Spring Semester 2019 - Blog #11 Wrapping up the Semester

For most all institutions the spring semester is over.  So now what?

If your grades were good:

• Take some time to relax and enjoy your success.
• Think about what you did to earn those grades.   For example, what study strategies did you use, how did you manage your time, what outside help did you take advantage of such as tutoring or Supplemental Instruction?
• How will you transfer these positive aspects to the next semester?

If your grades were not as good as you had hoped:

• What could you have done differently?  What strategies did you use that worked or what strategies could you have used?
• Did you take advantage of outside help that was available – tutoring, etc.?
• Consider buying my book.  Yes, this is a plug for my book!   First Semester Success, 2^nd edition, is not just for a new college student.   In the book you will find information about how to learn, how to study, how to be more proficient at taking tests, how to navigate the system, etc.

One option to improve your grades, gain knowledge, or get ahead on your courses is to take a summer class.  However, there are several important things to consider:

• You can take a class at home just to improve your skills with no intention of transferring the credits.
• Usually you cannot take a class you failed at another institution and still replace the failing grade on your transcript.
• If you withdrew from the class you can take it elsewhere, but check with your advisor, and the transfer and registrar’s department at your school to be sure the class you are taking will transfer.
• Also, if you want to take one of your required classes at home in order to graduate early or have to take fewer credits during the academic year be sure to follow the same procedure as in the previous point.

In general, over the summer:

• Look for opportunities to learn such as shadowing someone in your chosen field.
• Read book and articles that relate to your field.
• If you do not have a job, volunteer somewhere and add that to your resume.

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First Semester Success, 2nd Edition, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available as an eBook and hardcopy from amazon.com and hardcopy from wordassociation.com.  Click on the upper right link.