Study Skills and Recommended Links

    Goal setting is one of the most important parts of achieving success. By setting, accomplishing and reflecting on goals you empower yourself to be successful.
    Download our Goal Setting.pdf file here for easy printing and later reference.

    You can also become a very positive and effective teen by using the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens as laid out by Sean Covey.

    The Nine Steps of Doing Homework Online

    Step One: Get Organized


    Getting homework done fast and accurately takes organization, whether you use the Internet or not. Do your homework at the same time every night, gather all the necessary materials and TURN OFF THE TV!

    Step Two: Read the Assignment


    You're organized and ready to work. Now, read your assignment carefully. Be sure you understand what is required of you and what subject areas the homework covers. If you don't know, ask.

    Step Three: Available time?


    The Internet can help you complete long-term research projects and short-term overnight assignments. But if it's easier and faster to use a book or magazine to complete your work, use them! Don't spend time searching for information on the Net if you can find it faster somewhere else.

    Step Four: Which Internet Resources?


    First, ask yourself, if the Internet is the best tool for your assignment. If you're writing a paper, the Internet can definitely deliver sources of information that will make your work better. If your teacher asks you to define a list of words scattered throughout a textbook chapter you're reading for next class, using the Internet isn't the best way to complete the assignment.
    Next, think about which Internet resources will help you most. You can use these tools in all kinds of ways for all sorts of homework assignments. Here are a few of the things you can do:
    • Communicate with people one-on-one
    • Track down the most up-to-date information (cbc.com, cnn.com, canada.com)
    • Critical thinking and analysis
    • Information gathering from experts and others

    Step Five: Internet Search Tools

    Determine which Internet directories and search engines can best help you find the information you need. Then, decide which "keywords" will give you the best search results. Most of the time you'll be searching for sites with information you need. For that, you'll use directories or search engines. See the Student Links page for pre-bookmarked sites.

    Step Six: Search Strategy

    Once you've got your keywords, decide how much time and how many search engines you want to use. You should run your keywords through at least three search tools. (AltaVista, InfoSeek, Yahoo, etc.) Watch your spelling and case sensitivity. If you want information on Japan, don' t enter it like this - japn.
    Remember - you'll need to give yourself plenty of time to visit at least some of the results that the search engine returns to you. Have paper and pen handy too, to record URL's and information.

    Step Seven: Go Online

    You've gone through each of the previous steps. You've got your keywords. You've created a game plan to tackle your homework as quickly and efficiently as possible. Now, it's time to fire up your modem and get started. (if working from home)
    Force yourself to stay focused while you're online. It's great fun to surf the digital waves, all night with no purpose, but that won't help you complete your assignment. Use a timer if necessary. Give yourself an hour or so to find the information you need. If you can't locate anything after an hour, maybe you should stop and check with others for help.

    Step Eight: Critically Judge the Information You Find

    If your Internet serach returned a few possibly useful sites, it's time to use your information literacy skills. Before you use information from a site for your assignment, take a critical look at it to determine if the information is authentic and valid. Why should you do this?
    Because anything can be published to a worldwide audience in seconds via the Web. This information could read like something from your textbook. If could also contain inaccurate, unsubstantiated or misleading facts. As you retrieve information from the Net to do your homework, think about whether it's good information you can trust.

    Step Nine: Cite the Internet Information You Use

    OK, so you've found helpful information online for your assignment. Go ahead and use it! But be sure to cite the online sources in your bibliography. You'll find information on citing these resources properly at the Milner Library Site.