| How to Study Harder Posted: 31 Aug 2019 01:00 AM PDT If you're worried about your grades or academic success, you can work on improving your study skills. Studying harder can help improve grades and test scores. Create a study schedule, use good studying strategies, and focus on working hard in class. If you study effectively, you won't have to spend every waking moment studying to do better in school. [Edit]Creating a Study Ritual - Create a good study space. The first step to studying harder is to create a study space for yourself. Studying in the same space each day is effective because your mind will learn to associate a particular space with work. It'll be easier to get into the flow of studying when entering your study space.
- Students who spend time struggling to find a space to study often waste valuable time. Having a space you go every day to study is helpful.[1]
- Choose a study space that is free of distractions. Find a space away from television and other noises. You should not study in bed or on the couch. Choose a place with a desk where you can sit upright to work.[2]
- Make sure the space is set up for what you need. If you need to prepare a class project with lots of small pieces that must be arranged, a large, uncluttered space with a worktable will be best. If you just need to read your textbook, a cozy chair and a cup of tea may be just fine.
- Stick to a study schedule. Once you've found a great space to study, create a study schedule for yourself. Having a regular study sessions will help you avoid procrastination and stick to your goals as a students. You should start planning your study schedule as you get your course syllabus -- that way, nothing will sneak up on you.
- You should strive to prioritize studying. Place study time ahead of extracurricular or social activities. Try to study shortly after class or school each day.[3]
- Schedule study sessions at roughly the same time each day. Having a regular schedule can help you stick to studying on a regular basis. Put these sessions into your calendar, just as you would a dentist appointment or soccer practice.[4]
- Start slow. At first, keep your study sessions between 30 and 50 minutes. After you've gotten used to this duration, push yourself to study for longer periods. However, stop to take short breaks occasionally. Studying for hours on end can cause stress. Take 10 minute breaks as you study.[5] Don't go longer than 2 hours without a break.
- Have specific goals for each study schedule. Studying without direction is not an effective way to learn and retain information. Go into each study session with specific goals in mind to try and make the most out of your study session.
- Keep your overall academic goal in mind. Branching off of that goal, break it down into manageable chunks and focus on each chunk per session.[6]
- For example, say you have to memorize 100 vocabulary words for your Spanish final. Aim to memorize 20 words per session over the course of 5 study sessions. Make sure to review old words at the beginning of each new study session to make sure the information stays fresh in your mind.[7]
[Edit]Practicing Good Study Habits - Test yourself. A vital part of studying is repetition. Test yourself on difficult material during each study session. Make flashcards with vocabulary words, dates, and other facts. Use these to test your knowledge. If you have a math exam, do practice tests in your math book. If your teacher or professor provides practice exams, take as many as possible.
- Try to make your own practice tests. Review the types of question your teacher asked on quizzes and try to replicate them in your own words. Make a test for yourself, containing 10 to 20 questions, and then complete the test.
- If your teacher provides practice tests to help you study, take them home and do them on your own time.
- Start well ahead of time and bring in your practice test to show your teacher. Ask her something like, "I've gone through my notes and made this practice exam to help me study for the test next week. Could you tell me if it's on the right track?" Your teacher isn't likely to tell you whether or not specific things will be on the test, but she will probably be happy to tell you whether you're studying the right areas. And your hard work and preparation are sure to impress!
- Start with the hardest subjects. The most difficult subjects require the most mental energy. Start with this work first. After completing harder materials, studying easier subjects will feel a lot less stressful.[8]
- Use study groups effectively. Study groups can be a great way to maximize your studying experience. However, keep in mind that you need to use study groups effectively in order for them to have the best effect.
- You should structure study groups as you would an individual study session. Choose which materials to focus on and have set timeframes and breaks. It's easy to get distracted if you're working with groups of people. A schedule can help you stay on task.[9]
- Work with people who you know are hard workers. Even the best planned study groups can fall apart if you choose to work with people who are distracting and procrastinate.
