Making the Transition. Five Principles to Help You Achieve Success 1.Be There 2.Do the Work 3.Get...

Making the Transition

Five Principles to Help You Achieve Success

1.Be There

2.Do the Work

3.Get Help

4.Plan

5.Think

Successful College Students …

• Are prepared for class

• Are on time

• Pay attention

• Take notes

• Ask and answer questions

Other Aspects of College Success

• Getting help

• Faculty office hours

• Tutoring and other academic support/success resources

• Planning and using your time

• Learning to think critically

• Taking the course syllabus seriously

• Course assignments

• Expectations concerning academic honesty

Differences Between High School and Higher Education

• What are some of the differences you have observed between high school and higher education?

• In Chapter 1, what do the authors describe as some of the differences between high school and higher education?

• Why did you choose this institution?

• At what point in your life did you know you would attend college?

Differences Between High School and Higher Education

• What are your expectations of college?

• What do you expect to gain from the college experience?

• What goals do you have for yourself this semester? In two or three years? When you graduate?

Goal-Setting

External and Internal Values

External Values

Dictated by others, particularly society

Internal Values

Personal beliefs

To have a greater chance of achieving your goals, you should align them with your internal values.

Long- and Short-Term Goals

Goals should be very specific and include a date by which each goal should be accomplished. Creating an action plan can help keep you accountable and working toward your stated goals.

There are two types of goals:

1. Long-term goals

2. Short-term goals

Discussion Questions

• In this chapter, the authors ask you to define success by visualizing your life in twenty years. What do you think your life will be like then? How will you measure your success?

• The authors provide two definitions of goals, as well as examples of short- and long-term goals. What are two important aspects of both long- and short-term goals, and why are those aspects important?


• What are some differences between tasks and goals?

• Why is it important to regularly review and revise your goals?

• How can an action plan help you reach your goals?

Time Management

Time Management

• Time management is a collection of skills, techniques, strategies, and attitudes that enablea person to use time effectively.

• Time management is not about trying to maximize the productivity of every hour in your life. Life is a continuing balance between growth and achievement, and relaxation and leisure.

• The number-one determinant of powerful and effective time management is FOCUS.

Weekly Schedule

A time journal can help you track how you spend your time. You can use it to set your weekly schedule, which should:

• Include at least 2 to 2½ study hours for every hour spent in class (class-time-to-study ratio). That means that if you are taking 12 to 15 credit hours, you should be studying 24 to 38 hours a week.

• Reflect your personal priorities and goals. If your goal is to earn at least a 3.0 grade-point average, your weekly schedule should reflect a significant amount of time devoted to studying and preparing for your classes.

Procrastination and Prioritizing

• Success in school and life will depend on your ability to take action. If you want to move forward in life, you will have to defeat the urge to procrastinate.

• You can beat procrastination by making choices that reflect your personal priorities. Consider the following:

1. There are only so many hours in the day.

2. How much time you give to your goals will directly affect your achievement.

Effective Time Management

Allotting time to tasks is important, but even more important is how you use the time you have allotted:

• Distractions can derail your focus. Find ways to limit distractions—like text-messaging and Facebook—while you are studying so you can make the most of your time and remain focused.

• Effective time management does not mean always being busy. How effectively you use your time will determine your progress toward reaching your goals.


• What do you think effective time management looks like? Are you effective at managing your time?

• How do you currently make decisions involving your time?

• The authors talk about how time management relates to the attainment of personal goals. How are your current time-management strategies helping you to reach your long- and short-term goals?


• According to the authors, “80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts.” Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

• The authors suggest that the concept of energy might be more important than the concept of time. In other words, devoting more energy to a task can have better results than just devoting more time to it. Do you agree? Have you had any firsthand experience with this idea?

• What specific strategies do you use to manage your time effectively?

Intelligence

Learning Styles

Examining learning styles can help you understand how you prefer to learn and can help you identify areas in which you need to improve as a learner.

The four categories of learning styles are:

1. Visual

2. Auditory

3. Tactile

4. Kinesthetic

Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory provides additional information about intelligence and learning styles.

The following are Gardner’s eight intelligence types:

• Verbal-linguistic

• Logical-mathematical

• Visual-spatial

• Bodily-kinesthetic

• Musical-rhythmic

• Interpersonal

• Intrapersonal

• Naturalistic

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) involves being aware of and managing your emotions and those of people around you. Unlike IQ, EQ can change and improve throughout one’s life.

There are two types of EQ:

1. Personal competence

2. Social competence


• What is your preferred learning style? Share some examples of how you use your preferred learning style when you are studying.

