You may notice that there are a few new links under the "Other Sites Of Interest" heading on the blog.
While I explained the exam study sites last week, there is another link I added today that leads to Text Ed. The site was just launched this past week and is designed to educate people about text messaging on cell phones and the issues that come with it. If you have a cell phone (who doesn't these days?) and use text messaging, I strongly urge you to visit the site.
The goal of this organization is to make sure that people us text messaging responsibly. While that may sound silly, it's actually very easy to get yourself in trouble via text messages -- whether it be in relationships, safety while driving or bad decisions.
So check it out if you have the time, hopefully it's useful for you.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Study Tip Websites
With exams coming up, I thought I'd look up some resources that might benefit students in regards to studying. I know how much fun it is (ha ha!) so figured anything to make it a bit easier would be appreciated.
The following are a few links and descriptions to these sites. They will also be posted in the links section:
StudyTips.org: This site has tips to help improve study skills for various subjects. There are links to stuff regarding analyzing writing assignments, grammar, five paragraph essays, math help, stress management tips and a lot more. It seems like this is more geared to American students but a lot of stuff could be applicable to others as well.
Mangrum-Strichart Learning Resources Study Skills Site: This site is pretty good for study tip resources. They have a blog, multiple articles and sections that show the most recent updates for different sections of the site. The organization also has a twitter account that you can follow (link is on their site) if you're on there too.
Study Tips For Exam Success: A short post with some simple study tips on the Oxford Learning home page. This is an article that has about five simple things you can do to help retain information more easily. It's a quick and easy read that'll help, especially if you don't have time to wade through a website fore in-depth articles regarding study habits.
Effective Study Skills: Another article about different study habits which seem to help all those using them. This article goes more in-depth than the last but is still informative and is for those who don't want to sift through an entire website to find tips that'll work for them.
Hope these pages help. Good luck on your exams!
The following are a few links and descriptions to these sites. They will also be posted in the links section:
StudyTips.org: This site has tips to help improve study skills for various subjects. There are links to stuff regarding analyzing writing assignments, grammar, five paragraph essays, math help, stress management tips and a lot more. It seems like this is more geared to American students but a lot of stuff could be applicable to others as well.
Mangrum-Strichart Learning Resources Study Skills Site: This site is pretty good for study tip resources. They have a blog, multiple articles and sections that show the most recent updates for different sections of the site. The organization also has a twitter account that you can follow (link is on their site) if you're on there too.
Study Tips For Exam Success: A short post with some simple study tips on the Oxford Learning home page. This is an article that has about five simple things you can do to help retain information more easily. It's a quick and easy read that'll help, especially if you don't have time to wade through a website fore in-depth articles regarding study habits.
Effective Study Skills: Another article about different study habits which seem to help all those using them. This article goes more in-depth than the last but is still informative and is for those who don't want to sift through an entire website to find tips that'll work for them.
Hope these pages help. Good luck on your exams!
2009 In Review - EYC Trivia Night Winners
Continuing from the end of 2009, I've been posting some articles that were written over the past 12 months about EYC's events and accomplishments last year. They're all listed in chronological order under the "2009 In Review" tag to show all the awesome things youth have done down here at the centre.
The following is the final article of 2009 and was originally printed in the Essex Voice and Essex Free Press back in December:
EYC Trivia Night A Success
By Marc Rocheleau
How long does the average person wait for coffee at a donut shop drive-thru every year and how many hairs are on an average person’s head?
These are just a couple of the many questions asked during Essex Youth Centre’s (EYC) eighth annual trivia night. Hosted at Essex Royal Canadian Legion Branch #201, the event had 19 teams participating.
Although not everyone could win, they all had a fun time competing.
“The atmosphere was great,” said EYC Executive-Director, Sandy Larivee. “I had a lot of people come up to me after and say this is just a fun event to come to, either as a group of employees or a group of friends.”
EYC’s November 17 event began at 7 p.m. and lasted a couple of hours. Each team answered 10 rounds of 10 questions and those with the most correct answers were awarded prizes.
As usual, some good-natured rivalries also developed over the course of the night.
“There was the bank vs. the credit union,” said Larivee. “There was certainly a lot of rivalry amongst the [seven] Optimist Clubs.”
Once the dust settled, five teams (three adult and two student) were announced as winners. The top four-person adult teams were Full Contact Trivia (72 points,) N’Stink (71 points) and Hay Moo (67 points.) In the student team category, winners were Michelle Qwans (45 points) and Red Skins (38 points.) In total, $540 was awarded in cash prizes.
