Why You Should Keep Reading

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.  The most important reason is because 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, on any subject that interests you.  Check out your local library where you  borrow books for free!
• Articles and nonfiction books that relate to your major, especially current topics - it is important to stay up-to-date in your field.
• Blogs or websites related to your field or other interests.

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:

                 We are what we 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.

You got your final grades and you are not happy - what should you do?

Opening your grades for the semester is, hopefully, a pleasant event.  The reward for all of your effort and hard work!  But what if they are not what you hoped for!  Here are some repair strategies:

• If you got a D or an F, can you or should you retake the class in the next semester?  At my institution a D is passing but is not allowed in your major.  (Is there a form to complete?  Do you need an advisors help or permission?)
• Can you take a class at home either online or at a local college that will give you the necessary knowledge you need to be successful next semester?  (You may have to get permission from your school, but if you are not transferring the credits possibly not.)
• Is there something else you can do between semesters to bolster your knowledge – read a lower level textbook, watch appropriate lessons on Kahn Academy, buy (and use!) a self-teaching book for the subject?
• Take some time to reflect on things such as class attendance, study and learning strategies, motivation, too much social life, etc.  Are there some changes you need to make?  Consider writing them down and putting them in a place you will find them at the beginning of the next semester.
• Do you see a pattern?  Is there a particular type of class where you are not doing as well as you hope?  Does this indicate that maybe you should change your major?
• Look at your schedule for the next semester.  Start now to think about the positive study habits you will follow and plan how you will be sure to do so!
• Check and recheck with Financial Aid.  Again – more regulations!!!  Are there a specific number of credits you must earn?  Will taking classes at home affect the number of semesters for which you can get aid?   Check everything, ask questions, write down the date and the person’s name you are talking to and the information you receive.
• In the event of the worst case scenario – your grades are so low you are not able to return – think about your next steps. 
• If you want to eventually return to that institution, what are the procedures? 
• If you want to enroll somewhere else, how will these poor grades affect your chances? 
• If you can, go to a local community college and either take classes to boost your skills and knowledge or classes that will transfer.  (Again, check with the registrar’s office at your home school to see what you need to do and also what classes will transfer.  There are always regulations and procedures you need to follow!)

Once there is a blip in your academic progress there are multiple issues to consider, but you definitely can get back on track and smoothly finish your degree.   The trick is to make sure it does not happen again!!  Review previous blogs about learning, studying and motivation for information.  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.

Success During Final Exam Week

Final exams are the culmination of all of your hard work during the semester.  This idea, of course, can be very stressful.  Some survival strategies include:

• Be sure you know if the exam covers just the final unit or the entire semester of information.
• Know the time and location for each exam and plan to arrive early.
• Have multiple pens or pencils in case one breaks or runs out of ink.
• Know what grade you have in each class.  Put more effort into a class where you have the possibility of moving up a letter grade OR are in danger of dropping down a grade.
• Be sure to sleep, eat nutritiously and exercise.
• Continue to study all subjects.   Make the last subject you study each night be the one that is the first exam the following day.
• If you have exams back-to-back prepare a brief study guide you can review as you move from the first exam to the second.
• Don’t get caught in other people’s anxiety.   Sometimes very vocal people are simply venting and passing their stress on to you!
• Plan something fun and relaxing after exams are over.

Of course the main strategy for a successful finals week is to have been preparing and learning all during the semester.  Enjoy showcasing your hard work and then your future good grades!
*****
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.