SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR (ENGINEERING) COLLEGE STUDENTS By Dr. Hong Zhang

Classroom skills

Prepare for Class  The night before, read  Corresponding chapter of the textbook  Handout  Notes from previous lectures  Other recommended reading  Write down any questions you wanted to ask  Rest well

Prepare for Class  Eat breakfast  Leave early and be on time  Briefly review your notes

In Class  Avoid distractions  Cell phone, text messaging, iPod, etc.  Hunger  Windows & doors  Friends (esp. noisy friends)  Restroom needs

In Class  Focus & Concentrate  Strategy for common tune off situations  Heard it before -> what’s new here  Day dreaming -> deep breath and focus  Difficult topic -> preview and review  Different opinions -> similarity and diffferences  Question yourself and instructor

Listening Skills  Full attention  Listen the full sentence  Think after listening  Get the main idea  Pay attention to beginning, end, and repeated words.  Ask questions  Relate to your prior knowledge

Thinking is Fast  Thinking is much faster (4x) than talking.  Listening can go further with thinking  Hearing: the words  Understanding: the meaning  Judging: the reasoning

Note Taking  Lecture is an active, learning process Listen  Think  Record  Review  Grasp the key ideas, numbers, and concepts  Use structures, headings, divides, highlights, underlines, arrows, etc.  Summarize words to tables, charts, diagrams  Use abbreviation

Note Taking ≠ Speech to Text  Compare  Freshman Engineering Clinic meets 2 days a week at Monday from 8:25am to 9:15am and Tuesday from 8:00am to 10:40am.  Fr. Clinic M 8:25 – 9:15 am T 8:00 – 10:40 am

References in Note  Reference books & articles can save you time in classroom  Use hand-outs as note companion  Write down questions for in-lecture or after class communication  Generously leave spaces

After Class  Review notes ASAP  Compare notes with  Your peers  References  Previous class notes

Note Processing  Getting thicker – Enrich notes with more content, different format, highlights, personal thoughts, etc.  Getting organized – Number pages, use dividers, digitize notes  Getting thinner – Summarize notes to 1 page

Math in Class  These can be found in textbook  Definitions  Theorems  Derivations  These should put in notes  Examples  Ways of analysis  Tricks and tips

Group Study  Small group (2~4)  Dedicated time and location  Be serious  Someone acts as organizer  Compare notes, brainstorm solutions, ask questions, but NOT copy answers

Test taking skills

Study for test  Go over examples and homework problems  Review methods and strategies to solve problems, not the numbers  Select a few problems to solve from start to finish  Brainstorm possible problems or questions

Prepare for Test  A crib sheet (either open or closed-book)  Enough rest  Eat an hour before test  Dual alarm clock (and away from your reach)  Back up transportation  Pack your bag before going to bed

Before the Test  Don’t panic!  Arrive early and familiarize the room  Ready yourself  Relax  Re-check the tools (pencil, eraser, calculator, etc. )  Re-check the notes, books, crib sheets, and handbooks if they are allowed

Taking the Test  Read the entire exam first  Choose from easy to difficult  Read the problem/question carefully, and make sure you answer what was asked.  Budget your time

Taking a Test  Show your work  Keep your work legible  Think partial credit  If you have a question, then ASK.  Check and re-check if time allows  Hand-in your paper when time is called

After a Test  Review your paper  Find where and why you made mistake  Redo the problem and grade yourself