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Students in college also need to take initiative to make a contact with instructor to make the instructor get to know you. 1. Reasons for Attending College. You maybe in college to earn degree to become more educated, to become certified for a particular job or to make money after earning the degree. You may wish to think of earning a degree as the practical and immediate outcome of your college experience. But, acquiring an education is an important and satisfying achievement in itself. Try to see these goals as complementary rather than conflicting. 1. The Purpose of College.
Acquiring an education can enhance your self-esteem. To the extent that the agree represents effort and achievement, a college degree can give you the satisfaction of acquiring knowledge and developing new skills. Education provides the means that can change the way you think, process information and perceive the world. 1. College as a System. The basic requirement for earning a college degree is to complete the number of credits needed. Be sure you understand the requirements of your degree program, understand your college policies for first year students.
If you don’t understand a policy, consult with academic advisor. A college also develops a core curriculum. Most educators agree that students should study something in addition to their area of specialization to broaden their expertise. 1. Important of Grades. Making good of grade is a badge of effort, a sign Of achievement. There are also other requirement that includes in grade which is attendance, class participation and written work. If you find yourself getting low in many courses, seek help immediately. 1. Calculating Your Grade Point Average (GAP).
To calculate your GAP you convert your letter grades to numbers. These numbers are stipulated by your college. In most college, an A = 4. 00, a B – 3. 0, a C = 2. 00, a D = 1. 00 and a F = 0. 00. College calculates pluses (+) and minuses (-) differently. 1. Final Course Grades. You must ensure that you understand how each instructor computes the final grade. Ask, if it’s not clear, how much weight is assigned to each of the following ; written assignments, class participation, quizzes and tests, midterm and final examinations and any special project. Chapter 2 : Managing Your Time. 2. 1 Using Time Effectively.
To begin making more productive use of your time, you need to know that not only how you have been spending it, but also how you want to use your mime more effectively. It is important that you be clear in your mind about what things are important to you and how you can find time to devote to them. 2. Changing Your Attitude Toward Time. To help you get through difficulty in making time for both the things you have to do, try to remember why you came to college and remind yourself of your goals and what is required to achieve them. Realize too, periods in your life when your free time seem minimal will eventually end. . Developing Strategies to Use Your Time Productively. First, you must scheduling your time by arrange a master schedule of everything you do. It help you to adjust fixed routines. You can develop schedules for different purposes and different stretches of time. You can start by creating a monthly calendar. By that, you can get a closer view and remind yourself of which obligations are imminent and which remain a few weeks away. 2. 4th Problem of Procrastination. To procrastinate means to delay ? sometimes, to delay to the point of not doing the thing at all.
People tend to procrastinate because they don’t enjoy the thing or you afraid Of failing at something. Besides that, you may procrastinate because you are disorganized. 2. Techniques for Avoiding Procrastination. Breaking a large task down into smaller, more manageable parts is a practical and useful approach. Let your interest and your momentum carry you. Besides that, you can reward yourself for completing tasks given. You also can leave extra time by plan to finish the task given before the deadline and then revise it. Chapter 3 : Getting the Most from Your Courses. 3. 1 Syllabus.
You need to understand the course requirement by reading the syllabus given. Then, you might comment on the syllabus by get in the habit of questioning course requirements so that you understand exactly what will be expected of you. You also might need understand the responsibility of attending class well. You also need to ensure that you note the instructor’s name, the location of their office and their office hours. You also must know the nature of the examinations and the requirement on written work. You should asking about the grading to know how your instructor evaluate your performance. Chapter 4 : Getting To Know Your Instructors. . 1 Knowing the academic rank. There are a few instructor that the students need to know when they entering college like professor, assistant professor, lecturer and instructor. Excellent, DOD, average and bad teacher exist at every rank. What earns faculty promotion from one rank to another at research institution is professional activity usually in the form of research and publication. However, they become college teachers because their enjoy sharing their knowledge with others. 4. Asking question in class and out. In class, students must active to participate in question and answer sessions.
You should not afraid to ask question to your lecturer. Under the best circumstances, an instructor will allow time for student question even in large lecture course. Your question can give an instructors clearer sense how ell he or she IS communicating essential concept and issue. You can also go to the her office during the regularly scheduled-office hours. 4. 3 Seeking help. If you are having the trouble in a course, whether that trouble be related to understanding difficult concepts, to completing projects or adjusting to the social or intellectual climate in the classroom, speak to the lecturer about it.
