The Ultimate Learning Tool: Anki

Have you heard of a learning tool called Anki? It’s a flashcard system that delivers the highest learning efficiency for memorization. I used to be skeptical about studying with smartphones and similar devices, but Anki completely changed my perspective. I’ve been using it for about a year, and I’ve even introduced it to my students […]

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Tips to Avoid Common Spelling Mistakes

Introduction Spelling mistakes can significantly impact how others perceive us. The more mistakes we make, the less trustworthy we appear. For instance, frequent errors in important documents like university application forms can make others question, “Can I really trust this person?” Although the internet makes it easy to verify spellings, there are many situations—such as

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5 Causes of Procrastination and How to Overcome Them

Introduction: Procrastination—A Common Struggle As a cram school instructor, I’ve observed a common trend among students. Many exclaim, “I don’t have enough time before the test!” while few ever say, “I have plenty of time to prepare.” From this, I’ve concluded: Preparing early is crucial not just in academics but in life overall. By addressing

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Why More Than Half of Japanese 6th Graders Skip School in January

The Reason Behind the Absence: Junior High Entrance Exams In Japan, there’s a phenomenon where more than half of 6th-grade students stop attending school in January. The reason? Entrance exams for junior high schools.In Japan, students who wish to attend private or national junior high schools must take entrance exams at the age of 12.

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A Journey to Shokasonjuku Academy(Part 2)

Revisiting Japan’s Revolutionary Past In my previous article, I shared the story of Yoshida Shoin, the young genius who mentored Japan’s future changemakers at Shokasonjuku Academy. This time, we’ll explore another fascinating piece of history in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture: Hagi Domain School Meirinkan (萩藩校明倫館). What Was Meirinkan? Located just a five-minute drive from Shokasonjuku,

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A Journey to Shokasonjuku Academy(Part 1) — The Story of a Young Genius Who Nurtured Japan’s Reformers

Visiting Shokasonjuku Academy on New Year’s Day On New Year’s Day 2025, I visited Shoin Shrine and Shokasonjuku Academy in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. This picture below shows Shoin Shrine. We had to wait in line for about 20 minutes for our first shrine visit of the year. The shrine houses Shokasonjuku, an academy

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