The "You Can Do It" Strategy

The "You Can Do It" Strategy
By Frankie Cooper

Expressing a few thoughts about people that choose to stand up, stand strong, and stand firm on what they want to do. It's very easy for someone to talk you out of your objectives. If you can be persuaded to change your course of action then maybe you didn't want to do it in the first place. But for those of you who want to continue then here are a few pointers to help you along the way.

Strategy 1: Say it. In your mind you've thought about something that you really want to do. No one can change your mind and that is final. Ready to move to next step with no regrets and take on the challenges ahead.

Strategy 2: Believe it. Questioning yourself is when you are thinking in could be done. This type of thinking want cut it. You will need to have a firm conviction that it can be done and you can do it.

Strategy 3: Can it. No, I'm not talking about trashing it and throwing it away but I'm referring to just the opposite. You can do whatever you set your mind to if you apply focus and persistence to your efforts.

Strategy 4: Do it. Take the first step. It may be hard and you may have to make yourself do it. Look at the end result and keep your eyes on the prize.

The above strategies will help you move along if you really want to make progress. Some people may disagree with me but you'll get over it because they have helped me. If you are a big talker but cannot prove anything then how are people going to believe in you. Proof is in the pudding. You can do it!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frankie_Cooper

How to Be Smart

Much of our media looks down on smart people. They like to produce stories on beautiful and famous people with problems. Sometimes it almost seems to be unpopular to be smart. Such an attitude will not fare you well in the real world. Cultivating your intelligence, not just faking it, is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your happiness and financial success in life.

Steps

1. Set goals once a week. Do the important things first. This helps because you might need to do a important project and you decide to go and play football instead. And the night before the project is due you are rushing around and may not even finish. Your teacher will be able to tell 2 things, you've rushed it and you haven't put any effort into it.

2. Work on your vocabulary. Read good books, try to use a few definitions from the dictionary each day, or subscribe to a "word-of-the-day" service on-line. You can also take the vocabulary tests in Readers Digest or buy a book on increasing your working vocabulary. Read the dictionary one letter at a time. This will take you a year at least but you will grow intellectually.

3. Further your education. Keep in mind an education isn't the junk you are forced to do in school for diplomas and degrees; it's an understanding of the world around you. People who are naturally curious for some reason begin to stop asking questions the moment they hit school. The truly brilliant mind however, always questions their world and tries to make sense of it. That is the secret to "genius". Do not let the relentless orders and busywork of school called an "education" fool you. Schools are one potential resource if you enjoy the environment but by no means are they necessary for brilliance and by no means are they the best way. For more information learn about Unschooling. Note the significant contributions Unschoolers have made.

4. Watch the news and talk about recent things that have happened around the world. Try to watch (or, more preferably, read) the news everyday for the rest of your life. Also analyze it for the media does occasionally sell propaganda.

5. Cultivate an interest in subjects like current events, interesting facts, funny and inspiring quotations, good books and movies, scientific studies and interesting inventions. Educational television is a great way to learn. Check out PBS or History channel. People who have something to talk about other than their own internal problems and worries appear far more interesting and intelligent.

6. Read good books. They will make you both appear and be smarter. Reading really is fun and your mind will grow. Keep your reading diverse by reading books of all genres including non-fiction. Make sure the books are interesting to you. As you read more you will soon learn that, just like movies, some books are better than others. Keep searching out the ones you think are good. If not sure what to read... ask a teacher or go to the library. Get a library card.

7. Be organized. Begin each day by planning. Get a notebook or small digital planner to write down your daily homework assignments and write down the due dates for tests and papers. Get a weekly planner with your class schedule and plan your activities. Get a monthly calender to write down birthdays and big events. Write down what classes you have, when to do homework and what your homework is, dates, when you are hanging out with friends etc. all in your planner.

8. Learn to listen carefully to others' opinions about controversial things, or things they know about and you do not. You do not have to agree with them but remember everybody has something to teach you. Keep an open mind. The more intelligent you are the more questions you will ask of your friends, teachers and parents. It is great for social conversations too but don't do it in class.

