Academic Habits

This semester I have eight sections of Learning Strategies, a class designed for students on academic probation.  Of course we will look at how learning happens, but I plan to start the class with the idea of habit.  Some of the habits my students may need to develop are:

·         Going to class – this is not an option, you always go to class.

·         Studying – Where?  When?  It is easiest if it happens on a regular schedule, not randomly.

·         Sleep – your body gets the best rest if you go to bed and get up at about the same times every day.

·         Maintaining a healthy social life – This is important, but is should not be the first priority.

·         Nutritious Eating – the food choices you make determine how well you feel – you cannot feel good if you are fueling your body with junk.

·         Exercise – this needs no explanation!

To a college student this may sound boring, but it certainly makes life – and success – easier.  The truth is that much of life is routine, but there is pleasure in doing a job well or earning a good grade on an exam.  You cannot have “fun” all the time and still expect to do great things.  The trick is to find pleasure and fulfillment in doing what needs to be done. 

When I ask my students what their plan is to earn higher grades this semester, they often say they will study “more” or “harder” but generally do not know how to do that.  The next blog will start to examine what to actually do when studying.   But the first step is to start the semester with the positive academic habits suggested above.

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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.

Start the semester off right!

One of the exciting things about academics is that there is a beginning and an end.  At the end of a semester you can reflect back on what happened – what worked, what didn’t, what you want to repeat and what you want to change.  Then there is a new beginning and you have a brand new opportunity!

At the start of this semester take some time to think about what you are going to do to ensure your success:

·       For class attendance, there is no “IF.”   You will attend every class; do NOT think about whether you will go, you just go, no option!

·       When will you study?  Set a schedule and get into the habit of studying at the same time.   For example, if you have some time between classes go directly to the Library. 

·       Where will you study?   Plan a place that does not have a lot of distractions such as away from televisions, friends, etc.

·       What exactly will you do when you study?  What strategies will you use?

·       Be sure you are reviewing and starting to learn your lecture notes after every class.

·       Read the textbook before a lecture and review it after the lecture.

Future blogs will address all of these issues: time management, motivation, study strategies, etc.  Stay tuned!

*****

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.

GO TO CLASS!!

I have just posted my grades for the fall semester and, unfortunately, lowered the grades for about 20% of the students in my classes – the highest percentage ever!  There were three ways students should have predicted this:

·       I announced it at the first class,

·       It is printed in my syllabus, and

·       At the beginning of every class I obviously take and record attendance.

Given that the class in Introduction to Critical Reading and Thinking, students should have critically thought about these three pieces of information and figured out that attendance was important!

As you are looking forward to the next semester, one major tip is to GO TO CLASS!  This should not be a daily choice.  You always go to class; you do not start the day deciding whether or not to do so.

One problem is that, when you miss class, it is difficult to go to the next class.  You missed the transition from class to class and feel slightly out of step with the rest of the students. This is important whether or not the professor takes attendance.  Except for a rare instance, you cannot pass a class if you do not attend!

Professors take attendance in a variety of ways.  My classes are between 25 and 30 students and I work to learn everyone’s name, so I have index cards that I sort into piles (present or not) at the beginning of each class and then transfer that information to an attendance record.  Others have an attendance sheet the students sign at the beginning of each or selected classes, have students log on to a digital program, submit some in-class work, simply run down the names on the class list, or some other system. 

As you are wrapping up this semester and looking forward to the next, if you are not happy with your final grades think about this one crucial part – how was your attendance?  If not good, start now to change your thinking about attendance for the next semester.

*****
First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on upper right link.

Leading up to Final Exams

My students and I are back from Thanksgiving break and heading into the last two weeks of classes and final exams.  The time will go fast and there is lots to do.  Some things students have to consider are:

·         When and where are your finals?

·         Do you have any back-to-back or several in one day?  If a professor teaches more than one section of the course he or she may be willing to let you take the exam with a different section.

