Vocab studying strategies?

[clownshoes.livejournal.com]

I'm a first-year Russian student and am grasping all of the grammar perfectly, missing little to no points on tests, and any mistakes are usually careless errors. On the other hand, the actual vocabulary is KILLING me. Example: on my midterm, I would have had an A if I had known all of the vocabulary for the translation portion; instead, I got a D. I've tried various studying methods, and none seem to be working for me.

And thus, the question for the community:
What methods for studying Russian have you guys tried that have worked especially well?

(no subject)

[triogen.livejournal.com]

Hi all,

I have an idea of making short song videos: Russian sound and English text image. Please check my first result. It is a song by Vladimir Vysotsky, 'Morning gymnastics'. I hope watching to it is both fun and learning.

http://www.theothersize.com/mouse/gymnastics.wmv

Question for native Russians (feel free to delete if inappropriate)

[sarahbrowneyes.livejournal.com]

Hey all, I am a grad student in a Historic Preservation program and I am going to be giving a presentation on preservation efforts in Moscow in the near future. I was just wondering what the general feeling of Muscovites and Russians in general was concerning preserving historic buildings and etc?

My class is on international preservation and we have studied how different countries have different ideas as to what lengths they will go to and exactly how they preserve their heritage. Through my research so far, it sounds like many buildings are being destroyed without regard for their importance, but there are those that have been restored and adapted for a different use than they originally had. My main basis for my information has centered around one group, called MAPS. Their website is maps-moscow.com if you'd like to explore it.

Any insights or thoughts are much appreciated!