Your instructor will probably pass out valuable information sheets or outlines for the class lessons. You can often take notes on these sheets throughout the lesson so that you can refer back to them when you study. Don't forget to read and refer to your class textbook. In addition to giving broad themes, textbooks usually give lots of detailed examples which can help you understand key concepts. Ask several classmates to meet up and go over course material together. Keep the group small so you don't become distracted. Meet on a regular basis and go over coursework. For example, meet at the end of every week to review notes from the week's instruction. Write down any questions or concerns you're unable to work through as a group. This way, you can ask the instructor to explain the concepts and you'll be better prepared for exams. If you have a quick question, don't hesitate to ask your instructor during or after the lesson. This can clear up any minor confusion you might have. But, if you're having trouble understanding a larger concept or theme, you may want to go to the instructor's office hours. This way, you'll have more time to go over the material.  Attending your instructor's office hours is also a good way to show the instructor that you're taking the language class seriously. Don't wait until the day before an exam to contact your instructor. Instead, ask questions as soon as you have them. If you'd like more one-on-one explanation or a chance to work on your conversational skills, hire a private tutor. Make sure the tutor is qualified and will be able to work on any areas you're concerned with. For example, you might want to hire a tutor so that you can work speaking skills. You might hire someone who has experience speaking the language in the country of origin.  Consider asking your instructor to recommend a tutor. The instructor might be able to recommend former students who'd be willing to work with you or fellow colleagues that also work as tutors. Your school may offer drop-in tutors for you to work with. Check your program's language resources to find out more.
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One-sentence summary -- Utilize class materials. Work with a study group. Talk with your instructor. Consider hiring a tutor.


One of the things that can make the difference between true north and magnetic north so difficult for navigators is that the effect on compasses can change over time. This phenomenon is called declination — as the earth's magnetic field fluctuates, the number of degrees by which a compass will be "off" from true north will shift accordingly. Thus, to accurately adjust your compass to account for this effect, you'll need a recent declination value for your location. Luckily, the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) keeps up-to date records of global declination values. At the NGDC website, you can enter your current location to receive the most recent declination value available for your area. Some physical maps will also include declination values for the area displayed in the map. Topographical maps are the most likely to include this information, though it can be in other types of maps as well. If you're considering navigating by map and compass, consider checking your map's legend to see whether the map contains accurate declination data. Note, of course, that declination changes over time, so old maps can quickly become out of date. For the most accurate values, use the most recently-published map available. Once you know how "off" your compass is from true north, it's not hard to adjust for this discrepancy. Begin by finding magnetic north. Hold your compass flat and level in front of you. If your compass has a travel arrow (usually a skinny red arrow on the flat lower portion of the compass, point this forward. Watch the motion of the compass needle. When the needle stops moving, note the direction the needle points. This will be the north-south axis. Most modern compasses have a needle that is half red and half white. In this case, the red end of the needle is the north-pointing end. If you're navigating by compass, typically, at this point, you would adjust the compass's bezel to that the direction you're intending to travel is directly in front of you, aligned with the travel arrow. In this case, since we want to find north, we'll turn the bezel so that the "N" (and the wide arrow beneath it) is directly in front of us. Note that this magnetic north, not true north — we still need to adjust for declination. Turn your body until the compass's needle is lined up with the orienting arrow on the bezel (and, thus, the travel arrow as well). You are now facing toward magnetic north. To find true north, turn the bezel the same magnitude and direction as your declination value. Most compasses will have degree markers on the bezel to help you do this. Next, line up your needle and your orienting arrow by turning your body again. You should now be facing true north! For example, let's say that we originally obtained a declination value of 14o E for the area we're in. If we're facing towards magnetic north, we would turn our bezel 14o to the east (clockwise, in this case). Then, we would turn to the left (which is west) to line up the needle with the orienting arrow, leaving us facing at true north (14o west of magnetic north).
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One-sentence summary --
Find your local declination from the NGDC. Alternatively, find your declination from a map. Find magnetic north with your compass. Turn the orienting arrow so it points ahead of you. Adjust for declination.