Why read?

Hopefully during these summer months you will be able to find some time for pleasure reading, whether it be fiction or non-fiction.  Both students and professors are incredibly busy during the semester. Anyone who has a job and/or is taking care of a family is incredibly busy.  Sustained or prolonged reading is often one of the first activities to be dropped from your schedule.  But reading is important for more than just pleasure and escape.  So why read?

• It gives your mind a rest from the day-to-day cares and worries.   This is a good stress reliever.
• Prolonged reading helps your brain retain or develop the ability to concentrate for an extended period of time.  The lack of prolonged attention is one concern people mention with all of the electronic devices that have us jumping from topic to topic with just a few second attention to each.
• Reading helps you develop empathy.  You are more able to understand the viewpoint of others and not just our own.
• You increase your vocabulary.
• You increase your general background knowledge about multiple topics.
• You practice seeing the "big picture" as you keep the story line and multiple characters straight in your mind.
• In general, reading keeps you brain active so that you are ready to go when the new semester starts.

All of these skills transfer to your academic work.  So grab a book, find a shady spot and 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.

Finding Time to Study

My grandson said he thought the biggest challenge facing a new college student would be finding time to study.  In fact, he reported that as a sophomore in high school that is a challenge he currently faces.  Here are some solutions that will work whether you are a high school or college student:

• Plan ahead.  Think about what you need to do for the entire week and what available time you have.  Then decide when you will complete the work that needs to be done.
• Write it down.  Don't just plan to do something in your head.  Make a to-do list and then cross things off as they are completed.  Use this for the daily or weekly things.
• Use a planner.  Use this to keep track of the big things that you need to do and upcoming events you need to plan around.
• Set your priorities.  If you are in a time crunch this will help you focus on what is really important.
• Plan time for rest and relaxation.  This is important to maintain your energy and motivation.

These strategies work no matter how old or how busy you are.  Everyone has the same number of hours.  The successful person/student is able to use the time to their advantage.
*****
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.

Succeeding in Compressed Summer Classes

Most classes in the summer are compressed into about one-third the length of a regular semester.  This has its good and bad points depending on what else you are doing and how much you like the class!  Whatever your reason for taking the class or where you are taking it, it is important to do well.  The following is information I share with my students about these classes:


Benefits of taking a summer course:

• If taken at your institution you can raise your cumulative grade point average which is especially important if you are on academic probation or need a higher average to get into a specific program.
• You can take required lower level classes (math in particular) so that you can move on to the higher level classes required by your major.
• You can take some General or Liberal Studies requirements and thus lighten your course load during the semester or graduate early.

Positives:

• You only have one or two courses to focus on so you are not as scattered as during the semester.
• If you do not like the subject it will be over quickly.
• If you are taking the course at an institution near your home you will meet students from a variety of other schools who also live in your area.  This can be a fun experience and help you gain different perspectives.

Negatives:

• You most likely will have the class four or five days a week for several hours a day.  If you do not like the course that can be a very long time.
• It is the same amount of material covered in a regular semester.  You will have to study every night, there is no time to let up on your preparation.

Strategies for Success:

• Make sure you understand your school's policies.  If you are taking the class at a different school, what grade do you need to transfer in the credits?  Does the grade transfer or just the credits?
• Have the mindset that this is for a short period of time and you will give it your all.
• Review the material every night after class. Save time on the weekends to do any major reading or projects.
• Schedule you life and other activities so that you have time for the work required.  If you know you are going away for a major trip in the middle of the course, don't take it.
• Go to every class!
• Be sure to focus on the positives of the experience and not the negatives.

Summer courses are a great experience and a great way to move your education forward.  Work hard and 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, barnesandnoble.com and wordassociation.com.  Click on the upper right link.

Looking Ahead to Your First Semester

This morning I met with freshmen and helped them plan their classes for the fall semester.  Given that the students really don't know what to expect, there were a few quick tips I suggested they keep in mind:

• Go to class!  When there is no one to tell you what to do, it is surprisingly easy to skip one class which can then quickly become a pattern.  Don't give yourself an option - you are going to all your classes!
• There is a lot more reading and it is much more in-depth than in high school.  For the most part your professors expect that you have read, understood and retained the information in the book, even though they may not announce this daily in class.
• You are the main person responsible for your learning.
• The learning will happen outside of class, not during class.
• Keep on top of things beginning with week one.  The first week seems pretty easy but the semester moves very quickly and it is easy to get behind.

The start of the fall semester is exciting, particularly for a freshman.  Whether this is your first semester or you are an experienced student, before you get into the semester think about what positive habits you will follow and resolve to do so!  Good luck and 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, barnesandnoble.com and wordassociation.com.  Click on the upper right link.

Build Background Knowledge Over the Summer

The past two blogs have dealt with ideas to keep your skills fresh over the summer.  Another thing you can consider doing is to gain or increase your background knowledge for your future courses.  We know that the more you know about a subject the easier it is to learn new knowledge.  Here are some things to consider:


Keep current in your major:

• Look for related news articles.
• Go to the library and borrow the current books in your field.
• Read books and articles to increase your knowledge of the important history in your field.
• Look for opportunities to talk to people employed in your field.  If appropriate, ask to visit them at work or shadow them.
• If possible, work or volunteer in an area related to your major.

Liberal Studies courses:

• Sometimes what makes these courses difficult is the lack of background knowledge in a field that is totally new to you.  Do some research in this area to increase your knowledge.

Build needed skills:

• If your major requires a high level of math, study that.  Even if you are not taking a formal course you can review and practice what you know.
• Read, read, read.
• Spend time doing whatever it is that is required of your major - math, drawing, reading - whatever you will need to be proficient at or know in the fall.
• If your major requires an entrance or proficiency exam, study ahead for that.

Once you are working in your career you will be expected to maintain your skills and continue to learn.  Develop these habits now while you are in college and it will be natural for you once you are employed.  Any extra activity you can add to your resume will also demonstrate you are a self-directed learner and make your more marketable.
*****
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.