All Articles tagged high-school.

Introverts in an Extroverted World

April 2, 2014 Brad Hoffman Leave a Comment

Understanding introversion vs. extroversion

I once told a friend, to his surprise, that I am an introvert. He wasn’t surprised that I identified with this personality type, but rather that I would freely admit it! He considers himself an introvert, too, but always thought of it as a weakness–and something potentially embarrassing.

Introversion is often misunderstood as shyness, social awkwardness, or fear of other people

But it is none of these things. Introverts are not shy, though they are more easily overstimulated by large crowds. They are not necessarily socially awkward, though they generally prefer deeper conversations with close friends over small talk with acquaintances. And they are not afraid of other people, though they need regular time alone in order to recharge. (To be sure, one can be both introverted and shy, socially awkward, and/or afraid of other people–but these traits are not mutually inclusive.)

My friend’s reluctance to publicly label himself an introvert is something I have come across with many of my friends and acquaintances. We live in what Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, calls

the Extrovert Ideal–the omnipresent belief that the ideal self is gregarious, alpha, and comfortable in the spotlight,” while introversion is “a second-class personality trait, somewhere between a disappointment and a pathology.

Yet one-third to one-half of the population is introverted! Moreover, contemporary research in social and organizational psychology is pointing to the many benefits of introversion (see Quiet for a thorough review of this research).

Although introverts and extroverts have different strengths, neither is discretely superior to the other. In fact, both types are critical to a balanced society. We must learn to celebrate and develop our personal strengths while appreciating those of the other type.

Which am I?

How can I tell if I am (or if my child is) an introvert or an extrovert? Susan Cain has published her quiz, “Are You an Introvert or an Extrovert?”, on her website, “The Power of Introverts.” The quiz can be taken here.

How to help your introverted child thrive

If you, or your child, falls somewhere on the introverted side of the introvert-extrovert spectrum (and it is a wide spectrum!), there is both good and bad news. The bad news is that we live in a world that privileges “the Extrovert Ideal,” and almost everything in our social lives, from classrooms with grouped desks to open-air cubicle farms, is designed with this ideal in mind. The good news is that introversion boasts its own list of strengths: a highly nuanced ability to listen to others, a greater ability to concentrate for extended periods of time, and even better grades in post-secondary education. (Some introverts of note include Albert Einstein, Frédéric Chopin, Mahatma Gandhi, Sir Isaac Newton, Larry Page – cofounder of Google, Steve Wozniak – cofounder of Apple, Steven Spielberg, Audrey Hepburn, Warren Buffet, and J.K. Rowling.)

If your child is an introvert, here are some ways you can help him/her thrive

Give her time to reflect, don’t force her to talk, and when she is talking, don’t interrupt her. Introverts need time to organize and compose their thoughts before sharing them. If they are forced to talk, they will often become anxious. Conversely, when an introvert wants to share her thoughts, she has likely put some thought into what she is going to say. If she is interrupted, she will feel like her thoughts and feelings aren’t being heard.
Support him in developing his strengths and interests. Remind him that he makes a great contribution to group projects in school, social gatherings, etc., by being himself and offering his natural gifts. For example, if your child is a strong writer (a common strength of introverts), note-taker, or drawer, encourage him to take on that role in his group.
Rehearse any foreseen public speaking roles with your child. For example, if your child has an upcoming presentation in school, have her present to the family first. Introverts especially benefit from preparation as they are slower than extroverts to think on their feet in public settings.
Remind him that he does not have to go to every social function that he is invited to, and that spending time alone working on his own projects of interest is a good thing, too. Let him decide when he’s reached his threshold of social stimulation for the day (or week).

The Power of Determination

March 25, 2014 Brad Hoffman Leave a Comment

The book Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman argues how, in the long run, determination and hard work matter more than intelligence when it comes to success. Goleman’s initial experiment was simple and familiar: he put a marshmallow on every student’s desk in a first grade classroom, and told the kids that if they waited an hour without eating the marshmallow, they would receive three more marshmallows as a reward. Several of the students couldn’t last the hour, and their marshmallows disappeared. The students whose marshmallows remained got their reward. Goleman later assessed the IQs of each student and tracked them throughout their high school, college, and professional careers. He found–unanimously–that the subjects who had waited for the extra marshmallows as first graders were more successful in their academic and personal lives, regardless of IQ.

