"How to Succeed in College"
N. Korzetz
1) Attend class! Merely getting the notes from a friend will not be sufficient. You will have difficulty deciphering them and you will not have the supporting lecture examples to associate them with. In addition, we learn best when we use both our visual and verbal memory systems. Without the lecture, you have used only your visual system.
2) Avoid being tardy. You will be surprised how much "business" is covered in the first ten minutes of class. Pop quizzes often cannot be made up.
If you must miss class, be sure to find out what you missed and make it up as soon as possible.
3) Pay attention and participate in class discussions. The first step in the memory process is to pay attention! If you are not attending to something, it cannot get into your memory system. We don’t “forget” the words on the back of a penny, we just never pay attention to them!
4) Prepare for class! Be sure to read your text before coming to class. Also review the previous lecture's notes before the next class. The better prepared you are, the better you will understand the lecture. It is a good idea to write down any questions that pop into your mind as you are preparing and to ask the instructor at the beginning of the next meeting.
“There is a great difference between knowing a thing and understanding it.”
Charles Kettering (1876-1958)
5) Take extensive notes. Feel free to abbreviate and be sure to highlight items the instructor has emphasized. It is ALWAYS a good idea to write down any examples an instructor uses to illustrate a point - they are known to show up on tests occasionally! Students incorrectly assume that since they listened to the lecture, they will remember the information weeks later when looking at their notes prior to an exam. Ebbinghaus, a psychologist, found that almost half of what is learned is forgotten within an hour.
Don't forget to take notes over your text readings! Flashcards are also helpful in some classes.
6) Be academically aggressive. Sit in the front to hear and see better. Avoid sitting near friends – they are often distracting! Try to ask at least one relevant question during each lecture – this will keep you focused. Sit up straight with your feet on the floor – learning requires ACTIVE attention. Lectures are not simply for enjoyment like a television program.
7) Manage your time wisely. One study asking students to report on their activities during a typical week found that they could not account for as much as 10 hours a day! This was merely “wasted” time. You will have to set priorities. Making a weekly "To-Do" list for your class-work will be helpful. Flashcards are great for studying “on the run.” If you have a long commute, consider audiotaping lectures for the car. Students will find that in order to do well in college, they need to spend at least two hours outside of class reading, studying, and completing assignments for every hour spent in class. This is known as the 2:1 rule. Some instructors recommend a 3:1 ratio!
8) Moderation is key! Do not over-indulge in course loads! Keep the 2:1 rule in mind when registering for classes. If you are working and have a family you will not be able to take a full class load and do well. Full-time at work is 40 hours per week. Full-time in college is 12 hours (four 3-credit classes) which adds up to 36 hours (12 hours in class, 24 outside of class) of course work per week following the 2:1 rule stated above. Thus, if you are working full-time and attending college full-time you will be spending 76 hours per week working hard!
9) Utilize campus resources whenever possible! Learn where the campus computer labs are and write down their hours in a notebook. Learn how to use the Lee College Library - this library subscribes to special college-level print resources as well as several excellent computer databases that will be utilized for virtually every class you take at the college. Stop by the Writing Center and inquire about help with writing skills and term papers. Stop by the Math Lab and inquire about services offered. Be sure to locate the Counseling Center, Non-traditional Student Services, and Financial Aid offices as well.
10) Seek out peer and faculty support. Try to establish a good relationship with at least one person in each of your classes who you could exchange phone numbers with in case you miss class or need to clarify notes or an assignment. Also, make it a goal to get to know at least one faculty member each semester. They can often provide much needed direction regarding the college "process" as well as moral support. They are often willing to provide letters of recommendation for dedicated students they have worked with. This will come in handy when it is time to transfer to a university or when beginning your job search after graduation.
11) Seek help immediately! If you are experiencing difficulty in a course, see the instructor immediately. Do not "wait to see" if it will get better. Chances are it won't unless something changes. You need to speak directly with your instructor to delineate where the problem lies. It could be note-taking skills, test-taking skills, study habits, etc. Friends, parents, even counselors will not be able to give you the exact and appropriate advice and suggestions that the instructor will.
12) Remain motivated! You can do this! A lot of what is learned in college is not what is in the coursework, but the skills you learn by completing a degree. A college degree speaks loads about a person's motivation and "stick-to-it-tive-ness". There is not a linear relationship between IQ and success. Motivation, persistence, personality, and expectations are as important as inborn intelligence.