TIPS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

  1. Recognize when you are in TROUBLE and get help by whatever means are necessary.

    TROUBLE= any exam or quiz where you receive 2 letter grades lower than you are used to receiving or expected to receive.

  2. Use a Reputable source to get help.

    • Do not just use your buddy or the guy two doors down who may be doing the same as you.

    • Go to your Professors

    • The Academic Center for Excellence

    • Find a student with a proven track record or academic success in the subject and with tutoring others.

    • Use On-Line Tutoring and Resources

  3. Ask Good Questions.

    • Blanket statements to Professors and tutors like “ I just don’t get it or I don’t understand” will not lead to a useful session.

    • Questions should be specific. examples like I don’t understand how you got Y from X, or I got lost once I got this step in the equation, why did you apply that formula, How did you synthesize R + S to get T?

    • As your are working problems and studying keep a log or notepad of where you struggle.

  4. Prepare in Advance

    • Read over lecture outlines and chapters before class. This increases focus and understanding

    • Be studying for your next exam 2 days after you take the previous one

  5. Study Effectively.

    • Read a little at a time.

    • Don’t just highlight to highlight text.

    • Ask your self questions as you go. Do I understand what I just read? Can I explain it to someone else? How does this relate to what we are covering in class?

    • Plan for Peak times of concentration. Determine when you focus the best. Reserve high focus times for intensive study. Use less efficient time periods for rewriting or organizing notes, researching or easy tasks.

    • Practice Distributed Learning. Learning is more effective when spread over several study sessions. Study a subject one hour each night for 3 nights rather than cramming three hours of study into one night.

    • Use Daylight hours to Study. Research shows each hour of studying done in daylight hours equals one and half hours studying in the evening.

    • Attack the difficult subjects first each day. Your most effective studying will be when your mind is alert and fresh.

    • Schedule your study into blocks of time. Give your self a 10-20 minute break before beginning again.

  6. Manage your Time.

    • Do work everyday in every class

    • Work without distractions. Find a quiet place to study and focus

    • Plan ahead. Look at sports and extra curricular schedules be aware of team movements and do school work in advance.

  7. DO NOT PANIC!

    • A few bad grades will not sink you. You can pull your grade up.

    • It is not a matter of not being smart enough or getting the “bad” professor. It is a matter of EFFORT.

    • Take Action now and each day. Find resources and use them daily.

    • Create a realistic study plan and execute it daily

    • Use those spare 15 minutes through out the day to work a problem, read a chapter, or study.

    • Don’t waste your energy in a frustrating attempt tp conquer what you can’t control. Focus your energy on what you can change.

  8. ASK FOR HELP!!

    1. Everyone around you is struggling with something. KP is hard. Plebe Life is hard. Remember you are all in this together. You will get through this together.