GET MORE FROM THIS CLASS
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The class is a community. Every member is responsible for the learning of the whole class. Each student has the power to make his or her instructor a better educator.
2. Accept that you are the one who is most responsible for your own learning.
ATTENDANCE
1. Regular attendance is a sign of a serious student.
2. If you can’t be in class, have a back up plan. Have a class “buddy” to share the material with you that you missed.
3. Don’t ask the professor to repeat things you missed.
4. Don’t be late. This “can” be seen as a sign of disrespect. Serious students are not disrespectful.
5. Better late than never if you must be late. Be quiet and respectful when coming in.
WHILE YOU ARE IN CLASS
1. Pay attention. When students are interested, their teacher becomes a better lecturer. Also paying attention shows respect.
2. Listening carefully is essential in lecture and lab. Ask for clarification whenever the material is unclear. Take organized, clear notes. Give some parts more priority than others. Note taking is an active way of keeping your mind engaged. NOTES PROVIDE YOUR MAJOR SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR STUDYING!
3. Be in class 100% of the time.
4. Don’t socialize and don’t tolerate the distractions of other students. Direct your attention to receiving and absorbing the information.
5. Do not have cell phones ringing in class. Set them to the vibrate mode or turn them off completely.
6. Be courteous to other people in the classroom. Respect everyone.
7. Demonstrate that you are responsible for your own learning. Ask questions when information is not clear. Many have the same question but are afraid to ask. Instructors use good questions as feedback to see how well students comprehend the material. Get involved.
8. Group work takes devotion and patience.
9. Listen carefully whenever the instructor references the exam or describes parts of the exam.
AFTER CLASS
1. Visit your professor during office hours. Have a purpose for this communication. Don’t be late for scheduled appointments. Write down your questions. Don’t waste their time. Ask your professor for studying tips. Don’t wait until the end of the semester.
2. Read the book and turn your work in on time.
3. Go over your notes and clarify anything that is unclear or missing. Recopy your notes within 24 hours.
4. Talk with other students about the material.
WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS
1. Do not be hostile or demanding, backing the instructor into a corner. They can accept that you disagree but do it respectfully. Be positive when disagreeing.
2. When you have a complaint, remain calm. Handle it with facts not emotion. Give your professor feedback especially if it is positive.
3. If there is a disruptive student, peer pressure can work but mostly this is your professor’s responsibility. Bring it to their attention so they can address the problem.
HOW TO STUDY
1. Usually lectures are where the instructor conveys about 90% of the information. Labs often are for review or preview or for consolidation/solidification of information.
2. Understand your instructor’s expectations. Read the syllabus.
3. A general rule for frequency of study is 2-3 hours out of class for every hour in class for a better chance of a 4.0 grade. One hour every day is better than 7 on Sunday. When studying in a large block of time, take a short break every ½ hour or so.
4. Study a second copy of your notes that you have made into a question and answer format.
5. The only way to learn is repetition. After you initially memorize information and then do nothing to reinforce it, within 24 hours you will have only about 35% of the memorized information. Only about 10% remains after an additional 24 hours. Therefore what you don’t repeat in studying you must re-learn from scratch!!!
6. Techniques: teach someone else or pretend to; study with a partner; re-do drawings; write memory songs/poems; link with applications; study in a group; get a tutor; draw it; symbolize it; write it out; speak the words out loud; explain in sequence a list of events; make a little story out of the information. Organize your Q and A notes, read them into a recorder and use that cassette as often as possible to study. Imagine what questions you would ask if you were the professor. Find the techniques for study that work best for you and make time to focus on those. Use the techniques that your classmates have found to be helpful.
7. Make your study time as uninterrupted as possible. Pick a good time. Keep stocked up on things you need so there is no reason to interrupt. Use the same place. Be efficient with your time. Study in seclusion. Your car. When the kids are at school. Turn off the phone, TV etc. Put away all other distractions. Even make it a luxury for yourself. Every time you get interrupted, you lose information. Make a regular study area – no clutter around you. Keep the room cool.
