Three Keys to a Successful Semester

There are three simple things that you can do to be sure that you have a successful semester:

Go to class.

This is common sense, but it is easy to start to skip classes and then it becomes a habit.  If you find yourself skipping, print or write out your weekly schedule and cross off each class as you attend it.  Crossing off the class will be additional motivation to go and as you consistently attend you will feel more comfortable in class.

Review you notes after each class.

As soon as possible review your notes after class, definitely before the next class.  A future post will list various strategies you can use with your notes, but for now be sure to go over them several times a week.  At least once a week go over all of the notes that will be on the next exam.

Recitation

This means to restate in your own words from memory. Once you have reviewed your notes, close your notebook and explain what you learned in your own words.  Divide the notes into manageable, logical segments – don’t try to do this with 5 pages all at once.

Log on next week for multiple learning strategies that you can use when reviewing your notes.

First Week of the Semester - Start Strong

 Don’t be fooled by the laid back atmosphere of the first week of the semester.  Even though many professors start lecturing immediately, there doesn’t seem as if you have a lot to do. Everyone is getting settled, getting use to their semester schedule and catching up with friends they have not seen since last semester or making new friends.   This relaxed atmosphere will rapidly change, so be prepared. 

There are several things you should be doing:

• Be sure you have all the books and supplies that you need.
• Take some time to look through your books – how is the book organized, what study aids are included, what will make the book easy or difficult to learn from.
• Get your calendar and write in all of your major assignments, exams and papers.
• Look at your class schedule and plan when you will study, and then start to follow the plan!
• Set a goal for the semester – possibly a grade point average that you would like to attain – write the goal on a note card and post it where you will see it every day.
• Begin to study and learn now – review notes after each class, read ahead in your textbooks, create study guides.

 Before you know it, it will be the middle of the semester.  If you have started strong and stayed strong, things should be going well and you will be pleased with your grades and class performance.  Remember:

It is easier to keep up than to catch up!

Preparing for the Fall Semester

Here are some things to think about as the beginning of the fall semester rapidly approaches.

If you are a returning student:

• What did you do last semester that was successful and you want to repeat?
• What did you do that did not enhance your success and you want to eliminate?
• What are your goals for this semester? 
• What study strategies worked and you will use again?
• What study strategies will you add?
• Think about your classes – Which one will require the most study time?  What can you do from the very beginning of the semester to help yourself be successful?

If you are a first-semester freshman:

• How did you study in high school?  What strategies did you use?  What other study strategies are you familiar with?
• What challenges do you anticipate as you begin your academic career?  How will you handle them?
• What resources are available on your campus for help with studying, computers, and specific classes?

You can review the blog postings from the 2010-2011 academic year.  Also, check in each week for a new posting about your academic success.

Have a great semester!

Surviving Compressed Classes

Many summer classes are in a time period shorter than the normal semester-length class.    There are advantages and disadvantages to this format:

PROS:

You can focus on only one or two classes.  You are not spreading out your study time over four or five different subject areas.

The class usually meets every day, so repetition is built in.

Even while working very hard, you know it is for a brief time – you can see the end.

CONS:

You have to stay on top of your studying; you cannot take even one day off.

There exams and/or assignments scheduled almost weekly.

You are learning a semester’s worth of information in a short period of time, so there is a lot to learn.

You have to do a semester’s worth of studying in a short period of time.

Here are some TIPS for SUCCESS:

Mentally prepare for the work.  Plan on studying every day.

After each class, learn the information from that day and also review all of the previous information.

Don’t miss any classes.

Be sure to keep track of assignment and exam dates.

Schedule a fun activity for when the class is over so you have something to look forward to.

Tips for On-line Classes

Many students take summer classes on-line.  This is a great way be able to work and also pick up a few credits.  There are many varieties of on-line courses; some have taped lectures, some are all reading, some require some face-to-face time...the varieties are endless.  You, as the learner, have to be flexible and adapt your learning strategies to the situation.  There are a few specific tips for on-line success:

• Don’t think the course will be easier because it is on-line.  Instead of regular access to a professor in a classroom setting, much of the learning will be on your own.
• Time management is crucial to your success in this situation.  The tendency is to “put off the work.”   Treat the course just like a regularly scheduled course.  Have specific times when you will do the work.  Get into this habit or routine and stick with it until the course is over. 
• Be sure to monitor your understanding and learning.  Don’t let any difficulties or unclear information go.  Contact the professor and ask questions.  Other students in the class are also a resource.  There will be some sort of discussion capability, so take advantage of that.
• Don’t assume that because the quizzes and exams will be on-line that you will have time to look up the answers.  Usually there is a very tight time limit starting when you log on to the exam, so you have to study and prepare just as you would for a regular classroom exam.  You can refer to notes, so a comprehensive review chart would be very helpful.
• Be sure to utilize all of your learning and study strategies.  Again – remember that you are the main one responsible for your own learning and for your completion of the assignments.

Many students thrive in on-line classes.  The work can flexible and fit into varied schedules.   As long as your have sufficient motivation, time management and learning skills you will do well!

Summer Days: Keep Learning

What are your plans for the summer?  If you are planning on working, you still need to keep up your learning skills.  There are several almost painless things you can do:

• Play Free Rice at www.freerice.com.  The link is on the right side of this screen.  You can enhance your vocabulary, practice math problems, brush up on grammar, review your Spanish or French, and more.  If you are taking a second language, a good amount of forgetting will happen if you do not review over the summer.  This website is an easy way to do that.  The same goes for math – if you are in a math progression to reach the final course for your major, this website will keep your math skills current and help you avoid backsliding over the summer.
• Read.  Read the newspaper, a current popular novel, whatever interests you.  Again, this will help keep your critical reading and critical thinking skills at a high level.
• Pay attention to information you run across that pertains to your major.  If you are looking for them, you will find print and on-line articles as well as news reports that will help you stay current in your field.  This is a life-long habit you will be following when you are working in your career.
• Be aware of opportunities for service and leadership.   These will not only provide great experiences, they will look good on your resume. 
• Speaking of resumes, keep in mind that you may be asking your current employer for a reference in a few years.   Also, even if your summer job is not in your field, what can you learn about dealing with people in a professional setting?
• Finally, relax and enjoy some well-deserved time off!

If you are taking classes this summer, the next two blogs will deal with compressed and on-line classes.

Survival Guide - Finals Week

You have made it through the semester and all you have left to go is finals week.  Every year is different – some years you may have a lot of papers due, others you may have major exams in all of your courses.  Whichever is the case this semester, here are some survival tips:

DON”T

• Stay up all night.  This is the worst thing you can do!  It will take you the rest of the week to recover and you will not be able to think clearly.
• Hang around with people who will make you stressed and anxious.
• Give in to pressure to party – you will see these friends again!

DO

• Make sure you know the time and location for each exam.  Double check!  Then plan to arrive early!
• Eat healthy and exercise.
• Make a study plan so you have enough time to prepare for each exam.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Ask if you need help.  Many schools have a policy regarding how many exams you can have scheduled in one day.  Your professors probably are also willing to help you out if all your exams are scheduled in only one or two days.
• Take some time to relax during the week – but not too much!
• Look forward to some break time when finals are over!

If you have worked hard all semester and kept up with your studying, you will do well!   You will see the reward for all of your work soon!

Good luck!!