ENGLISHCOURSESUSA | LEARN ENGLISH IN THE USA
  • ABOUT
  • Get Started
  • Services
    • ARGO
    • COLLEGEY
    • CORT
    • Cturtle
    • ELSA
    • Unilodgers
  • GET SMART

Why Reading Past Papers Is the Easiest Way to Succeed at University

7/31/2020

 
Picture
Today, students are bombarded by numerous academic tasks required to successfully graduate from university and get a degree. That is why the time has become a valuable resource, which students cannot waste. Many of them believe that studying is either reading the textbook multiple times or reading a chapter and making notes to summarize it in their own note format. Both approaches are probably the most ineffective ways to study since students are only asked about 30% of the subject in their exams. But how to prepare for actual exams if reading textbooks over and over again and making notes is not relevant? To find an answer to this question, you need to understand that studying is not subject practice. Far from that, it is exam practice, where you take all you have done in the classroom and homework and see how this knowledge comes up in your exam.

Studying hard is not an equivalent of studying smart. Students need to make the learning process as efficient and productive as possible to succeed at university. If you want to prepare for your actual exams and pass them successfully, you should make past papers your best friend. There are numerous reasons why reading past papers is the easiest way to success at university. In this article, we have summarized the best benefits of this approach to studying.

1. You can familiarize yourself with the key topic areas
Reading past papers allows you to get a feeling for the main topics and themes that you are likely to encounter in your upcoming exams. The overwhelming majority of all exams are very predictable. With this knowledge in mind, try to sit with past exam papers for an hour or two and you will understand what we are talking about. You will identify certain trends and patterns that will help you get prepared for your exams more effectively. For example, after identifying trends and patterns, you can tell what subject areas you are good at and what themes and topics you know little or nothing about. As a result, you can focus your attention on certain themes to further extend your knowledge and get a proper grasp of certain subject areas. Furthermore, by reviewing past papers, it is possible to refresh your memory with the common phrases and terminology that you are likely to use in the actual exam. This will help you feel more confident and success oriented.

2. Reading past papers can get you a higher exam mark
In accordance with a study conducted by The Super Generation, an education organization that helps students learn more effectively, average students who focus on reading past papers and study smart tend to get above average or even excellent exam results. This is because spending your time practicing old exam papers and example sheets, as well as using them to guide your exam plans, can greatly assist you in developing your answer. Furthermore, reading past papers can help you practice answering exam questions and definitions. Given that fewer marks are allocated in this area, you can spend the majority of your time on the essay-style questions that generally count as a higher portion of the grade.

3. Past papers provide you with a feel of the forthcoming exams
Getting through past papers is also beneficial for your success at university since it enables you to experience the style, variety, and number of exam questions. With this knowledge in mind, you can plan on how to tackle each question in a highly effective manner. Reading past papers also enables you to familiarize yourself with the style of questions used, such as short-answer, multiple-choice, or essays. As a result, you will be able to get a better understanding of how to handle your exam paper in the best way possible and get a high mark.

4. You can further develop your skills
Reading past exam papers is also essential for your ability to further develop your time management and exam answering skills. For example, use these papers in order to practice and see how much time it would take to complete your exam paper. If you fail to deal with the paper within the time specified, analyze your answer and identify how you could improve and enhance it to achieve success in your forthcoming exams.

5. Reading past papers saves your time
Many teachers and students know that the majority of study courses have numerous associated topics, so it is problematic to cover them all in one exam. That is why reading past papers is crucial for your success as a student. When reading these papers, you are able to shift the focus of your mind from the broad subject to the exact, narrow questions. Given that only 4 hours of exam paper reading is worth around 10 hours of reading the textbook and taking notes, you should take this opportunity as early as possible to study effectively and increase your chances to get a high exam mark. Of course, don’t totally skip reading textbooks. While exams cover only a fraction of topics and subject areas, you will still need to give additional detail to your answer and provide the examiner with extra information to demonstrate your knowledge and comprehension.

Studying past papers is an effective strategy when it comes to exam preparation because it helps you focus on important themes and subject areas while also practicing exam-style questions. By following this simple strategy, you can approach the examination day with confidence and succeed at any point of your academic career at university. Just remember to stay positive, calm, and optimistic, and you will do well. Most universities provide their students with access to past exam papers on their website or digital library.

Ellie Richards is an online marketing manager for Original PhD, specializing in Ph.D. research paper help. Her focus is research, content and article writing on various topics, including education, marketing, and technology.

7 Myths About Online Degrees

7/27/2020

 
Picture
When it comes to earning a degree, you want to go to a great school for it. However, if you’re working and or have any other commitments, that can be very discouraging for those who want a degree. So, as a last resort, they may turn to online coursework. In this article, we’ll debunk seven of the common myths people have about the idea of earning an online degree. 

