

As you get to the higher grades, the volume of work you have to get through in a semester increases exponentially. Speed reading can really help to reduce the time you spend wading through texts. You can sift through the unnecessary information to find the details that you need to know and concentrate on. Speed reading can also be a great asset when reviewing notes before a test. It takes months of practice and perseverance to master, but its well worth the effort.

Step 4: Read in blocks

You probably already do this quite often. If you are racing along on a train or in a car, you are able to decipher roadside advertising by recognizing all the words in a sentence with a single glance. However, since we were all taught to read each word separately, we are inclined to only look at one word at a time. See how many words you can recognize at once by placing your finger under the second or third word in a sentence. Now look at the beginning of the sentence and look away. You will be able to recognize the words because your brain identifies words visually, not by their individual letters. Now put your finger after the fourth word of the next sentence and try again. Keep increasing the number of words so that you can ascertain how many words you are able to read at a glance.

Step 5: Practice makes perfect

Practice reading several words at a glance. You can do this by using your finger to mark off the number of words you know you can read at a glance and then look at them while moving your finger onto the next marker. Progress will be slow at first, but with some practice, you will soon be speeding along. As you practice more, you will be able to read more words with each glance and soon you will be able to read entire sentences. When this happens, you can run your finger down the side of the page from one sentence to another.

Step 6: Set the scene

If you are going to be practicing your speed reading, make sure you have a quiet, well-lit area with plenty of room. Speed reading takes concentration, so there can be no distractions; no music, TV, noisy siblings or mobile phones. Make sure you have plenty of room to lay out your book. Choose a book with a large font and relatively easy to understand vocabulary to start. Place the book slightly further away from you than you would normally and start slowly at first.

Review your progress regularly by taking the online speed reading tests. Remember that speed reading will take some time and plenty of practice to master, so be patient.

moving and promote a healthy, active lifestyle, but some schools simple cannot afford the teachers or the facilities it takes to run a successful physical education program. Studies conducted to ascertain the value of gym class suggest that it's far more important than we think.

A number of studies were conducted on school children of all ages. One of the most interesting involved 138 students in Rome aged 8 to 11. The children were all healthy and none of them suffered from known attention disorders, but like most children their age, they had trouble staying focused throughout the long school day. The study required the children to pick letters from a long string of symbols; a test recognized for its ability to ascertain concentration levels. The children wrote the tests before and after their gym classes.

Researchers found that the children's test scores improved dramatically after their 50-minute gym classes. Their scores improved more the more they moved. Endurance classes where the children were just moving, rather than thinking like they would when playing ball sports, were the most effective in improving their concentration. The findings of the various studies show a remarkable improvement in a student's ability to concentrate right after exercising. This means that gym classes are not lost school hours, but are a valuable tool in getting students to learn.

It's not just gym class where these discoveries can be put to good use. We can also encourage students to walk, run or hit the gym when they are studying for exams. Getting your child moving means that they can take a break from their studies and recharge with some fresh air and exercise. Don't let your kids sit in front of their desks for hours; this will see the rule of diminishing returns take effect as they learn less and less for every hour that they study.

If you are studying, try to schedule regular breaks where you can move around. Play a game, go for a run or a walk or get to the gym to give yourself a break. If you find yourself having to read the same passage over and over again, then it's time for a break. If the weather outside is not conducive to outdoor activity, do some yoga in the living room or dance to your favourite song. Moving will definitely help you to concentrate.

Exercise has added benefits that help your kids to achieve. Improved sleep patterns, lower blood pressure and reduced obesity rates make your children happier, healthier and even smarter! Make gym classes an indispensable part of your school's curriculum. If you are having trouble finding the money for physical education programs, get the parents to help raise funds and have a volunteer program for gym instructors rather than a permanent teacher. 

