| How to Memorize an Essay Posted: 30 Aug 2017 05:00 PM PDT Memorizing an essay is a great way to ace tests, rock presentations, and increase your overall knowledge. If you want to memorize an essay word for word, take things slowly by studying short parts one at a time. Memorization techniques such as visualization and physical cues can help you recall this information on demand. Of course, sometimes you don't need to memorize things exactly. You may find it more useful to memorize the main ideas or important quotes instead. EditLearning Each Part of the Essay - Make a schedule. Plan out how long you have to memorize the essay. If you have more time, you can study a little each day for twenty or thirty minutes. If you only have a day or two, you can memorize it in thirty-minute chunks with a break of an hour or two in between.[1]
- Memorize a little bit each day. Start early when you need to memorize something. Give yourself one day for every paragraph or page. Master one section each day. Once you have memorized two sections separately, try putting them together.[2]
- Break the essay down into parts. Memorization is easiest when done in small chunks. Break the essay down into small sections. Depending on the length of the essay, each section might be a few sentences, one paragraph, or even one page.[3]
- Read the essay out loud to start learning it. Reading the essay out loud is important because it forces you to read and speak every single word in the essay. This will help you remember it.[4]
- Test yourself after reading. After you have studied the text for a while, put it down, and recite as much as you can from memory. At first, you may not remember much, but every time you practice, you will recall more and more.[5]
- Use a partner to test you on what you've memorized. If you miss a word or forget a line, they can prompt you by telling you the next word or two.
- Start from the end if going from the beginning is not working. If the essay is long, you may find it easier to start at the end. Begin by memorizing the last sentence or paragraph, then move back to the sentence or paragraph right before that one.[6]
- Break up your study session to memorize quickly. If you only have a short time to learn the essay, you should study it in small doses with breaks in between each session. Use memory boosting techniques, such as visualization and walking back and forth, to help make your memorization more effective.[7]
- For example, you might study it for fifteen minutes and take a ten-minute break before studying for another fifteen minutes.
- Try writing out the essay once or twice. This can improve your memory.[8]
- Avoid cramming the night before. Memorizing something in one session is not the most effective way to learn it. Repetition in small chunks will help more than cramming the essay all in one long session.
EditRecalling Information - Visualize parts of the essay. Associate different parts of the essay with images. You might imagine the essay coming to life as you recite it. When you need to recite the essay, recall the images to help you remember the words.[9]
- For example, the first part of the essay might be about tiger conservation, so you might visualize tigers as you go through this part. The second part may be about their habitat, so you might think about a jungle.
- Use memory palace techniques. Imagine a room or building that represents your essay. For every main point, place a piece of furniture inside. Associate each piece of furniture with a point you have to remember.[10]
- For example, if the main parts of the essay are about family, cooperation, and communication, you might imagine a photograph (family), a table (cooperation), and a telephone (communication).
- When you need to recall the essay, imagine yourself walking from the photograph to the table and then to the telephone in the proper order.
- Link passages to physical movement. Gestures can help you memorize parts of the essay by associating words with movements. You might tap out a certain pattern when you start a paragraph, or gesture outwards to emphasize a particular word.[11]
- Pacing can help improve recall. Some people even find doing a simple dance to be useful as they try to memorize the essay.
- Give yourself cues if you will present the essay. As you memorize the speech, give yourself a prompt or cue that can remind you which part goes where.[12]
- Practice hand gestures with your speech. Put certain gestures at specific spots in the essay.
- If you are allowed to use flashcards, you might write the basic outline on a series of cards. Glance down at these as you go along.
- You might ask a friend in the audience to give a signal if you are forgetting a line.
EditRemembering the Main Ideas of an Essay - Reduce it to an outline to remember the main points. Write an outline of the essay's main ideas, concepts, and arguments. Make sure you only include the most important information, and organize it in the correct order. You might memorize the outline instead of the entire essay.[13]
- Make flash cards if you want to learn quotes. If you need to recall quotes from literary or academic essays, write the quotes on flash cards. Memorize the quotes one at a time. Make sure you also learn the author, year, and any other information that may be tested.[14]
- Draw the main ideas of the essay if you are a visual learner. Sketch out a flowchart or map of the main ideas of the essay. Put the thesis in the center of the chart, and draw lines out to its supporting ideas.[15]
- When you need to remember the essay, you can redraw the chart to help you remember all the different pieces you need to recall.
- You can also draw images in your chart or sketch out the main events of the essay in comic form.
- Sleep and a healthy diet can improve your memory overall.
- If you need to present the essay, try practicing in front of family and friends.
- Cramming the essay the night before may not help you remember the entire essay. It is better to start early.
