Part I
If you'd
like to go directly to the section that deals with reading, click here.
IN THE CLASSROOM
TAKING NOTES
-
Basics
-
Clear, concise notes are more effective than copious ones.
-
Instead of using a spiral, use a loose-leaf notebook divided into class sections.
-
Make all notes on loose-leaf paper. In an upper corner title and date each sheet as you
use it.
-
Rewrite and combine your old study and lecture notes into a new single set of notes or
outline. Use them as a replacement for your old notes in the loose-leaf binder.
-
This gives you complete control of, and fast access to, a crucial
part of the learning process - Your Course Notes - their organization, additions,
replacements and rewrites!
-
Lecture Notes
-
Sit near the front of the class to avoid distractions.
-
Be a good listener - focus and concentrate on the main points of the lecture. Get them
down on paper. You'll put them in your own words later, along with your study notes. Pay
attention to the instructors as to what they consider important.
-
If there is something you don't understand, ASK!
-
Immediately after a lecture, without looking at your notes, try to recall on a separate
paper as much as you can about what you have heard and learned. Then review your actual
lecture notes to refresh and supplement your memory.
-
During your next study session, quickly recall again on paper what you learned. Then
review and reorganize your lecture notes in your own words.
-
Repeat the recall process several times over several days to commit the new information
to memory!
-
Your listening skills, note taking and ability to manage your sessions, will be the
prime determinant of your success in college.
DEALING WITH PROFESSORS AND TOUGH CLASSES
WHAT IRRITATES PROFESSORS AND INSTRUCTORS
- Sleeping in Class
- Brown Nosing
- Not going to class
- Lack of responsibility
- Not reading syllabus
- Excuses
- Not meeting deadlines
STUDY STRATEGIES
TIME MANAGEMENT
- LEARN TO SAY NO!
Saying no to partying, movies, etc. does not make you a terrible
person.
- DO NOT STUDY FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS AT A TIME
Your brain really does shut down and any
studying you do after that point is just a waste of time.
- USE TRAVEL TIME TO STUDY
Pop a study or lecture tape into your car's cassette player;
put on those earphones if you ride the train or car pool. If you use a laundromat, listen
to study tapes while your clothes spin and dry.
- TRY TO STUDY DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS
Natural light really is more conducive to learning.
- USE TWO SCHEDULES
- Create an hour-by-hour weekly schedule. Using your class schedule as a guide, block out
specific times each day for study and all other activities; RULE OF THUMB: one and a
half hours of study for each hour of class.
-
Create a semester schedule showing midterms, finals, due dates and other important
events. Review both schedules weekly and allow more study time as needed. A good
schedule keeps you from wandering off course.
- PRIORITIZE
Daily list what you need to study, prioritize and set times for each item
and stick to it.
- USE THE 30-3-2 SCHEDULE
- Study for 30 minutes.
- Take a 3-minute break. Let the break be a time to think about other things
- Upon returning, take an extra 2 minutes to mentally review what you have just read and
do a quick preview of what is coming up next.
- STUDY - BREAK - REVIEW - PREVIEW - STUDY
BRAIN POWER
CAN YOU REMEMBER?
- Memorize From General To Specific
Study the big picture, then learn the details.
Learning and memorizing are like a funnel - the process is not very effective when the
small end is at the top.
- Cramming Does Not Work!
Cramming for an exam only commits the information to short term
memory. You will forget what you never really learned.
- Four Basic Reasons Why We Forget Pieces Of Information
- Don't use the information.
- Confuse it with other information.
- Decide the information does not match what you already believe.
- Never really learned the information in the first place.
- Keys to Remembering
- Be Interested. Pay Attention. Consciously choose to remember. Establish a need to
remember.
- Visualize. Picture in your mind what you wish to remember.
- Relate. Relate and form associations between the new ideas and information you wish to
remember and information, ideas, persons, things, etc. that you already know.
- Repeat. Even though something is initially learned it will more than likely be forgotten
if not over learned. Be sure to repeat information in your own words.
EXAM STRATEGIES
PREPARATION
- Learn the exam format: e.g. facts vs. concepts.
- Review previous tests; check at departmental office.
- Summarize highlights on single sheet.
MEMORY DUMP At the beginning of the test, write down on scrap paper everything
you remember-formulas, facts, names, etc; scan the test questions; then do second memory
dump and begin the test.
OBJECTIVE EXAMS
- Scan the exam to determine types of questions asked.
- Always read & follow directions!
- Determine the exam's scoring rules and use them.
