Collaboration between the Reader and Writer

The writer and the reader are working together to help the reader understand the material. 

The writer’s job is to write as clearly as possible so that the reader is able to understand the information.  They do this by using:

• Signal words 
• Spacing, paragraphs, different fonts, other print signs
• Context clues to define difficult words
• Meaningful organization
• Headings to indicate the organization of the material

The reader’s job is to:

• Watch for the signals and aids from the writer
• Strive to understand
• Monitor their comprehension and reread when needed

Remember that when you are writing a paper or essay exam you become the writer and your professor is now the reader.  Keeping this in mind will help you be clearer in your writing.  If your professor can easily follow your thoughts and understand what you mean you are more likely to earn a high grade (as long as your information is correct!).

Next week – signal words: what are they and why they are important

Overcoming Mid-semester Slump

At my university the semester is half over.  We do not have a fall break, but have 5 more weeks of classes before a week off at Thanksgiving.  Many students (and professors!) are tired and feeling a slump in their motivation.

Here are some ways to rejuvenate yourself:

Review your motivations.  Why are you here?  What are your goals?  Why is what you are doing important?

Evaluate how well you are taking care of yourself.  Are you getting enough sleep?  Enough exercise?  Are you eating healthy food?

If you are feeling stressed or over-whelmed, plan something fun and relaxing over a weekend.  Not the whole weekend, just a part of it!

Sometimes it is easier to work solid through a weekend and get on top of things when you know you have some “down time” the next weekend.  There’s no better way to relieve the stress of feeling overwhelmed than to just settle in and get the work done.

Above all, keep your focus on the big picture.  The semester will end soon enough and you will have some time off!

Just remember – enjoy the journey!!

Student Story #2

One of my students emailed me asking to be excused from my class because he had to study for exams in two other classes.  He wrote that he had stayed up all night studying and was not quite ready for the exams.  This student was on a sports team, but could not participate until he was off probation.

My response to this student was that he did not understand learning, time management or how his body works.  

First - He could not learn the information he needed to know the night before the exam.  Learning takes time.  He should have been learning the information over the past five weeks of the semester, not just the night before.

Second – He was not using his time properly.  Again, he should have been studying all along.  He is getting into a very bad habit by skipping one class to study for another.

Third – There is more and more information about the importance of sleep.  Sleep is important to memory – both for the learning and the output of the information.  Also, because he was tired he was not able to think properly during both exams and it took him more than a day to get back on track.

How did things turn out?  One exam has not been returned.  My student earned an A on the second exam, but made the statement that he hoped the final was not cumulative because he already had forgotten everything he had studied. 

So the moral of this story is:

• Understand how you learn.
• Manage your time.
• Get proper sleep.
• Hope you have an understanding professor who will help you succeed by giving you the information explained above that you need for sustained academic success.

Lecture Notes – Part IV - Different Delivery Systems

Continuing on with lecture notes, there are a variety of ways that professors deliver the information to the students.  Each format has its own challenges and strategies to maximize your learning.

Format:  Traditional spoken lecture

Challenges:  It is easy to drift off, doodle on your paper, or think about something else when attending a traditional lecture.

Strategies:

• Bring a drink or hard candy with you to keep you alert.
• Read the textbook and review previous notes so that you are familiar with the information
• Sit up front
• Every time your mind wanders, make a hash mark on the top of your page when you bring your attention back to the lecture.  Over time you will become more aware of your mind wandering and be more attentive.
• Be sure to continue to write – that will keep you involved

Format: Power-point

Challenges:  Sometimes professors move too fast because they do not have to write anything and do not realize how fast they are moving through the slides.

Strategies:

• Ask the professor to slow down (everyone else in the class is thinking the same thing!)
• If possible, print out the slides ahead of time and take notes directly on the slides.  Use the format where the slides are down the left side of the page and there is room for notes on the right.
• Review the strategies for the traditional lecture.

Format:  The entire lecture is available on the internet.

Challenges:  Thinking, “Why should I go?  I can read the information on my own.”

Strategies:

• Go to class.  You will understand and learn better if you hear the professor explain the information as well as give additional examples.
• Read the lecture beforehand.  Treat it the same way you would a textbook assignment.
• You can take notes on the printed lecture, noting where the professor emphasized something or added examples.
• Take separate notes.
• Review strategies for the traditional lecture.

Whatever you decide to do – Go to class!  Listen!  Write!