One more thing don’t afraid for ask an appointment and let instructor know what you do understand and identify precisely where your trouble lies. Ask lecturer for advice about what else you can do beyond attending to his or her explanation. 4. Conferring with instructor. You should be aware of some ground rules for student-teacher conferences. First remember that you are visiting an instructor in his or her department office, as this will be the most likely meeting place. Second, be clear about how long the meeting will last Third, make effective and efficient use your time with instructor.
Fourth, observe rules of academic etiquette. Fifth, if you feel need for greater privacy, you can ask for it. 4. Choosing your instructor You can choose by the instructors official reputation. You can be guide by student course evaluation or go by hearsay. You can also meet the instructor yourself, request a syllabus and act on your impressions and instincts. You can ask about upcoming course, and you can explain your interested in the Us object. Chapter 5 : Learning About College Support Services. 5. 1 Computer Labs. You will find the university computer lab an extremely important resource.
If you know that you will be using the computer center to draft and revise your written assignments, find out from the staff not only when the center is open but also when it is use most heavily. If you have your own computer, find out how to link up with the university computer. Visit the computer lab for specific information on using its facilities and services. 5. Language Labs. You’ll need to know what restrictions may be put upon your use and what the sign up and sign in procedures may be. You can expect to find the language lab equipped with individual headphones and tape players.
But you will also find the book, magazines, and newspaper in the languages taught at your college and perhaps in a few that or not. 5. Reshow, Tutorials, Lecturers. Most university or college offer workshop, tutorials, meetings, informal discussion in connection with such university resources as computer and language labs. As a student we must take advantage from this chance or facility provided by university to us as student. Use them properly and as a way to increase the scope of your college experience. 5. 4 Club and Other Activities. Club membership can be an academic experience as well as a social one.
It can also give you a chance to develop practical skill related to your major or your career ambitions. It provided you with a chance to relax and have fun with doing thing you enjoy. They can improve your skill and enrich your academic experience. 5. Career Planning. Find out what office handles career planning, job responsible and internships. Even though you may be a first year student, you should inquire about career planning services, and internship, for you might be surprised to learn about opportunities for which you qualify even now.
You might receive useful advice about how to plan for your career from experienced and knowledgeable counselors. 5. Counseling and Support Service. Your college or university will offer many kind of support services, some of them more directly related to our academic concern. Perhaps you may be qualified to help provided services in one of these areas because of your background or experience. And you may discover that Some of the services hose additional university resources make available can make a difference not only in your overall college experience but in your academic performance and success as well. . Venture Organizations. Your school or college also offer opportunities for you do a volunteer work such as community services. Some university offer academic credit for various types of social action and volunteer action or work. Through volunteer work you can improve your faculty with a foreign language, develop your social conscience, enrich your spiritual sense of self. PART II DEVELOPING ACADEMIC CONFIDENCE Chapter 6 : Improving Study and Annotating Skills. . 1 Developing Annotating Skills. 6. 1. 1 Rules for Annotating. The first rule for good annotating is to be prepared.
It involves the studying you do before class like reading assigned chapters, doing exercises and also bringing the necessary tools to class whatever you need to take good notes. 6. 1. 2 Finding a Place to Sit. Find a place in the classroom or lecture hall where you are comfortable and from which you can see and hear the instructor clearly. More closer to the front you are, more fewer distractions you will receive from other students. However, being in good spot enables you to concentrate better on glasswork ND makes annotating easier. 6. 1. 3 Listening Guidelines. You can improve your listening skills by following these guidelines.
Firstly, you must ready to listen for unexpected detail and the unusual examples, be a focused rather than a distracted listener, find ways to connect what is said with what you know, identify key points and supporting details, be an active rather than passive listener – try to anticipate, ask question about anything unclear and participate as much as you can. 6. 1. 4 Attending to Handwriting. Strive to write clearly, if it slows you down. You may even wish to print especially important information. If have serious problems with handwriting, you may able to use a notebook computer a tape recorder.
If can, develop your own form of shorthand. Be consistent in your use of abbreviations and symbols so that you can remember later what it stand for. 6. 1. 5 Watching and Noticing. Watch you instructor closely. Nonverbal signs may be used to emphasize a point. If the instructor writes something on the board, be sure to write it down. Besides that, this also a way to be involved and attentive in class because your instructors expect you to pay attention to them. 6. 1. 6 Participating in Class. Many classes require participation. You should try to participate as fully as possible.