• In this chapter, the authors say it is important to know your learning styles so you can use them to your advantage. Furthermore, knowing about the various learning styles can help you identify areas you need to strengthen. How can you adapt your learning styles? How do learning styles relate to teaching styles?


• Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory provides additional information about intelligence as it relates to styles of learning and processing information. Which of the eight intelligences best describes how you learn?

• Think about your preferred learning style(s) and the intelligence style you chose from Gardner’s list. How can you use these concepts together to enhance your learning?


• The authors say that one of the upsides of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is that it can be improved throughout one’s life. Conversely, IQ is something that does not change. Do you agree with this statement? Explain.

• How can you apply the two categories of EQ to your learning and to everyday life?

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

• Critical thinking is purposeful, deliberative reflections that consider what to believe or do, what to accept or reject, and what to expect in the future based on present information.

• Well-educated people use critical-thinking skills all the time. They make use of acquired information and experiences to make informed decisions.

Becoming a better critical thinker is what college is all about.

Critical-Thinking Strategies

Use the acronym ACES to improve your critical-thinking skills:

• Analyze: Read and listen carefully. Look for main ideas and examine assumptions.

• Clarify: Understand all information and ask specific, clarifying questions.

• Evaluate: Make decisions about the validity of information. Evaluate your thinking and experience.

• See Relationships: Look for connections between what you have learned and what you are learning in other settings.


• Think about a situation in which you had to make a difficult decision. What steps did you take to reach your decision? Do you think you used critical-thinking skills? Explain.

• Critical thinking is often described as a sophisticated process. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

• What skills do you think are involved in critical thinking?


• In this chapter, the authors present the acronym ACES as a strategy for improving critical-thinking skills. Provide an example of how you can use this strategy when making decisions and/or solving problems.

• Think of differences between facts and opinions, and provide an example of each.

Note-Taking

Note-Taking

• Taking notes is an important aspect of college success.

• There are two types of notes: 1. In-class notes: based on lectures and discussions2. Reading notes: based on textbooks, articles, and other supplemental class resources.

• It is important to develop strategies for taking and using in-class and reading notes.

Class Notes

• By listening, observing, and predicting or asking questions, you can improve the notes you take in class.

• You can organize your notes using an informal outline, the Cornell Method, or by clustering information.

• After you take your notes, make sure you: 1. Review your notes immediately after

a class.2. Review your notes before the next class.3. Review your notes when studying for

an exam.

Reading Notes

• Preview the material first; then read and re-read it to make sure you comprehend the information. Finally, take notes on the selected information.

• Divide information into sections before you begin reading. This will help you manage a large reading assignment.

• Find a logical way to organize the information you have read. Outlining it can be handy because you can go back to it and add information from a class lecture or discussion.


• What do you think you do well when you are taking notes?

• What specific strategies do you use when you are taking in-class notes? Reading notes?

• If you have never taken reading notes, do you think this is a strategy you might use in the future? In any specific class? Explain.


• In this chapter, the authors describe how creating a study guide might eliminate the need to refer to your textbook. How might you organize your in-class and reading notes to create a study guide?

• How do you use your notes to study for a test? Do you use the same strategies for each class and/or type of exam? Explain.

Test-Taking

Test-Taking

• Tests are “learning experiences” because they allow you to clarify and reinforce knowledge of a particular subject, they provide an instructor with valuable feedback about your learning, and they allow for objective assessment of that learning.

• Although learning is important, grades in college also matter. Your grades become part of your transcript, which will stay with you for the remainder of your life.

Steps to Taking a Test

Step 1: Preparation

• Begin preparing the first day.

• Do the assignments (all of them).

• Find out about the test’s format and what topics and materials will be on the test.

• Combine in-class and reading notes to create a study guide.

• Use a study schedule.

• Visit your professor during his/her office hours.


Step 2: Taking the Test

• Find a good seat in the classroom.• Preview the exam before answering any questions.• Write down formulas, etc., that you might need.• Plan your time, leaving enough time for review.• Read the directions and questions carefully,

and answer the easiest questions first.• Write clearly and show all of your work.• Review the test, and only change an answer

if you are positive it is wrong.


Step 3: When You Get the Test Back

• Review the test carefully and read all of your instructor’s comments.

• Analyze your mistakes, and talk with your instructor to make sure you understand what you did wrong.

• Get help, if you need it, to learn the information you missed.

• Save the test, if your instructor allows you to keep it, and record your grade in a safe place.

Types of Tests

• There are two types of tests:

1. Recognition: Multiple choice, true/false, and matching

2. Recall: Essays, short answers, and fill-in-the-blanks

• Recognition tests require that you recognize the correct answer from the choices provided.

• Recall tests require that you retrieve the information from memory, and in some cases, make connections between concepts on the test.

