Spring Semester 2019, Blog #4 - Small Decisions, Big Benefits

Sometimes the small decisions we make on a day-to-day basis can have large consequences.   For the college student, as well as anyone, these decisions may not seem important, but taken together over an extended period of time they make a large difference.

For the college student in particular, consider these daily decisions:

• Binge watching Netflix – my students tell me there are only 15 seconds between the end of one show’s episode and the beginning of the next.  This is designed to keep you watching!  Decide in advance how many episodes you will watch and stick to your decision!
• Watching TV and movies before or after studying – watch after and use it as a reward
• Reading/studying at your desk or on your bed – Isn’t this obvious?  You will fall asleep if on your bed!
• Reading in-depth or just skimming a textbook chapter before class.
• Whether to take the extra step (and effort!) to take notes from textbook or put the information on study cards as opposed to just reading.
• After class, going to the Library to study or back to your room to nap.
• Reviewing and starting to learn lecture notes after each class or waiting until right before an exam to start studying.

Of course, large decisions are also crucial!    Should you go to a party the night before a major exam or stay in and prepare?   To me this decision is obvious, but it is hard to say “no” when “everyone” is going!

Examine what you are doing on a day-to-day basis and make small, positive changes.  In the end your grades will reflect your efforts!

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

Spring Semester Series #3 - Time Management and Class Syllabi

The two topics this week are related – how to manage your time and what to do with you class syllabi.  They are related because the syllabi should give you an overview for the semester in each class that will help you manage your time.

For effective time management you need three things:

• A monthly calendar for the semester: Go through each syllabus and write down the dates for major exams, projects, etc.   You will be able to plan ahead when you see several things scheduled or due around the same date.
• A daily planner to look at each week as a whole:  Each week write in any meetings, speakers, quizzes, assignments, etc.  You will see students in your classes writing these things as the professor announces them.  It is helpful to view the week this way so that you know when you have time to study and when you need to work ahead.  You can use your phone for this as long as you can get the overall view of the week.
• To-do lists for each day or longer:  This was addressed in the last blog.  I find it frees your mind for learning when you write down what you want to accomplish each day.  If you don’t get it all done, add the things to tomorrow’s list.

The syllabus you receive in each class is almost like a formal document.  You should find the following information:

• Attendance policy
• How to contact the professor
• Grading policy
• What will be covered in the course – this will give you a context to understand the information presented
• Exam, paper and project schedule (use this for your time management above)
• Any additional requirements (possibly a dress code if a pre-professional class, out-of-class requirements such as service learning, etc.)

You should refer to the syllabus throughout the semester and keep it until you graduate.  If you should happen to want to transfer the new school may use the syllabus to determine if class credits will transfer.

There is a possibility that your professor may be unorganized and not present a detailed syllabus or may change dates due to inclement weather or illness.  If this happens, do your best to keep organized and don’t hesitate to ask questions if there is something unclear.  I guarantee others in the class feel the same way!

The next blog will look at the small, everyday decisions and actions that lead to success.

*****

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