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| How to Avoid Distractions While Driving Posted: 30 Aug 2017 09:00 AM PDT Every year, thousands of people lose their lives due to distracted driving.[1] You can limit the danger of distractions by deciding on your route ahead of time, placing your phone on silent, and waiting until your car is parked to eat. Additionally, knowing how to drive with passengers is another great way to prevent distractions while driving. EditMaking Adjustments Before You Start Driving - Finish personal grooming at home. Give yourself enough time in the morning to dress, shave, and apply makeup. If you need to, wake up 15 to 30 minutes early to make sure you are dressed and groomed before stepping out the door. This way you can avoid having to do these things while driving.[2]
- If you don't have enough time in the morning to finish getting ready, then bring your grooming supplies with you in the car. Wait until you arrive at your destination and your car is parked before finishing your grooming routine.
- Secure loose objects. Before you start the car, make sure to store loose objects that can roll around and distract you while you are driving. Place them in the trunk, a secure bag, or in your glove compartment. This way you can avoid reaching for these objects in the car if they get loose, which can be dangerous.[3]
- For example, place grooming supplies, clothes and shoes, books, and bags in the trunk or glove compartment.
- Decide on your route ahead of time. While sitting in your parked car, confirm and familiarize yourself with the route you will be taking. Also, check the traffic report while you are confirming your route. This way, you can avoid having to re-route your GPS while driving.[4]
- If you are using a GPS, make sure it is set up before you begin driving, and use the voice function so you do not have to glance at your GPS.
- Adjust your car's controls beforehand. Make sure to adjust the climate controls to the correct setting. Also set your radio to the station you want to listen to and adjust the volume while your car is parked.[5]
- Additionally, make sure to adjust your mirrors, seat, and steering wheel to the correct positions beforehand.
- Fasten children and pets. Before you take off, make sure your children are fastened in their car seats or seatbelts. Also, make sure your pets are in a cage and the cage is secured with a seatbelt. By doing this, you can avoid having to reach back to adjust your child's car seat, or your pet's cage while you are driving.[6]
- When driving with animals in the car, always make sure they are secured in a cage.
EditAvoiding Manual and Visual Distractions - Refrain from eating while driving. Because food spills are major sources of distraction while driving, try to avoid eating in the car, especially messy foods. Instead, eat before you get in the car, or eat once you have reached your destination.[7]
- Make sure to place drinks, like coffee, water, and sodas, in secure drink holders while driving to avoid spills.
- Turn off your cellphone. Cellphones are also a major source of distraction for drivers. Either place your cellphone on silent, turn it off, or place it out of reach in your purse or the glove compartment. Additionally, look into your phone's safety settings. See if you can create a message that will automatically respond to incoming texts and calls while you drive.[8]
- Some phones have features that turn off text and call functions while the GPS is on.
- Pull over on the side of the road. Do this if there is an emergency and you need to take a call. If you have to eat while driving, make sure to pull over to eat as well. Additionally, if you need to attend to children and pets while driving, then pull over.[9]
- If you are on the highway or a busy street, make sure to exit before pulling over. Then make your way to a street that is less busy.
EditDriving with Passengers - Limit the number of passengers. Try to avoid driving with too many passengers, especially if you are a new driver. Loud or talkative passengers can be a distraction in and of themselves. So try to drive with only one or two people at a time.[10]
- For young drivers, the risk of being in a crash triples when they are driving with passengers who are their peers versus driving alone.[11]
- Use your passengers wisely. When you do have someone in the car with you, let them control the music, GPS, and the climate controls. You can also let them answer your texts or phone calls while you are driving. This will not only help you focus on the road, but it will also give your passengers something to do instead of distracting you. Let your passengers know ahead of time what their role is while you drive.[12]
- For example, "Ok, Kevin, since you are in the passenger's seat, your main job is to adjust the controls and GPS, as well as answer texts and calls so I can focus on driving."
- Save serious conversations for later. Serious or stressful conversations can get emotional. When your emotions are running high, it is more difficult to focus on the task at hand, in this case driving. Let your passenger know that you would like to talk, but that you would rather do it later when you are not driving. This way you can focus on driving, and give the conversation your full attention when the time is right.[13]
- You can say for example, "I would like to talk about this with you, but right now is not a good time since I am driving. Let's wait until we arrive at our destination to talk."
- If things start to get heated, then pull the car over in a safe place to diffuse the situation.
EditDealing with External Distractions - Avoid rubbernecking at accident scenes. When approaching a car accident, it is a common mistake to slow down or stop to check out the damage. But this kind of behavior can cause more accidents. Instead, keep your eyes on the road ahead of you and drive at a reduced speed.[14]
- Avoid looking directly into the headlights of oncoming traffic. Do this when you are driving at night. The headlights of oncoming traffic can temporarily blind you and make you feel disoriented. Instead, avert your eyes by looking down and to the right until the car passes.[15]
- You will still be able to see other cars around you with your peripheral vision.
- Keep your windshield clean. Clean the inside and outside of your windshield with windshield cleaner on a regular basis (about once or twice a month). Cleaning your windshield on a regular basis can help to reduce sun glare, which can be a distraction in and of itself.[16]
- You can also reduce sun glare by using your visors and wearing sunglasses when it is very sunny outside.
