Getting Adjusted to the English Dept. at FJCU Presented by Doris L. W. Chang

Presentation Outline  I. Study Attitude & Strategies –Study for Yourself  II. Time/Stress/Money Management  III. Communication with Teachers –Mutual Respect  IV. Group Discussion Strategies –Friendship & Efficiency

Study Attitude & Strategies Study for Yourself A. Figure out what you want: --Self-Understanding & Career Plan B. University Education Requires Independent, Critical, and Analytical Thinking 1.Preview, Participation, Review for the Courses 2.Research, Thinking, and Writing for the Course 3.Group Discussions & Peer Learning 4.Reports and Presentations

Study Attitude & Strategies Study for Yourself C. The English Dept. provides/requires more than English Language Training 1. Develop your humanistic concerns, independent, analytical, critical thinking and creativity 2. Respect your teachers, your peers, and yourself D. Career Plan, Detail Semester/Weekly Plans E. Benefit from the Courses and Resources F. Study Strategies

Time Management A. Figure out  a workable semester schedule and  weekly schedules so that you can allocate enough time to finish the course assignments B. Organize and Prepare in Advance C. Make use of fragment time D. Balance between study and recreation E. Concentrate on what you are doing F. Benefit from efficient people & study strategies G. Benefit from effective group discussions

1. Studying in the English Dept. could be stressful 2. Cope with the stress by facing them and solve them 3. Don’t be afraid to talk to teachers and classmates 4. Divide heavy homework into small units and finish them one by one 5. DON’T wait till the last minute!!! Stress Management

Money Management 1. Income/expenses Balance Sheet 2. Financial Plan 3. Balance between part-time job and study 4. Benefit from Scholarships

III. Communication with the Faculty—Mutual Respect A. Inform the Teachers about your absence with acceptable excuses and sincerity B. Show up on time and pay attention in class C. Respect your teachers and classmates, don’t read other texts or talk when someone else is talking, you don’t want others to treat you this way, either.

Communicate with the Teachers D. Communicate with the teachers directly if you have any comments, suggestions, or difficulties.  Don ’ t backbite, show indifference, or complain without trying to solve the problems. Both you and the teachers may work out a better course if you communicate well.

Communicate with Teachers E. Talk to your advisors or teachers you trust if your problems are personal, and if you dare not approach the teachers personally. F. Talk to the teachers or the department chair if you fail to communicate with the teacher G. If the problems concern the whole class, communicate with the teachers or the chair as a group H. Remember, Unresolved problems can only hinder your development

A.Schedule the discussion agenda well so that you finish discussions efficiently, don ’ t waste time chatting or gossiping. Get down to the point and celebrate your friendship later. B. Have everyone in the group assigned a job and prepare for the group discussions before you meet. C.Take turns, choose a group leader to ensure that everyone is contributing to the discussions IV. Group Discussion Strategies—Friendship & Efficiency

D.Take turns, have a secretary to compile the results of your discussions; everyone may give his/her part to the secretary. Remember, the leader or the secretary is not to do all the jobs. They just coordinate everyone’s contribution to the group discussions.

IV. Group Discussion Strategies—Friendship & Efficiency E.What if not everyone is responsible in the group? 1.Help each other, don ’ t hurt your friend by giving them extra burden doing your job. You learn noting in the group project if you don ’ t do your job. 2.The teacher may tell who is working and who is not working hard by your group reports. 3. Indicate in your report who is responsible for which part if you feel the load is not equally shared.

Welcome to the English Dept. at FJCU Enjoy Yourself Here!!!