9. Be nice to people. Care about the well being of others. Sometimes people don't realize if another person is hurting or sad. Look at their faces and in their eyes when you talk to them. There will always be bullies. They may call you names: a nerd, a freak, a geek, or use a racial or homophobic slur, but in this case they really will only be jealous and petty. Being nice to all people is also a sign of maturity, class and intelligence. Keep it up and people will notice. You will start to feel very good inside. Sometimes a good tactic is to go along with their mockery and laugh at yourself. Stand up for people who are getting bullied even if you might start getting bullied. Never insult anyone, gossip or hurt someone physically. Don't make offensive jokes.If someone is abusive to you, you can ignore them or go to adults for advice on how to deal with them. Be respectful to yourself, friends, parents and teachers.

10. Be friends with smart people who do all of the above. It will boost your self-esteem, confidence, make you less likely to be teased, prevent depression, help you study harder, make your life happier and otherwise enrich your life. You can also make studying fun with your friends.

11. Exercise your mind. Learn how to solve the Rubik's cube. It is easier than it appears if you learn tricks in visualizing the cube's geometry. Also do word and math puzzles-such as Sudoku. This will make you at least twice as smart!

12. Learn how to do mental sums or speed math. There are all sorts of tricks for doing complicated math in your head that will amaze others. Plus it can potentially increase working memory.

13. Visit new places as much as you can. If possible, try to visit other countries too. Visiting cities in your country or in a different one, gives you a open mind and teaches you about the world we live in. You will be able to understand other cultures(how people live in a different place, how they behave with each other, how they live and so on). You will also be able to understand that the planet earth is huge and there are so much to see and do. You will be fascinated on how there are so many different people and culture in the world. That will make you smart and interesting.

14. Visualize. Smart people use the visual sense. They observe a lot. That's a much better way of taking in and representing information than verbally (for example, in words,) or in sound, smell, touch, etc.

15. Deconstruct complex situations. That will enable you to understand each part of the system better. And it will give you a better understanding of the whole.

16. Act smart. If you act like you're smart then you can convince people that you are actually smart. This will in turn make you believe that you really are smart. Just believe in yourself and pretend to be smart. After some time you will begin to gain confidence that you really are smart.

Tips

* Remember, smart people don't necessarily talk a lot. If you do say something, make it witty. Never brag about what you know, like how the universe was created. Always be willing to help if someone asks.

* If you need help in getting organized, ask an adult or a teacher.

* If someone asks you a question that you don't know the answer to, be honest and tell them you do not know. Find out what the answer is from someone.

* If your parents are not educated it does not mean they are stupid, maybe they just did not have the chance. Try to improve yourself but not make fun if they are ignorant.

* Don't let other people's rude comments get to you. They're just ignorant if they feel they need to insult you in order to feel better about themselves. Never obsess about what other people think of you. It is a waste of time and may increase your stress.

* Try to find a role model- someone who is very intelligent - and observe them. But still know who you are.

* Take the time to study.

* Beware that drugs and alcohol can lower your intelligence. Exercise and eating soy help the brain to grow big. Eat lots of soy. Except, for females, soy has isoflavones which can naturally escalate your estrogen levels-limit to a small bowl a day of soybeans and/or a glass of soy milk. Too much soy is not good-it will alter your hormone levels!

* Take your time and learn to communicate well.

* Don't be jealous about other people's life and know that we are all the same and we are all different...we are all humans, but we are all unique. Be happy with what you got in your life. It is the smartest, and best, thing you can possibly do.

* There is more than one "type" of smart. There are booksmarts, streetsmarts, and so many others out there. No one is technically "stupid" or "dumb" it is just that everyone is smarter at something than someone else!

* Learn to work with people. Sure it's great to be right most of the time using your intelligence, but you also need to learn to work with other people. Don't expect them to understand everything you can understand. Make things simple or obvious for them, but not too obvious so that you sound like you're mocking them. Don't command them. Ask questions that will help spur their thinking. And find reasons that they can related to for accepting an idea or solution, etc.

* Know the difference between being smart and knowledgable. If you are smart, mentally, your mind works very well and is sharp. For an example, you have a great memory or you learn quickly. If you are knowledgeable, you are well-educated, and you know a lot. Are you both or just one?

Warnings

* Don't become a know-it-all or do-it-all. It is obnoxious! It is better to be subtle, not obvious.

* Try very hard to enjoy working with others on projects. It says a lot about you if you are successful. Other people have valuable ideas too. Listen to what others have to say.

* Treat others as they like to be treated.

* Be a Good, Clean, and well presented person.

* Don't reveal your weakness to your office friends

* Try not to lie, it makes your life easy and good.