Myth 1: Easier Coursework Online
“The truth is, you have to work just as hard in online coursework, as you would with traditional in-person coursework,” says James Maciel, a tutor at Simple grad and Study demic. “Although you may enjoy more scheduling flexibility by taking classes online, you would still have to attend discussions, study, and complete assignments on time, just like you would in a regular class. In fact, students who take classes online are shown to have high levels of self-discipline because they’re doing schoolwork while having a job or other commitments.”

Myth 2: Lower-Quality Education Online
In truth, online schools strive to offer the best quality education for their students. While academic standards for online courses vary from school to school, you can rest assured that institutions go above and beyond to make sure that all students meet the same academic standard as expected in traditional schooling. And, although this requires teachers to communicate differently online, they have to think about how to make their teaching more effective when it comes to student engagement.

Myth 3: Online Degrees Aren’t Valid Enough
As mentioned above, online schools want to give students the best education possible. In fact, most online programs (especially those from top-ranked universities) offer rigorous curriculum and personalized instruction.

Plus, accreditation (traditional and online) may vary from school to school. So, if students wanted to transfer their credits to another school, then they might be able to do so. But again, it all depends on the school. The Council of Higher Education Accreditation continually publishes a list of recognized accrediting bodies ​that evaluate colleges and universities.

Myth 4: Online Is for Part-Time Students Only
Obtaining online education part-time or full-time depends on individual students. Although it’s true that many students choose online degree programs because of having a job or other commitments, there are still some students that learn online full-time. But still, it depends on how long they want to commit to a school schedule, and how they want to learn and study.

Myth 5: It’s Easy To Cheat In Online Courses
The first thing that may come to mind, when thinking about doing exams at home with no test proctor, is the thought of being able to cheat. However, that’s almost never the case, since studies show that online students don’t cheat any more than traditional students. 

In fact, some online classes require all their students to turn on their webcam during timed tests. Also, professors can and will use software that detects plagiarism (just like traditional professors do). With these extra precautions, schools are able to evaluate the students’ thoughts and writing, so that they can spot any deviations.

Myth 6: Online Students Can’t Use the School’s Auxiliary Services
While on-campus students already have access to their school’s auxiliary services, what about online students? Auxiliary services include:
  • Libraries
  • Career counseling offices
  • Job placement center

The truth is, online students can use the same services as students who attend school in person. For example, online students can access digital books by logging on to their school’s library website. Or, they can drive to the campus and visit the library in person.

Myth 7: Employers Look Down On Online Degrees
“The acceptance of online degrees depends on the individual employer,” says John Bowers, a business writer at Boomessays and Academized. “Some employers may hold true to traditional education and won’t look at current trends and or realities. However, in recent years, other employers are being more lenient to holders of online degrees applying for their open positions. In fact, many companies are beginning to sponsor online students by offering to pay partial tuition expenses for employees that are enrolled in certain online degree programs.”

Conclusion
As online education is becoming commonplace in academia, it’s easy to get caught up in these seven myths. However, as you read about these seven myths and learn the truth about them, you’ll feel more comfortable about online education if you’re still looking to earn a degree at your own convenience. 

Molly Crockett writes for Australian help and Australianreviewer.com. She also blogs for Ukservicesreviews.com. As a marketing writer, she shares marketing tips and personal development advice with readers.

















To What Extent Will Your Place of Study Affect Your Future Employability?

7/24/2020

 
Picture
Choosing a university, you should know that your place of study is still a significant factor that will determine your future employability. Those students who pursue higher education in countries suchas the U.S. and the UK are usually preferred by their domestic countries. Many companies find it easy to recruit candidates from local universities. For example, Amazon started their businesses in Seattle, where they had access to human resources with degrees from the best local universities. Graduates from American and British universities can easily get a job in most developing countries. 

Below are some essential reasons why the place of study will have an impact on your future employability. 

Flexibility in the Programs Offered
Every major university located in the United States offers its own kind of educational experiences to students. American universities are said to be more creative in designing their educational curricula. Their programs are also revised regularly, relying on the latest research findings and developments in each industry. For example, a student who has applied for almost any program can take a basic programming course in his or her first year. A few universities even allow students to take courses ranging from engineering to history as a part of their basic program. This flexibility in the courses that are offered gives students a perfect opportunity to receive a degree that will further meet their employment requirements. 

