Annotation or Margin Notes

One way you can increase your reading efficiency and retention is by writing brief notes in the margins of your textbooks.  These are called annotations or margin notes.  They are short, maybe just a few key words, and summarize the important information contained in a paragraph or section. 

 

 

By using this strategy while you read, you are becoming a much more active reader.  This will result in higher comprehension and retention. 

 

 

Here is what to do:

1.         Read the paragraph or section.

2.         Think about what is the important information you need to remember.

3.         Condense that information into a few key words.

4.         Write the words in the margin of the page near where you found the information.

 

 

There are other ways you can mark your pages:

• Write numbers beside where items are listed.
• Write "def" beside where an important word is defined.
• Draw a small concept map or chart in a white space to help you understand something.
• Circle names or important dates
• Put a star or arrow beside something that is important

Keep in mind that this is a new way to read and may be uncomfortable at first.  But isn't any change uncomfortable?  Give it time and you will wonder how you ever read without a pen or pencil in your hand!

 

 

By using this strategy you are ensuring that you will be actively involved with the information and doing much more than simply letting the words run through your mind.

How to Choose a Major

It is much more difficult to pass up fun, social activities and focus on your studies if you are undecided about what you want to major in and do with your life.   Also, there is a lot of pressure from colleges and universities to declare a major early in your academic career, but making this decision often is hard.  Here are some things to do as you start to explore your options:

If your institution has a Career Center, take advantage of that.  The people there are trained professionals to help you with this decision and can give you expert guidance and advice.

See if there are any Career Exploration classes available.

Take advantage of computer-based inventories such as the Myers Briggs.  That particular one will lead you to consider such things as whether you like to work with people compared to more independently or if you like a fairly rigid schedule compared to a spontaneous and flexible one.

Listen to your heart.  What are you doing when you feel the most fulfilled and excited?  In the past, what have you done when you felt very satisfied about your day?  Can these be incorporated into a career or will they be your hobby and recreational activities?

Look at the government websites about job availability and future growth.

Read the course descriptions in your college catalogue.   Which ones sound interesting or boring?  That could give you some information about what you are interested in.

Over break or vacations consider shadowing people in various careers.  You want to know what they actually DO on a day-to-day basis as opposed to how glamorous their job sounds.  (This may take a little work to find these people.  Ask your parents’ friends, your friends’ parents, people from your church, people you talk to on a regular basis.  Most people love to share what they do and are very willing to help a young person along in their career choices.)

Many people are working in a field different from their major or only slightly connected to their major. 

Remember that some of the most important things you will learn in college include critical thinking, independent learning and problem solving.  These skills transfer across all areas.

Good luck!

Why Are You in College?

I have been reading final papers from an Early Entrance Experience  program I taught one week before our regular semester started.   One of the topics the students wrote about was their decision to attend college. Many of them wrote that they found it useful and motivational to consciously think about their decision now that they were actually on campus.

As I am writing this it is now a few weeks into the semester.  You are probably finding the work more demanding than you expected.   This is a good time to pause and reflect on the same topic – why are you in college?  Why did you make this decision?

* Was it assumed you would attend college and there was no other option –OR- did you make a conscious choice?

* Does everyone in your family have a degree –OR- will you be the first?

* Do you have successful examples to live up to –OR- are you setting the example for younger siblings and relatives?

* Do you want to live up to someone’s faith in you –OR- do you want to prove wrong the people who said you could not be   successful?

* Do you have a clear career goal –OR- are you searching for the right major for you?

Whatever the answers are to these questions, you are the one responsible for your success.  Thinking about why you are in college will go a long way toward keeping you motivated and on track.

Take Care of Your Health

 How you feel physically has a big influence on your ability to learn. Plan to take care of yourself in these three ways:

• Sleep: The best way to get a good night’s sleep is to go to bed and get up at about the same time every day. Naps are fine, but a nap is about 20–30 minutes. If you get into your pajamas and under the covers, you have gone back to bed! Too much sleep during the day can disrupt your sleep at night and take away from valuable study time.

• Exercise: Exercise has multiple benefits—it helps your brain function well, gives you energy, helps keep your weight under control, and helps you fight off germs. Most schools have beautiful fitness centers and organized classes—take advantage of what they have to offer.

• Good nutrition: On many college dining plans you can eat whatever and whenever you want, but there is no one to remind you to plan or eat balanced meals. Remember to eat from a variety of groups and include fresh fruit and vegetables. Don’t go crazy with sugary desserts and fried food.

 The better you physically feel, the better you will be able to concentrate and learn.