Source : http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Smart

Words To Live By

WORDS TO LIVE BY

- If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.

- Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

- For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.

- He who hesitates is probably right.

- No one is listening until you make a mistake.

- Success always occurs in private, and failure always occurs in full view.

- To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.

- Two wrongs are only the beginning.

- Monday is an awful way to spend 14.3% of your life.

- The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.

- The light at the end of the tunnel is the headlight of an oncoming train.

- If you can't be a good example, you'll just have to be a horrible warning.

- Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

- Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, "Where the heck is the ceiling?!"

- On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key.

- Someday we'll look back on all this and plow into a parked car.

- Good news is just life's way of keeping you off balance.

- I still miss my ex-husband, but my aim is improving.

- Stupidity got us into this mess - why can't it get us out?

- Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason.

- I considered atheism but there weren't enough holidays.

- I always wanted to be a procrastinator, never got around to it.

- Dijon vu - the same mustard as before.

- I plan on living forever. So far, so good.

- Not afraid of heights-afraid of widths.

- A day without sunshine is like night.

- I have kleptomania, but when it gets bad, I take something for it.

Source : http://www.amusingfacts.com/cgi-bin/surf/surf_pass.cgi?template=joke.html&cfile=wordstolive.html

True Friends

Horror gripped the heart of the World War 1 soldier as he saw his lifelong friend fall in battle. Caught in a trench with continuous gunfire whizzing over his head, the soldier asked his lieutenant if he might go out into the "no man's land" between the trenches to bring his fallen comrade back.

"You can go," said the lieutenant, "but i don't think it will be worth it. Your friend is probably dead and you may throw your life away." The lieutenant's advice didn't matter, and the soldier went anyway. Miraculously he managed to reach his friend, hoist him onto his shoulder and bring him back to their company's trench. As the two of them tumbled in together to the bottom of the trench, the officer checked the wounded soldier, and then looked kindly at his friend.

"I told you it wouldn't be worth it," he said. "Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded." "It was worth it, though, sir," said the soldier. "What do you mean; worth it?" responded the Lieutenant. "Your friend is dead" "YES, Sir" the private answered. "But it was worth it because when i got to him, he was still alive and I had the satisfaction of hearing him say, "JIM........, I KNEW YOU'D COME."


Many times in life, whether a thing is worth doing or not, really depends on how you look at it. Take up all your courage and do something your heart tells you to do so that you may not regret not doing it later in your life.."May each and every one of you be blessed with the company of TRUE FRIENDS." "A true friend is one who walks in, when the rest of the world walks out." War doesn't determine who's right. War only determines who's left.

Source : http://www.inspirationallane.com/InspirationalShortStories.htm

Resistance to Change

Resistance to Change - Why it Matters and What to Do About It
Nearly two-thirds of all major changes in organizations fail. That's pretty sobering information.

Did you know that:

* only about 30 percent of reengineering projects succeed
* 23 percent of mergers make back their costs
* 43 percent of quality improvement efforts are worth the effort
* 9 percent of major software applications are worth what you pay for them

Fortune 500 executives said that resistance was the primary reason changes failed. And 80 percent of the chief information officers said that resistance - not a lack of technical skills or resources - was the main reason why technology projects failed. It's that soft, touchy-feely, human reaction of resistance that matters.

But these statistics are only partly right. Resistance is not the primary reason why changes fail. The real problem is that leaders plan and roll out major changes in ways that create inertia, apathy, and opposition.

For example, an executive announces that the company will restructure starting next week. Employees and middle managers begin to resist. As the project unfolds, executives see resistance appear in many forms - malicious compliance, in-your-face arguments, even sabotage. The executives respond by pushing the change even harder. Then they make demands. Employees redouble their opposition and the change ends up either failing or going far over budget and way past deadlines.



Does this scenario sound at all familiar to you? If so, you're not alone. Here are some things to consider.
You've Got to Know What Creates Resistance to Change

Resistance is in the eye of the beholder. The people resisting don't see what they are doing as resistance - they often see it as survival.

Resistance to change is a reaction to the way a change is being led. There are no born "resistors" out there waiting to ruin otherwise perfect plans. People resist in response to something.

Resistance protects people from harm. If I'm a novice downhill skier, it's resistance that keeps me from taking the chair lift to the top of Bodycast Mountain. In an organization, resistance keeps me from saying "yes" to an assignment that I think will kill my career. After all, people aren't dopes.