Having been an educator for many years, I have seen countless examples that prove Goleman’s research findings time and again. My most successful students–whether they attend medical school, become West Point graduates, or PhD candidates–were the ones who consistently worked hard and focused on their work. In my experience, intelligence is of course useful, but it’s often not as important a factor in measuring future success as many people think it is.

How can parents and educators help students apply themselves effectively?

I have found that the answer lies in consistency and hard work. Reading twenty minutes a day is more useful than reading the whole book the night before the test. Working on a long-term homework assignment every day instead of just before the deadline will give a student time to edit and revise.

The process of learning how to focus and apply oneself is gradual, but the habits young people pick up will influence the rest of their lives. One of the best habits to develop early is self-discipline (not necessarily a natural trait). It’s important that children have good role models and positive reinforcement for their efforts as they learn how to apply themselves to their work.

I praise students I tutor for completing assignments on time, but I try to praise them even more when they finish the assignment a day early. It’s gratifying to hear that a student I work with takes an hour each day to complete their homework: grades are important, but the process of spending time on their homework will serve them more. There are many smart kids who have difficulty focusing and following through with assignments and schoolwork.

Start small, start early, and build a little bit every day.

The results can be astounding.

By Grant Bergland, Private Tutor

Tips to Stop Procrastination

February 26, 2014 Brad Hoffman Leave a Comment

Are you studying? You have a paper to write, a lot of homework to complete, and you are just not in the mood to do it? You definitely have to read this post: even though it can add to your procrastination, it will help in the end!

Procrastination often occurs when we are faced with a big project, a long paper, or an important test to study for: we usually procrastinate with activities that require a lot of concentration and time. Procrastination: leaving all the work we have to do for later. For example, when we have to study for an important test, sometimes we suddenly really “need” to clean our room… it is not a bad thing to clean the room, but is not the right time to do it if the priority is to study for your test.

We all procrastinate, but here are some tips to learn to be more efficient and stop procrastinating:

Begin the work: If you think about all the work you have to do, you will never achieve anything. Just sit down and begin. Fight the urge to keep looking at the clock, especially on a deadline. Postponing work just ensures that we will have less time to do it before it needs to get done.
Split the bigger homework tasks into smaller ones: One of the reasons we postpone homework is because it can sometimes seem to be too much to complete. To make it easier, divide each task into smaller parts. Starting the homework practically and simply makes sure that the tasks will be completed quickly and efficiently.
Make a plan or a To-Do list: When we split up our work, it is important to schedule everything in order to have enough time to do it. Make a To-Do list and prioritize each task, including deadlines for each. Remember that everything that is written in the schedule must be completed.
Look for a suitable place to study: If we are tired of being in the same chair, looking at the same things in our study spot, it is time to go out and look for a different place to work. Even if we move to another room in the house, a change of scenery can motivate and inspire.
Have a partner: There are times that we will feel the need to work with someone or just have somebody around as company when we’re studying or working. It is not necessary that a study partner does the same work that we are doing, but any person with whom we feel comfortable can make things easier.
Face your fears: Sometimes procrastination is also a fear of success. Postponement sometimes means that we are scared of achieving our goals. Don’t be scared of achievement. If we are happy with what we are doing, we will automatically succeed.
Eliminate distractions: Sometimes it doesn’t matter how focused we are, sometimes we get distracted. If we are conscious of our actions, and take care not to get distracted by our email, Twitter, Facebook, or other social networks.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses: It is very useful to know our strengths, because it helps us be more efficient and effective with our time. Knowing our weaknesses will help us overcome them.
Avoid stress: When we are stressed out, we aren’t able to focus while we work or study. Sleeping enough, eating healthy, practicing a sport or exercising, and using our time wisely are healthy practices that will make our work more enjoyable and easier.
Finish the work: Not completing the homework only makes things more difficult later on. It’s important not to skip the work as it is planned: if it’s left incomplete, it can be difficult to go back to where we left off.

Written by: Editorial Team, My Learning Springboard, Inc.

