College 101 - Post 1 of 8 - Getting Started

Most colleges and universities have started classes by now.  This series of will cover eight strategies and advice for freshmen or returning students to follow in order to have a successful semester.

First, resolve to go to every class.  It is a mindset – the question is NOT, "Will I go to class today?"  It is a given that you will go!  And:

·       Be rested and fed.

·       Take water is desired and permitted.

·       Sit as close to the front as possible.  (It is true that the ’A’ students sit in the front!)

·       Be prepared!  This means paper and writing utensils.  Don’t be the person whispering to those around you to borrow what you didn’t bring!

·       Be active – listen and take notes.

During the first week:

·       Review all syllabi.

·       Record all exams and project due dates on your calendar.

·       Preview the textbooks and start to read.  (If there is a financial problem that prohibits you from purchasing a book, talk to the professor or see if you can get one from the Library.)

·       Start to review and learn any notes you take this week.

The next post will look at how to manage your time.  This is crucial to any success and often a problem for students.

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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.

Summer of Reading #7 – Higher Level Thinking

A final benefit of reading is that it helps us develop a higher level of thinking so that we can evaluate the validity of what we are reading and hearing, understand ideas and opinions different from our own, develop empathy for others (see post #1), and increase our knowledge in general.

I feel it is important to read articles and editorials that have a different point of view than our own.   Instead of thinking about why they are wrong and you are right, try to understand their position.  You may find some good writing and solid thinking that will help you expand your thinking and understand other’s.  I particularly enjoy reading Tony Norman in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette even though I do not always agree with him!

Three books I have read lately that helped me understand people and see things from a far richer viewpoint are:

• When the Killing’s Done, by T. C. Boyle, about species extinction and animal preservation.  While this was not a popular book in my one book group, I had an increased understanding of the issues when I read an article in the paper a few weeks later about efforts to save species that are becoming extinct.
• The Far Away Brothers: Two Young Migrants and the Making of an American Life, by Lauren Markham, about immigration.  This was a particularly interesting and well-written book as it alternated between chapters telling the personal story of two young boys and chapters that gave nation-wide statistics and general information.
• Tomorrow Will be Different, by Sarah McBride, about being transgender.   Like Far Away Brothers, I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review.   It is a book I would not have chosen on my own, but I was very glad I read it and came away with a much deeper understanding.

(Discussion Guides for all three of the books plus my reviews for the last two are available at www.ReadtoEnrich.blogspot.com.)

The benefits and joys of reading are endless!  Hopefully this series has given you some insight and motivated you to KEEP READING!!

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

Summer of Reading #6 – Research Articles

As you progress in your field of study you will be asked to read more research articles from professional journals because these studies and article are the latest information in your field.  All research articles, including a Master’s Theses and Doctorate Dissertation, have the same six parts:

• Abstract (brief summary of the information in the article)
• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Method by which research was conducted
• Findings
• Discussion

You also will be asked to read multiple articles and then synthesize (put multiple parts together) the information in the articles.  This is the highest level of reading and learning and requires strong skills and critical thinking.

Here are some strategies to help you be successful:

• Read the abstract to narrow down your search – it will tell you if the article pertains to what you are looking for.
• Keep detailed notes.  I would print out the articles and take notes directly on that paper as well as create a large review chart listing all of the articles I am using.  If you do not want to print the articles, keep copious notes and create a file to save the articles you will be using.  You will need to go back to the original articles when you are looking for direct quotes or when you need to document where you found specific information.
• Keep on ongoing reference list.  You can use an online program to help you format each reference in the format required by the course or your major.
• Once you have found an article that is useful, look at that author’s reference list to find other articles on the same topic you can use.  This will save a lot of time looking for more articles.

The last entry of the summer will look at higher level thinking skills that are developed and supported through reading.

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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.

Summer of Reading #5 - Online Textbooks

The price of textbooks is skyrocketing, and many professors work to control the cost to the student through eBooks and online articles.  This presents several advantages and disadvantages:

• Advantages:
• You, the student, save money.
• You don’t have to carry around heavy books – all you need is your portable device.
• Publishers are refining eBooks to aid in your learning.   You can make margin notes, highlight, take self-quizzes, define terms, and find other learning tools to help you read and understand the content.