·         Is each final cumulative or just on the final unit of the course?

·         Do you have all of the information you need?

·         What is your current grade in each course?  If it is right on the edge of either a higher or lower grade, you need to put extra effort into that class.

·         Make sure you are not missing any work from each course.

Many institutions had an entire week off, and it is often difficult to get back into the academic routine.  One thing you can do is review your goals for the semester in order to get a little extra motivation.  It is also helpful to attend some fun holiday activities sponsored by the college or university, but not too many.

This time period goes extremely quickly, so it is important to focus and work hard.  At this point easing off on your studies or pushing a little harder can make a difference in your 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.  It is a great Christmas gift for a high school senior!

Managing Your Studying Over Thanksgiving Break

One of my pet peeves when our daughters were in college was that professors would give an assignment on the last day of class before break or schedule a test the first day of class after the break.  It is really hard to work over break but, even if you do not have any exams or assignments, it is important to keep up with your studying.

At my institution our Thanksgiving break is one week and then we come back for two weeks of classes and one week of finals.  It is too long to not even think about your studies for nine days (Saturday – following Sunday).

Here are some ideas to hopefully ensure you either get the work done or do not lose ground in your studying:

• Plan ahead for two or three times when you will study or work on projects.  If you have some specific times set aside you will enjoy relaxing even more.
• Tell someone else your plans so that you are more committed.
• Write the times in your planner or, even better, on the family calendar.
• Go to someplace more “academic” – your local library or Starbucks, coffee shop
• If you are going to work at home, pick an environment where you will be more focused – maybe the dining room table if you do not have a desk in your room. 
• Make sure you have some specific ideas about what you will do – make review chart, read textbook, test yourself.

AND – remember to pack carefully when you return to school and don’t leave anything important behind!  (This happens all the time!!)

Enjoy your break!

*****

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.

Students' Nonacademic Concerns

This semester my students seem to be having more problems than in the past.  These problems include sickness, more serious medical issues, family emergencies, funerals and emotional problems.   Unfortunately, these problems often occur without warning and not at the most convenient times.  One thing that is vitally important is that the student keeps their professors informed.   Personal details do not need to be shared, but it is important that the professor knows the general reason behind the absence.  An offer to bring in a medical excuse or obituary is a good idea. 

While there is no preparation for these disruptions, here are some strategies:

• Do not get behind in your work.
• Do not miss any classes if you do not have to.
• When you return, contact each professor and determine what you have to make up.  Write this down!
• Make specific plans with the professor to make up what you missed.  Write this down also and be sure to keep the appointment or deadline!
• Ask for help from classmates to get missed lecture notes or to go over what happened in class.

There issues are upsetting and disrupting to your academics.  Don’t let upsetting or negative feeling go on too long.   It is important to remember that there is help available on every campus. Visit the Counseling Center or Health Center.  Just taking to someone is effective and important.  Remember that everyone on campus wants you to succeed and is willing to help.

Fall break is coming!  Next blog will look at how to manage your time so you spend some time with your studies over break (trust me – this is not easy to do!!).

*****
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, barnesandnoble.com and wordassociation.com.  Click on the upper right link.

How to spread your learning out over time

In the last blog I discussed how your learning has to spaced out over time. Well how do you do that?  Here are some ideas:

·       Review your notes after every class and start to learn them with various strategies, especially self-testing.

·       Go to any out-of-class help available such as tutoring, Supplemental Instruction or professor-led sessions.

·       Make study cards and carry them with you.  If you have a few extra minutes, go through several cards.

·       If there is a subject you are really struggling with, take about 15 extra minutes every day (above and beyond your regular studying) and work with study cards.

·       Start to prepare for an exam about one week before the date.  Gather all of your material, divide into sections and study one section in-depth every day.  Also review the previous sections you studied the previous days.

·       Go to every class – that goes without saying but it has to be mentioned!!

Next week I will tell you about some of my students’ struggles and suggestions.   Keep working!

*****
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.