The Importance of Words

In my classes and with students preparing for entrance exams into the College of Education I focus much of the time on reading strategies (previewing, organization, signal words, etc.).  But a very important part of reading comprehension is vocabulary.  If you do not know what the words mean it is almost impossible to understand what you are reading.  This applies to reading textbooks as well as exam questions and answers. 

 

There are several ways you can figure out the meaning of a word without stopping your reading and looking it up in a dictionary:

*Context clues – often the writer will either include the specific meaning of the word in the sentence if it is important to the knowledge of the overall subject.  If this is the case you, the reader, are expected to know the meaning of the word from that point on.  This is even more emphasized if the word and definition are noted in the margin!

*Often you can still get the meaning of the sentence without knowing the exact meaning of a word.  This is fine for general reading, but be careful with your classes.


*A general understanding of word parts is useful.  For example, “im, in, un, non” all have a negative meaning, “pre” means before and “re” means to do again.  In subject areas this is a crucial tool as there will be word parts specific to each subject.

Here is some more ideas:

*If you see an unknown word three times, look it up and write down the word and definition.   Keep a running list of words you are learning and review often.

*In your subjects, use study cards to learn the vocabulary important to that discipline.

*Go to www.freerice.com and play their vocabulary game.  They do not give the meaning of the words, but it is a fun way to gradually increase the words you recognize.

Words are interesting and can make a big difference in your understanding and learning.  Pay attention to them and your vocabulary will gradually increase.  Enjoy!

*****

First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

Keep reading over the summer!

For many students summer is a time to relax and/or work to earn money for the next school year.  One other thing you should do is READ.  Here is why:


The most important reason is that reading over the summer will keep your reading and thinking skills sharp.


But also:

• You will increase your vocabulary.
• You will learn new things.
• You will have interesting things to talk about.
• You will feel educated and academic which goes a long way toward success in future semesters.

What should you read?

• Newspapers and magazines
• Books, both fiction and nonfiction - check out your local library where you can borrow books for free.
• Nonfiction books that relate to your major, especially current topics - it is important to stay up-to-date in your field.
• Blogs or related websites related to your field.

It is important to not just "take the summer off" and totally suspend your academic activities.  Here is one of my favorite quotes by Aristotle:


"You are what you repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."


Make sure you maintain the habit of reading and thinking over the summer months!  Also take time to relax and enjoy a bit more freedom!
*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

 

The semester is over - now what?

The spring semester is over and all that is left is waiting for your grades.  Here are some things to consider once you have them.


If you did well and your semester and cumulative grade averages are good:

• Congratulations on a job well done!
• Think about what went well.  What exactly did you do to earn high grades?  What will you do again next semester?

If your grades were disappointing:

• Can you pinpoint a specific area where you struggled, such as math or English?  If you can, consider some work over the summer to improve in that area.  For example, you could take a lower-level class at a local college but not have the credits transfer or purchase a workbook and study on your own.
• Look at the requirements for your major.  Did you do well in those classes but had trouble in others?  Or if you struggled in your major classes, perhaps you should consider changing your major to one with classes where you feel you would do well.
• Did you attend every class?
• Seriously examine your study habits.  Did you review your notes after every class?  Use a variety of active strategies to learn the material?  Start a week ahead to prepare for an exam?
• Did you take advantage of other resources such as tutoring or visiting your professor's office hours?

Worst case scenario - if you are on probation:

• Read the above five points.
• Examine your next semester.  Can you repeat any classes to eliminate a particularly low grade?
• Can you take any classes over the summer that will boost your grades?  (If you do this, be very sure you will do very well in the class!)
• Consider talking with your advisor to make a recovery plan.

Whatever your outcome, plan ahead for the successful, positive strategies you will use next semester.  Consider writing a note  about this to yourself and packing it away with the things you will be taking back to college with you.


Enjoy the summer and a break from classes, however long it will be.
This blog will not be taking the summer off!  Look for more learning strategies and ideas to enhance your success!
*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and wordassociation.com.  Click on the upper right link.

If you must cram, here are some tips!

At my university this week is finals.  If you have been regularly studying during the semester you will be fine.  If you have not, here are some tips.  (AND - please go back and review earlier blogs about studying and learning before you take another class!)


The initial tendency is to pull an all-nighter.  That is the WORST thing you can do.  Sleep is essential and the exams you have in the succeeding days will suffer for one night of no sleep.  Instead:


1. Look at all of the information that will be on the final and write down the main topics, one per page.
2. Take one topic at a time and fill in the next level of information.  The amount of time and information will determine how much in depth you can go.
3. Pause and review what you have written.  Use recitation (restating in your own words from memory) to strengthen your learning.
4. Continue on with each main topic until everything has been covered.
5.  Review all the notes you have written immediately before going to sleep.
6. Review again in the morning before the exam.
7. Review the blog on test-taking strategies.  While that will not make up for your lack of studying, it will give you confidence when approaching the exam.


Good luck!
*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link