EYC raised roughly $1,000 from the event but Larivee feels it isn’t all about the money.
“It’s more about friendship and developping our sense of community with the youth that participates and the people that partake in the contest,” she said.
Larivee compiles the trivia from different sources over the course of the year. Although she keeps track of it for a long time, Larivee maintains she doesn’t reveal any questions or answers until the night of the event itself.
And the amount of time spent in a donut shop drive-thru for coffee per-year? 45 minutes, according to Larivee.
For more trivia, those interested will have to attend next year’s event, which is confirmed for fall 2010.
The following is the final article of 2009 and was originally printed in the Essex Voice and Essex Free Press back in December:
EYC Trivia Night A Success
By Marc Rocheleau
How long does the average person wait for coffee at a donut shop drive-thru every year and how many hairs are on an average person’s head?
These are just a couple of the many questions asked during Essex Youth Centre’s (EYC) eighth annual trivia night. Hosted at Essex Royal Canadian Legion Branch #201, the event had 19 teams participating.
Although not everyone could win, they all had a fun time competing.
“The atmosphere was great,” said EYC Executive-Director, Sandy Larivee. “I had a lot of people come up to me after and say this is just a fun event to come to, either as a group of employees or a group of friends.”
EYC’s November 17 event began at 7 p.m. and lasted a couple of hours. Each team answered 10 rounds of 10 questions and those with the most correct answers were awarded prizes.
As usual, some good-natured rivalries also developed over the course of the night.
“There was the bank vs. the credit union,” said Larivee. “There was certainly a lot of rivalry amongst the [seven] Optimist Clubs.”
Once the dust settled, five teams (three adult and two student) were announced as winners. The top four-person adult teams were Full Contact Trivia (72 points,) N’Stink (71 points) and Hay Moo (67 points.) In the student team category, winners were Michelle Qwans (45 points) and Red Skins (38 points.) In total, $540 was awarded in cash prizes.
EYC raised roughly $1,000 from the event but Larivee feels it isn’t all about the money.
“It’s more about friendship and developping our sense of community with the youth that participates and the people that partake in the contest,” she said.
Larivee compiles the trivia from different sources over the course of the year. Although she keeps track of it for a long time, Larivee maintains she doesn’t reveal any questions or answers until the night of the event itself.
And the amount of time spent in a donut shop drive-thru for coffee per-year? 45 minutes, according to Larivee.
For more trivia, those interested will have to attend next year’s event, which is confirmed for fall 2010.
2009 In Review - EYC's 10th Annual Share The Warmth Tree
Continuing from the end of 2009, I'll be posting some articles that were written over the past 12 months about the events and accomplishments of the EYC last year. I hope to post them in chronological order just to show all the awesome things youth have done down here at the centre.
The following was originally printed in the Essex Voice and Essex Free Press back in November:
EYC Provides Warmth For The Holidays
By Marc Rocheleau
Scarves and gloves aren’t commonly used as Christmas decorations but for a decade, one organization has embraced the idea.
For the 10th year in a row, Essex Youth Centre (EYC) is collecting winter clothing for its Share The Warmth Tree. Instead of using garland, ornaments and tinsel, EYC members are decorating with warm apparel that will be donated to those in need.
“We ask the youth and anyone in the community to bring in and decorate our tree with hats, mitts, gloves, socks and scarves,” said EYC Executive-Director, Sandy Larivee. “What we do with that is we provide these items to the [Essex Area] Food Bank for the Christmas hampers. It’s a way to make sure that kids in need stay warm over the winter months.”
Although many charities collect canned goods during the holidays, Larivee wanted to do something different. The tradition has taught members to give to the community and, while food is in demand at the food bank, Larivee believes these clothing pieces are needed from the public as well.
“Anybody can donate, we look forward to community donations,” she said. “They can come in and check out the tree and put their own decorations up. It’s really a goodwill gesture on everybody’s behalf.”
EYC will be accepting donations during their hours of operation until December 15, at which point they’ll deliver the items to the food bank. For further information, those interested can either visit EYC’s website at http://www.essexyouthcentre.ca/ or call them at 519-776-9000.
Located beside the Essex Youth Centre behind Essex District High School, Essex Area Food Bank provides food and essential items for hundreds of people in the county year-round. With Christmas being their busiest time, the food bank is thankful for any help it can get.
“The tree looks absolutely wonderful,” said Larivee. “The food bank’s very grateful for the donations.”
