Archive for the “Academic Survival Skills” Category


Taking test, preparing for exams, studying for midterms, and studying for final exams traditioanlly give students challenges. With so many things taking place before test time, there seems to be a rush of adrenaline to the mind containing fear, stress, overload and anxiety. I have experienced these same symptoms before test time, until I learned a few key ways to prepare for test.

Understanding how to prepare for test or exams is a vital academic skill that every student must develop.

Yes reviewing your class notes regularly can make studying for exams easier and more efficient, but here are some other key ways that you can prepare for those exams. These may seem easy and simple, but they are very effective. Read the rest of this entry »

Possibly Related Posts:


Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Comments No Comments »

Every Sunday in the fall I normally do two things - go to church and watch NFL Football.

One thing that is apparent about every football game is that both teams come with a STRATEGY to beat their opponent.The determination of the winner is based solely on who carried out their strategy with the least amount of mistakes.

When it comes to academic success, preparing for test, succeeding as a college or high school student; studying is a skill you must develop This skill will definitely help your daily regimen

Here are some simple guidelines you can use to better your reading-studying strategy, as well as make the post of your time spent studying.

Read the rest of this entry »

Possibly Related Posts:


Tags: , , , ,

Comments 1 Comment »

Ever heard the powerful phrase…”Readers are Leaders and Leaders are Readers?

What about the one … “Rich People Read books, and Poor People Watch TV ?”

Well whatever you have heard about reading, one thing is for sure; People who read well are more likely to do well academically.

I remember growing up as a student, that I hated to read books because it seemed like a long process or it seemed like the prelude before sleep. I even remember reading Cliff Notes, and the beginning and ends of chapters of books just to TRY to get an advantage over reading the entire text. But after three college degrees, I saw the direct correlation between my poor test grades and my reading efforts. I was always under prepared when I did not FULLY and EFFECTIVELY read.

Maybe you are presently like I use to be, dreading to read?  Today I would like to share with you the fifth Academic Survival Skills that every Student most develop - READING.

Read the rest of this entry »

Possibly Related Posts:


Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Comments No Comments »

Managing time, budgeting time, and utilizing the 24 hours accurately is a mandatory skill to develop if youwant to succeed academically and beyond. In the 4th part of our Academic Survival Skill Series we will look at time management - how successful studying starts with budgeting your time.

Recently, I was speaking to a friend of mine who is raising a family, working a forty hour a week job, and receiving her Master’s degree. And she simply said, “Kantis I need more time!”

Now you and I know we can’t get more time, but only use the time we have effectively.

In your quest to improve your grades, live your life and get it all done within 24 hours a day, here are a few “time tips” below:

  1. Develop a schedule that includes all “regular” activites, such as classes, a part-time job, meals, family, or practices (with an athletic team or group).
  2. Reserve time for sleep, exercising, and recreation
  3. Schedule review time for right after a lecture or right before a discussion of possible.
  4. Plan ahead for all major projects and exams. Don’t wait till last minute.
  5. Break up all your tasks and set them as time goals (Goal #1- search sources, Goal #2-review notes, etc)
  6. Attempt to study the same subject at the same time each day
  7. Take short breaks to reward yourself - you deserve it
Start today with budgeting the time you need for studying. As you daily budget this time, then budget time for those other key aspects in life. To amplify this topic of time management, you can also look at my book, Playing Your “A” Game to discover How to Ride on 24’s.
You can do it, and you can Play Your “A” Game!

Possibly Related Posts:


Tags: , , , , ,

Comments 3 Comments »

Have you ever been called or known as the teacher’s pet?

Or accused of “brown nosing” the teacher ?

What about kissing up?

How about trying to Suck up” or  “Get In good” with your professor or teacher?

Don’t confuse these terms with someone who accurately participates in class for the purpose of improving their grades and understanding of the subject. There is a difference - one is after the favor of the teacher, and the other is after the content from the teacher.

Just recently while speaking at a high-school, I had a conversation with a student and he asked me the following question: Read the rest of this entry »

Possibly Related Posts:


Tags: , , , , , , ,

Comments 1 Comment »

When was the last time you asked for someone’s phone number, and realized later that you were missing one of the digits?  Did you go into stalker mode, and replace that missing digit by calling the number with a 0, then a 1, then a 2… 3….4…..5……….9, until you got the appropriate person on the other line?