Test Anxiety

• Remember, you are not alone. At one time or another, everyone (even your professor or instructor) has been nervous about a test.

• Developing your memory skills, remaining positive before and during a test, preparing thoroughly, and learning to relax through breathing or visualization techniques will help you overcome test anxiety.

• If your test anxiety persists, talk to your professor, advisor, or counselor for additional assistance.


• The authors describe tests as “learning experiences.” Based on your own experiences taking tests, either in high school or college, do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain.

• Describe the steps you take to prepare for an exam. Do these steps vary based on the type of test? Explain.


• How do you approach taking a test? For example, some students read all of the questions before answering any of them; other students answer the easiest questions first; and some answer the most difficult questions first.

• Have your strategies for preparing for or taking tests changed, or do you use the same strategies you used in high school? Explain.

• What do you do when you receive a graded test from a professor?

Midterm

Midterm

The midpoint of the semester is a good time to evaluate:

1. Your academic progress

2. Your goals and your progress toward meeting them

3. Your personal progress

4. Your future


Your Academic Progress

• Which of the principles of a successful student have you found to be the most useful? Least? Explain.

• What actions have you taken to make sure you earn the grades you want? What resources have you used?

• What will you do to make sure you reach your academic goals?


Your Goals and Your Progress Toward Meeting Them

• Are the goals you set at the beginning of this semester still realistic? Explain.

• What different or additional goals do you have now?

• What caused you to change your goals? Or what prompted you to add to your goals?


Your Personal Progress

• What is your college experience like? Is it what you expected it to be? Explain.

• What have you learned about who you are and what you believe in as a result of this process?

• What have you learned about other people?

• What do you think would surprise your high school friends about college?


Your Future

• What have you decided about your major and classes for next semester?

• Will you live at home, on campus, or somewhere else?

• Will you work?

• Have you had an opportunity to get involved in campus clubs, organizations, or activities? If you have not been involved, do you plan to be in the future?

What’s Next? Majors and Careers

Choosing a Major and a Career

• The first step in choosing a major and a career is to consider what you like doing and what you are good at. Tailor your career research and opportunity searches so they take your interests and strengths into account.

• Developing knowledge and expertise in a specific area or field is becoming more and more important. Finding a mentor in your chosen profession and participating in an internship can help you develop this expertise.

More About Careers

• In addition to experiential opportunities, effective resumes, cover letters, and interviewing skills are important.

• Consider how the skills and knowledge you are developing through your classes and extracurricular activities help when you are pursuing a job or graduate education.

• If you are still thinking about potential careers, use the courses you are taking to explore different fields.


• What is your major, and how did you choose this major? If you have not chosen a major, what majors are you considering?

• What are your career goals, and how do you think your major will help you reach these goals?

• What resources do you plan to use to enhance your college experience and, ultimately, help you become more marketable when you pursue your chosen career?

Reading and Writing

College-Level Reading

• Before beginning a reading assignment, you should identify the type of material it is (fiction or nonfiction) and the writer’s purpose (e.g., persuasion, entertainment, etc.).

• Once you have identified these two aspects, you can use the following steps to understand and process the information you are reading:

1. Preview 2. Read 3. Organize the information 4. Review

College-Level Writing


• Describe how you first approach a reading assignment. Do you read every word, a few sentences from every paragraph, or only words in bold print? Do your strategies differ for different types of classes? Explain.

• How do you determine a writer’s purpose? What role does this play when you are reading?


• What steps do you take when you begin a writing assignment?

• How do you ensure you are submitting your best written work for each class? Do you plan time to revise your paper? Do you ask a tutor to help you?

Speaking

Tips for Effective Speaking

• Less is more; leave your audience wanting more.

• Interlace your comments with personal experiences.

• Try to speak without notes.

• Speak slowly and look at people.

• Try to end with a high point.

Remember: Public speaking is a skill; the more you practice, the better you will become.


• In this chapter, the authors suggest that college students should develop public-speaking skills. Why do you think the authors believe these skills are important to develop in college? Do you agree? Explain.

• Think about people who you think are good public speakers. What specific skills and strategies do they use when making presentations or speeches? Why do you think they are effective?


• Now, think about people you believe are not effective public speakers. What is it about these speakers’ presentations, methods, or abilities that make them ineffective?

• The authors share tips for effective public speaking. In addition to these, what else can you do to improve your speaking skills? What can you do to make better presentations?

Thinking Globally

Diversity and Stereotyping

• Thomas Friedman’s book, The World Is Flat, describes how increasing globalization has made it important to understand more about diverse people and cultures.

• Stereotyping can impede communication and collaboration for both the person who is doing the stereotyping and the person or group that has been stereotyped.

