Practical Ways to Boost Your Intelligence

Everybody knows we have to exercise our muscle to be physically fit. However, it is not just our muscles that need exercising. Our brain also needs the same exercise that we ought to give to our body. Using our brain the right way can make us more focused. It boosts our intelligence and thinking capability. But then, how do we exercise our brain? Here are some practical ways to do it:

Watch less TV –This is a real tough one especially for those who love watching shows.  But according to numerous studies all over the world, television would not allow our mind to think or re-charge.  After long hours of television our eyes sore and we feel so drained. An alternative relaxation is to listen to good music. You can also try reading magazines or newspaper instead of watching TV if you feel some boredom.

Do some stretching – Exercising can boost our physical capability. It can clear our head and creates a positive wave of energy. After a good work out, we will feel more energetic and we could concentrate clearly.
Read challenging books – I am a fan of suspense thriller but I just found out recently that these type of books are not good in stimulating our brain. To enhance our thinking capability, it would be better to read classic novel because these are the books that can make you focus. More than that, it could enhance your vocabulary to good English language.

Get enough sleep – My doctor advised me to get at least eight hours sleep every day. But then, there is a catch to that. One should sleep early to make the most of the sleeping benefits. Rejuvenation takes it fullest if we sleep early and avoid sleeping for more than eight hours. In case of sleepiness attack during day time, 10 to 20 minute nap should do the job. Anything in excess can make us sluggish. Remember, complete sleep helps our mind focus.

Free your mind from unnecessary worries – Too much things crowding our mind makes it difficult to concentrate and could make us feel exhausted. Reflection can make us more organize and easily identify our priorities . Any form of solitude is also good for our brain. Ideas are coming out when we are in solitude state.

Some Basic Rules for Effective Writing By George Orwell

George Orwell

The usage of effective language should be our major concern if we want to be heard. However, this is not so in politics. Some would tend to use vague or imprecise language so as not to offend various demographics. Fortunately, this is a condition that is discussed in the essay written by George Orwell in 1946.

According to the essay written by George Orwell, we could clearly communicate our perception and ideas if we will never use a figurative speech or a metaphor like “toe in the line”, “an axe to grind” or”play into the hands of”.  George Orwell, implied that such phrases create no impact so we should formulate fresh, powerful images.

It is also better if we will avoid the use of long words because using long, complicated words may make you sound pretentious and arrogant. More so, it is also less likely to be understood. So, give preference to shorter words.  And if it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. As per Ezra Pound “Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree”. Less is always better.

Likewise, do not use a foreign phrase, a scientific or technical word, or a jargon when they are not necessary. Remember that the goal in writing is to communicate effectively. Leave those technical or foreign words unless they do not have equivalent words in English. Lastly, to make your writing more encouraging to read, use active verbs instead of passive verbs.

How to Speed Read

Speed reading is an acquired ability to read faster than average without losing reading comprehension by changing the way that you read.

Improve Reading by Speed Reading

The secret to speed reading is geting over your reading FEAR. What slows your reading speed is the fear of missing stuff as you go. But nobody ever said you could only read it once! You will increase your reading performance by layering your reading comprehension i.e. reading it once, twice, three times super fast with less overall time.
To improve reading you must get a handle on your FEAR of missing stuff as you speed read. When you feel the FEAR remember - Forgetting Everything is All Right. And You must Forget Everything And Remember more. It's no different from the fearful rush you felt when you first took off your bicycle training wheels or first took a car on the road. The more you do it, the better you get at it, and the less scary it is.
The physiological reading speed reading record so far in the Guinness Book of World Records is 25,000 words per minute with good reading comprehension. Mr. Average reads about 100-200 words per minute. There is no reason you can't aim for 1000 words a minute easy. But you have to practice to improve reading by speed reading just like you did to ride a bicycle or learn to drive a car.

Speed Reading Techniques

The best time honored speed reading technique is the Evelyn Wood speed reading technique by President Kennedy. Evelyn coined the term "speed reading". Her speed reading technique involves pushing your eyes through reading material faster by using your finger, hand or other marker to pull your eyes through the reading material instead of wading through it becoming lost in the details.
Photoreading is the new kid on the speed reading techniques block. The signature style of this technique is using peripheral vision and unconscious perception to blaze through reading books.
The WTF! Speed Reading Strategy is our own hack. More on that later.