- Seek out help when you need it. Remember, there's no shame in asking for help if you need it. If you are continually struggling with a particular subject despite diligent studying, seek out help from another student, a tutor, a teacher, or a parent. If you're a college student, there might be free tutoring centers on campus dedicated to helping students with a particular subject like writing, language, or math.[10]
- Take breaks and give yourself rewards. As studying is seen as a chore, allowing yourself breaks and rewards can help motivate you to study harder. Take breaks every hour or so to stretch your legs, watch television, surf the internet, or do some light reading. Provide rewards at the end of study sessions to motivate yourself to work harder. For example, if you study 3 days in a row treat yourself by ordering take out.[11]
[Edit]Studying Smarter - Prepare your body and mind before studying. If you go straight from school to studying, you may feel burnt out and struggle to concentrate. Taking half an hour to prepare your mind and body for a study session can help you study more effectively.
- Go for a short walk before beginning to study. Stretching by walking can help your body loosen up and clear your mind in preparation of studying.[12]
- If you're hungry, eat before studying but stick to a light snack or a small meal. Eating a heavy meal before studying can result in sleepiness. This can make it difficult to concentrate on studying.[13]
- Study with the right mindset. The mindset you have going into studying can affect the effectiveness of your study session. Work on fostering a positive mindset going into each study session.
- Think positively when you study. Remind yourself that you are building new skills and abilities. Do not get discouraged if you struggle with something. Remind yourself you're studying because you need to improve so it's okay if you don't understand some material.[14]
- Do not engage in catastrophic or absolute thinking. Catastrophic thoughts include things like, "If I don't get this now, I never will." Absolute thoughts are things like, "I always do poorly on these exams." Instead, try to be realistic. Think to yourself, "I'm struggling with this information at the moment, but if I'm persistent I'm sure it will come to me."[15]
- Do not compare yourself to others. You're focused on doing well on this assignment for yourself. Other people's success or failure should not matter.[16]
- Use memory games. Memory games, always known as mnemonic devices, are a means of remembering information by creating associations. They can be extremely helpful when it comes to smart studying.
- Many people remember subjects by stringing words together to form sentences, the first letter of each word signifying part of a topic that requires memorization. For example, the sentence "Kings play cards on fat green stools" can be used to help remember the taxonomy ranking for animals: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.[17]
- Make sure you use mnemonic devices that are easy to remember. If you're creating your own mnemonic device, pick words and sentences that have personal meaning to you and that you will easily remember later.[18]
- Rewrite your notes. If you have notes, rewrite them. Rewriting the notes you have, changing the wording slightly, helps you actively engage with the material. You're not just repeating information but trying to explain it over and over again. This can help you process information and more easily remember it later on.[19]
- Don't just copy out the material over and over again. Instead, try to condense it to the most basic points. Then, try to condense it again, until you have gotten to the most essential points.
[Edit]Taking Advantage of Class Time - Take good notes. Creating the proper resources for studying can help you. While you're in class, try to take good notes. These can serve as a valuable resource later on when you're studying.
- Organize your notes by date and subject. Write the date on the top corner of the page at the beginning of class. Then, write headings and subheadings regarding the subject being taught. If you're searching for notes on a particular subject, it'll be easier to find later.[20]
- Use your best handwriting. You want to make sure you can read your notes later on.[21]
- Compare notes with other classmates. If you missed one class session or missed a few words here and there when taking notes, another classmate can help you fill in what you missed.[22]
- Read actively. When reading material for class, make sure you read actively. How you read can affect how well you retain information later on.