World-Class Research Facilities
Companies operating in technology-related sectors desperately need candidates with a solid research background in many emerging areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), and blockchain. As most of the developments related to these technologies are still ongoing, companies search for mature candidates who can undertake independent research and have a sense of direction. PhD students from American universities have access to advanced research labs where contemporary equipment and research approaches are applied. Facilities such as supercomputers and electronic microscopes are highly beneficial for those students who wish to pioneer research and development (R&D). It goes without saying that studying at such a university will surely improve your employment prospects. Regardless of the frightening stereotypes, the degree of competition among applicants to American universities is relatively low because the demand for higher education is getting lower among the younger generation in the U.S. Only 48% of Americans in the 25-34 age group have a college degree.

Bright Entrepreneurial Prospects
The place where you study also makes it possible for you to improve your entrepreneurial prospects. Having participated in entrepreneurial projects or real businesses, many students begin to understand the key challenges associated with running their own business and the overall entrepreneurial career. Some of the most popular entrepreneurs from the U.S. such as Elon Musk started their businesses immediately after graduating from universities. The experiences gained by Elon Musk in his internship programs at college helped him in planning his entrepreneurial future. Nevertheless, another well-known American entrepreneur, Mark Zuckerberg, had to withdraw from his university courses to start an entrepreneurial career. Even though university programs do not necessarily raise entrepreneurs, they do equip them with some basic knowledge and useful social connections.
 

Demand for American Graduates in Other Countries 
Graduates of American universities are welcomed all over the world for their advanced skills and deep knowledge. Many foreign students who finish American universities leave for their home countries and immediately receive their dream jobs. Some graduates prefer working for a few years in the U.S. and then return home. The spectacular growth of many Asian economies over the past few decades is also explained by the inflow of skilled and knowledgeable human resources from developed countries. The number of graduates applying for work permits in the U.S. after finishing their colleges has fallen from 34% in 2016 to 8% percent in 2017. This may be partially explained by the tightening immigration rules issued by the U.S. government, but graduates from developing countries are still interested in finding a well-paid job in their domestic economy after receiving an American university degree.

American universities offer outstanding academic experiences that can be further converted into brilliant careers. Contemporary labs, access to practical knowledge, and a fruitful learning atmosphere will provide you with a holistic understanding of the subject you wish to specialize in. However, it is still your attitude, persistence, and efforts that will determine your success as an employee. 

Ellie Richards is an online marketing manager for Original PhD, specializing in Ph.D. research paper help. Her focus is research, content and article writing on various topics, including education, marketing, and technology.

Resume Tips for ESL Students

7/22/2020

 
Picture
It is not always easy to put together a resume in your own country, but it may be even more difficult to put together a resume as an ESL student. Luckily, there are tips widely available for ESL students who are looking to land their dream job. Use the following tips to put together a resume as an ESL student.

Start with an Objective
An objective section is an optional part of a resume, but it is still a section that is found on many resumes. The purpose of the objective is to briefly state your career goals. If you are posting your resume online for various employers, it is best to add an objective. However, you may not need an objective if you are applying for a specific position.

List Your Work Experience
Your work experience is an important part of your resume, and it should include your paid and unpaid positions. If you have held multiple positions, be sure to list the jobs in reverse-chronological order. You want to include your position, company name, dates employed, and responsibilities.

Include Your Educational Experience
It is also important to include your educational experience, especially as an ESL student who is looking to obtain a specific career. You can use this section to show that you have experience in learning another language. This section should include your school names, relevant courses, majors and certificates or degrees. You can also include activities, clubs, and competitions that are relevant to your career.

List Your Available References
You also want to list your available references. If you are posting your resume online, you can simply add “References available upon request” to keep the personal information of co-workers, teachers, or peers offline. Otherwise, each reference should include their name, company, job title and contact information. Their contact information should include their phone number, email address, and address.

Look Into Professional Resume Writers
If you are still having trouble getting started on your resume, you may want to hire a custom executive level resume builder. They are professional writers who have years of experience in building resumes for their clients. A professional can highlight your strengths, qualifications, and experiences to help you reach your career goals.

Putting together a resume as an ESL student does not have to be an intimidating or stressful task. You are sure to land a job in your preferred career field if you keep the above tips in mind.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger who lives in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, find her on facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or on Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
    Picture

    EnglishCoursesUSA

    Your one-stop destination for English language programs, tools, products and resources.

    Picture
    Picture
    Top ESL Blog Site Badge

    Archives

    May 2023
    February 2023
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

EnglishCoursesUSA.com

Do you want to learn English ?

Connect & Apply to  English language programs, secondary schools, universities and colleges with the assistance of our advisors.
 
Learn & practice  English online with our quizzes, games and podcasts or download ESL books and more!

Picture

About     Advertise     Contact     Submit     Product     Partners     Privacy     Refunds     ​Terms

ESL.COM Copyright 2022
  • ABOUT
  • Get Started
  • Services
    • ARGO
    • COLLEGEY
    • CORT
    • Cturtle
    • ELSA
    • Unilodgers
  • GET SMART