Thursday, January 31, 2013

Student Success Statement


Student Success Statement
“It is our duty to concentrate all our influences to make popular that which is sound and good, and (to make) unpopular that which is unsound (and not good).
-Joseph Smith
Reflection: This statement means it is our job to try to make popularity based on good actions and always choosing the right. And also, make choosing the wrong and showing bad behavior unpopular. 

Successful Students 9


Successful Students 9
9. Don’t cram for exams. Successful students know that divided periods of study are more effective than cram sessions, and they practice it.
If there is one thing that study skills specialists agree on, it is that distributed study is better than massed, late-night, last-ditch efforts know as cramming. You’ll learn more, remember more, and earn a higher grade by studying in four, one hour-a-night sessions for Friday’s exams than studying for four hours straight on Thursday night. Short, concentrated preparatory efforts are more efficient and rewarding than wasteful, inattentive, last moment marathons. Yet, so many students fail to learn this lesson and end up repeating it over and over again until it becomes a wasteful habit. Not too clever, huh?
When you cram, you are taking the shortcut, and shortcuts never produce any real worthwhile results. Also, when you take shortcuts, you feel rather rotten knowing that you could have done better but didn't  Shortcuts cut you short. You can’t plant watermelon seeds and harvest fresh watermelons the next day. It takes time. Cramming for a test or project and expecting to make a high score the next day is like planting watermelon seeds and expecting to harvest and eat fresh watermelon the next day. Plus cramming for a test or project doesn't help you academically, so why even do it. Plan ahead, prepare ahead. Give yourself plenty of days and weeks to prepare for upcoming accountability opportunities.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Student Success Statement


Student Success Statement
“What’s right isn't always popular. What’s popular isn't always right.”
-Howard Cosell
Reflection: This statement means the right thing to do may not seem cool, but it is still right. What may seem popular or cool to do isn't always right. So it doesn't matter if your popular or not, its good to always choose the right and not choose the wrong. 

  

Successful Students 7-8


Successful Students 7-8
7. Understand that actions affect learning. Successful students know their personal behavior affect their feelings and emotions which in turn can affect learning.
If you act in a certain way that normally produces particular feelings, you will begin to experience those feelings. Act like you’re bored, and you’ll become bored. Act like you’re disinterested, and you’ll become disinterested. So the next time you have trouble concentrating in the classroom, “act” like an interested person: lean forward, place your feet flat on the floor, maintain eye contact with the professor, nod occasionally, take notes, and ask questions. Not only will you benefit directly from your actions, your classmates and professor may also get more excited and enthusiastic.
8. Talk about what they’re leaning. Successful students get to know something well enough that they can put it into words. Talking about something, with friends or classmates, is not only good for checking whether or not you know something, it’s a proven learning tool. Transferring ideas into words provides the most direct path for moving knowledge from short-term to long-term memory. You really don’t “know” material until you can put it into words. So, next time you study, don’t do it silently. Talk about notes, problems, readings, etc. with friends recite to a chair, organize an oral study group. Pretend you’re teaching your peers. “Talk-learning” produces a whole host of memory traces that result in more learning.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!   

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Successful Students 5-6




Successful Students 5-6
5. Don’t sit in the back of the room. Successful students minimize classroom distractions that interfere with learning. Students want the best seat available for their entertainment dollars, but willingly seek the worst seat for their educational dollars. Students who sit in the back cannot possibly be their professor’s teammate (see no.4). Why do they expose themselves to the temptations of inactive classroom experiences and distractions of all the people between them and their instructor? Of course, we know they chose the back of the classroom because they seek invisibility or anonymity, both of which are antithetical to efficient and effective learning. If you are trying not to be part of the class, then why are you wasting your time? Push your hot buttons, is there something else you should be doing with your time?
6. Take good notes. Successful students take notes that are understandable and organized, and review them often.
Why put something into your notes you don’t understand? Ask the questions now that are necessary to make your notes while the material is still fresh on your mind helps your learn more. The more you learn then, the less you’ll have to include some deciphering time. The whole purpose of taking notes is to use them, and use them often. The more you use them, the more they improve.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!   

Monday, January 28, 2013

Student Success Statement


Student Success Statement
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
-Martin Luther King Jr.
This statement means it doesn't matter what time it is, it is always the right time to choose the right. And there will always be a time to choose the right. 

