Welcome to Meridian Career Institute

Strategies for Success Attend every class: attendance is half of your battle. Going to class allows you to engage yourself in the material. Be an active participant: be on time, sit in the front, participate, ask questions, be alert Go to class prepared: preview all reading assignments, highlight key ideas and concepts, question things you don’t understand.

Strategies for Success Write a summary: after reading & after class, summarize what you learned that day. Know your instructors: call them by their proper title, them, call them, or visit during school hours to ask questions. Know expectations: read your syllabus and know your deadlines Join a study team: Studying in a group allows you to test each other

Strategies for Success Organize your study space: create a place just for school. Map out your day, week, & term: Don’t wait ‘til the last minute for assignments – write down all of your deadlines in a planner (see downloads on the LRC’s blog) Get help early: Know what resources are available to you Stay Healthy: proper nutrition, rest, work & play

Strategies for Success Review often: after class and within 24 hours again. Ask questions: no question is ever a dumb question. If you don’t know or don’t understand - ask. Make school a top priority: don’t overload yourself with work/activities. This is about you – put YOU first!

Strategies for Success Take responsibility for your education: Even if your instructor is not “your cup of tea” you can succeed. Be flexible and adapt to each instructor. Know your material and be ready for each class. This is your education and don’t let someone else stand in your way.

Learning Styles Left brain verses right brain: Left Brain – DominantRight Brained Dominant Feels more comfortable with facts Feels more comfortable with feelings Thinks rationally based on reason & logic Thinks based on hunches and feelings Uses concrete thinkingUses abstract thinking Makes lists & notesUses visuals & color Is concerned about timeLives in the moment Likes a sense of orderLikes a sense of space Likes well organized lecturesLikes group work & open ended class discussions

Learning Styles A person who learns better by reading is: Visual A person who learns better by listening is: Auditory A person who learns better by touch and activity is: Kinesthetic

Visual Learners Tend to: Picture this See what I mean Be right brain dominant Remember what they see better than what they hear Like charts and pictures Try to sit close to the instructor

Visual Learners Prefer written directions Learns better when someone shows them Likes to read, highlight, and take notes Keeps a “to do” list for the week Fast thinkers and gesture frequently when talking Communicate clearly, concisely, and watch facial expressions Like to read for pleasure and to learn

Auditory Learners Rely on hearing Good listeners, but are easily distracted Study breaks = listen to music Tend to: Be left brained Remember what they hear better than what they see

Auditory Learners Like organized lectures in a logical sequence Like to listen to music and talk on the telephone Plan the week by talking it through Rhyming words Learn best when they hear an assignment as well as see it.

Kinesthetic Learners Well-coordinated Touch things Learn best by doing Like being outside Relate to material they are doing “ I have a gut feeling”

Kinesthetic Learners Tend to: Be right brained Create an experience Hands on activities Build & put things together Use models & physical activity Apply information to real life Draw, doodle, use games & puzzles, play computer games

Time Management Skills Committed Time: School, studying, working, commuting Maintenance Time: Eating, sleeping, grooming Discretionary Time: Time that is yours to use as you please

Time Management Skills Set Priorities Urgent Priorities: pressing, deadline-driven Important Priorities: essential activities that support long term goals and create results Ongoing Activities: require continual attention and may be urgent but may not be important Trivial Activities: daily stuff of life

Time Management Keep a calendar Create a daily to-do list Do the tough tasks first Break projects down into smaller tasks Consolidate similar tasks Study at high energy terms Study everywhere & anywhere Study in short segments Organization Be flexible, patient & persistent

Time Management Why was there a picture of a frog on the last slide? Eat the frog first – get the tasks done that you don’t want to do.

Time Management & Learning Styles Left brain people like: Routine, structure & deadlines Convergent thinkers: good at several unrelated items & bring order Right brain people like: Variety, flexibility, creativity, innovation Divergent thinkers: one idea to many

Overcoming Obstacles Stop procrastinating Set daily priorities Break the project down Gather everything you need Focus for short spurts Supportive people Difficult tasks during high energy Positive attitude Reward yourself Don’t expect perfection

Control Interruptions Create an organized place to study Determine your optimal time to study Create quiet time Study in the Learning Resource Center Do first things first Just say no Communication is the key to juggling: work, home, & school

Listen & Take Effective Notes Prepare to listen: Be willing to listen Be open to new ideas Position yourself to listen Reduce distractions Show that you are listening

Listen & Take Effective Notes Stay Attentive: Be quiet Stay focused Show empathy, respect, and interest Observe the speaker Predict & ask questions Integrate your learning styles Postpone judgment Don’t get caught up in drama

Listen & Take Effective Notes Review what you have heard Cornell System of note taking: Largest portion of notes on right hand side Clues on left Bottom left open for review/summary

Listen & Take Effective Notes Mind Maps Start with one concept Map starts with main idea in center of page Branches out with subtopics

Choose the option that is best for you: Copy what is on the board Take notes in the textbook or on paper Highlight areas in your book that are covered in class Flash cards Take notes on syllabus when instructor changes information Listen & Take Effective Notes

Preview the material Go to every class & pay attention Be on time Sit up front Use all your senses Make note-taking active and physical Link information

Listen & Take Effective Notes Use creative shorthand and focus on key words Organize your notes Use note cards Expand on notes from others Use your laptop

Listen & Take Effective Notes Access and review your notes: Summarize in your own words Edit & revise your notes Create a sample test Use visual cues Review your notes Monitor and evaluate – try different techniques

Test Taking Skills Before the test Start on day one Know expectations Ask questions in class Keep up Review early Review weekly Do a final review

Test Taking Skills Before the test Use memory techniques Create sample tests Summarize Study team Available resources Assemble what you need

Test Taking Skills During the test Write down key information Read & listen to all instructions Determine which questions are worth the most Answer objective questions Easy ones first, then go back Answer essay questions Answer remaining questions Review Don’t change your answers unless you know for certain you have made a mistake Don’t second guess yourself

Test Taking Skills After the Test Reward yourself Analyze & Assess Confirm grade Determine common types of mistakes Learn what to do next time Review with your instructor Review with study team

True/False Listen & read carefully Pay attention to detail Watch for qualifiers (always, never, all) Watch for faulty cause & effect Because this happens, then this occurs Always answer every question Trust your instincts

Multiple Choice Read the question carefully Rephrase the question Cover the potential answers Eliminate choices Complete easy, then move to difficult Watch for combinations (all of the above, none of the above) Use critical thinking

Matching & Fill in the Blank Matching Read carefully Eliminate Fill in the blank Watch for clues Count the number of blanks Watch for the length of the blank Answer the ones you know first Answer all questions

Open Book Test Prepare Study You have to know where the material is coming from in order to make concept work Requires critical thinking, not just recall Don’t copy right from the book; use your own words Make sure you have all of your notes Answering quickly is the key!

Essay Prepare Understand concepts and relationships, not just facts Budget your writing time Read the question completely & answer ALL parts of the question Create an outline Focus on main points

Essay Write concisely & correctly Use key terms & phrases Answer completely Write neatly Use all the available time

Research Papers APA Format Handout provided LRC’s Website Plagiarism Don’t wait for the last minute Prepare early First, second & third drafts

Routine advising Each module Meeting with advisor How are you? What do you need assistance with? Grades Life concerns

References Peak Performance: Success in College & Beyond Sharon K. Ferrett (2010) McGraw Hill