Speed Reading Skills

There are three primary speed reading skills that separates speed reading from average slow reading. To successfully become a speed reader you MUST master these speed reading skills.
Speed reading skill 1: force your eyes to move through the written page faster than it feels comfortable. This forces you to bundle packets of words into bigger chunks. Counter intuitively, speed reading actually helps you grasp the gist and concepts faster than traditional reading. Kinda like how it's easier to skim across logs floating in water than slowly tip toeing from one to the other and sinking.
Speed reading skill 2: shut up. Stop trying to hear the words as you read. Lab tests show that when you verbalize words in your mind, you also do it with your vocal cords - it's called subvocalization. If you sound out each word as you read you'll never get past a reading rate faster than you can talk.
Speed reading skill 3: see the action, not the words. The final step in speed reading skill mastery is to see the words on the page in your real eyes but see the action represented in your minds eye. When engrossed speed reading you kinda see the words on the page but are unaware of them, aware only of the mental movie they are creating in your head. Sorta like a directed daydream.

Speed Reading Comprehension

Studies on reading comprehension using speed reading systems universally show a fall in comprehension with increase in reading speed. But these studies are typically conducted right after test subjects complete a speed reading course and read a passage once. In fact, the more often and longer you practice speed reading, the better you get at it. And the better your reading comprehension becomes. Even more powerful, is that if you read some text once really fast, then do it again, your reading comprehension is just as good as slow reading it once but in half the time.

Speed Reading Tools

When reading for pleasure I don't use any reading tools. Just the book and me. And sitting anywhere from a hammock to a bed. My dad used to chill reading in nearby trees!
But for course work, play time is over. Sit upright in a school or office chair. Slouching promotes fatigue. The reading tools I use are a timer, baseball cap, and a pencil. Use the timer reading tool to keep yourself on target. Use the ball cap as a reading tool to limit visual distraction around you. And apply the pencil as a reading tool to carry your eyes down pages rapidly and to quickly jot, circle or underline important stuff as you go.
Keep your reading tools together in one spot on your reading desk for quick access.

OPTIMUM CONDITIONS FOR EFFECTIVE STUDY

We can improve the conditions for learning by being aware of some of the ways the brain works which is exposed in this study tip. Although we do not need to know a great deal about the brain, understanding some basics can help us to make the most of our minds. Some of the optimal conditions for learning are common sense and good for our general health. For example, the brain works well when:

• it is rested - sleep affects our performance
• it is hydrated - drinking water helps the electrical connections of the brain
• it is unstressed - when it is stressed, it can focus only on 'escape', not on such matters as reading journals and writing assignments
• it enjoys itself - it is important to look for any angle that can stimulate our interest in what we are learning. Sometimes this can take imagination if the subject itself seems boring
• it has seen something several times - little and often works better than trying to understand something in one sitting

General tips
Spending long hours studying is not necessarily productive. It is possible to gain better marks by studying more effectively rather than for longer. Most of this resource looks at ways of studying in more effective ways. To study effectively, you can:

• Identify what is really needed
  Study assignment titles carefully. Work out exactly what is required for assignments. This saves time in re-writing assignments later. Time spent in preparation is well spent.
• Work strategically
  Set yourself clear goals and work towards these.
• Make the material meaningful
  Looking for 'the meaning' or how things work, rather than focusing on remembering information. Work with the material, looking at how it fits together and applies to different circumstances. If you develop your understanding of the subject, it will help you to take in future material more easily. This makes reading easier. It also improves your memory for the subject.
• Look for links
  Be active in searching out links between different aspects of the programme. Look also for links between what you are learning and the wider world. This helps to develop understanding and memory.
• Work with others
  Work with other students so that you share ideas and gain mutual support. You may be able to share some research tasks and clarify your lecture notes. Studying with others makes study more interesting, as you gain a different set of perspectives.
• Set yourself SMART-F targets
  Targets should be:
  • strategic : they assist you to achieve your goals
  • measurable: you can tell when you have completed them
  • achievable: you are likely to succeed in meeting them
  • realistic: they fit the circumstances
  • time-bound: you have a set time to meet
  • flexible: you can adapt them if the circumstances change
• Look for short-cuts
  • Look for reasonable short-cuts that do not compromise your studies. For example:
  • avoid unnecessary tasks such as writing notes out neatly
  • use abbreviations in your notes
  • write assignments onto a computer if possible rather than writing them out by hand and then typing them up
  • focus your notes around themes and questions rather than making long notes that you do not really need
• Use the word limit to focus your energies
  Most assignments have a word limit. Use this as a guide to how much you need to read and how many examples you can include. Plan out in advance how you will divide up the words available to you. Often, you need to be very concise about each topic. This means you may not be able to include very much of what you have read if you have undertaken a great deal of reading or made very extensive notes.
• Take care of yourself
  Take rests when you are tired. Study takes longer and the brain is less effective when you are tired or stressed. · Plan your time so that you get breaks. A change of scene stimulates the brain and helps creative thinking

MAKE GOOD USE OF YOUR TIME

"What is the best use of my time, NOW!"