Successful Students 3-4



Successful Students 3-4
3. Ask questions. Successful students ask questions to provide the quickest route between ignorance and knowledge. In addition to securing knowledge you seek, asking questions has at least two other extremely important benefits. The process helps you pay attention to your professor and helps your professor pay attention to you! Think about it. If you want something, go after it. Get the answer now, or fail a question later. There are no foolish questions, only foolish silence. It’s your choice.
4. Learn that a student and a professor make a team. Most instructors want exactly what you want: they would like for you to learn the material in their respective classes and earn a good grade.
Successful students reflect well on the efforts of any teacher; if you have learned your material, the instructor takes some justifiable pride in teaching. Join forces with your instructor, they are not an enemy, you share the same interests, the same goals- in short, your teammates. Get to know your professor. You’re the most valuable players on the same team. Your jobs are to work together for mutual success. Neither wisher to chalk up a losing season. Be a team player.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT

Friday, January 25, 2013

Student Success Statement



Student Success Statement
“I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.”
-Ernest Hemingway
This statement means when you know you do good thing, you feels good after doing them. And when you do bad things, you feel bad after.

Successful Students 1-2


Successful Students 1-2
Successful students exhibit a combination of successful attitudes and behaviors as well as intellectual capacity. Successful students…
1.                Are responsible and active. Successful students get involved in their studies, accept responsibility for their own education, and are active participants in it! Responsibility means control. It’s the difference between leading and being led. Your own efforts control your grade, you earn the glory or deserve the blame you make the choice. Active classroom participation improves grades without increasing study time. You can sit there, act bored, daydream, or sleep. Or, you can actively listen, think, question, and take notes like someone in charge of their experience. Either option costs one class period. However, the former method will require a large degree of additional work outside of class to achieve the same degree of learning the latter provides at one sitting. The choice is yours.
2.                Have educational goals. Successful students have legitimate goals and are motivated by what they represent in terms of career aspirations and life’s desires.
Ask yourself these questions: What am I doing here? What have I chosen to be sitting here now? Is there some better place I could be? What does my presence here mean to me? Answer to these questions represent your “Hot Buttons” and are, without a doubt, the most important factors in your success as a college student. If your educational goals are truly yours, not someone else’s they will motivate a vital and positive academic attitude. It you are familiar with what these hot buttons represent and refer to them often, especially when you tire of being a student, nothing can stop you; if you aren't and don’t everything can and will!
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Student Success Statement


Student Success Statement
“My strength is as the strength of ten because my heart is pure.”
-Alfred, Lord Tennyson
This statement means if your heart is pure you will become a lot stronger mentally.

Study for Multiple Exams Part 3


Study for Multiple Exams Part 3
English, math, foreign language tips: Practice—especially foreign language. It is hard to success in a foreign language class if you are just showing and doing the work. But if you are in your room and look at objects and try to say them in a language you are learning it actually helps. Or if you send a simple text to a friend think about it, can you translate that to German or Spanish? These are the little things that will help. Here are my final words of wisdom for students who want to get better grades in college: Time management and organization are critical key factors to success in college. And never be afraid to go ask your teacher for help. They have office hours for a reason-use them!
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Jackie McConnell


The Tennessee walking horse: Summary

This story is about a man named Jackie McConnell. He trained horses for a living and was caught on tape, along with his employees torturing the horses. McConnell was a trained all the rich owners who wanted their Tennessee Walking Horses to dominate the competition. McConnell is now facing a federal indictment. They did a random check on the horses and found foreign substances on the legs of all 52 animals.    

Study for Multiple Exams Part 2




Study for Multiple Exams Part 2
My strategies for written assignments: Everyone has their own writing styles. I generally come up with an idea and do massive amounts of research before I ever think about writing. I then organize my research then sometimes prepare an outline before actually writing. I always print out the paper and come back to it the next day and reread it. That is the easiest way for me to catch my own mistakes. I have to give my eyes a break from it, and if I just wrote it I think it looks perfect. But if I look at it a day later I almost always find grammatical errors or phrases and sentences I just want to reword. How I succeed in team projects: Never assume someone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. Have regular meetings and have each member show their work, not just give you or the group their word for it.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Study for Multiple Exams Part 1


Study for Multiple Exams Part 1
How I study for multiple exams, deal with multiple projects: Really it is my time management that I explained above. If I see I have multiple things due or to study for all at the same time I spread out my time beforehand. For example, if I have a test Monday, and 2 test Tuesday then I will study for my Monday test Thursday and part of Friday. Start studying for my next test on the second half of Friday and part of Saturday, then my second Tuesday test on Saturday as well and part of Sunday. Then Sunday night I can review for my Monday test because I already studied for it. When that test is over I can begin reviewing for the other tests. My overall study method: I try to break it up over several days or at least two. I get bogged down if I try to pull an all-nigher. How I've overcome and initial bad grade: if I didn't prepare properly or I didn't use the right study habit for that class. I usually try to go over what I did wrong sometimes discuss with the teacher what I can do differently on the next exam or what they suggest I do for studying for the next exam.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!