Taking notes in the classroom is similar to writing down an important phone number; If you don’t get all the digits, you will be unable to speak with  the person you desire to talk to. The same is true when you don’t get the most important information during note taking in your classes; when it’s time to study for your test  or exam you will be unequipped with the information for the next test or quiz.

To better assist you with note-taking, I want to detail “WHAT” to record and “HOW to record it when taking notes during class. Read the rest of this entry »

Possibly Related Posts:


Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Comments 1 Comment »

In a previous blog, “7.25 Academic Survival Skills that Every Student Must Develop”, we detailed each of the survival skills that you must need to be a successful student. Each of these skills will help you Play Your “A” Game inside and outside the classroom this school year.

Today we are going to address the first academic survival skill - LISTENING!

If you think about most of your day as a student, the majority of your time is is spent listening to your professor lecture.  So if you are taking 15 credits of college courses, this tells me you are spending a minimum of 15 hours a week of consistent listening. As a high school student, at least 6 hours of the day is spent in the classroom listening to teachers or participating in class; which equates to about 30 hours of classroom listening.

So as you see, if we are going to spend most of our week listening, it is essential to become an active listener.

Here are a few things you can do to improve your classroom listening skills as a high school student, college student or non-traditional student. Read the rest of this entry »

Possibly Related Posts:


Tags: , , , , , ,

Comments 1 Comment »

You might ask yourself, What are Academic Survival Skills?

Well these are techniques to make learning more efficient and more rewarding. Students who know these skills and use these skills get better scores on exams, enjoy the “student life”, and experience longevity in their academic pursuit.

Today, these skills can help you make the most of the time you devote to studying. They can help you to gain and maintain control of the subject matter. In the future, the development of these skills in school will contribute to make you a success in the work world, too.

As a high school student, traditional college student or adult student, your success depends on these. Understanding and developing these 7.25 Survival Skills is an investment for your TODAY and your TOMORROW. These survival skills are:

1.  Learn How to Listen Carefully. Most of what you do in school is spend a majority of your day sitting in classroom  listening.  So it is essential to become an active listener.

2.  Develop a Note-Taking System. While sitting in a class listening, the better your notes, the better your chances of doing better in your study sessions and on exams.

3.  Learn How to Actively Participate In Classes. It is a huge plus when you can participate in class discussions. its imperative that you take advantage of the chances to express your opinions and test the ideas you gather in class. it also impresses your teacher and professors!

4.  Learn How to Budget your Time. You have a set number of hours in the classroom, a set number of hours needed for studying, and other set hours for resting, eating, sleeping, working and enjoying life. How you mange, use, budget, or abuse this precious time will too determine your academic success.

5.  Become a Great Reader. Researchers have shown that people who read well are more  likely to do well academically. So its wise o bury bad habits while developing the the good habits of effective reading.

6.  Perfect You Study Strategy. This skill may be the one skills that sets “A” students apart from average students. What you do before classes, during classes, and after classes contribute greatly to how you learn, understand and apply the concepts of the subjects you are learning.

7.  Learn How to Prepare for Exams. P + O = Success. When you are PREPARED for testing OPPORTUNITIES success is inevitable. But if you don’t know how to review your notes, communicate the concepts of the subject and solve problems on exams will stunt your growth a successful student.

7.25    Learn How to Set Goals and Achieve them. What you want as a student, and when you want it as  as student depends on you and your persistence to go after it. 80% of achieving any goal starts first by simply setting the goal.

These 7.25 skills are essential to your success today and tomorrow as a student. they are foundation to Play Your “A” Game in the classroom. As your partner and friend in academic success, I will personally take responsibility in assisting you with these skills and your development.

————————————————
To get this FREE Newsletter in your email box, with other updates from Kantis Simmons

Kantis Simmons is America’s #1 Academic Success Coach, where he uses his no-nonsense “7.25 Secrets” to “wow” educators, parents, students via speaking programs and information products. Acclaimed for receiving three advanced scientific degrees and more than $400,000 in scholarship money, this former NASA employee and Olympic Drum major encourages everyone he comes in contact with to Play their “A” Game.

Need Speaker for your School Event or Conference
Get Secrets on Academic Success and College success

Possibly Related Posts:


Tags: , , , , ,

Comments 4 Comments »