Embracing Diversity

• Surrounding yourself with people who are different from you will help you grow and develop as a person.

• Understanding diverse cultures and perspectives will help you have a better chance of succeeding in your life and work, even after college.

• Learn more about people by seeking opportunities to get involved. You could volunteer in the community, mentor a child, or work on a political campaign.


• In this chapter, the authors present the concept of “globalization” as one reason why it is important to learn more about diverse people and cultures. What are some examples of globalization that you have observed?

• Do you think the world is really becoming flat? Explain.


• What are some things about you that are unique?

• At the end of this chapter, the authors share some ideas about how students can become more familiar with people of different cultures and backgrounds. How have you learned about diverse people and cultures? How will you learn even more about the world’s societies?

Financial Literacy

Basics of Finance

• It’s not how much you make that counts; what matters is how much is left over after you pay your living expenses.

• Keep a budget to better understand your financial needs.

• Be prepared to pay income taxes, as well as contributions toward health care, Medicare, and Social Security.

• Become savvy about spending and borrowing money to avoid debt.

Banks and Banking

Banks exist to:

1. Help you save, invest, and administer your money.

• Checking accounts

• Debit cards

• Savings

2. Lend you money.

• Car and home loans

• Credit cards

Borrowing Money

• Loans, or borrowed funds, are often used to pay for things like homes, cars, and education. Loans allow a borrower to purchase something before he or she has the funds to pay for the item.

• Student loans are common among college students. There are two types of student loans:

1. Government (subsidized and unsubsidized)

2. Private loans

Important Considerations

• Trying to live within your means, and thus avoiding unnecessary debt, can help you now and in the future, when you might need to take out a loan.

• Becoming aware of and monitoring your credit score can help you ensure that your credit and identity belong to you.

• Paying bills, income taxes, and loans on time will help you protect your credit score and will ultimately contribute to your financial security in the future.


• The authors begin the chapter by describing money as a “scarce commodity” that comes to those who provide “economic value.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain. What economic value will you provide?

• What should you consider when developing a personal budget? Have you ever used a personal budget?

• What are some differences between debit cards and credit cards?


• In what situations would you use a debit card rather than a credit card? When might you choose to use a credit card? When would you borrow money or take out a loan?

• How do you make these types of financial decisions? What are your priorities, and how are they reflected in your decisions?

Health

Basics of Good Health

• There are three types of health: physical (body), mental (brain), and emotional (spirit).

• Good nutrition plays a role in all aspects of good health. Here are the basics of good health:

1. Eat the right foods

2. Drink lots of fluids

3. Exercise

4. Get adequate rest

Planning for Good Health

Maintaining a positive attitude, exercising willpower and self-discipline, and developing a plan can help you achieve and maintain good health.

1. Figure out in advance where you are likely to struggle.

2. Decide exactly what you will do in those challenging situations.

3. Create a mantra for yourself.

4. Be prepared to slip and get back on track—quickly.


• The authors provide information about basic health and nutrition. How do your food choices reflect your beliefs about nutrition? How can you make good choices when your food options and/or time might be limited?

• Are sleep and exercise important aspects of your physical and mental health? Explain. How have your sleep habits and exercise routine changed since you began college?


• What do you think are some of the most significant health issues facing college students today?

• What kinds of things do you do, or not do, to maintain your own health and wellness?

Self-Assessment

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is a hallmark of an educated and mature person. It is only when we are aware of who we are—our strengths and weaknesses, our hopes and dreams, our values and how true we stay to them, and how we perceive others and the way others perceive us—that we can make progress as students and as people.

How would you answer the question, “Who am I?”

Understanding What Matters

• Personal values, or what you feel is important, should be reflected in how you spend your time and money.

• Creating a mission statement can help you remain true to your values as you make decisions.

• Taking responsibility for your actions will help you gain control over your life.

• Maintaining your motivation will help you continue working toward your goals.


• Think about the decisions you have made recently. Have your actions reflected who you are? Explain.

• How would you respond to the following questions:

1. What would I want people to say about me when I’m gone?

2. What makes me feel good about myself?3. What or who inspires me the most?4. What causes do I believe in or care about?5. If I could make a statement that

would go out to the world, what would it say?


• How would you grade yourself in the following areas?

1. Growth in critical thinking2. Growth in emotional intelligence, especially optimism3. Positive self-talk4. Goals that are compelling, measurable, and realistic5. A clearer understanding of your values and an effort

to live by them6. A sense of mission in life7. Responsibility8. Motivation

Making the Transition. Five Principles to Help You Achieve Success 1.Be There 2.Do the Work 3.Get...

Documents

Transcript of Making the Transition. Five Principles to Help You Achieve Success 1.Be There 2.Do the Work 3.Get...