- Pay attention to chapter titles and subheadings. These often offer clues as to the main point of a text. It indicates what material you should pay closest attention to while reading.[23]
- You should also reread the first sentence of each paragraph once. This sentence usually offers a summary of key information you'll need. Pay attention to concluding sections as well, as they summarize key materials.[24]
- If permitted, underline passages and write notes in margins summarizing key points. This can help you find important information later when studying.[25]
- Ask questions. If you're confused about anything in class, ask questions. Usually, teachers will allow time for questions after class. You can also ask to stop by a students office hours to ask about topics that confuse you.[26]
- Do yourself a favor and make it a habit to visit your teacher's office hours starting at the beginning of the semester. Waiting to ask questions until the day before the test makes it seem like you haven't been preparing. Making a habit of dropping in once a week or so encourages your teacher to see you as a student who works hard and prepares in advance -- she'll be more likely to want to help you.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Dry Apples in the Oven Posted: 30 Aug 2019 05:00 PM PDT Drying apples is a good way to preserve them for use in your favorite recipes later on down the road. It's also the secret to making apple chips, which are a tasty snack in their own right. No matter how you intend to use them, drying apples at home couldn't be easier—all you need is an oven and a couple of hours. Just slice your washed, cored apples into rings and stick them in a preheated oven for 2-3 hours. When they come out, they'll be delicate, crunchy, and oh-so-sweet. [Edit]Ingredients - 1-2 apples (washed, cored, and sliced)
- water
- lemon juice
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, apple pie spice, or other seasonings (optional—to taste)
*Makes approximately 20-50 slices* [Edit]Slicing Your Apples - Preheat your oven to around . Before you get started, turn on your oven to its lowest heat setting. That way, you can wash, core, and slice your apples while the oven is warming up. Once the oven reaches the desired temperature, all you'll have to do is pop in the apples and set a timer.[1]
- Feel free to use a lower heat setting if your oven has one. Some ovens go as low as .[2]
- Low, even heat tends to be best for drying, as it prevents food from burning. Keep in mind, however, that it can take considerably longer for your apples to dry fully at lower temperatures.
- Line 1-2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Overlap the individual pieces of parchment paper to make sure that the bottom of the baking sheet is completely covered. The parchment paper will prevent your apples from sticking to the baking sheets as the sugars in them heat up.[3]
- You may need to grab an additional baking sheet if you're going to be preparing more than 1 or 2 apples at a time.
- Wash your apples thoroughly. Run the apples under a stream of cool water. Use your fingers to gently rub off any stubborn dirt or traces of waxy coating. When you're done, shake off the excess water and pat the apples dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.[4]
- If you're planning on drying lots of apples, it may be faster to wash them all at once in a colander or wire strainer.
- Core and slice your apples into slices. Cut the core out of your apples neatly using an apple corer or paring knife. Then, run the top of each apple back and forth over the blade of mandoline to reduce them to slices of a uniform thickness.[5]
- If you don't have a mandoline, simply use a sharp knife with a long blade to cut the apples as thin as possible.[6]
- When drying apple slices, it's easiest to cut them into rings rather than wedges or other shapes.
- Dip your apple slices in a mixture of water and lemon juice. Combine of water and of lemon juice in a small mixing bowl and stir well. Dunk the slices in the solution for a few seconds, then remove them and set them aside on a layer of folded paper towels and press them dry.[7]
- It's important to dilute your lemon juice. The natural citric acid will keep your apples from becoming brown and mushy while they're in the oven, but too much can actually have the opposite effect.[8]
- This step is entirely optional. A little browning shouldn't affect the taste of your dried apples.
- Arrange the slices on your lined baking sheets in a single even layer. Try to leave at least of space between each slice. This will allow more warm air to circulate between them, cutting down on their overall drying time and ensuring a more consistent texture.[9]
- If you like, you can dust your apple slices with a light coating of cinnamon, nutmeg, or blended apple pie spice before putting them in the oven to give them even more flavor.[10]
[Edit]Heating Your Apples - Bake the apple slices for 1 hour. Set a timer to help you keep track of how long they've been in the oven. After about an hour, the edges of the rings will begin to curl slightly, and the peel on the outside will take on a darker color.[11]
- If your oven doesn't have a built-in timer, use a separate kitchen timer or set an alarm on your phone to alert you when your apples are finished heating on their first side.
