Welcome to Meridian Career Institute

Strategies for SuccessAttend every class: attendance is half of

your battle. Going to class allows you to engage yourself in the material.

Be an active participant: be on time, sit in the front, participate, ask questions, be alert

Go to class prepared: preview all reading assignments, highlight key ideas and concepts, question things you don’t understand.

Strategies for SuccessWrite a summary: after reading & after

class, summarize what you learned that day. Know your instructors: call them by their

proper title, email them, call them, or visit during school hours to ask questions.

Know expectations: read your syllabus and know your deadlines

Join a study team: Studying in a group allows you to test each other

Strategies for SuccessOrganize your study space: create a place

just for school.Map out your day, week, & term: Don’t

wait ‘til the last minute for assignments – write down all of your deadlines in a planner (see downloads on the LRC’s blog)

Get help early: Know what resources are available to you

Stay Healthy: proper nutrition, rest, work & play

Strategies for SuccessReview often: after class and within 24

hours again. Ask questions: no question is ever a dumb

question. If you don’t know or don’t understand - ask.

Make school a top priority: don’t overload yourself with work/activities. This is about you – put YOU first!

Strategies for SuccessTake responsibility for your education: Even if your instructor is not “your cup of tea”

you can succeed. Be flexible and adapt to each instructor. Know your material and be ready for each class. This is your education and don’t let someone else stand in your way.

Learning StylesLeft brain verses right brain:

Left Brain – Dominant Right Brained Dominant

Feels more comfortable with facts

Feels more comfortable with feelings

Thinks rationally based on reason & logic

Thinks based on hunches and feelings

Uses concrete thinking Uses abstract thinking

Makes lists & notes Uses visuals & color

Is concerned about time Lives in the moment

Likes a sense of order Likes a sense of space

Likes well organized lectures

Likes group work & open ended class discussions

Learning StylesA person who learns better by reading is: Visual

A person who learns better by listening is: Auditory

A person who learns better by touch and activity is: Kinesthetic

Visual LearnersTend to:

Picture this See what I mean Be right brain dominantRemember what they see better than what they

hearLike charts and picturesTry to sit close to the instructor

Visual LearnersPrefer written directionsLearns better when someone shows themLikes to read, highlight, and take notesKeeps a “to do” list for the weekFast thinkers and gesture frequently when

talkingCommunicate clearly, concisely, and watch

facial expressionsLike to read for pleasure and to learn

Auditory LearnersRely on hearing Good listeners, but are easily distractedStudy breaks = listen to musicTend to:

Be left brainedRemember what they hear better

than what they see

Auditory LearnersLike organized lectures in a logical sequenceLike to listen to music and talk on the

telephonePlan the week by talking it throughRhyming wordsLearn best when they hear an assignment as

well as see it.

Kinesthetic LearnersWell-coordinatedTouch thingsLearn best by doingLike being outsideRelate to material they

are doing“ I have a gut feeling”

Kinesthetic LearnersTend to:

Be right brainedCreate an experienceHands on activitiesBuild & put things togetherUse models & physical activityApply information to real lifeDraw, doodle, use games & puzzles, play

computer games

Time Management SkillsCommitted Time:

School, studying, working, commuting

Maintenance Time:Eating, sleeping,

groomingDiscretionary Time:

Time that is yours to use as you please

Time Management SkillsSet Priorities

Urgent Priorities: pressing, deadline-drivenImportant Priorities: essential activities that

support long term goals and create resultsOngoing Activities: require continual attention

and may be urgent but may not be importantTrivial Activities: daily stuff of life

Time ManagementKeep a calendarCreate a daily to-do listDo the tough tasks firstBreak projects down into smaller tasksConsolidate similar tasksStudy at high energy termsStudy everywhere & anywhereStudy in short segments OrganizationBe flexible, patient & persistent

Time ManagementWhy was there a picture of a frog on the last

slide?

Eat the frog first – get the tasks done that you don’t want to do.