The better we are at seeing what causes resistance, the easier it will be to build support for our ideas. In other words, if we understand resistance, we also understand the other side of that coin - support for change.

There are three levels of resistance.

Level 1 - I Don't Get It

Level 1 involves information: facts, figures, ideas. It is the world of thinking and rational action. It is the world of presentations, diagrams, and logical arguments.

Level 1 may come from . . .

* Lack of information
* Disagreement with data
* Lack of exposure to critical information
* Confusion over what it means

Many make the mistake of treating all resistance as if it were Level 1. Well-meaning leaders give people more information - hold more meetings, and make more PowerPoint presentations - when, in fact, something completely different is called for. And that's where Levels 2 and 3 come in.

Level 2 - I Don't Like It

Level 2 is an emotional reaction to the change. Blood pressure rises, adrenaline flows, pulse increases. It is based on fear: People are afraid that this change will cause them to lose face, status, control - maybe even their jobs.

Level 2 is not soft stuff. You can't say, "Just get over it," and expect people to say, "Wow, thanks, I needed that." Level 2 runs deep. When it kicks in, we can feel like our very survival is at stake.

When Level 2 is active, it makes communicating change very difficult. When adrenaline shoots through our system, we move into fight-or-flight mode (or we freeze, like a deer in the headlights). And we stop listening. So no matter how terrific your presentation is, once people hear "downsizing" their minds (and bodies) go elsewhere. And this is uncontrollable. They are not choosing to ignore you, it's just that they've got more important things on their minds - like their own survival.

Organizations usually don't encourage people to respond emotionally, so employees limit their questions and comments to Level 1 issues. They ask polite questions about budgets and timelines. So it may appear that they are with you, but they're not. They are asking Level 1 questions while hoping that you'll read between the lines and speak to their fears. And here is a really tricky part - they may not even be aware that they are operating on such a basic emotional level.

Level 3 - I Don't Like You

So maybe they like you, but they don't trust you - or don't have confidence in your leadership. That's a hard pill to swallow, I know. But lack of attention to Level 3 is a major reason why resistance flourishes and changes fail. And it is seldom talked about. Books on change talk about strategies and plans (all good stuff, to be sure) but most of this advice fails to recognize a major reason why change fails.

In Level 3 resistance, people are not resisting the idea - in fact, they may love the change you are presenting - they are resisting you. Maybe their history with you makes them wary. Perhaps they are afraid that this will be "a flavor of the month" like so many other changes, or that you won't have the courage to make the hard decisions to see this through.

But maybe its not you. People may resist those you represent. The statement, "Hi, I'm from headquarters, I'm here to help," often leaves people skeptical. If you happen to be that person from headquarters, you're going to have a hard time getting people to listen to you.

Whatever the reasons for this deeply entrenched resistance, you can't afford to ignore it.

People may understand the idea you are suggesting (Level 1), and they may even have a good feeling about the possibilities of this change (Level 2) - but they won't go along if they don't trust you.
How You Can Turn Resistance Into Support

Here are a few ideas to get you started addressing the various levels of resistance. And remember, all three levels could be in play simultaneously.

Level 1 - Make Your Case

* Make sure people know why a change is needed. Before you talk about how you want to do things, explain why something must be done.
* Present the change using language they understand. If your audience isn't made up of financial specialists, then detailed charts showing a lot of sophistical analysis of the numbers will be lost on them.
* Find multiple ways to make your case. People take in information in different ways. Some like to hear things. Others like to see things. Some like pictures. Others text. Some learn best in conversation. The more variety in the communication channels, the greater the chance that people will get what you have to say.

Level 2 - Remove as Much of the Fear as You Can - and Increase the Excitement about What's Positive About the Change

* Emphasize what's in it for them. People need to believe that the change will serve them in some way. For example, work will be easier, relationships will improve, career opportunities will open up, or job security will increase.
* Get them engaged in the process. People tend to support things they have a hand in building.
* Be honest. If a change will hurt them - downsizing, for instance - then tell the truth. It's the right thing to do, and it stops the rumor mill from inventing stories about what might happen. Also, honesty bolsters their trust in you (a Level 3 issue).