- Leave the door of the oven propped open just a hint while your apples are baking. Doing so will improve the air circulation inside and help moisture escape.[12]
- Turn the slices over. Using an oven mitt or potholder, reach into the oven and carefully remove the baking sheet. Flip each slice over with a fork or pair of tongs, then slide the baking sheet back into the oven.[13]
- If you don't turn your slices, they could come out more done on one side than the other.
- Continue baking for an additional 1-3 hours. From here on out, it's best to simply keep an eye on your apples rather than resetting your timer. Try to check them every half hour or so to see how they're coming along. You'll want to take them out once they begin to turn a golden-brown color around the edges.[14]
- Drying times will vary depending on the exact thickness of your slices, as well as the natural moisture content of the variety of apples you're working with.
- In some cases, it may take as long as 5-8 hours for your apple slices to dry out completely. This is especially likely if you have your oven set to a temperature lower than .[15]
- There's no need to turn your apple slices again once they go back in the oven for the second time unless they start to get too brown on the bottom.
- Turn off your oven and allow your apple slices to cool inside. Let your slices sit until both them and the oven have returned to room temperature. This shouldn't take any longer than about half an hour. Allowing your apples to cool will make them safer to handle while also giving any lingering moisture a chance to evaporate.[16]
- To determine whether your apples are done, take one out after they've had a chance to cool and tear it in half. It should be dry and leathery on the outside and slightly spongy on the inside.[17]
- If you think your slices need a little longer, preheat the oven again and place them back inside for 30 minutes at a time.
- Store your apple slices in a cool, dry, dark place. Once you're satisfied that your apples are sufficiently dried, transfer them to a plastic zipper bag, lidded storage container, or mason jar. As long as you keep them off-limits to heat and moisture, they should last for weeks, if not months.[18]
- Consider setting aside a few slices as soon as you take them out of the oven. Many people think that dried apples are best while they're still fresh and warm.[19]
- If you're worried about your apples going bad, stash them in the freezer. There, they'll keep for 6 months to a year (or longer)!
- Drying apples in the oven is much cheaper than investing in an expensive dehydrator, much less work than drying them in a wood stove or microwave, and much faster than drying them naturally in the sun.
- Enjoy your dried apples on their own as a healthy snack, or make them part of a nutritious packed lunch.
- Try chopping your dried apples into small pieces and adding them to oatmeal, yogurt, or homemade trail mix.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Slicing Your Apples - Mandoline or sharp knife
- Small mixing bowl
- Clean cloth or paper towel
- Colander or wire strainer (optional)
- Apple corer (optional)
- Paring knife (optional)
[Edit]Baking Your Apples - Oven
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Oven mitt
- Fork or tongs
- Plastic zipper bag, lidded storage container, mason jar, or another airtight container
[Edit]References |
| How to Treat Bad Breath Posted: 30 Aug 2019 09:00 AM PDT Bad breath is an issue that everyone experiences from time to time. In most cases, it's nothing serious and can be cured by brushing your teeth or taking a breath mint. Certain lifestyle changes like smoking less, good oral hygiene, and improving your hydration can also clear up chronic bad breath. In a small number of cases halitosis, or chronic bad breath, is caused by serious medical issues including diabetes, respiratory tract or sinus infections, H. pylori, SIBO, or liver and kidney disease.[1] In these cases, you'll need to work with your doctor to treat the underlying condition causing your bad breath. [Edit]Stopping Bad Breath Immediately - Brush your teeth to clear up most cases of bad breath. Brushing your teeth will keep your mouth healthy and smelling great. Brush for at least 2 minutes each time, in order to remove odor-causing bacteria from your tongue and the inside of your mouth. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and also whenever you notice that your breath smells a little off.[2]
- When brushing your teeth, don't forget to brush your tongue! Brushing your tongue cleans off old food and bacteria that may be causing the majority of the unpleasant smells coming from your mouth.