Time Management & Learning Styles

Left brain people like:Routine, structure & deadlinesConvergent thinkers: good at several unrelated items & bring order

Right brain people like: Variety, flexibility, creativity, innovationDivergent thinkers: one idea to many

Overcoming ObstaclesStop procrastinatingSet daily prioritiesBreak the project downGather everything you needFocus for short spurts Supportive peopleDifficult tasks during high energyPositive attitudeReward yourselfDon’t expect perfection

Control InterruptionsCreate an organized place to studyDetermine your optimal time to studyCreate quiet timeStudy in the Learning Resource CenterDo first things first Just say noCommunication is the key to juggling: work, home, & school

Listen & Take Effective NotesPrepare to listen:

Be willing to listenBe open to new ideasPosition yourself to listenReduce distractionsShow that you are listening

Listen & Take Effective NotesStay Attentive:

Be quietStay focusedShow empathy, respect, and interestObserve the speakerPredict & ask questionsIntegrate your learning stylesPostpone judgmentDon’t get caught up in drama

Listen & Take Effective NotesReview what you have heardCornell System of note taking:

Largest portion of notes on right hand side Clues on left Bottom left open for review/summary

Listen & Take Effective NotesMind Maps

Start with one concept Map starts with main idea in center of pageBranches out with subtopics

Choose the option that is best for you:

Copy what is on the boardTake notes in the textbook or on paperHighlight areas in your book that are covered in

classFlash cardsTake notes on syllabus when instructor changes

information

Listen & Take Effective Notes

Listen & Take Effective NotesPreview the materialGo to every class & pay attentionBe on timeSit up frontUse all your sensesMake note-taking active and physicalLink information

Listen & Take Effective NotesUse creative shorthand and focus on key

wordsOrganize your notesUse note cardsExpand on notes from othersUse your laptop

Listen & Take Effective NotesAccess and review your notes:

Summarize in your own wordsEdit & revise your notesCreate a sample test Use visual cuesReview your notesMonitor and evaluate – try different techniques

Test Taking SkillsBefore the test

Start on day oneKnow expectationsAsk questions in classKeep upReview earlyReview weeklyDo a final review

Test Taking SkillsBefore the test

Use memory techniquesCreate sample testsSummarizeStudy teamAvailable resourcesAssemble what you need

Test Taking SkillsDuring the test

Write down key informationRead & listen to all instructionsDetermine which questions are worth the most Answer objective questions

Easy ones first, then go backAnswer essay questionsAnswer remaining questionsReviewDon’t change your answers unless you know for

certain you have made a mistakeDon’t second guess yourself

Test Taking SkillsAfter the Test

Reward yourselfAnalyze & Assess

Confirm grade Determine common types of mistakes Learn what to do next time

Review with your instructorReview with study team

True/FalseListen & read carefullyPay attention to detailWatch for qualifiers (always, never, all)Watch for faulty cause & effect

Because this happens, then this occursAlways answer every questionTrust your instincts

Multiple ChoiceRead the question carefullyRephrase the questionCover the potential answersEliminate choicesComplete easy, then move to difficultWatch for combinations (all of the above,

none of the above)Use critical thinking

Matching & Fill in the BlankMatching

Read carefullyEliminate

Fill in the blankWatch for cluesCount the number of blanksWatch for the length of the blankAnswer the ones you know firstAnswer all questions

Open Book TestPrepareStudyYou have to know where the material is coming from in order to make concept workRequires critical thinking, not just recall

Don’t copy right from the book; use your own words

Make sure you have all of your notesAnswering quickly is the key!

EssayPrepareUnderstand concepts and relationships, not

just factsBudget your writing timeRead the question completely & answer ALL

parts of the questionCreate an outlineFocus on main points

EssayWrite concisely & correctlyUse key terms & phrasesAnswer completelyWrite neatlyUse all the available time

Research PapersAPA Format

Handout providedLRC’s Website Plagiarism Don’t wait for the last minutePrepare earlyFirst, second & third drafts

Routine advisingEach moduleMeeting with advisor

How are you?What do you need assistance with?GradesLife concerns

ReferencesPeak Performance: Success in College &

Beyond Sharon K. Ferrett (2010) McGraw Hill