Three Tips for Academic Success

This week I met with students in my Learning Strategies classes for the first time.  Along with all of the initial work that needs to be done (introductions, reviewing the syllabus, checking the class list) I like to be sure students leave the class with a three tips they can implement immediately to be successful in their classes. 

Here is what I tell my students:

1. Go to class!
2. Review your notes after each class.
3. Use recitation (restating in your own words from memory).  After they have read over their notes, made corrections, filled in any missing information, they should cover the notes and see what they can restate from memory.  After all, that is what happens on the exam!  If they can successfully restate the information, move on to the next topic.  If not, review and repeat until successful.

Of course there are many more strategies – but this is a start.  If you have not been doing these three things, start doing them you will be amazed with your academic success!

Beginning a New Semester

One of the nice things about education is that you get to wrap up a semester, reflect on what went well and what you could improve, and then you get a brand new start. 

Here are some common problems that students encounter and some ideas for positive changes this semester:

Roadblocks to Success	Strategies for Change
Waiting too late to begin to study	Review and learn notes after every class and all notes at least once a week
Not going to class	This is simple – resolve not to miss any classes.  Make a weekly chart with all of your classes listed and then cross them off as you attend.  See how many perfect weeks you can have.  (If you must miss, contact the professor and be sure to attend the next class.)
Too much social life and not enough academic life	At the very beginning of the semester make a weekly plan.  Schedule your study times during the day and early evening.  Get into the habit of studying immediately after class.  Go to the Library instead of to your room or apartment after classes.
Unorganized	Have a separate notebook for each class.  Keep all of the papers for each class together.  Stop and think before leaving room to be sure you have everything you need.
Missing assignments and exams	Get a daily planner and monthly calendar and write everything down.  Go through each syllabus at the beginning of the semester and write all exams and major assignments on the monthly calendar as well as the daily planner.  Write short-term assignments in your daily planner as they are assigned.  Be sure to get into the habit of looking at the planner and calendar daily.
Lack of interest and motivation, Part I	Set goals for the semester, write them down and post them where you will see them daily.  There are several types of goals: Daily – this really is a “To-do List” Weekly – for example, “Go to all classes.” Semester – Set a grade point average you would like to achieve
Lack of interest and motivation, Part II	If you have a clear career goal, imagine yourself working in that field.  Think about how what you are learning in class might pertain to that career.  Even a course not directly in your major will prepare you to be a successful, well-rounded person in that field.
Lack of interest and motivation, Part III	If you do not have a clear career path, make one of your goals this semester to go to Career Services and explore your options.  Read course descriptions in your college’s catalog and see which ones sound interesting to you.  In the meantime, imagine yourself at graduation and your feeling of accomplishment.   No one is motivated all the time, but successful people have some strategies to help keep going.   Dreaming of graduation day is one that will keep you focused.
Choosing short-term pleasures over long-term goals	This is hard. No one wants to miss out on immediate fun and instead study for a career that will not happen for a year or more.  But that is what it takes.  If you begin to study daily and plan ahead, you should not have to miss too much.  But sometimes you just have to make the choice to stay home and study.  In the end the rewards will be greater, so keep your mind focused on the long-term goal.

NOW it’s your turn – think about your previous semesters.  What changes can you make to find academic success or to enhance the success you are already having?    If your academic success is at the level you want, then enjoy it and continue on!

Have a great semester!