Ask question, respond to the instructor, comment further on discussion initiated by the instructor or by students. You can keep focus, take better note on the important aspects of class discussion. By discussion, have a greater chance to remember material enlivened especially if you participated actively. 6. Undertaking Techniques. 6. 2. 1 It isn’t necessary to write everything down. You may wish to use the Cornell Annotating System by Walter Pack of Cornell University. To use this method, draw a line down the page 2 inches or so from the left margin and raw a second line across the page 2 inches or so from the bottom.
With your page divided into three areas, you have space to record different kind of notes. Second one is by using a double-column notebook by Ann E. Brothers, formerly of the University Massachusetts at Boston. You can simply divide page into two parts 6. 2. 2 There are also other annotating strategies such as underlining. Underlining is a system of checkmates or symbols in the margin of your text. You just underline important factual passage and highlight important ideas. 6-2. 3 Annotating also is the annotating strategies by putting brief annotations or notes in the margins.
Marginal notations can be question, reactions, objections or symbols question marks (??? ) to indicate places where the text confuses you. 6. 2. 4 Some final suggestion for annotating strategies is to organize both your class and reading notes, label and date your notes, edit and revise your notes, separate your comments and observation from the ideas of your instructor. 6. Improving Study Skills. 6. 3. 1 To best study is by finding a suitable study environment. For example, a desk or table with ample space for you to spread out your books, papers and notes. Good environment to study is a place free of distraction. 6. 3. You also need to mapping out a schedule of study time. Ideally, you should try study at times when you are most alert and do your work best. You must also manage and allocate sufficient time to prepare for classes and reviewing notes. 63. 3 Before you Start studying, you need to setting goals for studying. You need to have an idea of what you want to accomplish and how long you plan on studying to reach your goal. 6. 3. 4 Other than that, you need to improve your understanding. First, you need to translate into your words what you recorded from your instructor. If oh able to translate it, it show you really understand it.
You must not forget to preview what are you studying before you start a chapter. Different with review, which you do it quickly when you finish studying. 6. Remembering what you have studied. 6. 4. 1 The first principle of remembering is you cannot remember what you have not learned. The second is, be selective. You not be able to remember everything. And the third principle is associate what you are learning with what you already know. 6. 4. 2 There are some time-honored techniques for you to remember details. First is mnemonics which memorize by linking them in easy-to- member way.
You may learned by create a rhythm. The second is by acronyms which means a word that made up of the first letters of a series of words. You can create your own one to help you remember sets of details and key concepts. Chapter 7 : Taking Quizzes, Tests and Examinations. 7. 1 Types of tests. Tests is a set Of questions that when answered demonstrates how much or how little you know about the subject. Quizzes is a brief and cover a small amount of material perhaps the reading for a single class. An examination is a chance to redeem yourself if you are well prepared. 7. Preparing for Tests and Exams. Your long-term preparation for tests and examinations includes faithful class attendance, careful class preparation, reviewing and annotating. Your long-term preparation essentially includes everything you can and you should do in taking the course seriously. Your short-term preparation for tests can be vary widely. For a course in which you have been doing the work commendably all along, you may need no more than a once over lightly. 7. Studying for Tests and Exams. What will enable you to use your study time effectively is by finding a comfortable place to study.
Besides that, manage your time. If you study best in the morning, don’t schedule your heaviest exam prep at night. You also need to set your goals for your study sessions. Try to accomplish something specific at each session. After accomplishing one of your goals, reward yourself. 7. Types of Question in Tests and Exams. First, there may be a true-false questions which needed you to mark first all the questions you are confident are true or false. Multiple-choice questions also are among the most difficult for students it often contain two apparently correct responses.
Fill-in questions require you to complete a statement by introducing words or phrases that you supply yourself. And lastly, essay questions. In this essay questions, you need to write an essay whether it short essay or long essay. Chapter 8 : Reading with understanding. 8. 1 Developing an Ability to Read. Reading actively with you pen in hand, you can underlining, annotating and jotting notes. You also can reading reflectively by reading slowly and deliberately . Besides that, you can reading interpretively where you reading to understand.
Lastly, reading evaluative by reading to evaluate the persuasiveness of what you read. 8. Reading and Interpretation. You need to interpret to make sense of something. Besides that, in interpretations, you can making inferences. An inferences is a statement we make about what we don’t know based on what we do know. Your inferences will lead you to an understanding of what you are reading 8. Reading and Imagination. When we read, we imagine a voice in our heads or a figure and character behind the voice. Imagination leads you to think, shift perspectives, understand another’s point of view.