Friday, January 18, 2013

Student Success Statement


Student Success Statement
“There is no instinct like that of the heart.”
-Byron
This statement means it’s better to follow your heart then your instinct because your instincts might not always be right but your heart will be.

Sarah’s Academic Success Story Part 2


Sarah’s Academic Success Story Part 2
My test study method: I have different strategies for different types of tests or subjects. For me, any type of math is exceptionally difficult so I had to spend extra time on that. I would go back through the homework problems focusing on the problems that I had extra difficulty on. Many times I would ask the teacher for additional study materials they could provide. If it was a class that required memorization or applying concepts I would create a sort of study guide for myself many times focusing on what were key focal points in the class. If I knew there were going to be essays I would try to take the terms and apply them to an example or create different questions on the concepts focused on throughout the semester.
My time management secret: I always carry a planner with me. I even use different color highlighters to show what each event on my calendar is for. For example, pink is personal, yellow is school, orange is work, blue is for appointments, and green is for my sorority. Although I use white-out frequently, I can see in bright yellow that if I have the project for finance due on Tuesday, I need to start working on it on [the previous] Wednesday so I can just get things accomplished but that is really all I do.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Sarah’s Academic Success Story Part 1


Sarah’s Academic Success Story Part 1 
Time management became a key factor in my study skills for college. In high school, there were times I was able to study for an hour or two the night before test and get away with it. This was not the case on college. I made sure in college I was prepared for each class. sometimes that meant writing out the terms for the chapter we read (even if when it isn't required) to better understand them. That way when the midterm or test comes around I was able to understand what I was studying. I started taking excellent notes in class in college. I may have done this in high school, but in college I started typing up the notes after class. this helped me remember what I just went over in class then when I had a test one week later I was more likely to remember then as well.
My overall study method: structured. One thing I learned was I had to adapt or change my study method according to the class. I couldn't study for a religion class the same way I studied for a finance class. but making sure I had enough time to study for each class—even if it meant carrying a planner with me at all times was a big part of my success.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Student Success Statement




Student Success Statement
“There is no set path, just follow you heart.”
-Anon
This statement means no one has a path set up for you in life so your free to make your own decisions. So just follow your dreams.

Work Together Part 3




Work Together Part 3
Here are my final words of wisdom for students who want to get better grades in college: A big thing that not many will say is to ask for help if you needed it. It’s not a bad thing to not understand, it’s a bad thing if you don’t do anything about it. Plan your time out so you are completing everything that needs to get done and leave time to double check. Write things down and have good time management skills. Ask for help is probably the biggest thing I can say though. If you don’t understand, go to office hours or find a classmate that does understand and I willing to help you. If you try hard, it will come to you. I find myself thinking that I would have to try harder to fail than I try to succeed. It is something that is within me to succeed. If that is not who you are, then hopefully things that I have done can show you that success is something amazing to find! Good Luck!
        CHOOSE THE RIGHT!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Work Together Part 1


Work Together Part 1
I can and will work as part of the team as long as everyone in the tam is willing to do his work. I don’t like having to pick up the slack, but I will if I know that my grade will be harmed otherwise. My greatest academic success was in my first semester when I had to write a 10-12 page research paper. It was the longest paper I had ever been assigned and I was a little scared. Also, it was the first paper where they were like; here you go, just write about something. I had to argue I favor of or against something, but it could be anything from the sky is blue to hypnotism. I wrote mine on hypnotism. I worked on this paper for weeks and weeks. Every night I would be doing research or writing. I put so much effort into this paper. It ended up being just fewer than 12 pages, but it was full on information. I turned it in and when I got it back a week or so later, I had received the first A+ of my college career. All my hard work paid off because I got the grade I deserved. I was really happy and proud of myself.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Student Success Statement


Student Success Statement
“Try a little harder to be a little better.”
-Gordon B. Hinckley

This statement means, when you work hard you become a better person. It only takes a little for you to become a better person. For example, just doing simple deeds like doing what you’re supposed to be doing and always follow directions.