The following was originally printed in the Essex Voice and Essex Free Press back in November:
EYC Provides Warmth For The Holidays
By Marc Rocheleau
Scarves and gloves aren’t commonly used as Christmas decorations but for a decade, one organization has embraced the idea.
For the 10th year in a row, Essex Youth Centre (EYC) is collecting winter clothing for its Share The Warmth Tree. Instead of using garland, ornaments and tinsel, EYC members are decorating with warm apparel that will be donated to those in need.
“We ask the youth and anyone in the community to bring in and decorate our tree with hats, mitts, gloves, socks and scarves,” said EYC Executive-Director, Sandy Larivee. “What we do with that is we provide these items to the [Essex Area] Food Bank for the Christmas hampers. It’s a way to make sure that kids in need stay warm over the winter months.”
Although many charities collect canned goods during the holidays, Larivee wanted to do something different. The tradition has taught members to give to the community and, while food is in demand at the food bank, Larivee believes these clothing pieces are needed from the public as well.
“Anybody can donate, we look forward to community donations,” she said. “They can come in and check out the tree and put their own decorations up. It’s really a goodwill gesture on everybody’s behalf.”
EYC will be accepting donations during their hours of operation until December 15, at which point they’ll deliver the items to the food bank. For further information, those interested can either visit EYC’s website at http://www.essexyouthcentre.ca/ or call them at 519-776-9000.
Located beside the Essex Youth Centre behind Essex District High School, Essex Area Food Bank provides food and essential items for hundreds of people in the county year-round. With Christmas being their busiest time, the food bank is thankful for any help it can get.
“The tree looks absolutely wonderful,” said Larivee. “The food bank’s very grateful for the donations.”
2009 In Review - EYC's Eighth Annual Trivia Night
Continuing from the end of 2009, I'll be posting some articles that were written over the past 12 months about the events and accomplishments of the EYC last year. I hope to post them in chronological order just to show all the awesome things youth have done down here at the centre.
The following was originally printed in the Essex Voice and Essex Free Press back in November:
EYC On A Trivial Pursuit
By Marc Rocheleau
Whether you're smarter than a fifth grader or not, one local organization wants to test your knowledge.
Continuing a fall tradition, Essex Youth Centre (EYC) is hosting its Eighth Annual Trivia Night on Tuesday, November 17. Taking place at Essex Royal Canadian Legion Branch #201 and starting at 7 p.m., the event is for a good cause.
"It's $20 per-person for the teams, youth teams are $15 a person," said EYC Executive-Director, Sandy Larivee. "They get a charitable receipt for $15 when they register and proceeds go to the Essex Youth Centre.”
Groups of four will be asked 100 random questions (10 rounds of 10 questions with breaks in-between.) While playing the game itself is fun, it's often the answers that provide more entertainment.
"After each round, after we collect the answers, we provide the real answers," said Larivee. "It always brings a lot of laughter and more questions - it's a fun event."
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams in adult and youth divisions. Last year's trivia night had 23 teams participating and competition was fierce.
Going strong after eight-years, Larivee came across the idea from doing it in a town she used to live in. Not only was the event successful, it also created fun rivalries amongst players.
"I was just looking for a new fundraiser that somebody else in town hadn't done," said Larivee. "We used to do it in a town where I lived before, we had a heck of a lot of fun …the high school teachers which always attend our event could challenge the teachers from the elementary school panel and different businesses, newspaper staff could challenge newspaper staff and could just have their personal challenges for bragging rights."
Those who can't take part in the event can sponsor a youth team for $60. All entries must be made by November 11 and those interested are asked to contact EYC at 519-776-9000.
The following was originally printed in the Essex Voice and Essex Free Press back in November:
EYC On A Trivial Pursuit
By Marc Rocheleau
Whether you're smarter than a fifth grader or not, one local organization wants to test your knowledge.
Continuing a fall tradition, Essex Youth Centre (EYC) is hosting its Eighth Annual Trivia Night on Tuesday, November 17. Taking place at Essex Royal Canadian Legion Branch #201 and starting at 7 p.m., the event is for a good cause.
"It's $20 per-person for the teams, youth teams are $15 a person," said EYC Executive-Director, Sandy Larivee. "They get a charitable receipt for $15 when they register and proceeds go to the Essex Youth Centre.”
Groups of four will be asked 100 random questions (10 rounds of 10 questions with breaks in-between.) While playing the game itself is fun, it's often the answers that provide more entertainment.