- If wrong answers are penalized, don't guess unless you can reduce the choices to two.
- Answer easy questions first.
- Mark difficult questions and return to them later.
- True-False questions:
- Pick out key words or group of words on which the truth or falsity of a statement
hinges.
- If any clause in a statement is false, the statement is false.
- Multiple-choice questions:
- Multiple choice questions are essentially true-false questions arranged in groups.
- Usually only one alternative is totally correct.
- Eliminate obvious false choices.
- Of the remainder, pick the alternative that answers most fully all aspects of the
question.
ESSAY EXAMS
- Planning your time in answering essay questions is more important than in objective-type
tests!
- Read through the entire examination first.
- Get a feel for the questions you are expected to answer.
- If the exam allows you to choose from a number of questions, be sure to number your
answers exactly to match the questions.
- Follow directions carefully.
- Pay attention to the key words in the question. Words such as "list,"
"describe," "compare and contrast," and "outline" require
different types of answers.
- Don't "write around" the question but answer it directly and concisely.
- Outlining.
- After scanning the list of questions to be answered, choose the ones you know most
about.
- On scrap paper quickly prepare an outline of important ideas and facts to be included in
your response.
- Your opening statement summarizes what you are going to say.
- What follows should support your opening statement.
- Your conclusion should show how your body text supported your opening statement.
- It is absolutely essential that your ideas can be read and understood: Print if your
cursive writing is very hard to read; know and use correct grammar, punctuation, and
spelling.
THEMES AND REPORTS
REDUCING WRITING ANXIETY
- GET A CALENDAR OR ACADEMIC PLANNER.
- Follow the tips in the scheduling time box of this chart.
- First, write down the due date for the paper.
- Next, count backwards. How many days will you need to edit, re-write, revise, write,
take notes, research, read, select, and narrow the topic?
- Now you know what day you will need to begin the paper.
- Review and revise this process after each paper.
- BE SURE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOUR INSTRUCTOR EXPECTS.
- INVEST IN A COMPUTER and learn to type your own papers. Do not depend on other people to
bail you out; you will quickly learn that everyone has their own paper to deal with. Even
paid typists can be unreliable.
- DON'T BE AFRAID TO EXPRESS A UNIQUE OPINION. The key is to document and support your
ideas in an organized and cogent manner.
- WHEN PROOFREADING TEXT, start at the end of your paper. Read one sentence at a time and
work your way to the beginning. Why? Your brain already knows what you have written. By
reading from the end to the beginning, the pattern is broken and you will find more errors
in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- DO NOT RELY ON SPELLCHECKER. Remember "principle" and "principal"
are both correct spellings. Which word did you intend to use? Other biggies
are"to"
and "too," "it's" and "its."
- PLAGIARISM MEANS TAKING ANOTHER PERSON'S WORDS OR IDEAS AS YOUR OWN. Be careful to
always cite your source, whether you quote directly or paraphrase. Remember, if it's not
common knowledge or your original idea, you must cite the source.
LIBRARY TIPS Be sure that the topic is acceptable to the teacher and has
sufficient available resource material.
- Do not wait until your first research paper/project to scope out the campus library.
- Many libraries offer tours for freshmen.
- Find out early what resources the library has.
- Learn now to use its computers and card catalogs to find books by subject or author.
- Practice using every machine in the library. (i.e. microfiche, CD ROMs, etc.)
- Use the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature for magazine articles; Encyclopedias for
general information on most known topics; Almanac for facts, lists, charts and tables;
Atlas for maps, etc. Ask the librarian for instructions on using them and help in locating
other specific reference sources for your paper.
- Know, in advance, copier laws and procedures. Where are copiers located? Does the copier
require cash or some sort of copy card?
- Talk to other students, especially those browsing shelves or studying in the same area
as you are. You never know what kind of contact you could make or what kind of information
you could gain.
- Check out the local community libraries. They may house the one obscure article or book
you need to earn that "A."
WRITING THE PAPER
- Make / use index cards ( put the topic at the top of each card), notes, bibliographies,
summaries, reports and reviews as part of your preparation process to organize your
materials.
- PREPARE A WRITTEN OUTLINE.
- Don't make the mistake of trying to keep everything in your head.
- Make your outline in the form of main headings or ideas with sub-headings fleshing out
the flow of the paper. This will establish the paper's content and conclusion.
- WRITE THE PAPER
- Use the outline as a guide and stick to it.
- Write in your own natural style.
- Reread, rewrite, revise and edit until the paper says exactly what you want to say in
the way you want to say it.