Ask yourself the above often and you will become an extremely effective effective
student.

"Unscheduled time will be lost".
If you do not know in advance what you should be doing at a certain hour, you probably wont do anything useful. So, create a schedule for tomorrows activities.

IMPROVE YOUR STUDY SKILS BY CHANGING YOUR EATING HABITS

There are many studies to show that certain foods affect us in very specific ways. If you’re putting off your homework because you’re feeling tired or you’re having trouble concentrating or remembering, why not try changing your diet?

Eating Habits and Memory

Scientists have discovered sufficient amounts of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) can greatly improve your memory. It’s found in common foods like bread, milk, pasta, and  as well as liver (try it before saying yuck!) and dark green vegetables.

If a lack of concentration is your problem, try increasing your zinc intake by eating whole grains and sea foods. Bananas are a good source of vitamin B6, which also improves your thinking capabilities.
Why not try adding a banana to your morning routine? You might find a change in your ability to concentrate during that early morning math class.

Eating Habits and Engergy

We all know that iron is important for energy. It is especially important that teen-aged girls watch for symptoms of iron deficiency, such as dizziness when standing, fatigue, and feeling cold when others are not. You can find iron in lean meats, peanut butter, or leafy green vegetables. An iron supplement works wonders, as well.

Sometimes the lack of a certain nutrient leads to irritability. How many times have you found yourself too grumpy or grouchy to concentrate? Have you snapped at your friends for no apparent reason? We’ve all been there.

Believe it or not, this can come from eating too much junk food, which is low in nutrients.
If you’re really serious about improving your grades, try a little eating experiment. First, keep a journal of the foods you eat for a week, without changing your diet. Make notes about your mental alertness and your moods.

The next week, skip over the junk food snacks and the fast foods and try snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables and foods that are made from whole grains. Eat lean meats and sea food when possible.
Keep track of any changes in your ability to concentrate and remember things. If you see a significant improvement, it might be time to make a serious life change!

BASIC STUDY TIPS2

In this section, I want to talk about something you and I, possibly, have neglected when it gets to studying effectively. In as much as there are many factors that influence our study techniques, your posture when you get down to business can make or mar your assimilation.

Without wasting much time, the posture, ergonomically friendly and globally accepted is the set up where you have a desk well above your waist level and a comfortable seat with upright back rest. You can also have a bright reading lamp in case the room is not bright enough (See the previous post for prerequisite steps to study). Sitting uprightly keeps you on your toes.

The reason why some people do not succeed is because they are too lazy to sit up when reading. They lie on a soft bed or sofa while reading and before five minutes is exhausted, they dose off. Such sleep usually lasts for about 45 mins to 2 hrs. I, personally discovered that I usually feel sleepy when reading on my back and in most cases, I fall asleep with the book covering my face or on my chest.

If you have been doing this, try something different. Be determined and disciplined to sit upright when studying. One thing is for sure. You'll find yourself studying longer hours than you can. But note, take intermittent breaks when studying to refresh your mind. At the same time, use such short break wisely. You can just scribble or lean back to remember what you just took in. Goodluck

BASIC STUDY TIPS1

In the quest to be a successful scholar, here are a few fundamental tips that mind come in handy.

Take steps to improve your memory and boost your iq. Instead of playstation, etc, play memory boosting games. Get one online now.

Be a good listener. Quit chatting or gossiping once the instructor is ready to speak.

Avoid unnecessary distractions when studying. Set your mobile to silent. Turn off the radio. Shut out noise of traffic coming through the window (if you have a good cooling system.

As a prerequisite, take about a minute or two to free your mind. You can do this by taking a deep breath and wiping your face with both palms. This will keep you mentally switched.

More tips coming your way soon.

Note: For any of these to work, you must have that determination, hunger and driving force to succeed. It is a waste of time pushing a man, who is unwilling, up ladder. You can take a horse to a stream, but you cannot force water into its mouth.

BAD STUDY HABITS

These are behaviours exhibited when or ere reading which do not yield any successful result of which any student who wants to achieve excellency must avoid. They are:

1. Absent mindedness
2. Lack of concentration
3. Disguise (allowing other thoughts to flow in while also looking into the book)
4. Poor memory
5. Lack of wisdom
6. Forgetfulness
7. Fear
8. Poor or bad position/posture
9. Overconfidence
10. Hatred towards the particular course or its instructor/teacher/lecturer
11. Negative mentality
12. Poor feeding habit

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