"After each round, after we collect the answers, we provide the real answers," said Larivee. "It always brings a lot of laughter and more questions - it's a fun event."
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams in adult and youth divisions. Last year's trivia night had 23 teams participating and competition was fierce.
Going strong after eight-years, Larivee came across the idea from doing it in a town she used to live in. Not only was the event successful, it also created fun rivalries amongst players.
"I was just looking for a new fundraiser that somebody else in town hadn't done," said Larivee. "We used to do it in a town where I lived before, we had a heck of a lot of fun …the high school teachers which always attend our event could challenge the teachers from the elementary school panel and different businesses, newspaper staff could challenge newspaper staff and could just have their personal challenges for bragging rights."
Those who can't take part in the event can sponsor a youth team for $60. All entries must be made by November 11 and those interested are asked to contact EYC at 519-776-9000.
2009 In Review - EYC Summer Events
Continuing from the end of 2009, I'll be posting some articles that were written over the past 12 months about the events and accomplishments of the EYC last year. I hope to post them in chronological order just to show all the awesome things youth have done down here at the centre.
The following was originally printed in the Essex Voice and Essex Free Press back in August:
EYC Winds Down A Busy Summer
By Marc Rocheleau
From visiting Cedar Point to Toronto, Essex Youth Centre (EYC) has had a busy summer.
During vacation, the centre organized several events for youth. The biggest was a weekend trip to Toronto on Friday, August 14. Attracting 14 members and staff, they left at 10:00 a.m. and had a great time.
“I found that this year was a lot different,” said 18-year-oldJasmine Wood, who also went to Toronto with EYC last year. “Both [trips] were fun, but this time I had a lot more friends with me and I got to really see Toronto.”
In addition to the weekend, members went on several outings between July and August. A scavenger hunt was held in Windsor, they ventured to laser tag, Cedar Point, the beach, Warped tour in Detroit and paintballing: EYC had several goals for activities they planned.
“There were many goals when organizing events for this year’s summer program,” said event coordinator, Steve Dale. “we wanted to do all the things that the youth proposed to us …Another goal was to get these youths off their butts and get them active.“
Giving back to the community was also a priority for EYC and its members. A group of youth took part in Helping Hands – a program where students assist seniors and disabled people with work around the house. In order to pay for trips, many also volunteered at fundraisers, including Running Of The Balls and several car washes or BBQs in town, to earn their way.
“We wanted to make the majority of these trips affordable, if not entirely free,” said Dale. “This was particularly done by having youth volunteer at several fundraising events where they helped raise money and earned the chance to go on any trip they liked.”
A final LAN party was held on Friday, August 21, before the centre closed for the last two weeks of summer vacation. As staff plan for the fall, members are still talking about July and August though and enjoyed their time at EYC.
“I went to warped tour, did running of the balls, car wash, laser tag, beach day and Toronto,” said Wood. “I liked [the events,] they were different from last year and got the youth out a lot more.”
The following was originally printed in the Essex Voice and Essex Free Press back in August:
EYC Winds Down A Busy Summer
By Marc Rocheleau
From visiting Cedar Point to Toronto, Essex Youth Centre (EYC) has had a busy summer.
During vacation, the centre organized several events for youth. The biggest was a weekend trip to Toronto on Friday, August 14. Attracting 14 members and staff, they left at 10:00 a.m. and had a great time.
“I found that this year was a lot different,” said 18-year-oldJasmine Wood, who also went to Toronto with EYC last year. “Both [trips] were fun, but this time I had a lot more friends with me and I got to really see Toronto.”
In addition to the weekend, members went on several outings between July and August. A scavenger hunt was held in Windsor, they ventured to laser tag, Cedar Point, the beach, Warped tour in Detroit and paintballing: EYC had several goals for activities they planned.
“There were many goals when organizing events for this year’s summer program,” said event coordinator, Steve Dale. “we wanted to do all the things that the youth proposed to us …Another goal was to get these youths off their butts and get them active.“
Giving back to the community was also a priority for EYC and its members. A group of youth took part in Helping Hands – a program where students assist seniors and disabled people with work around the house. In order to pay for trips, many also volunteered at fundraisers, including Running Of The Balls and several car washes or BBQs in town, to earn their way.
“We wanted to make the majority of these trips affordable, if not entirely free,” said Dale. “This was particularly done by having youth volunteer at several fundraising events where they helped raise money and earned the chance to go on any trip they liked.”
A final LAN party was held on Friday, August 21, before the centre closed for the last two weeks of summer vacation. As staff plan for the fall, members are still talking about July and August though and enjoyed their time at EYC.
