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PFD is based on the concept that every student benefits from improved study skills.  Students are given the tools needed to perform on a higher academic level.  The following are specific PFD learning skills:

1)    Effective Agenda Use (Do & Due) – Methods and techniques are taught to each student to effectively implement the PFD “Do & Due” system.

2)     Organization & Planning - Organization & planning will insure that each day is somewhat productive and that each student accomplishes what they must.  Each student will learn “A place for everything and everything in its place.”  Organizational skills are the keystone to having a more balanced life

3)     Note Taking Strategies - Effective note taking strategies using the PFD system by taking notes with your ears not your eyes.  Students are shown how effective note taking is a form of studying for exams.

4)     Weekly Goal Setting – Students are taught how to set weekly goals and how to achieve them using the PFD 3 W’s and an H technique.  Goals will then be implemented into the PFD “Do & Due” system.

5)     Effective Listening – Students are taught how to recognize and improve their listening skills which in turn teaches them how to communicate more effectively by listening and paraphrasing.

6)     Prioritizing & Decision Making – Students learn how to prioritize tasks & goals and how to make decisions utilizing decision trees.  The 80/20 principle will also be taught & implemented.

7)     Study Skills & Habits - Students are shown when, where and how to study on a regular basis.  Students are then able to recognize their bad habits and replace them with good study habits.

8)     Test taking Strategies - Proven test taking techniques are taught on how to take a test and not let a test take you.  Strategies are taught for all forms of tests.  Multiple Choice, Problem Solving, Essay, True/False and Objective tests.

9)     How to Proofread Effectively - Proven techniques to eliminate unnecessary mistakes. Students are given tips on effective proofreading.  Proofreading is not an innate ability but an acquired skill.

10)How to ask Questions – How to properly ask questions during lectures developing critical thinking skills.  Students are taught to think before they speak.

11)Vocabulary Building – Students are given a word of the day on a weekly basis to increase each student’s personal vocabulary.  Dictionaries and Thesaurus usage will be taught.  Students will be introduced to the etymology of each word to better understand its meaning.

12)How to take Reading Notes – Students will be taught how to find instead of read in order to retain which will enable students to compete on the collegiate level.

13)Creative Thinking Strategies – Techniques are taught to students to enable them to think outside the box without stating the obvious.  Students will learn how to think for themselves at all times.

14)Research Strategies - Research by using the library and internet effectively.

15)Public Speaking - Students are given a 1-2 week course on the basics of public speaking.

16) College Prep -Students prepare for college admittance by completing personal statements, letters of recommendation and educational resume.  Students and Parents are guided through the application process for admission, financial aid and scholarship searching. This process begins as early as 7th grade.

Character Development (CD) are important workshops that PFD offers due to the fact that college can and will be a very emotional and stressful time in a young person’s life.  Through this series of workshops, each student will learn not to be self-absorbed and to assume responsibility for self and contributes to the well-being of others in the community, nation and world.  CD helps students find personal meaning in a competitive world.

1. Association – “Show me your friends and I will show you your Future.”
2. Change – “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered you will never grow.”
3. Changing your Beliefs – “If you don’t believe in yourself than who will.”
4. Choices – “Make your Decision before you have to make a choice.”
5. Consequences of Irresponsibility – “Success on any scale is to accept responsibility.”
6. Creating Solutions -  “Life is not what happens to you, but rather how you react to it.”
7. Critical Thinking – “Thinking Outside the Box”
8. Making Changes – “The most difficult thing for human beings is change”.
9. Making Decisions – “The greatest power a person possesses is the power to choose.”
10. Paradigms – “Seeing things from another person’s perspective.”
11. Principles – “To be driven by your Principles and not by your circumstances.”
12. Proactive vs. Reactive – “Life is about how you react to the different situations you will face.”
13. Procrastination – “You will never find time for anything, If you want time you must make it.”
14. Respect & Etiquette – “Always have respect for others and proper etiquette.”
15. Self-Discipline – “The ability to get yourself to take action regardless of your emotional state.”
16. Success – “There are no secrets to success.  It’s the result of preparation, hard work & learning from failure.”
    
17. Taking Control – “A purpose has been granted to all of those who walk this earth.”
18. Think Win-Win – “An attitude towards life, A mental frame of mind”.
19. Values - “Saying you value something without action is meaningless”.
    
20. Vision – “To see things in your mind’s eye before they exist.”
    
21. Who are you? – “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”

PFD students are taught principles to live by everyday.  One principle is taught every class and then strictly enforced throughout the year.  Students are taught whenever they are put in a tough position in life to ask themselves what principle would apply to this situation.  The following are the specific principles taught: