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LCN encourages readers to modify and personalize the information in
the following handout by Dennis Congos to fit the needs of your students
and institution. Please include an appropriate citation of the source
on any handouts you distribute.
- Choose your college education as your #1 job.
It takes time to do the job of learning properly at the college level.
If you choose college as a high priority in your life, it is easier
to do the work necessary to succeed and graduate.
- Learn how to organize and manage your time.
The single toughest challenge for many college students is to organize
and manage the time essential for college success. A very helpful tool
is a weekly calendar book used to plan each week's activities: class
attendance, studying, appointments, meetings, jobs, free time, etc.
Record all due dates for homework papers, projects etc. and record all
quiz and test dates,
- One of the worst places to study is where you live.
One's residence is a poor place to study due to distractions and potential
distractions such as roommates, TV's, telephones, stereos, beds, refrigerators,
souvenirs, pets, visitors, chores, etc. Many students have found the
less frequently visited areas of a campus library a non-distractive
environment for concentration and study.
- Treat college like an 8-hour/day & 40 hours/week job.
This is an easy model to follow because most college students would
be working about 40 hours per week if they did not attend college. Non-college
degree jobs usually do not pay well and the opportunities for advancement
without a college degree are more limited. Investing 8 hours per day
and 40 hours per week into attending class and studying can bring large
returns such as graduation and full-time employment in your major.
- Set up a team for your college success.
Write down a list of people you include on your team for your college
success. Include the names of your academic advisor, instructors, teaching
assistants, lab assistants, math lab staff, writing lab staff, tutors,
Supplemental Instruction leaders, personal counselor, learning skills
advisor, career counselor, student affairs staff members, resident assistants,
housing staff member, etc. These people's jobs and expertise exist solely
to help you to succeed, and if you choose, to excel, in college.
- Adhere to important university dates and deadlines.
Contrary to popular opinion, university deadlines, policies, and procedures
are in place to smooth and speed your progress to graduation. As many
students have discovered, "Success in college is mostly a matter
of following simple directions." Read your college catalog carefully
and record important dates and deadlines in your calendar book. Be aware
of requirements such as writing requirements, the skills assessment
tests, fee payment deadlines, add/drop and withdrawal deadlines, etc.
- Attend class regularly and do not arrive late.
In class, the instructor discusses at least ½ of the possible
exam material. It is quite difficult to learn from another's notes,
so be there to take your own. Furthermore, frequent absences or repeatedly
arriving late communicates to the instructor that you are not that concerned
about class. Remember that same instructor assigns your grade.
- Dare to be different.
Nearly 60% of freshmen in your class will not be at graduation with
you. Therefore, you increase your chances of not graduating by 60% if
you party, go out, socialize, or play before getting the job of learning
done first. Be different. Be successful.
- Choose your friends carefully.
A friend is someone who supports, encourages, and helps you achieve
your academic and personal growth goals in college. Beware of those
whose social life is out of proportion to academic efforts. Human beings
tend to become like the people with which they surround themselves.
- Balance college to include academic growth and personal growth
activities.
Many students find college life boring if they neglect personal growth
activities. Some of these important personal growth activities are belonging
to clubs and campus organizations, attending social events, participation
in residence hall or campus students government activities, attending
athletic events, joining intramural sports, attending cultural activities,
etc. Doing the job of going to class and studying before engaging in
personal growth activities is a successful way to balance college life.
- I lied. Here is number 11.
People become better at that which they practice. If you practice not
doing algebra problems, take a guess at what you become rather good
at. Practice does improve performance. For example, an athlete does
not have to like practicing a sport, but practice improves performance
at that sport. Learning is no different. You will become better at that
which you practice. So, what are you practicing? Will that practice
move you toward your goals and graduation?
Questions or comments? Contact the author at dcongos@mail.ucf.edu.
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