“I went to warped tour, did running of the balls, car wash, laser tag, beach day and Toronto,” said Wood. “I liked [the events,] they were different from last year and got the youth out a lot more.”
2009 In Review - EYC's Funfest Activities
Continuing from the end of 2009, I'll be posting some articles that were written over the past 12 months about the events and accomplishments of the EYC last year. I hope to post them in chronological order just to show all the awesome things youth have done down here at the centre.
The following was originally written back in July:
EYC Floats Straight To Funfest
by Marc Rocheleau
With an assist from mother nature, Essex Youth Centre (EYC) drove 1,000 beach balls to Funfest for a fundraiser.
After preparing for several weeks, members met at 8:30 a.m. at the centre on July 11 -- the morning of the parade. Despite severe weather, beach balls had been inflated and needed to be brought up to the EYC's float which was already constructed and waiting outside.
"The float was put together with the help of my brother-in-law Stephen St. Pierre, my father James Dale and myself," said Steve Dale, EYC events coordinator. "We pretty much built the frame with two by fours and using some donated soccer nets to hold 1,000 beach balls."
The purpose of the float was for EYC's 2nd annual Running Of The Balls fundraiser. People could buy tickets, each with a number that corresponded to a beach ball. Before the lawnmower races, they were dumped onto the Funfest grounds and kicked across a finish line by EYC and Essex council members. First prize earned $500 and the next five winners received $100 each.
Before the event itself, youth from the centre sold tickets down the parade route. Although they had been worried earlier, the severe weather cleared up about an hour before the parade and, despite preparing for the worst, everything went off without a hitch.
"I was concerned that it was going to turn out like last year and rain all the way through the parade but we lucked out," said Steve. "From last year's experience, we decided to watch the weather reports closely all week and finished all the major prep work the night before."
Storms weren't the only challenges for organizers however. In addition to inflating all the beach balls, they also had to keep checking for leaks and making sure everything was numbered correctly. Although it was difficult, their experience from last year paid off.
"This was the second time we have run the event," said Steve. "I think we were much more efficient knowing how the event worked last year and how to make this year that much more successful."
Running Of The Balls was sponsored by Insight Enterprises and all proceeds will be used for EYC operating costs. While the many weeks of planning came to head on a busy day, members feel the effort was worth it.
"It was a lot of work," said EYC-member, Jasmine Wood. "But anyone who worked it was working for a good summer. Now that it’s over we can finally relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor.”
The following was originally written back in July:
EYC Floats Straight To Funfest
by Marc Rocheleau
With an assist from mother nature, Essex Youth Centre (EYC) drove 1,000 beach balls to Funfest for a fundraiser.
After preparing for several weeks, members met at 8:30 a.m. at the centre on July 11 -- the morning of the parade. Despite severe weather, beach balls had been inflated and needed to be brought up to the EYC's float which was already constructed and waiting outside.
"The float was put together with the help of my brother-in-law Stephen St. Pierre, my father James Dale and myself," said Steve Dale, EYC events coordinator. "We pretty much built the frame with two by fours and using some donated soccer nets to hold 1,000 beach balls."
The purpose of the float was for EYC's 2nd annual Running Of The Balls fundraiser. People could buy tickets, each with a number that corresponded to a beach ball. Before the lawnmower races, they were dumped onto the Funfest grounds and kicked across a finish line by EYC and Essex council members. First prize earned $500 and the next five winners received $100 each.
Before the event itself, youth from the centre sold tickets down the parade route. Although they had been worried earlier, the severe weather cleared up about an hour before the parade and, despite preparing for the worst, everything went off without a hitch.
"I was concerned that it was going to turn out like last year and rain all the way through the parade but we lucked out," said Steve. "From last year's experience, we decided to watch the weather reports closely all week and finished all the major prep work the night before."
Storms weren't the only challenges for organizers however. In addition to inflating all the beach balls, they also had to keep checking for leaks and making sure everything was numbered correctly. Although it was difficult, their experience from last year paid off.
"This was the second time we have run the event," said Steve. "I think we were much more efficient knowing how the event worked last year and how to make this year that much more successful."
Running Of The Balls was sponsored by Insight Enterprises and all proceeds will be used for EYC operating costs. While the many weeks of planning came to head on a busy day, members feel the effort was worth it.
"It was a lot of work," said EYC-member, Jasmine Wood. "But anyone who worked it was working for a good summer. Now that it’s over we can finally relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor.”
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