Understanding Dyslexia

February 20, 2014 Brad Hoffman Leave a Comment

The International Dyslexia Association defines Dyslexia as:

A specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension, and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

It can be difficult for parents of Dyslexic children to understand their child’s experience in the classroom. Dyslexia affects children both neurologically and socially, and can be a major obstacle in practicing reading and learning. Maryanne Wolf, the Director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLA, is the author of Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain. In Proust and the Squid, Wolf describes how and why humans learned to read. A cultural as well as a neurological phenomenon, according to Wolf, reading is actually a recent development in human’s evolutionary history.

Alternating the scientific and historical chapters with ones that chronicle how an individual child learns how to read, Wolf shows how the brain has evolved over millennia thanks to reading. Looking forward to the technological future, Wolf highlights the potential changes and negative affects that might be caused by online reading as our brains continue to evolve. Evolutionally speaking, reading gives us “the gift of time” to look beyond the page and think about a more layered understanding of the text on the page in front of us. Is deep and layered reading possible if it’s done on a screen?

As the Director of the Center for Reading and Language Research, Wolf works with many families whose children suffer from Dyslexia. Her research, some of which is discussed in the book, leads her to conclude that “our brains were never wired to read.” Once this is accepted, presumably people – teachers, parents, administrators – will be more knowledgeable and understanding of those who suffer from Dyslexia. Thinking about reading as a recent evolutionary advantage can potentially change the stigma against those who have difficulty learning to read and learning to learn. Proust and the Squid, without detailing how to make these cultural changes, makes evident this necessity.

More books about Dyslexia:

The Dyslexic Advantage, by Dr. Brock L. Eide and Dr. Fernette F. Eide

My Dyslexia by Philip Schultz

The Secret Life of the Dyslexic Child: How She thinks. How He Feels. How They Can Succeed by Robert Frank and Kathryn E. Livingston

Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level by Sally Shaywitz

Great video about Dyslexia:

Written by: Editorial Team, My Learning Springboard, Inc.

Too Much to Learn and Too Little Time? Effective Cramming

February 7, 2014 Brad Hoffman Leave a Comment

Cramming.

The term is usually frowned upon, but as a medical school student, I’ve come to learn that “cramming” doesn’t deserve the negative connotation it comes with. The vast amount of material that has to be learned in short periods of time leaves little option but to make extremely effective use of the time given to study. Focused and strategic learning in a limited amount of time- this is what I mean by “cramming”. It’s a skill I learned out of necessity, but the value of it can be appreciated by most students. Choosing to treat your normal study sessions with a cramming mentality could be a more effective use of your time than endless hours of unfocused “review.”

Be intentional about studying in the time you have committed to doing so- knowing that you promised to yourself that this is all the time you will be spending specifically studying, be sure to treat it accordingly. Cut out all distractions, have out only the books and notes you need to study with (some extra paper and pens for you tactile learners wouldn’t hurt either!), and get to it. Take frequent breaks- after each chapter/major topic/ at least every hour. The breaks shouldn’t be long at all- just enough time to walk around, think, maybe send a few texts, or have a snack and water. Take a good half hour for meals. Right before you break after finishing a section, be sure to either try some questions testing your recall and understanding, or try to quickly teach yourself (and not just re-reading) what you just learned. Come back from your break and do the same- either try a few questions or teach yourself (or a friend). Questions that test your recall and use of the information you just studied will make it possible to retain information.

Always make sure to get enough sleep afterwards- you must make sure you treat your body to some well-earned rest.

You don’t need to be forced into situations to cram- choose to study efficiently by being intentional about studying in the time you want to, and you’ll find you can really learn more information than you usually would have. It gives you more time to doing the things you would want to, and get to do them without feeling guilty for having not studied yet!

Written by: Editorial Team, My Learning Springboard, Inc.

All Articles tagged high-school.

Introverts in an Extroverted World

Understanding introversion vs. extroversion

Introversion is often misunderstood as shyness, social awkwardness, or fear of other people

Which am I?

How to help your introverted child thrive

If your child is an introvert, here are some ways you can help him/her thrive

Further reading:

The Power of Determination

How can parents and educators help students apply themselves effectively?

Start small, start early, and build a little bit every day.

Tips to Stop Procrastination

Understanding Dyslexia

Too Much to Learn and Too Little Time? Effective Cramming

Cramming.

Company Overview

School Planning

Private Tutoring

Test Preparation