| − | *'''Don't waste all your time on one difficult question'''. But when the answer sheet is separate from the exam, as on some standardized College Board exams, be sure to leave a gap in your answer sheet if you skip a difficult question. | + | *'''Don't waste all your time on one difficult question'''. But when taking an exam on paper rather than on a computer, if you decide to skip a question then be sure to leave a corresponding gap in your answer sheet. |
| − | *'''Avoid procrastination!''' Tasks are completed more easily -- and with far higher quality -- if you start sooner. '''Set goals for yourself''', such as finishing a certain amount of work before noon, and then again before 6pm. | + | *'''Avoid procrastination!''' Tasks are completed more easily -- and with far higher quality -- if you start sooner. '''Set goals for yourself''', such as finishing a certain amount of work before noon, and then again before 6pm. Another way to overcome procrastination is to delay the next meal until after work is completed. |
| | *'''Learn a little history each day.''' The material is easier to understand in pieces. Do you try to survive by eating only one meal each day? No, we eat three meals each day and the food is easier to digest that way. The same is true with learning history. One hour each day for five days is much easier than five hours in one day. Also, you'll retain the information better if you spread it out over the week. | | *'''Learn a little history each day.''' The material is easier to understand in pieces. Do you try to survive by eating only one meal each day? No, we eat three meals each day and the food is easier to digest that way. The same is true with learning history. One hour each day for five days is much easier than five hours in one day. Also, you'll retain the information better if you spread it out over the week. |
| | Now ponder the following riddle. Consider this sequence: 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, ??, ??, ??, ??. What goes in the question marks? The answer is below.<ref>The next items in the sequence (replacing the question marks) are: 1, 1, 1, 1. The overall sequence, beginning with "2, 1, 2, ...," represents the number of terms that each president (including his vice president if he died) served, starting with George Washington.</ref> | | Now ponder the following riddle. Consider this sequence: 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, ??, ??, ??, ??. What goes in the question marks? The answer is below.<ref>The next items in the sequence (replacing the question marks) are: 1, 1, 1, 1. The overall sequence, beginning with "2, 1, 2, ...," represents the number of terms that each president (including his vice president if he died) served, starting with George Washington.</ref> |
| − | Why are there so many 1's as we approach the Civil War? Imagine riding the raging bull at the rodeo. It's hard to stay on beyond a few seconds. Before the Civil War, the United States was like the bull, and it was nearly impossible for a president to be reelected amid that turmoil. No president could ride the raging bull of a divided country for more than one term as the Civil War approached. The more divided a nation is, the more difficult it becomes for a president to be reelected. | + | Why are there so many 1's (one-term presidents who failed to win reelection) as we approach the Civil War? Imagine riding the raging bull at the rodeo. It's hard to stay on beyond a few seconds. Before the Civil War, the United States was like the bull, and it was nearly impossible for a president to be reelected amid that turmoil. No president could ride the raging bull of a divided country for more than one term as the Civil War approached. The more divided a nation is, the more difficult it becomes for a president to be reelected. |