Student Story #1

One of my students approached me the other day and asked if he should withdraw from his Psychology course.  He said that he earned a 52% on the first exam and a 54% on the second and was afraid of failing the course.  He reported that he had studied for the first exam by reviewing his notes several times and that he studied even “harder” for the second exam. 

What do you think actually happened?

The problem was that he just did more of the same thing when preparing for the second exam.  When he said he “studied harder” he actually meant that he just reviewed his notes a few more times, but did not really do anything different when preparing for the second exam.

What should he have done?

For learning to occur it takes varied and repeated exposure over time.  My student needed to use more strategies to learn his Psychology.   For example, he could have:

• Made study cards for the vocabulary
• Made a study guide to help him understand the information
• Joined a study group and discussed the information
• Used recitation – restating the information in his own words to be sure he knows it beyond the same words used in his notes
• Made sure he understand the examples used in the textbook

The happy results:

He used several more study strategies for the third exam and earned 75%.  He stayed in the course and expects to earn a passing grade.

Setting False Deadlines

One very simple way to keep up-to-date with you assignments and avoid last minute panic and procrastination is to set false deadlines.  When you have an assignment due, set your deadline a day or more before the real deadline. 

Tragedy is always ready to strike.  Problems such as:

• No computer paper
• No money on I-card for printing
• No ink for computer
• Getting sick the night before a paper is due
• Roommate getting sick night before paper due

You get the point - many problems can arise!!

Having your work done ahead of time relieves stress and gives you time to be sure the work is done to the best of your ability.  Try it!

Motivation and Goal Setting

One way you can keep yourself on track and motivated is by setting goals.  These can be short-term (for the day or week) mid-length (month, semester) or long-term (year, several years, etc.).

Whatever the length, a good, workable goal has several characteristics:

1. There is a time limit
2. It is measurable
3. It is attainable

 For example:

• This week I will go to all of my classes.
• Today I will select a topic for my research paper.
• By the end of the month I will have my paper completed.
• This month I will complete the process to change my major.
• At the end of this semester I will be on the Dean's List.

If you are having trouble with motivation and procrastination, setting goals is a great tool to help. 

The goal will help keep you focused.  Of course, you need to frequently look at the goal and remind yourself what you are trying to do!  By successfully completing a goal, you are motivated to keep working and accomplish something else.  So then you should immediately set a new goal.

Remember, if you do not achieve your goal you should revise it, reset it and start again.  Success never happens if you quit!  So...what is your goal for this week?

Semester calendars - start now, it's not too late!

One effective time management strategy is to map out all of your major assignments, exams and papers on a monthly calendar at the beginning of the semester.  This helps you see when you will be slammed with exams or papers and when you might be able to work ahead.

As we approach final exams, this would be a good time to either review your calendar or make one for the remainder of the semester.  This will help you plan out your time, get everything done, and ensure that you are ready for finals without having to feel stressed or panicked!

Either get a calendar or construct one on the computer.  Put in the following:

• Regular Exams
• Papers
• Finals
• Projects
• Any major meetings, events or trips

 Now you can start to plan your work for the remaining weeks and be ready for finals.

Good luck!  (But we all know luck is really preparation!)

Mid-term D or F - What To Do!

By now you have received your mid-term grades.  Every school is different - at mine we only record Ds and Fs.  Others may assign A through F while others may not even give mid-term grades.   Whatever the case at your school, now is the time to determine where you stand and make any decisions that are necessary.

If you think you are in danger of failing a course, the first thing to do is talk with your professor.  Find out the following:

• Is there any chance of passing?
• Are you missing any assignments, quizzes or exams that can be made up?
• Is there any chance for extra credit?  (I hate this question and my answer is always "no," but you need to ask!)
• You can also describe how you study for that particular class and ask if the professor can give you any tips.

 If there is no chance of passing, then your decision is between an F and withdrawal (W) from the course.  In both cases you will not receive any credits for taking the course, so if this class puts you under 12 credits for the semester or 24 for the entire year you will need to explore the possibility of summer school.

Generally a W is much better than a F.  The credits and zero quality points will not be calculated in your grade point average (GPA), so it is much easier to get a decent GPA.   An F in a course really lowers your GPA.

The other issue is retaking a required course.  If you withdraw, you could take the course during the summer at an institution closer to your home.   If you fail a course, you generally have to take it again at the same school in order to do a D/F repeat (if that is an option at your school).

NOTE: Be sure to connect with your advisor before making any decisions and find out your school's policies!

Of course, it goes without saying that the best practice is to be working hard and avoid D and F grades!  If you find yourself in this situation, do the best you can to minimize the damage, determine what went wrong, and work in the future to avoid the problem.

Persevere for the Second Half

Welcome back to the second half of the semester.  Many of you have returned from spring break and are ready to start the second half of the semester.  Here are a few things to think about:

• Are you happy with the way things went the first half?
• How were you successful academically?
• How could you improve academically?
• What challenges are there in this second half?  Major papers? exams?
• What plans can you make to successfully meet these challenges?

There is still plenty of time to improve if you are not satisfied with your work so far.  Take advantage of your professors, peer educators, counselors, and others on campus.  They are there for you and want you to succeed.

If things have gone well the first half, resolve to stay the course and maintain a high level of excellence.

One additional challenge in the spring is the weather!  Once it is warm and sunny outside, you will be tempted to skip class.  Don't do it!!  The semester will go quickly and you will have plenty of time to be out in the sun!

Enjoy and stay dedicated!