The Web offers fast study tools

A s students draw ever-closer to the end of this semester and all that it brings—stress, incredibly long papers, final exams—many may wonder where they can go to get help with their growing mounds of homework.

Those who find themselves in such a situation should consider the benefits of online study tools. Thanks to the technology that drives the world today, there are increasing numbers of free, fast, reliable and useful Web sites available to students in need of extra help. Marketwire (marketwire.com) suggests several sites that help students at a variety of levels. Marketwire travels the thin-line between study aids and plagarism tools, but the following can focus legitimate study if used properly.

One such Web site is www.bbc.co.uk/languages. This site offers several useful language tools, including quizzes which gauge levels of fluency, tutoring, games such as crossword puzzles and trivia, resources for tutors, study tips and guides to learning slang. These tools are available for a variety of languages, including French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese and Greek, and range from beginner to advanced levels.

Students who have trouble incorporating required readings into their schedules should check out the site www.DailyLit.com which offers a unique method to help students finish such assignments. It allows users to choose a particular book from its collection of literature — mostly classical with some modern titles mixed in — then to subscribe to have sections of the book e-mailed to their address daily.

The books come with a predetermined number of readings, so they may not follow teachers’ deadlines. Still, the site may prove useful, and may even help busy students make time for pleasure-reading.

Finally, those who want to find online word definitions should consider the sitewww.ninjawords.com. This site bases its service on the characteristics of ninjas, which it claims are “smart, accurate, and really fast.” It also allows users to compare several definitions at once.

Students and Web users alike might take a look at these sites to help fight the stress of homework and finals. These online tools could prove to be invaluable resources in students’ studies.