Level 3 - Rebuild Damaged Relationships - and Tend to Neglected Relationships

* Mea Culpa. Take responsibility for things that may have led to the current tense relations.
* Keep commitments. Demonstrate that you are trustworthy
* Find ways to spend time together so they get to know you (and your team). This is especially helpful if the resistance comes from "who you represent" and not just from your personal history together.
* Allow yourself to be influenced by the people who resist you. This doesn't mean that you give in to every demand, but that you can admit that you may have been wrong, and that they may ideas worth considering.

Article Source : http://www.beyondresistance.com/resistance_to_change.htm

Overcoming Anxiety Attacks

With all the stress and uncertainty facing us in our everyday lives it is easy to understand why anxiety attacks are so common. The recent economic downturns worldwide have only contributed to the amount of anxiety and stress we all experience.

With the seemingly endless assaults on our mental health it has become increasingly more important to learn how to overcome anxiety and panic attacks. Fear of losing your home, your job, even your life savings has put everyone under a tremendous amount of pressure. Our control over these issues is somewhat limited and this we must accept. There is however active measures we can take for managing stress which leads to the anxiety and panic attacks that threaten both our physical and mental well being.



Let's look at 7 ways in which you can minimize and control the negative affects of these attacks and regain your emotional stability and peace of mind.

Gain Separation

The first and best thing to do when experiencing attacks of anxiety is to get away from the source if at all possible. By gaining this separation you are better able to keep the tension or stress from compounding any further then it already has.

Compose Yourself

Collect your thoughts and regroup them. Consider what has occurred and how best to handle it. Determine if perhaps you've overreacted or even if the reason for your anxiety is really all that important. Focus more on thinking as opposed to emotionally reacting.

Peace and Quiet

What you need most is to locate a quiet place where you can more easily calm yourself down. Avoid chaos or highly trafficked areas since this could increase the tension you may feel. Your ability to focus is something you'll need to get your feelings back under control so find a place conducive to deep uninterrupted thought

Seek Fresh Air

If possible go outside where the fresh air and the environment will serve to have a calming effect on you. The natural surroundings will help to clear your thoughts and diffuse your tense emotional state.

The Tranquility of Water

Water has a very calming effect on just about everybody and is actually recognized for its beauty and tranquility. If you can locate some running water all the better due to its ability to naturally mesmerize you which will detract attention away from your source of angst.

Breathe Deeply

When emotions run high there is a natural tendency to hyperventilate which will only help increase the tension you feel. Take active measures to breathe slowly, deliberately, and deeply. This will help to decelerate the escalation of any inner tensions you are experiencing.

Tune In

Listening to music which is soothing will again help to redirect your immediate thoughts away from any anxiety you feel. The calmer the music the more effective it will be towards soothing your emotions. Even if you are a hard rock or rap fan you will still appreciate and benefit from this type of music.

There's no doubt anxiety attacks can cause major damage to your physical and mental health. The stress we're feeling from both our personal and professional lives can be overwhelming at times. The causes for our anxiety and stress are often times unavoidable. We can however learn how to overcome these negative effects by managing stress instead of trying to avoid it. By taking active measures such as the 7 aforementioned approaches discussed above you can minimize the paralyzing effects of anxiety. What you stand to gain is the peace of mind and the tranquility you need to be productive in business and happy in life. You are entitled to this right so enjoy it!

TJ Philpott is an author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina. For additional Online Success Tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both profitable markets and products visit: http://affiliatequickstart.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=TJ_Philpott

Dealing with Stress during Final Exams

Dealing with Stress during Final Exams

By J. J. Tecce
Boston College
tecce@bc.edu
April 15, 1998

Stress is experienced when an event occurs that can be harmful. It is caused by unpredictability and a feeling of loss of control. Final exams produce unpredictability by the unexpected nature of exam questions, and of course, students typically have absolutely no control over what questions will appear on exams.

One way to incorporate predictability into your life during final exams is to outline your activities for the day. In this way, you have already taken some control over what will happen that day. This is the magic of preparation. You make plans and you already have a road map that buffers the angst of uncertainty. If your aims are realistic, at the end of the day you will likely have met some or all of these goals and will have a sense of achievement. And what will happen to your stress level? It will be lowered. Accomplishment and success will reduce stress every time.

As for the unpredictability of exam questions, the best way to gain control over them is to learn the course material so well that it doesn't matter what questions are asked. But mastery of course information isn't enough. In order to learn the material and retrieve it successfully during an exam, it is important to have a clear mind and a satisfactory
energy level.