- If you find that your bad breath persists after brushing and flossing, try using a tongue scraper after brushing your teeth in the morning and at night. Tongue scrapers remove tough food particles and bacteria from your tongue and improve the smell of your breath.[3] Purchase a tongue scraper at a local drugstore.
- Take a sugar-free breath mint to clear up bad breath within 30 seconds. If you're worried about bad breath during the day, carry some sugar-free mints around with you. If your breath needs freshening, pop one in! For the best effect and the freshest breath, use mints with a relatively mild scent like peppermint or wintermint.[4]
- While breath mints and gum work quickly, they're only a temporary solution to having bad breath. After you've taken a breath mint, your bad breath may return within 30-60 minutes.
- Try chewing sugar-free gum to hydrate and freshen your mouth. Popping a piece of mint-flavored chewing gum into your mouth is a quick, easy way to improve and freshen up your breath for a few hours. The scent from the chewing gum masks unpleasant breath odors, and the chewing will also hydrate your mouth. This will, in effect, rinse off your tongue and sweep odor-causing bacteria down your throat.[5]
- Since most people don't brush their teeth after chewing gum, opt for a sugar-free variety. Sugar-free gum will freshen up your breath just as well as sugar gum, but won't leave a sugary residue on your teeth for the rest of the day.
- Gargle a cap full of mouthwash to freshen your mouth. Mouthwash is a great way to quickly freshen up your mouth before you step out for a date, dinner, or a social event. Fill the cap of the mouthwash container with the liquid and gargle it for 20-30 seconds. Then spit it out and rinse out the mouthwash from your mouth with a mouthful of tap water.[6]
- Like gum and mints, mouthwash is only a temporary fix to bad breath. Also, using mouthwash more than 1-2 times per day can actually worsen your breath by agitating the tissue within your mouth and drying out your oral cavity.
- You may also consider trying oil pulling as a way to rinse your teeth and prevent bad breath. Swish of coconut or sesame oil in your mouth for about 10 minutes, and then spit out the oil.[7]
- Clean your dentures every night to remove any bad smells. If you wear dentures, remove them each night before you go to bed. Use lukewarm tap water and hand soap to scrub your dentures and remove any buildups of bacteria and plaque. If you neglect to clean your dentures, they'll start to smell within a few days and can lead to bad breath.[8]
- Instead of soap and water, you can also use a denture-cleaning pad or denture cream to clean the dentures.
[Edit]Making Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Bad Breath - Stay hydrated to keep your mouth smelling fresh. Many cases of bad breath are caused by a dry mouth, which allows bacteria to flourish. Avoid this by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mouth wet and fresh smelling. Stay away from fluids that dehydrate you, like coffee, alcohol, and colas, which can actually worsen your bad breath.[9]
- To keep hydrated, adult men should drink at least of water a day. Adult women should drink at least of water a day.
- Some prescription medications can also cause you to have a dry mouth. If you're not sure whether a medication you're on dries out your mouth, ask your doctor.
- Floss daily to remove food particles that can cause bad breath. Brushing your teeth only cleans about 60% of the surface of your teeth, leaving 40% still dirty. Over time, the plaque and bacteria on these dirty surfaces of your teeth can start to smell bad, giving you potent breath. Prevent this potential bad breath by flossing daily.[10]
- You'll be most likely to remember to floss if you do it at a consistent time day after day. For example, floss right after dinner each night.
- Stop smoking to improve the smell of your breath. Not only are cigarettes (and other forms of tobacco) bad for your health, but they give smokers chronic bad breath. Smoking also dries out your mouth (similarly to alcohol), and allows foul-smelling bacteria to build up in the oral cavity.[11]
- Even if you don't smoke cigarettes, other types of smoking can lead to bad breath. Smoking cigars, vaping, and smoking marijuana can all cause bad-smelling breath.