Exam stress is caused by that annoying voice in the back of your head that says you can't possibly pass this exam. You're going to fail, disappoint your parents and end up living in a cardboard box on the street. You know that's unlikely, but the pressure of doing well on the exam mounts as the date draws nearer. Exam stress can have disastrous side effects including headaches, stomach aches, disturbed sleep patterns, loss of appetite and inability to concentrate. Talk about a perfect storm to make your worst fears come true!

You need to chill. Take a deep breath and realise that exam stress will prevent you from studying by reducing your ability to concentrate. Sleep deprivation will turn your memory into a sieve that leaks everything you put into it. Being overly tense in the exam itself will mean that you perform way below you actual capabilities. These arguments have been used to show that exams are not the best way to test a student's capabilities. But since they are here to stay, we may as well find a way to make the most of them.

There are many ways to beat the exam blues. Try all of them to find the methods that work best for you:

·        Pep talk. I know it sounds corny, but if you just control your inner voice, you will be surprised at how much your attitude changes. When you start to worry, or tell yourself; "This is just too hard!", then take a break and do something else. Replace the negative inner dialogue with something positive like "Yes, I can do this. It's easy!"

·        Exercise; get moving and eat well so as to help your body cope better with the added stress. This will enable you to sleep better too. Stay off the exam candies, cookies and potato chips as these will not provide your brain with the sustenance it needs to excel.

·        Leave yourself plenty of time to get to your exam, but don't get there too early so you can be affected by other people's pre-exam stress. Keep to yourself, and just keep repeating your positive inner dialogue.

·        Get enough sleep. It may seem like a good idea to give up your sleepy time to study, but the law of diminishing returns means that not getting enough sleep seriously reduces your ability to retain information and deal with stress.

·        Be realistic. Leave enough time for yourself to study, set attainable study goals and don't leave everything to the last minute to cram.

Take control of your study schedule and you can significantly reduce your exam stress. Remember that controlling your thought process and inner dialogue is the key to a stress-free exam session. Remember; you've got this covered. You're going to crack this exam, no worries.  

Every student is different. Providing a personal tutor for your child will uncover the root causes of bad grades or unfulfilled potential. Good tutors will test your child to find the missing building blocks in their education and get a sense of their learning style and the pace with which they feel most comfortable.

Contrary to popular belief, tutoring is not only for students who have learning difficulties or are struggling at school. Children who are exceptionally gifted may also need a tutor. These students learn at faster rate than their classmates. Boredom in class leads to a lack of attention or motivation that may actually see their grades plummet. Even if your child's grades are good, tutors will help them to stretch themselves beyond the school curriculum and challenge them in new and interesting ways that help them to fulfill their true potential and excel beyond the curriculum of their school education.

No matter why your child needs a tutor, they must be properly tested to ascertain pace and special considerations. Choosing the best times for tutoring is as important as choosing the right tutor. Your child must be well rested and have the energy to get the most out of a tutoring session. Tutoring sessions scheduled right after school or too late in the evening may see your child too tired to take full advantage of tutoring time. Choose a tutor who is flexible and able to meet with your child at a time that suits you both.

Although group tutoring sessions have their benefits, individual tutors are able to move at the perfect pace for your child. They give your child their undivided attention and tailor lessons to suit your child's unique needs. Many children are too shy to speak up in front of their peers or answer questions if there is the possibility of embarrassment or ridicule. One-on-one teaching sessions help to grow their confidence as they are given the support and encouragement they need and they don't have to worry about getting the answer wrong.

Consider the personality of your child when choosing a tutor that's right for them. The tutor must be able to challenge them, provide them with the encouragement they need, motivate them and bolster their self esteem. They must feel comfortable with the tutor. The tutor must be patient and work at a pace that suits your child. They must be flexible enough to fit in with your child's schedule and they must be reliable.

Dealing with a reputable tutoring agency means that their tutors are vetted for suitability. They have tutors of the finest quality who have tons of experience in their chosen field. They are professionals and understand the delicate balance that exists between tutor and student. Contact your local Tutor Doctor to set up a no obligation consultation where the needs of your child are investigated and you can choose from a number of tutors.