- Ignore angry drivers. When other drivers honk at you, cut you off, or make inappropriate faces or gestures, try to avoid returning the behavior. Instead, simply ignore them and carry on driving.[17]
- Pull over to look at scenery. If you are on a scenic road trip, make sure to pull over in a safe place to check out the scenery. Checking out the scenery while you are driving is a major distraction that could cause you to get into an accident.[18]
- Try to avoid driving while you are tired. Instead, take a nap before you start driving, especially if you have a long drive. If you start getting tired while driving, then pull over in a safe place to take a nap.
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| How to Stop Feeling Tired After Eating Sugar Posted: 30 Aug 2017 01:00 AM PDT If you feel tired after eating sugar, changing how and when you eat sweets can help your body better process sugar. You can try eating sweets that contain fat and/or protein, or eating sweets directly after a meal. Making an effort to cut back on your sugar consumption can also help you stop feeling tired after eating pie, cake, or cookies. EditGetting Smart about Sweets - Don't binge on sweets. It's okay to eat a piece of cheesecake, but eating half of a cheesecake can cause you to feel sleepy in the minutes or hours that follow. Try reducing the amount of sugar you consume in a single setting. For example, if the serving size is ten gummy bears, try to stick to the serving size instead of going overboard.[1]
- Try eating protein before or with sugar. Eating a little protein before or while you consume sugar can help cancel out the sleepy side effects of sweets. Go for desserts that include some protein, like cheesecake or sweets that include peanut butter. Or try eating nuts or meat before sweets.[2]
- This doesn't mean that eating protein powder along with a whole cake will help!
- Eat fat along with your sweets. Sometimes the sugar from fruit can make you feel tired. It can also create a surge of energy, followed by a crash. You can help your body process the sugar more efficiently, and prevent blood sugar spikes and plunges by including fat and protein with your fruit. For example, if you usually consume a fruit smoothie and feel sleepy afterward, try eating a handful of almonds right before you enjoy the smoothie.[3]
- Swap out stand-alone sugary snacks for post-meal desserts. Try to avoid eating sugary snacks. Eating sugary foods on their own can cause the sleepiness that some people feel after they consume sweets. For example, if you snack on sugary foods in the middle of the afternoon, rather than after a meal, you are more likely to experience adverse symptoms, like lethargy or drowsiness. Instead, try eating sweets after a well-balanced meal to help your body better maintain appropriate blood sugar levels.[4]
- Avoid drinks that contain both sugar and caffeine. While a sugary coffee drink may give you an initial jolt of energy, the combination of caffeine and sugar can cause your energy levels to crash. This can lead to feeling tired and even lethargic. Try to stay away from sugary coffee drinks, sodas, and energy drinks. Instead, try drinking flavored sparkling water, slightly sweetened tea, or black coffee if you need a caffeine fix.[5]
EditCutting Back on Sugar - Reduce the amount of sugar you consume each day. If you fall asleep often after eating sweets, it could be a sign you need to cut back on how often you consume sugar. Try to keep your daily sugar intake within respected dietary guidelines. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that only 10% of a person's total daily calories come from sugar. For example, a 2000 calorie diet should contain no more than 200 calories from sugar each day.[6]
- Try replacing sugary drinks with water.
- You can also replace sweet snacks with low-sugar fruit, like berries.
- Keep an eye on added sugars. A lot of processed foods contain high amounts of sugar. Foods like salad dressing or yogurt can contain surprising amounts of added sugars, thwarting your best efforts to cut back on sugar. Read food labels carefully and be on the lookout for added sugars like:[7]
- Brown sugar
- Corn sweetener
- Corn syrup
- Dextrose
- Fructose
- Glucose
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Honey
- Lactose
- Malt syrup
- Maltose
- Molasses
- Raw sugar
- Sucrose
- Talk to your doctor. If you feel sleepy after eating sweets, it could be a sign of underlying medical issues. If you have consistent trouble staying awake after eating sugar, make an appointment to see your doctor. They can perform tests to see if your blood sugar is normal, and can help you figure out ways to cut back on sugar in your diet.[8]
EditOvercoming Your Sleepiness - Get moving. If you find yourself falling asleep after eating sweets, try exercising. A gentle walk or a full-blown workout can help energize you. Try going for a short walk around your office building if your afternoon treat leaves you feeling lethargic.[9]
- Avoid consuming additional sugar. If you find yourself crashing, it's easy to reach for another cookie or energy drink for a quick boost. Avoid doing this, as you will only cause your blood sugar to peak and then crash again, possibly leaving you more tired.
- Drink a glass of water or a cup of tea. Dehydration can often mask itself as a sugar craving. Before you indulge in a sweet treat, try drinking a large glass of water or a cup of tea to see if hydrating can curb the craving.[10]
- Let the sunshine in. Another way to overcome the sleepiness brought about by consuming too much sugar is to step outside. Sunshine can warm and invigorate you. Spending time in the sun will give you an added boost of vitamin D, a nutrient that is essential to overall health and wellbeing.[11]
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