- Use Correct Punctuation and Grammar.
- Use a spelling and grammar checker if using a word processor.
PART II
READING SKILLS
SKIMMING & SCANNING
Skimming & scanning enable you to select
material(s) which should be read and/or discarded
- WHEN TO USE:
- To quickly determine main idea.
- To locate facts quickly.
- To answer test items.
- To answer chapter questions.
- HOW TO USE:
- Fix intent for reading (or facts sought)
clearly in your mind.
- Scan table of contents, chapter headings
and subheadings.
- Quickly move eyes over reading material, focusing
upon page headings and sub-headings, discarding
information that is obviously not related
to reading intent.
- Skimming reading rates should be twice as
fast as average reading speed.
- Selectively omit portions of reading material.
- Locate as quickly as possible the key or
topic sentence of each paragraph (usually,
but not always, the first sentence).
- Practice skimming and scanning to locate
information; repeated practice will increase
speed.
- Read carefully the last paragraph for summary
information.
- Carefully review tables, charts and any side
boxes.
TIPS FOR FRESHMEN
I WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME...
- Class attendance really does correlate with your grade. GO TO CLASS.
- COMMUNICATION IS KEY- especially when dealing
with roommates and professors.
- BE ON TIME TO CLASS. Walking in late distracts
both the professor and other students.
- DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP.
- COLLEGE IS NOT A CONTEST. You don't have
to compete with anyone else for your grade.
Learn at your own pace and don't feel inferior
if you don't understand something the first
time around.
- The bureaucracy of higher education is overwhelming.
Stay calm, ask questions, and be sure you
know the name of the person you are talking
to.
- SUPPORT SYSTEMS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR SURVIVAL.
Make friends. Talk to everyone.
- EXPECT TO FEEL LONELY, FRIGHTENED, AND ISOLATED.
But also remember-you are not the only person
experiencing these emotions and it all gets
better with time.
- READ WHAT YOU ARE GIVEN! Read your mail!
- Don't take policy advice from other students,
check with offices on campus.
- JOIN IN ALL THE ACTIVITIES YOU CAN.
- DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY THE FACULTY AND STAFF.
Your tuition dollars pay the salaries of
university and college personnel. You are
the customer; they work for you, so ask questions.
- YOUR COLLEGE CATALOG IS YOUR BIBLE. You have
to open it in order to reap the benefits
of what is inside.
- Get a copy of your school's code of ethics
( honor code). A simple mistake could cost
your degree.
- MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, be a good listener,
stick to your own convictions, and strive
past your dreams.
REGISTRATION AND ADVISEMENT
DORMS-DOs AND DON'Ts
- RESIDENT ASSISTANTS ARE A VALUABLE RESOURCE
Be sure to maintain open communication with
your RA.
- You must leave the building when a fire bell
rings.
- CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF
Avoid roommate problems
and bug infestation.
- MANY SCHOOLS OFFER "SPECIALTY FLOORS"
Reserve your room early and be honest about
special requests.
- Quiet study floors.
- Upperclassmen floors.
- Health and wellness floors.
- Chemically sensitive floors.
- Multicultural floors.
- GET INVOLVED IN RESIDENCE LIFE
Almost every
school sponsors some type of residence hall
government and community activities.
- LOCK YOUR DOORS
even when you are in your
room! Better safe than sorry.
- PAY ATTENTION TO FEE DEADLINES
Non-payment
of housing fees can result in you living
in your car.
- IF YOUR SCHOOL ALLOWS COOKING IN THE ROOM
Check to see which appliances are permitted
for dorm use.
- Dorm-size refrigerator.
- Microwave.
- Toaster Oven.
- HOT PLATES ARE RARELY ALLOWED!
- All appliances must have enclosed coils.
- Never leave your food unattended.
- Store leftovers quickly and properly.
- Take out the trash every day!
- Remember, some schools do provide community
cooking facilities, but you may need to clean
the area before and after you cook.
DEALING WITH DIVERSITY
- Realize that every college and university
has its own culture which includes language,
traditions, and taboos.
- THERE ARE FIVE STEPS TO CULTURE SHOCK
As
a freshman, you may experience some or all
of the following phases. You may experience
these phases in any order, and some phases
may repeat or overlap.
- Phase one- Fascination with the new environment.
- Phase two- Severe homesickness.
- Phase three- Find fault with new surroundings;
build stereotypes.
- Phase four- Find humor in your adjustment.
- Phase five- Embrace the new culture; you
will miss it when you go.
