My Top 5 Online Resources

I am always talking about all of the different online/app resources that I use for studying and I figured it would be a good time to sit down and actually make a video talking about my tips. If you have any resources that you use for studying that you would like to share, please leave it in the comments section of the video.

My Top 5 Online Resources

1: Quizlet, I have talked about quizlet in a few of my videos, especially when I bring up making notecards to study. It is this handy dandy app where you can create flash cards. You can either create your own or use the search bar and look for a specific topic. I was able to find all of the chapters for my Spanish book that someone else had created. I just had to make sure that it was correct, but it saved me a lot of time. The nice thing about this app is that you have your phone with you 24/7 so you have no excuse to not open the app for 5 minutes when you’re waiting for a friend or something. There are also games on the app that will help quiz you and memorize the words you’re studying. 

2: YouTube, this one might seem like a no brainer but YouTube is actually a great resource for studying. I think so many people think of YouTube as a place for makeup tutorials and vlogs but I have used it so many times to understand a certain topic better. Like I’ve said in a few other videos there are a ton of songs that will help you memorize crazy concepts or even help you with learning a new language. My best advice for YouTube is to be patient and not be afraid to keep going deeper to find the video that will help explain it. I watched some videos that had thousands of views that helped me and watched others that only had 100.. it is all about trial and error and being patient!

3: Purdue Owl, I couldn’t tell you how many times I have gone to this site for help. It has writing tips and tricks galore! I love any site that is super organized like this one here, you have general writing tips, subject specific writing and even job search writing tips! It has pretty much everything, plus a great little guide for MLA and AP style which for some reason I am never able to memorize. one day…need to find a song about it haha

4: Mathway , umm does anyone else dread math? I made a video talking about some of the tips that I have learned over the years but this site has saved me so many times. They also have an app, but it is this great site where you can put in a math problem and it will solve it for you! I do have to say that if you use this for every single problem you will not learn the material…obviously. and you probably won’t do well on the test but it is helpful when you’re stuck, just so you can see the correct answer or check your work. At the top, you’re able to change to different levels of math including chemistry! Check it out, just don’t rely on it for everything :) 

5: Khan Academy, this site has every single subject and it is wonderful, I wish I had found it sooner. Best thing about it, it is a free site! It helps you understand the subject with an instructional video , and then allows you to practice the topic with over 1000 different interactive exercises! They also have some great resources for the SAT and ACT that high schoolers would benefit from.

Tips & Tricks: History Class

When I was younger, I never really enjoyed all of the different subjects that I was to taking in school.... As I moved on through school and found myself in college, I quickly realized how interesting everything was. History is one of those things that I wish I paid more attention to when I was in middle and high school. I sorta just went through the motions, memorized, and then forgot about the info a few days after the test. 

I decided to put together a video about some tips & tricks that I learned over the years for taking a history class. Watch below and if you want, subscribe to my channel :)

1. Try creating flashcards to help you memorize. I made a "how I study with flashcards video" that you can watch here. In that video I talk about how I look at the whole process of creating the flashcards as studying. There are also great apps like Quizlet that allow you create flashcards on your phone, so you don't have to worry about writing out all of the info or carry it all around!

2. As we all know, History is all about dates and how one events connects to the other. It can be a little bit confusing with so much information. The one way that has helped me, especially as a visual learner is to create a mind map. I am able to color code which helps me visualize what time period each event is from. Tip: Just make sure your mind map follows some sort of chronological order so it is easier for you memorize when it comes to studying!

3. Taking notes in class can always be daunting, since there is a lot of information that is being thrown out there. What is important and what isn't? My best advice is so always stay on top of ALL reading assignments, even the boring ones. If you have a good idea of what the chapter is about, it will be easier for you in lecture to pull out the information that wasn't in the book. Once you get home, it is best to re write your notes, especially when it is still fresh in your mind... this is also a great time to write down any questions you have once you go over all of the material.

4. Many history exams have you writing an essay about an event, or you have to give your interpretation about a certain time. These can be hard. Some professors will  give you topics but some won’t. Just be aware when in lecture to listen carefully to see what topics they give more weight to. When it comes to studying, find out if you can what type of essay question it is. Is it an interpretation, a description of an event? etc. Then  create an outline and decide what you would write about it. I will then go and time myself, and write out what my answer would be. Of course, the question might vary so you will have to adjust your answer but at least knowing important details about an event will help you

5. Talk about it! the best way to remember information is to talk to others about what you are learning. History can be fascinating, so spark up a conversation with your parents or friends and ask them if they knew fill in the blank. or you can talk to your cat which is what I do. But, talking out loud and “teaching” someone the material is one of my favorite ways to memorize.