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Benjamin Farahbod, Teen Board Member
The Kinkaid School - Houston, Texas
Teen Board Member 2023 - Present
Benjamin is a junior at The Kinkaid School. He is passionate about fitness and has been a club swimmer since he was eight years old. His varsity 200 Free relay set a new school record at the Southwest Preparatory Championship meet and earned All-SPC honors for the season. Benjamin is a certified lifeguard, volunteers at Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital where he directly works with patients and staff learning new skills. He is a member of his schools Falcon Sound Club that plays music for residents in local retirement homes. He is also a member of the UNICEF Club, that held a bake sale and donated profits to help the children in Ukraine. Benjamin enjoys playing the cello and piano in my orchestra class. He especially loves volunteering for the Special Olympics Bocce Ball Tournament and Theater Under the Stars where he helped individuals with disabilities immerse in all aspects of theater. Benjamin loves taking his six-year-old dog, Sparky, on walks.
New Study Techniques as the School Year Slowly Comes to an End
As we are now halfway through the second semester, finals are ever so closer. We have all taken tests before, but we may not have a set plan to study every time we do so. Let's delve into the benefits of two effective study techniques: Active Learning and the Pomodoro Technique.
What is active learning? Active learning is using methods such as flashcards and quizzes to foster engagement and enhance memory retention. Flashcards enable students to condense information into concise questions and answers, promoting active recall, a powerful tool for reinforcing learning. Additionally, teaching others about the material provides an opportunity to articulate concepts in one's own words, reinforcing understanding and identifying gaps in your knowledge. The process of explaining complex topics to someone else solidifies comprehension and helps build a deeper grasp of the subject matter. This technique not only makes studying more interactive but also encourages a more comprehensive understanding of the material. Also, don’t fret if there is no one around, simply teach the subject to a stuffed animal or pet.
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management strategy that involves breaking study sessions into short, focused intervals, typically 25 minutes, followed by a short break of around 5 minutes. This method prevents burnout and helps maintain concentration by aligning study periods with the brain's natural attention span. These structured intervals create a sense of urgency, fostering productivity and preventing procrastination. Over time, this technique can improve time management skills and increase overall efficiency. The Pomodoro Technique is particularly effective for high school students facing numerous subjects and assignments, as it provides a systematic approach to balancing workload and maintaining optimal focus throughout study sessions.
Because there is still time before finals, take some time to think about your study plans and see if you can incorporate or use one of these techniques with studying.
Benjamin Farahbod
March 2024
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