• Disadvantages:
• If the book is from a publisher, at semester’s end the book will disappear from your device.   You cannot keep it for future reference.  You cannot share with other students or sell it back at the end of the semester.
• You may have to work harder to be actively involved with the information. Be prepared to take separate notes.
• You may have a more difficult time previewing the chapter and getting an overview of the organization.  This can be done, however, and greatly improves comprehension.
• Distractions are a major problem.  It is too easy to flip to email or social media.  Turn these off while you are studying!
• Of course, there is always the chance your device will malfunction.  Know you school’s computer lab hours and the office for technology support.

NOTE: Textbooks and online documents is an area that is rapidly changing.  One trend is to use books and documents that are available for free online, bypassing the major publishers.  Given the wide variety of materials you may be assigned, it will be even more important to have multiple reading and learning strategies available.

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First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your Frist Semester (or Any Semester) of College, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.

Summer of Reading #4 - Textbooks (paper)

One of the most important ways you will learn in college is through reading your textbooks.  Professors expect that you have read and understood the material before class.   Because of this expectation, academic reading is different than pleasure reading.   I like to divide academic reading into three stages: preparing your brain before you start to read, strategies to improve comprehension and retention while reading, and doing some things to help the information stay in your memory after you complete the assignment.

Before you start to read:

·       Preview the passage to see what it is about, how it is organized and how long it is.

·       Look at any help the author has given such as learning objectives, bold print, definitions in the margin, etc.

·       Look at the pictures or any inserts that will help you preview the information.

While reading:

·       Take notes – either separate or in the margins.

·       Be aware of your comprehension and reread if you get lost.

·       Stop periodically to recite, without looking, the information you just read.  If successful more forward, if not reread.

·       Be aware off how the information fits together and how it fits with the class in general.

After you are done:

·       Look back at what you have read and review the information.

·       Take any quizzes available either in the book or online.

·       If needed, make a study guide to further enhance your learning.

Next posting will look at eBooks – many of the strategies are the same, but there are a few challenges.

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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.

Summer of Reading #3 – Course Supplemental Texts

In addition to the course textbook, many professors assign supplemental books that are meant to give the student a more rounded view of the course material.  Often these are autobiographies or biographies giving students more insight into the historical period or important people in the field.

While these are not standard texts, they need to be read in an academic manner:

·       Read as assigned.

·       Follow any guidelines suggested by the professor.

·       Take notes.  The book may be addressed in a class discussion, separate quiz/exam or included in a major exam.

·       Look for connections between book and course material – you are reading the book for a reason!

·       Approach it more like a textbook than a pleasure book but enjoy the different format.

The next blog will address reading a traditional paper textbook.

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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.

Summer of Reading - #2 Community-wide Books

The idea of everyone reading the same book and then coming together to discuss and share is quite popular in multiple areas – colleges and universities, communities, and on a small level, local book clubs.        

One Book/One University -  One current trend is for colleges and universities to select a book that is either assigned to all incoming freshmen to read over the summer or one book that will be read across campus during the year.    If you are a freshman and have been assigned to read the book before arriving on campus you should consider the following:

• READ THE BOOK!  Do not wait until you arrive on campus.  You will not have time.
• There may be discussion groups scheduled during orientation.   Think ahead about what ideas or insights you learned from the book and how you might share these.
• During the fall semester you may be expected to make connections to the book in some of your classes.
• Often speakers and events are scheduled around the book and theme.   Be sure to attend the events, especially if you have a chance to hear the author. 

One Book/One Community

• The library system where I live has these programs two or three times year.  The books are available to borrow through the library and there are facilitated discussions at each branch.  I have read many books I might not normally have read and met very interesting people through these programs.

Formal and Informal Book Groups

I currently facilitate three groups – two formal groups through the library and one with my friends. Again, these are ways to expand your reading and talk about books and ideas with other people.   Some tips are:

• Stay on topic.
• Avoid side-bar conversations.
• Be open to ideas that are different from your own.
• Do not dominate the conversation.   It is important that everyone get a chance to talk.
• In a more formal group it is the responsibility of the facilitator to make sure these things happen.   In an informal group with friends it is everyone’s responsibility.

The next post will look at fiction or non-fiction trade books assigned in a class in addition to a textbook – the purpose of these assignments and how to read the book.

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My other blog, www.ReadtoEnrich.blogspot.com has over 160 discussion guides that I created for the various groups I facilitate.