You Can Succeed Everyday Part 2


You Can Succeed Everyday
Part 2
My strategies for written assignments: I try to outline before I write because otherwise I forget what I am supposed to be talking about. I try not to leave them until the last minute because then I will just goof up the work. A lot of times I just write what I feel. Teachers like your opinion and if you can find something from the reading or research that relates specifically to your life, they like it even more because it allows you to take ownership of your work. I write things that I want others to read; not things that I have to write because the teacher said so.
How I succeed in team projects: Personally, I do not like working on group projects, especially ones that I worked on in high school. However, when it is required to work in a group, usually I try to lead. I like taking the lead because then I know that my grade will be a good one. I do well in school, I always have and I don’t plane on changing that anytime soon, so when I need to work with people who maybe don’t care as much as I do, or they have more time to waste on things other than the projects, I try to be in charge. That way I know that things are going to get done on time and that I am going to get a good grade. If I am working in a group of people who all want to work, then it is a different story.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Tiger Woods ignores his Needy Brother


Tiger Woods ignores his Needy Brother
In this story about Tiger Woods, it states that his half-brother Kevin is very sick and can’t pay his house bill. So he reaches out for his brother in his time of need. Tiger Woods has not responded to his ever since. His other brother also tried to contact him, but still doesn't respond. In my opinion he is being selfish toward his brother. He has a lot of money and can’t even give a little to his brother, and that’s sad. If I was in his situation, I wouldn't think twice about giving my brother money because that’s the right thing to do. 

You Can Succeed Every Day Part 1


You Can Succeed Every Day
Part 1
My overall study method: I break up studying over several days and over the course of the evening and day. Cramming never works for me so I try not to do it. I will have longer sessions on nights before big tests, but I never stay up much later than normal before tests. I know that if I take the test tired the next day I will not do as well if I was rested.
How I’ve overcome an initial bad grade: I usually look over the test or paper to see what I did that the teacher did not want. Basically, I do not stress out about grades that much because for me they are not worth getting really upset about. I do well because I know that I know the material. However, if I do get a bad grade, or one lower than I expected, I make sure that the next time a test is coming I study even more so that I won’t be surprised by the questions.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Student Success Statement


Student Success Statement
“I shall pass through this life but once. Any god therefore that I can do, or any kindness I can show, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall never pass this way again.”
-Etienne de Grellet
This statement means you only live once so while you’re living you should be kind to others and do good things. Also, you should not do bad thing because when you pass you will not be able to do good things and you’ll regret it.

Effective Study Methods Part 3


Effective Study Methods
Part 3
How I deal with multiple projects/tests: When I have more than one test or project, I break up my studying. I will study for one test for 30 minutes or so and then switch to the other one. If there is some part of a project that I know will not take me very long, I will do it when I don’t have much time. If I am really in a crunch for time on a specific day, I will study for one test in the morning and the other in the afternoon or at night. By breaking up the studying into different sections, I feel like I get much more done. Cram sessions do not work for me. I need something for a shorter period of time more often for it to sink in.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Effective Study Methods Part 2


Effective Study Methods
Part 2
My time management secret: My secret is to use time wisely. I know that on certain days I do not have time to run errands or hang out with friends even. Each minute of each day is used for something. One thing that works really well for me is to write everything down. I mean everything. I write down if I am going to email people, write letters, or study. It works for me to have a planner that goes by the days and shows me what I am going to be doing every day. Knowing what I have to do every day helps me plan out my weeks and days. If I know that I don’t have time on Tuesday, I will try to get more things done on Monday or Sunday. I plan ahead, especially if I am going to be on the road for volleyball. When I am on the road, I bring my books and read on the bus/plane/hotel room. Missing class is killer to make up from, but if you are upfront with your professors, they are usually nice about having to turn things in late or not being in classes.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!

Monday, January 7, 2013

My Three Week Vacation

During my vaction I didn't really do anything exciting. I stayed at home most of the time with my family. Other then staying with my family, I went to a lot of places with my friends from my old school. Over all my vacation was very fun and relaxing.  

Effective Study Methods

Part 1

My test study method: When it comes time to study for the test, I usually start 2-3 days before the test. I go through my notes and make flashcards on what was important for those sections, paying special attention to what the teacher said would be on the tests if there was a review session. Also, I go through the book and read the inset stories and add to my flashcards. If there are practice problems or online assignments or old tests, I use those to help me study for the test as well. Once the test is over, I keep the flashcards so that I have them for the net test or for the final. Flashcards are a marvelous learning tool. The key to remembering something is to repeat it numerous times-spaced rehearsal. If you forget something, it is because you haven’t repeated it enough times for an extended period of time. Repetition is a law of learning; therefore, to learn and remember , to recall, it is mandatory that you repeat over and over things you desire to learn and remember. You may be thinking, “Oh, no, repeating something.” You need to get used to it. For example, the more you practice a song on the piano, the better you become at playing that song. Learning and remembering is like playing the piano-the more you practice saying or doing it the better you can remember it. Look now at what you remember. You remember it because you have repeated it numerous times since first being exposed to it. So, practice rehearsing those things you desire to remember, and they will stick with you.

PracticeàProficiencyàPleasure

The better you remember, the more pleasure you obtain from studying and learning.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!