Get off My Brain: A Survival Guide for Lazy Students (Bored, Frustrated, and Otherwise Sick of School)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

School can be deadly. School can be dull. School can be a total waste of time. The good news is, if you're

* Bored, Frustrated, and Otherwise Sick of School

this book can help. Offbeat, unconventional, and sometimes outrageous, it's full of suggestions for succeeding in school despite the many obstacles placed in your path.

You'll learn how to...

amuse yourself in tedious classes identify your strengths (and minimize your weaknesses) sharpen your test-taking skills write better papers speak up in class improve your GPA with less effort, and explore the wonderful world of rest and relaxation awarded to students who are willing to play the system.

Along the way, you'll discover that...

librarians aren't barbarians Ward Cleaver (the Beaver's dad) was never wrong some teachers actually appreciate imaginative papers you can have your cake and edit, too, and the road to good grades is paved with "bull" dozing.

Whether you're terminally tuned-out or you just need some encouragement, new ideas, and good reasons to feel better about school, GET OFF MY BRAIN is for you.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Joyce Rice

Classroom teachers and parents often face the teen who just seems to be stuck along the path of academic achievement. Now, author McCutcheon offers these teens, and their parents, a fresh look at school success. With humor and a positive approach, this volume offers students a chance to start again with better study skills and the ability to see things with a new perspective. Students will learn how to improve test-taking skills, speak up in class, and write better papers. Along the way, they will learn how to relax and enjoy this time in their lives. A great gift for that child who needs to 'lighten up' and see himself or herself as a successful student.

VOYA - Kellie Shoemaker

This entertaining and instructive little book masquerading as a study skills manual for underachieving students is chock-full of useful tidbits and helpful advice for dealing with almost every aspect of academic life. McCutcheon, an award-winning teacher, does not mince words when he offers suggestions for spicing up boring lectures from lackluster instructors, ideas on how to brown-nose to win brownie points, or different approaches on standing out from the crowd when writing research papers. The chapter on manipulating librarians was right on target, too, especially the part about showing amazement at the librarian's job skills. Not only will students learn how to analyze their own learning styles, they will discover how analyzing their teacher's strengths and weaknesses will help them do better in class. From test-taking strategies to sample essay assignments to oral presentations, this revised and updated edition to an old favorite will help any student (and perhaps a few instructors as well) do better in school and enjoy themselves in the process. Index. Further Reading. VOYA Codes: 4Q 2P S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses, For the YA with a special interest in the subject, Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).

AUTHOR DESCRIPTION

Randall James McCutcheon was privileged to attend the college of his banker's choice. Although he subsequently graduated with distinction, his departmental advisor lamented, "If only Randy weren't so lazy, he would have wasted even more time studying."

In the years following graduation, he almost made a living as a graduate teaching assistant, advertising copywriter, radio announcer, and high school teacher.

Mr. McCutcheon was selected 1985 Teacher of the Year in Nebraska. He has received national recognition from the U.S. Dept. of Education and the National Association of Secondary School Principals for "innovation in education." He has taught in public and private schools in Nebraska, Iowa, Massachusetts, and New Mexico and has coached his speech teams to twentyone state and five national championships.

A former student remembers, "Mr. McCutcheon talked real good for a coach. And loud, too."