8. First study so the material makes sense to you then to memorize.
9. Try to preview the material before class.
10. Develop a method of testing yourself to make sure you are retaining information. (Index cards, study notes, study tapes…)
11. It is not enough to recall all of the information correctly once. Repeatedly test yourself.
12. Every time you sit down, quickly overview all of the material then choose what needs your most attention. Figure out what you don’t know and concentrate time on that. Then return to what comes easier. Keep practicing each day or you will lose information.
13. Write down keywords and make flashcards. Learn the new terms and symbols.
14. Relate the information to what you already know or to experiences you have had.
15. Release tension by talking to someone. Get away from studies for a short break.
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Be complete in your responsibilities and assignments.
2. Four or five small meals a day will keep your blood glucose levels more even and benefit the activities of your brain. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eat well and in moderation.
3. Make time for exercise. The time it takes will be compensated for by increasing your ability to learn when you sit down to study. Exercise reduces stress. Reduction of stress will help your immune system fight off illness. Better fitness increases oxygen supply to the brain.
4. Get at least 6-8 hours of sleep. Your brain files information away during REM sleep, therefore REM sleep is essential. A regular pattern of sleep each night is also critical.
5. Use planners (write everything in it). Prioritize: A = things that must get done, B = what you should get done and C = what can be done at other times. Do the unpleasant things in the morning and get them out of the way.
DURING TESTING
1. To avoid stress and tension
a. Study – you must feel adequately prepared.
a. Eat a light balanced meal about 45 minutes before. Your mind will be clearer.
b. Be on time - especially the day of the test. Come prepared.
c. Be clear on your instructor’s expectations for which material will be on the test.
d. Accept the fact that perfection is not necessary. Getting a 4.0 is not necessary.
2. Tips
a. Put your name on the exam and read directions carefully.
b. Breathe fully and relax. Regain control. Be positive. Remain focused.
c. Go with your first instinct when answering.
d. Do easy questions first.
e. Make marks on the exam where you need to come back or ask to have a blank sheet of paper to remind you.
f. Be aware of qualifiers such as “all, most, some, none, always, usually, sometimes and never”. Pay attention to these. Realize that if it is a 100% word it is usually not the correct answer (such as absolutely, always, never).
g. On multiple choice, always read all possible options, then select your final answer.
h. Generally, “all of the above” is a correct answer.
i. After the exam, analyze it to increase subsequent skills on the next exam. What did you miss and why?
3. Relaxation techniques = tighten and release alternating areas of muscles, close your eyes, visualize something calm. Breathe in deeply; exhale slowly.
About Stress Management
1. Learn how to deal with stress. You have little or no control over your outside world so focus on what you CAN change. The most influence you have is over your own reaction. Focus your limited energy on places where you can make a difference. For things out of your control, you will need to learn to let go! Second, make priorities and then live your life as if those priorities actually mean something to you. Make yourself a priority. If you burn out, you are no good to anyone else. Rebuild your energy and your stability. Then you can give to others.
2. Time is a resource you never get back. Remember priorities. Model = “WINNER”. “What’s Important Now? Never Ever Regret”.
3. When you CHOOSE the priority to concentrate on, that gives you power. Many who are depressed lack priorities and goals. Clear priorities and goals give you a better attitude.
4. How to reduce overstressing:
Do the right thing; Share your burdens with someone close; Learn to say no; Stay positive; Make life fun; Plan to succeed; Stop procrastinating; Make life regular and organized; Balance time for work, play & rest; Set goals and prioritize; Take care of you; Have friends; Write; Manage anger; Avoid pick-me-ups like caffeine & sugar; Stop put-me-downs; Get outside; Exercise even if you simply take a walk; Take care of your spirit
BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR YOURSELF!
[A COLLECTION FROM PROJECT SUCCESS DAY NOTES and IDEAS FROM THE SCIENCE FACULTY.]