- Cut back on the amount of alcohol you drink to decrease bad breath. Drinking alcohol alters the balance of bacteria in your mouth, leading to frequent bad breath. All types of alcohol (but especially hard liquors like whiskey and vodka) also dry out your mouth and lead to stale-smelling breath. So, if you're a drinker and you find yourself with frequent bad breath, cut back on the alcohol consumption.[12]
- In order to be considered a moderate drinker, men under 65 should have no more than 2 drinks a day. Women of all ages and men over 65 should have no more than 1 drink a day.[13]
- Take a daily probiotic supplement. Taking probiotics may help with bad breath, so it's something to consider. Look for a probiotic that contains lactobacilli.[14]
- Ask your healthcare provider for recommendations on probiotic supplements if you are unsure what probiotic to choose.[15]
- Reduce your intake of processed foods in favor of whole foods. Eating lots of processed foods and foods that are loaded with added sugar may make bad breath worse. However, getting most of your nutrients from whole foods, such as fruits and veggies, may help to improve bad breath. Cut back on the amount of processed foods and added sugars you consume and incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Try drinking fresh fruits vegetable smoothies.
- Consider a detox diet to help eliminate unhealthy foods from your diet.
- Snack on fresh, crispy fruit and veggies as part of a daily diet. Snacking on crispy and liquid-rich veggies and fruits is a great way to freshen your mouth. They prevent bad breath by removing food particles and bacteria from your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Eating these foods as a snack between meals can also prevent foul-smelling stomach acids from making your breath smell.[16] Before lunch or after dinner, eat 4-5 pieces of foods like:
- Apple slices
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
- Bell peppers
[Edit]Treating Medically-Caused Halitosis - See a dentist 1–2 times every year for a general cleaning. Regular dental checkups and cleanings are crucial to maintaining strong, healthy teeth. Your dentist can identify and stop issues that cause bad breath, like cavities and tooth decay. General cleanings can also help prevent bad breath by keeping your teeth and gums free from odorous bacteria. If you notice that you have bad breath that isn't fixed by a mint or brushing your teeth, bring the issue up to your dentist.[17]
- If your dentist sees any medical issues that may lead to bad breath—e.g., receding gums—they can point it out to you before the problem becomes severe.
- Visit your dentist if you suspect you have gum disease. Gum disease causes your gums to pull back from your teeth. A side effect of gum disease is that bacteria can build up in the pockets between your receding gums and your teeth. This typically results in extreme and chronic bad breath. If you notice your gums receding and can't seem to get rid of your bad breath, visit your dentist and ask about gum disease.[18]
- If you do have gum disease, your dentist will be able to scrape the odor-causing bacteria out of the pockets between your gums and teeth.
- If your gum disease is advanced or if you need surgery, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist (gum specialist).
- See your doctor if nose or throat pain accompany your bad breath. In some situations, sinus infection or inflammation can cause bad breath, as can general inflammation of soft tissue in your nose and throat. As bacteria build up in these kinds of infection, they'll cause noticeably bad breath that won't be treated through dental care or hydration.[19]
- Bacteria-covered tonsil stones can also produce bad breath. While these are uncommon, it's worth asking your doctor to check your tonsils if you can't determine the cause of your bad breath.
- Your general practitioner may refer you to an ENT specialist to treat severe infections.
- Tell your doctor if stomach pain accompanies your bad breath. Certain stomach and intestinal conditions can produce halitosis. For example, if an unhealthy level of the bacteria H. pylori has built up in your stomach, it may be causing your chronic bad breath. Similarly, stomach ulcers and various stomach reflux diseases can cause foul-smelling breath.[20]
- Some of these stomach and intestinal medical conditions can be treated with prescription medications. For harder-to-treat conditions, your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist.
- If you're going to be away from quick breath-fresheners like gum and mints, avoid eating potent foods like onion, garlic, and fish. These food items are notorious for giving people bad breath.[21]
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