SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies “Approach” is a key factor in any...

SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201

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Academic Success Strategies

• “Approach” is a key factor in any professional career preparation.

• A good approach is to work “hard” and “smart”.• Working ”smart” involves:

1. Structuring your life situation2. Seeking help when you need it3. Making good use of educational opportunities4. Making good use of your professors5. Avoiding certain behaviors6. Demonstrating certain “winning” behaviors7. Utilizing student services8. Developing good study habits 9. Using good test taking skills10.Managing you time wisely


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1. Structure you life situation:• Living arrangements - On or near campus is best.• Balance work and school - both can’t be full time!

• Typical lecture course is 3 credits (3 hrs/wk)• Lab course is 4 credits (lecture plus 1 sch lab) • 10 hrs/wk - Full Load, 15-18 sch, 5-6 courses• 20 hrs/wk - Min. Full Load, 12 sch, 4 courses• 40 hrs/wk - Part-Time, 6 - 8 sch, 2 courses• Obviously, fewer courses, more years of study!

• Influence of family and friends• Family and friends can provide a support

structure• The more stable, the better


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2. Don’t hesitate to seek help.• Your peers - friends and study groups• Your professors

• Find out how to get in touch - phone & email• Office hours

• SWTJC Ace Lab• Help with math, science, English, etc.• Plato Learning System

• SWTJC library - information and research• Most successful students participate in a variety of

activities with peers and professors.• You must learn to communicate and interact

effectively, both now and when you go to work.


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3. Make good use of your educational opportunities.• Teaching modes:

• Large lecture - 300+ students• Small lecture - 25 to 30 students• Recitations - Teaching assistant and 8-10

students• One-on-one tutoring• Subject expert “teaches” a neophyte• Learning with these modes is limited!• Teaching modes don’t matter if learning modes

are not engaged


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3. Make good use of your educational opportunities.• Learning modes

• Solitary, the “lone wolf” approach• Collaborative - Most effective!

• Come early to class and talk to other students.

• Hang around the sub and library, talk to students you recognize.

• Organize a study group.• Include a “brain” in the group.• Ask the prof to attend a study session.


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4. Make good use of your professors.• Provide one-on-one instruction - office hours.• Provide academic and career advising.• Monitor your progress and hold you accountable.• Help you find a summer job.• Serve as a reference when you look for a job.• Nominate you for a scholarship or award.• It pays to win over you professor! How?

• Show respect.• Show interest and pay attention in class.• Be responsible.• Don’t make excuses!


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5. Behaviors to avoid:• Coming in late to class.• Sleeping in class.• Not paying attention - surfing the Internet.• Doing homework in class.• Leaving class early.• Failing to do homework or preparing for exams.• Asking “Did I miss anything?”• Correcting his/her mistakes in an antagonistic

manner. • General complaining...grades, exams, homework.

• Sending non-verbal messages.


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6. Winning behaviors:• Be on time to class.• Pay attention and show interest.• Ask meaningful questions.• Apply yourself to the job at hand.• Offer compliments and constructive criticism.• Show an interest in things the prof is interested in.


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7. Utilize other student services.• Tutoring services.

• ACE labs• Student Support Services

• Career center• Financial aid office.• Health office• Library• Counseling advising


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8. Develop good study habits.• Study ahead. Getting behind is the “Kiss of death”.• Master the material from a previous class before the

next class.• Begin doing the reading and homework assignments

immediately. Don’t cram!• Problem solutions always look “easy” when the prof

does it in class.• Recopy your notes. Keep all your work! • Rework all examples.• Rework exam problems you miss.

• Sit up front in lecture and “focus” your attention.• Ask questions. Don’t ever gloss over things you don’t

understand.


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9. Develop test taking strategies.• The harder you work as you go, the less cramming

will be needed.• On a test, go through it and work the easy problems

first. Then go back and work the ones you are unsure of.

• If you get stuck, go on and come back to it.• Check you answers!!!• Apply the “reasonableness” test. In the first two year

of college, there are no stupid questions, but I’ve seen lots of stupid answers on tests and homework!

• Never leave a question blank, you might get lucky!


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10.Manage your time. • Study at least two hours outside of class for every

hour in class. (Example: ENGR 1201 - 4 hrs/wk)• Make up a weekly schedule and stick to it.• Make a serious commitment to study time. Study first

and play last!• Use a long term planner. Don’t let exams and major

assignments slip up on you.


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• Again, plan to work “hard” and “smart”.• There are no guarantees in life, but you can increase the

odds in your favor!

SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies “Approach” is a key factor in any...

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