Transcript 10 Tips for Survival in the Classroom

Classroom Practices
10 Tips for
Getting the
Most Out of
Time Spent in
Class
Presented by the Academic and Career Advisement Center
#10) Do NOT Fall Asleep in Class!
• Be aware of your non-verbal communication.
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Are you slouching?
How many times have you yawned?
Don’t wear pajamas to class.
• Get enough sleep.
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The average person needs 6-8 hours of sleep per night.
Your brain can’t function properly without sleep.
If you need to, schedule time to sleep.
• Don’t “offend the professor”.
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Keep your feet on the floor.
Raise your hand when asking a question.
Don’t pass notes/carry on conversations.
#9) Turn OFF the Cell Phone!
• In other words, “don’t be rude”.
– A ringing cell phone is a rude interruption.
– Be considerate of other students
• Turn your phone to silent or vibrate.
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If you need to take a call, step out of the class to do so.
Resist any temptation to answer text messages.
Or better yet…don’t bring it at all.
• Laptop – Turn off sound.
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Avoid Facebook, MySpace, etc.
Class time is not appropriate for Instant Messaging.
#8) Turn your work in on time!
• Keep track of due dates and assignments.
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Use checklists, schedules, or a planner.
Set up an Outlook calendar…pre-program.
Use a system that works for you!
Double check due dates (w/ the professor).
• Staying organized is essential.
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Individual folders per class…avoid bringing the wrong stuff.
Color code lecture notes.
Prepare notes/books/other materials the night before class.
• College-level workload is substantial.
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By planning ahead, you can avoid panic and cramming.
If you want results, you have to devote the time.
Stay ahead of the game…incredibly difficult to play “catch up”.
#7) What’s Important to the Instructor?
• Usually, he/she is the one who designs
assignments, writes exams, and assigns grades.
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Think of them like a “boss”.
Think of your coursework as your “job”.
How important are lectures? Assigned readings? Essays?
The course syllabus usually describes how the course will be graded.
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It goes a long way to show that you are putting forth effort.
Face to face conversation is usually preferred to email or phone contact.
The more specific you can be with your questions, the better.
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Key phrases like “you need to pay attention to this”
Repetition of facts, concepts, etc.
Mentioned in lecture? Covered in the book? It’s important!
Pay attention to what the professor says as the class is ending.
• Use the professor’s office hours to address your
questions.
• Listen for points stressed during class
#6) Ask Questions! Participate!
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What’s confusing? Do you
need something to be
explained again?
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Don’t be afraid to raise your
hand. Others most likely have
the same question, and will
appreciate the clarification.
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Active participation helps you
focus during class.
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Professors are more likely to
help the students who
approach them with questions
related to content of the
course.
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“When does this class get out?”
is not an appropriate question.
#5) Take Notes!
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Do what works best for you…and…
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Keep it simple.
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Daily is best…or…
Weekly review sessions (Sundays are a great time to
refresh/prepare for the week ahead).
RELATE your notes to chapters in the text.
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Highlight main points.
REVIEW your notes on a regular basis,
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Write legibly…you have to be able to read them later.
Use short sentences. Shorthand?
Simple organization is key. Outline? Color code?
Edit your notes soon after class.
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Keep in mind that what “worked” in previous classes may not be
the best method for every course.
Be willing to adapt your note-taking style to best fit the course.
Where do both connect?
Where don’t they connect?
How is this relevant to the big picture?
Refer to the following slides for note-taking guides.
Notes Example: Simple Outline
I. United States Aircraft Carriers
A) Nimitz Class
1. USS Nimitz
a) Detail?
2. USS Abraham Lincoln
a) Detail?
3. USS Theodore Roosevelt
B) Kittyhawk Class
1. USS Kittyhawk
2. USS Constellation
a) Detail?
b) Detail?
Notes Example: Cornell Method
Note Taking space:
Record lecture notes as fully and as meaningfully as
possible. Write down what you think is most important.
Don’t worry so much about using complete sentences, or
having perfect grammar.
Left Margin area:
As you’re taking notes, keep this column empty. After the
lecture, when you are reviewing your notes, you will use
this area to reduce the notes you took during lecture to
concise, short phrases. Those short phrases will serve as
cues for reciting and reviewing the information. These
cues will help you locate sections of your notes when you
have numerous pages of material.
Summary section:
You should get in the habit of being able to put lecture
content and concepts in your own words. Try writing two
complete sentences that summarize the entire page of
notes.
Image Source: http://web.princeton.edu/sites/mcgraw/images/cornell-method.gif
Notes Example: Mind Mapping
#4) Be Interested in the Lecture
Topic!
• This may be difficult, at times…
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And that’s OK.
You most likely will not be interested in every topic.
You might even have something else on your mind.
• Again, be aware of your non-verbal communication.
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Posture?
Facial Expression?
Showing up late?
Burying your face in your laptop?
What do these convey about you?
• Remember…you are paying for the class so get as much out
of it as possible.
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Your education is an investment.
Try to relate the topic to your major. Is there any overlap?
You are more likely to remember facts about topics you can relate to areas of interest.
#3) Sit Up Front!
• Sitting in the front
rows allows you to
better see and hear.
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Fewer opportunities for distraction.
Pay attention to the lecture instead of
people watching or Internet surfing.
You won’t be able to socialize during
the lecture.
In a way, your seat up front will “force”
you to become engaged in the class.
• The professor will see
you.
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Allows for communication and
engagement with the professor.
Body language…sitting up front shows
that you’re interested.
It will be easier for you to ask
questions.
#2) DO go to Class, and DON’T
be Late!
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Class attendance is directly linked to academic
performance.
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Don’t be late!
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Those students who attend regularly, earn better grades.
Staying current with course material is essential.
Changes to dues dates, assignments, and tests are announced
in class.
Some professors use attendance when figuring grades.
Many professors use lectures as the main basis for test
questions.
You want the professor to notice you, but not because you’re
late.
Stumbling in late is distracting to other students and to you.
Think “PROFESSIONAL.”
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Would you be late to your job?
Would you miss work and not notify your boss?
If you are going to miss class, it is a good idea to contact the
professor to learn of missed assignments, or provide them
with a reason for your absence.
#1) Last Tip: If You Need Help, Ask.
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Ask for help SOONER than later.
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It’s better to address concerns early.
That allows you more time to remedy the situation.
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Don’t be afraid to ask.
Visiting office hours is usually best.
Many faculty members are also academic advisers.
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Advisers are available on a walk-in basis.
Help with career choice, academic skills, course scheduling, etc.
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FREE tutoring for a wide variety of subjects.
Study groups.
Walk-in.
Study Practices
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Resident Adviser or Resident Director.
Dean of Students.
Friends or classmates.
Multicultural Education and Resource Center.
Professor
ACAC
All Campus Tutoring
Other?
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