June 19, 2013 Cyndy McDonald

Ferah Aziz

Preparing Students for College: Academic Life

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Guest Presenter: Ferah Aziz

•  College Coach at launchphase2 •  Instructor at IBMC since 1995 •  Courses

•  Student Success •  Career Marketing •  Accounting & Business

Text/Source: Ellis, D. (2013) Becoming a Master Student, Boston, MA : Cengage Learning

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Today’s Webinar

§  College is Different

§  Setting Goals

§  Time Management

§  Being Resourceful

§  Study Habits & Skills

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The Difference High School College

Day is filled with classes back-back Day can have gaps/classes days/times vary

Class attendance is mandatory Attendance policies vary

Course grades include homework, performance & test grades

Test grades are primary source of course grades

Outside study time is little-none Generally expected to spend 2-3 hours of study for each 1 hour in class

Teachers give LOTS of guidance/reminders Instructors EXPECT students to manage their own learning

Teachers are accessible in classroom Instructors are available based on posted office hours

Test/Quizzes frequently: covering small amounts of material

Tests are infrequent; covering large amounts of material

Teachers/parents give reminders of assignment due dates

Instructors expect students to follow the sylabus and don’t remind students of due dates

Building Student Awareness

Keys to Success

§  Understanding

differences

§  Preparing for differences

§  Making a Plan for

Success

Student Portal Empowers Students §  Following a project

management system in college planning

§  Build on experience

§  Use MyCCA for preparation

§  Students can transfer skills

Self Awareness

§  Learning Styles §  Personality Type §  Vision & Goals §  Values

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Preparation: Create Goals

Identify Different Areas of Life for Goal Setting: §  Academic Life §  Extra-Curricular Life §  Family Life §  Social Life §  Spiritual Life §  Responsibilities §  “Me Time”

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Specific Goals

Academic Goals: GPA of 3.5, Study for 3 hrs. daily

Sports Goals: Shave 12 seconds from best time

Family Goal: Spend 1 hr. with sister each week

Me-time: Spend 2 hrs. reading, gaming or

long-boarding every weekend.

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Goals by Time Periods

Short Term Goals i.e This Semester §  Join Environmental Club Medium Term Goals i.e. One Year §  Run for Leadership Position in Club Long Term Goals i.e. Four Years §  Get into College with Environmental Science

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Time Management

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1. Use a Planner 2. Code Areas i.e. academics, family life, spirituality by color or by priority

H – high priority or urgent M- important L- least important or negotiable

Time Management Tips

§  Track time to discover time wasters

§  Learn to say “no”

§  Avoid perfectionism

§  Complete most difficult tasks first

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Student Success Tips

§  Start Day One! §  Set up for success: - study time - location - eliminate distractions §  Do not miss class! §  Keep focused & engaged

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Student Success Tips: Be Resourceful

§  Complete assignments on or ahead of time §  The top students

•  Visit professors early on, and regularly •  Seek help from tutors

§  Form Study Groups •  Ideal number in group is four •  Pre-plan, agenda, assign roles

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Memorization Tips

§  Association §  Acrostics, or acronyms §  Rhymes or jingles §  Continuum §  Mnemonics §  Engage as many senses as possible

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Memorization

RRRRR’s! §  Repeat §  Recite §  Rewrite §  Review §  Reread ….and repeat again!

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Reading Tips

Reading loads in college significantly greater: §  Preview/scan §  Question §  Outline §  Highlight less than 10%

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Efficient Reading

§  Need not read every word (depends)

§  Charts, Diagrams, Fonts, Headings

§  Practice Speed Reading Techniques

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Effective Reading §  When reading material is tough: - Take a break, read out loud

- Pretend you understand, and try to explain it

- Refer to other sources, including professor, class-

mates, or study groups

- RRRR’s (Re-Read, Review, Repeat, Re-Write)

Note Taking Tips

§  Cornell Method

§  Mind Mapping, Outlining

§  Suspend judgment

§  Listen for transitions, repetition

§  Written Material (on board or power points)

§  Watch instructor’s eyes

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Cornell Method

- Use 2 columns

- Take notes on left

- Write headings/

questions on right

- Use bottom for

reflection

Note Taking Tips

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•  Color Code

•  Notes in Margins, Cross Referencing

•  Rewrite, re-type, re-read, recite notes (RRRR’s)

Test Preparation

§  Start Day One (office hours, tutors as needed) §  Daily, weekly, major reviews §  Make Practice Tests §  Open Book Tests (not easier, - prepare material) §  Study Groups (different learning styles) §  RRRR’s including old quizzes, tests §  Don’t Cram! If you must, then prioritize & RRRR

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Test Taking Tips

§  Scan test. Plan and prioritize allotted time §  Read questions/directions carefully §  Start with Easy Questions §  Notice the Devil in the Details! §  True/False: Absolute Qualifiers (never, always) Written in negative?

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Answering Essay Questions

§  Answer what is asked (understand prompt) §  Make outline §  Repeat stem (question being asked) in answer §  Get to the point in the beginning (answer or

thesis) §  Write legibly (ask about scrap paper in

beginning) §  KISS rule (be succinct)!

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Ways to Test Reduce Anxiety

§  Take care of Self (Sleep, Exercise, Diet) §  Keep perspective: Test grade is how you did on

the test, not a predictor of success/intelligence §  Acknowledge Feelings §  Practice Detachment §  Practice Positive Self-Talk §  Professional Help May Be Needed

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Critical Thinking

§  Open Thinking §  See Many Points of View §  Watch for “Hot Spots” §  Discern Fact vs. Opinion §  Consider the Source (credible, agenda, bias) §  Be Willing to Change View

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Student Success Summary

§  Know Self: Stick to Goals and Priorities §  Time Management is Key §  Start Day One! §  RRRRR’s §  Celebrate Mistakes §  Struggle is Good (how we learn) §  Do the Best You Can

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Start Students Now!

§  Use Student Portal

§  Set goals at beginning

§  Follow up with goals

§  Use Find My Spark

§  Communicate!

3 Next steps!

§  Sign-up for a free preview of GuidedPath™ •  www.mycca.net/preview •  We will send you information later this summer with

information on how get started

§  Join a live demo to learn more about features and get your questions answered •  June 18th @ 10a.m. PDT

https://mycca.net/seminars-events

§  Send your questions to info@mycca.net

Questions?

Contact Ferah Aziz at - 720-340-8111 - ferah_aziz@launchphase2.com You may also outsource student success coaching for your students. Ferah is available via Skype for student success coaching.

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