Get Ready For College

Thursday, September 24 2009

Tips to Become a Successful College Student

• Go to Class - Studies show students that have high attendance make better grades than students with low attendance.  Many teachers give helpful hints before tests and if you are in class you will be better prepared for tests and quizzes.
• Get to Know Your Professors - Meeting your professors allows you to become more than just a face in the crowd.  Introduce yourself early in the semester.  This lets the professor know you are taking the class seriously and he/she will probably be more available for help if they know who you are.
• Study for Tests Ahead of Time - Do not wait until the last minute and "cram" for tests.  Stay ahead and study for your classes every day.  This will allow you to feel more prepared going into class everyday and for tests.  You also will not have to stay up all night before a test and being rested before a test is very important.
• Do Your Homework - Not only does homework count as part of your grade but it is a great way to understand the material and stay ahead.  Not doing your homework can be the difference in passing and failing a class.
• Be an Active Listener and Take Good Notes - Notes from lecture are a great starting point when you study and will supplement the text book.  Take notes on any topic the professor seems to stress and use them as a reference when studying.
• Sit in the Front of the Class - There are fewer distractions in the front of the class and you will be less tempted to distract yourself if you are at the front of the room.  Cells phones, computers, etc. can be a big distraction, and if you are sitting in front of the professor you are less likely to let these things distract you.  It is also easier to catch the attention of the professor and ask questions from the front of the classroom.
• Join a Study Group - Study groups can be a valuable resource.  This gives you a chance to learn from your peers and can make you feel more connected to campus.  Many of the other students in your class will have the same questions and difficulties you have.  Let other students help answer your questions and you can help them answer theirs.
• Go to Your Professor's Office Hours- Office hours are a great time to learn from your professor in one-on-one or small group settings.  Most professors are willing to help and this is a great time to seek their counsel.  Also, many professors will share information about tests and quizzes that they do not share to the entire class.  Your professor is your best resource, use them when you can.
• Manage Your Time- Many of you will be working and attending school.  Remember, there are only 24 hours in a day.  Make schedules and develop routines that work for you.  If you can get into a routine that you are comfortable with and can consistently maintain, you will be more successful.  Prioritize your time; going out with friends might be more fun, but if you have a big test in two days, staying in to study is a more beneficial use of your time. 
• Set Goals - Setting goals allows you to track your progress.  Going to class, doing your homework and studying are great, but how do you know if it is working?  Set a goal.  Set short-term and long-term goals.  This way you can track your success and you will know if what you are doing is working for you.
  

What are some terms I need to know to prepare for college?

Add and drop deadlines: The latest date in an academic term when a course may be added or dropped from a student’s class schedule without approval of someone other than the student.

Co-requisite: A course to be taken or a requirement to be fulfilled at the same time as a particular course is being taken.

Credit Hour: The number of hours a class is scheduled to meet each week determines the value of a course or the number of credit hours you will receive for that course. For example, ENG 101 (College Composition) involves three class hours each week and is worth three credit hours.

Developmental courses: Courses that help students improve their reading, writing, and/or mathematics abilities for college-level study.

Electives: Electives are courses of your choice, which may be taken for credit toward a degree or certificate in your curriculum.

Major: The primary disciplinary interest or academic subject area of a student as represented by one of the curricula offered by the various academic departments. The undergraduate degree may or may not carry the same title as the major. Every student has one or more majors but may or may not have a minor or concentration.

Minor: A secondary subject area interest (to the major) represented by a specified set of hours and/or courses.

Prerequisite: A course a student must take before enrolling in another (usually more challenging) course.

Semester: Schools organize the academic year into two main periods-fall and spring semesters. A semester is roughly about 15 weeks in length.