One way to have a clear mind and good energy level is to establish a rhythm -- a routinethat helps the body prepare for physical or mental demands. Rhythms provide predictability and, therefore, reduce stress. In the ideal situation, the body knows when it will be given a rest and the mind knows when it will be given time off to recuperate from heavy-duty information input or difficult problem solving. All of this helps the mind remain clear for taking a final exam. For example, by going to sleep at the same time each night, the body basks in its own rhythm and sleep will be deep and have a restorative effect. And the result will be resurgence of the vital energies so essential for intense study the next day. By contrast, going to sleep at different hours prevents the body from going into the type of deep sleep needed for restoration of energy. The result is a hangover of fatigue the next day. In short, it can backfire to expose the body to irregularities in sleep habits, since the inevitable fatigue from sleep deprivation will interfere with studying.

Another useful rhythm is eating. A body that "knows" when it will be fed is a happy body that can nourish the brain and support crisp mental activity. In addition to this food routine, it is important to choose the right foods -- those that aid mental functioning. Here we have a food-mood connection. If you are overly tense and nervous, eat carbohydrates (such as bread, crackers, muffins, pasta, potatoes, rice, and dry cereals). They will relax
you. If you do not feel alert, eat proteins (such as chicken without the skin, fish, lean beef, veal, tofu, beans, lentils, grains, whole grain breads, yogurt, and milk). They will have an alerting effect. You can see that both eating in a timely way and eating the right foods will have a positive impact on studying.

A third rhythm involves periodic time-outs. Once in a while, taking a break from studying and doing something different -- either a physical or psychological activity --can lead to a refreshed attitude toward work. Physical activity, such as going for a walk,is particularly good for releasing built-up tensions and has the added bonus of deepening sleep for the restorative effect that was discussed earlier.

Part of the rhythm process should be psychological time-outs. Psychological displacement activities, such as meditating, chatting with friends, or watching a movie,are useful breaks when studying becomes a drag. There are two caveats here. The break should not be too long or the momentum of studying will be lost. Second, avoid highly emotional activities, such as a horror film, since they will disrupt your learning set and will interfere with retention of what you already have studied. The same goes for having
an intense argument or fight with a roommate or best friend.

Here's the choice for students. Spend energy on keeping track of irregularities in life style, or get into a rhythm and let nature do the signal calling. When nature takes over the role of maintaining rhythms, you are free to apply your energies to higher-level functions, such as studying.

Meditation is especially effective in clearing the mind and in providing an energy boost. For example, over the past twenty years or so, students in my classes at BC have practiced a relaxation technique called "distraction-meditation". By doing this relaxation each week in class, students develop a highly overlearned habit that provides powerful rest and stress reduction when needed. The positive effects during the final exam period can be extraordinary.

In distraction-meditation, thoughts and feelings that have been actively suppressed areallowed to enter awareness freely and randomly. By being experienced during the deeply relaxing state of meditation, these thoughts and feelings lose their emotional punch and,therefore, are unlikely to be disruptive during studying. In this way, distraction-meditation provides relief from potentially bothersome thoughts and feelings and allows attention to be focused entirely on studying.

Finally, the incremental approach to studying is useful in reducing stress. There is nothing worse than the overwhelming feeling that a gigantic amount of study material is waiting for you. Nutritionists herald the method of eating smaller rather than larger portions. Similarly, breaking up assigned material into small blocks facilitates learning and provides a satisfying closure at the end of each module. If you try to eat an entire sandwich in one gulp, you might choke to death. And so if you try to study too much all at once, you won't "digest" the material very well. You might even reward yourself after finishing a substantive block of material, such as with a little break, so that there is something positive to look forward to after hard work -- a tiny pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Perhaps the most powerful stress reducer in studying for final exams is to adopt a positive attitude. If exams are perceived as a drag and a source of anxiety and failure,then apprehension will accompany every effort to study for them and to take them. Exams are best viewed as a challenge that can be met successfully and as a stepping-stone for achievement. The anticipation of feeling on top of your game and boosting self-esteem (not to mention receiving accolades from mom, dad, and friends), will make success outweigh the fear of failure. With this totally positive outlook, the game then begins -- to learn, to achieve, and to succeed. And remember -- intelligence may be in your head, but exam success is in your hands.