Academic Success Factors Keys to Success in Engineering Study Lab 4

Itinerary You can do it! What is “success”? Goal setting Life situation Strategies Group Studying Mistake Student Do Test Taking Lectures Resources

You Can Do It! Poorly prepared students have succeeded Highly qualified students have failed What makes the difference? “Each and everyone of you can be successful in graduating with your bachelor of science degree in engineer.”

What is Success? Success is the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted Most Lucrative College Degrees

Goal Setting Goals give you something to measure yourself against Goals give your life direction Short Term, Few Years, Long Term How can you ever expect to get somewhere if you don’t know where you want to go? Lab Exercise: Part 1 Write down your goals: Short, Few, Long

Strategies for Strengthening Your Commitment Clarifying your goals Learning as much as you can about engineering Prepare a roadmap Don’t let adversity stop you

Most Important Strategies to Success!!! Believe in yourself. You can do it!

Keys to Success in Engineering Study Effort – “Work Hard” Approach – “Work Smart” Attitude – “Think Positively ”

Structure Your Life Situation Part-Time Work Influence of Family Influence of Friends Other influences?

Characteristics of “Expert” Learners Are active, not passive, in their approach to learning Are motivated (e.g., have short-term and long-term goals, etc) Are disciplined (e.g. have learned good habits and use them consistently) Initiate opportunities to learn Set specific learning goals for themselves Know not only what to learn, but how to learn Plan their approach to learning Use learning strategies selectively Tend to attribute failures to correctable causes Tend to attribute successes to personal competence

Learning Modes Solitary – You learn by yourself Collaborative – You learn with others “My anecdotal research indicates that about 90 percent of first-year engineering students do virtually 100 percent of their studying alone.” R. Landis

Why Do Students Study Alone? I learn more studying by myself. I don’t have anyone to study with. It’s not right. You’re supposed to do your own work.

Don’t Be Hung Up on the Idea of Seeking Help If I have seen a little further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants - Isaac Newton Primary sources of “help” with your academic work 1. Your peers 2. Your professors 3. Tutoring Center

Benefits of Group Study You’ll be better prepared for the engineering “work-world ” You’ll learn more You’ll enjoy it more

Self-Esteem Self-esteem is: Appreciating my own worth and importance and having the character to be accountable for myself and to act responsibly toward others Self-esteem is made up of two components: Self-efficacy – your sense of competence Self-respect – your sense of personal worth

Mistakes Students Make Assume engineering study will be like high schoolWork to understand and adjust to the differences between high school and engineering study Program themselves for failureCreate a life situation that enables you to devote adequate time and energy to your studies Spend little time on campusImmerse yourself in the academic environment of the institution Neglect studyingSchedule study time. Devote significant time and energy to studying. Delay studying until test is announcedMaster the material presented in each class prior to next class Study 100% aloneStudy collaboratively with other students Mistakes Students Make Strategies for Overcoming Them

Mistakes Students Make (continued) Come to each lecture unpreparedReview notes, read text, attempt problems prior to each lecture Avoid professorsInteract regularly with professors outside the classroom Cut classes/don’t get the most out of lecturesAttend classes and practice good listening skills. Ask questions in class. Fail to take notes; or fail to use the notesTake effective notes and use a systematic learning properly in the learning processmethodology to study from notes Skim over material in an assigned chapter Use reading for comprehension methodology to in a rush to get to homework problemsunderstand general concepts before attempting problems Fail to solve assigned problems. Don’tSolve not only assigned problems but extra problems; approach problems using a systematic use systematic problem solving methods problem solving method Mistakes Students MakeStrategies for Overcoming Them

During Your Lectures Sit near the front “Be here now” (concentrate) Practice good listening skills Take good notes Ask questions in class

How Many Hours Should You Study? How difficult is the course? How good a student are you? How well prepared are you for the course? What grade do you want to receive?

Learn to Manage Your Time Place a high value on your time Schedule your time Make a serious commitment to your study time Time can be put to good use or wasted. Then once it’s gone it’s gone.

Preparing For Tests Schedule time for review “Scope out” tests Practice under time pressure Get a good night’s sleep Make sure you have the right materials and tools Arrive early

Test-Taking Strategies Size up the test Work the easier problems first Be aware of the time Complete a problem before leaving it If time permits, check and recheck your work (never leave a test early)

Utilizing Campus Academic Resources Academic resource center (tutoring, writing skills, study skills) Library (books, periodicals, on-line materials, reference librarians) Student computer labs (hardware, applications software, Internet access, resource materials, training) Academic advising (monitor progress; course selection) University catalog (Rules and regulations, college and department information, curricular requirements, course descriptions) Registrar’s office (transcripts, registration information)

Academic Advising Quality of advising can be a problem Take personal responsibility for getting proper advising Sources of advising Faculty Staff Other students Publications (student handbook, catalog)

Examples of Co-curricular Activities Participation in student organizations Participation in engineering projects – HPV, Formula Car, Robotics Pre-professional employment – Co - Op Putting something back (service)

Benefits of Pre-professional Employment Develop job search skills Gain exposure to engineering practice Make money Apply your knowledge, skills, and abilities Strengthen motivation to succeed in engineering study Gain references for future employment

Cooperative Education a program of study at an institution of higher education under which regular students undertake academic study for specified periods of time alternating with work experience in government, industry, business...

Graduate Study in Engineering Benefits of graduate study in engineering M.S. degree in engineering Ph.D. degree in engineering Full-time or part-time How will you support yourself? Salary Increase

Lab Exercise: Ability vs. Effort Divide into groups of five or six and discuss the following issue: Do you believe that people succeed because of their ability, That some people “have it” while others don’t? Or do you believe that people succeed because of their effort? Which do you think is more important: ability or effort? Why? In your group, discuss the benefits of working with other students on your academic work.

Alternate Lab Exercise: Fixed Mindset versus Growth Mindset People generally have one of two “mindsets” Fixed mindset - You believe your talents and abilities are set in stone—either you have them or your don’t Growth mindset – Talents can be developed and great abilities are built over time Discuss the implications of having each of these mindsets for success in engineering study Appoint a group leader to keep on topic and a reporter to report out on what was discussed