- IN ORDER TO BECOME MORE COMFORTABLE with
the college or university environment:
- Learn the jargon of higher education.
- Realize your own preconceptions and perceptions.
- Actively try to make friends.
- Look for common ground.
- Look for individuals, not stereotypes.
STAYING HEALTHY
- BEWARE OF FAST FOOD AND CANDY BARS. Most
freshmen gain weight in the first semester.
- Gallons of coffee and Jolt cola are not the
way to survive finals.
- SLEEP AND STUDY IN SMALL SHIFTS.
- EXERCISE OFTEN DURING EXAM WEEKS.
- Pasta, peanut butter, non-sugar cereals,
yogurt, and fresh fruit will provide natural
and sustained energy.
- Check in with your school's health services
office. More often than not, it offers:
- Free emergency treatment
- Low cost Ob/Gyn exams
- Free condoms
- Low cost dental cleaning and x-rays
- Low cost or free medications
- Free AIDS testing
- Low cost lab work
APPRECIATE MUSIC- it helps everyone to relax.
MONEY MATTERS
FINANCIAL AID
- START EARLY AND BE PERSISTENT. 99% of the
time the money will not come to you.
- CONSIDER EVERY POSSIBLE SOURCE of educational
funding and good money leads.
- Your school's financial aid office
- The admissions office and recruiters
- Your academic college
- Your church
- Clubs and groups your parents belong to
- Local civic and special interest organizations
- Professionals already working in your major
field
- Scholarship resource books
- Other students
- Honor societies, sororities, fraternities,
etc.
- FILL OUT ALL FORMS COMPLETELY AND NEATLY.
Include all required documentation.
- PAY ATTENTION TO PAYING DEADLINES. Sometimes
only a few days can cost you big dollars.
- RESPOND QUICKLY to all requests for additional
information and documentation.
- STICK WITH IT! Sometimes the process is slow
and frustrating, but remember, each year
thousands of dollars of financial aid funding
is unused. Be tenacious and those dollars
could be yours.
- MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE A FINANCIAL AID
OFFICER AT YOUR INSTITUTION. Discuss the
difference between grants, scholarships,
subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans, etc.
Find out what type of aid you are eligible
for and what type of aid you can live with
later( paying back those loans?).
- IF YOU ARE AWARDED FINANCIAL AID, be sure
you know what guidelines you must maintain
in order to keep your award (i.e., GPA, work
status, etc.)
MONEY SURVIVAL
- Realize from the onset that tuition does
not include any other expenses.
- Books are expensive. SHOP EARLY IN ORDER
TO HAVE THE BEST SELECTION OF USED BOOKS.
- You will be bombarded with credit card offers.
Be careful, melting the plastic now may cost
you a car or mortgage later.
- The best way not to overspend is never to
sign the credit card agreement in the first
place.
- GET A CHECKING ACCOUNT and learn how to keep
your account in balance. Most banks have
customer service representatives who can
assist you.
- HINT- Check to see which bank sponsors the
ATM on your campus.
- SET A REALISTIC BUDGET AND STICK WITH IT.
Remember to include allowances for variable
expenses such as clothing (new purchases
and cleaning), transportation, personal care
items, leisure activities, and an emergency
fund.
FINDING A JOB
- It's never too early to contact your school's
Career Development Center.
- STUDENT EMPLOYMENT OFFICES usually list more
than one thousand part-time jobs for students.
The great part of these listings is that
employers who contact the school for potential
employees know that students will answer
their ad. These employers usually do not
squabble about your class schedule.
- ALWAYS GO TO AN INTERVIEW LOOKING PROFESSIONAL.
- The local federal job service is also an
excellent source of employment.
- DON'T CHEW GUM AT AN INTERVIEW.
- Don't apply for a job in food service if
you do not intend to cut your hair.
- DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED if your first job is
not in your major field.
- ALWAYS BE ON TIME FOR APPOINTMENTS.
- Be sure to call well in advance if you need
to cancel.
- BE SURE TO FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS (i.e.,
Don't call a potential employer if the ad
says "Fax a resume").
- ALWAYS PRESENT A RESUME- no matter how brief.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
- MAKE YOURSELF AWARE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES,
especially if you are in a new town.
- Be aware of support services. You never know
when you (or a friend) may need help.
- Churches.
- Support groups.
- Counseling centers.
- Realize that you are a member of the total
community.
- Do not limit your vision to the college or
university. Do some volunteer work each semester.
It's a great way to build your resume and
gain practical experience.
- It's a great way to feel "good."
Now, please do the exercises for today and
write your essay.
|