1. Mary R. Anderson-Rowland Arizona State University
Making an Easier Transition: Success (Survival) Tips for Excellence & Peace (less Stress)
Mary R. Anderson-Rowland
Arizona State University

2. Dr. A-R’s Survival Tips 1: WORK: Don’t work if you don’t have to
If you work 20 hours or more:
Take a max. of 12 hours + 2 credit hrs for FSE 394
School is now upper division
All the easy courses have been taken
Pace of class is faster
More homework in general
The first semester is a period of adjustment
If you get a 4.0 and have lots of extra time, then take a larger class load your second semester
You are starting over with a 0.0 GPA
If you are a full-time student, you can’t work full-time

3. Dr. A-R’s Survival Tips 2. MANAGE YOUR COURSE LOAD
Even if you don’t work: take 12 hours + 2 hours for FSE 394 – Academic Success Class
Many transfer students tend to take hours their first transfer semester
Promise to drop one class when you realize that the load is too much for the first semester
Try to take one “easy” course, if possible
If you have to drop to 9 or 10 hours a semester, you can take a summer course and keep the CIRC/METS scholarship

4. Dr. A-R’s Survival Tips 3. GET 8 HOURS OF SLEEP EACH NIGHT!
Much more likely to stay well and not miss class and deadlines because you are sick
You can concentrate 100% on what you do:
Reading material ahead
Listening in class
Doing Homework
Learning new material
Meeting with Study Group
Meeting with friends
And you will feel good!

5. Dr. A-R’s Tips for Success
4. JOIN OR CREATE A STUDY GROUP FOR EACH CLASS.
Engineering was not meant to be done alone
Get other students working on the 4.0 Plan to be in your study groups

6. Dr. A-R’s Survival Tips 5. USE THE GUARANTEED 4.0 PLAN TO DO WELL
Only guaranteed learning plan:
Based on research
It works!
Donna O. Johnson has not yet had to give out $100
The plan teaches you:
Time management (set up schedule the first week)
Excellent study skills
Taught in FSE 394 Class each semester
Reduces stress

7. Time Management 6. TIME MANAGEMENT CHART Gives a plan for the week
Shows where you have extra time
Meant to be flexible
Helps to keep you on track
Helps to keep you efficient

8. Dr. A-R’s Tips for Success
7. SPEND AS MUCH TIME ON CAMPUS AS POSSIBLE
Do your BPR, BPN, HW, POH, BPC (4.0 Plan)
Meet with your study groups for each class
Study groups usually meet on campus
Do not have all classes on just two days
It is very difficult to do all of your studying on the days when you do not have class
Relax when you go home

9. Get to Know Your Professors
8. POH (PROFESSOR OFFICE HOURS)
Professors may know some of the students in their classes because the students are in their third year at ASU. You are new.
Why?
Information
Research Opportunity
Recommendation Letter
Internship
Scholarship
Graduate School
Academic Advice

10. Dr. A-R’s Tips for Success
9. DON’T REGISTER FOR CLASSES BACK TO BACK, IF POSSIBLE
Difficult to pay attention for two classes in a row, let alone three
Use time between classes to BPN (should do right after class, takes only 15 minutes) and to begin HW (begin the day it is assigned)
Exams back to back (to back) are not fun

11. Dr. A-R’s Success Tips 10. RIGHT AFTER EACH CLASS:
Know where you are going to work on the class material
Bullet Point Notes (15 minutes)
Start Homework the first day it is assigned
Don’t spend more than 20 minutes being stuck on a problem

12. Dr. A-R’s Success Tip
11. DON’T ASSUME THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO IS STRESSED AND HAVING DIFFICULTIES!
All engineering/CS students have stress!
The first semester for transfer students is usually tough
Just because others are smiling, do not assume that everything is going well for them
Academic Scholarship Program and FSE 394 is good for letting you know that everyone struggles at times

13. Dr. A-R’s Success Tips 12. GET AND MAINTAIN A GPA > 3.0
Starting all over with a 0.0
If you start out with a low GPA, it is very difficult to get it back up
3.0 is often a minimum for Scholarships
3.0 is often expected for an internship
3.0 or higher is expected for graduate school

14. Dr. A-R’s Success Tips 13. USE AVAILABLE TUTORING SERVICES
Study group for each class is excellent alternative
May want to consider hiring a tutor from among the academic scholarship students

15. Dr. A-R’s Tips for Success
14. BECOME WELL-ACQUAINTED WITH FULTON CAREER SERVICES
Prepare your resume
Workshops on resumes
Career Services has PowerPoint presentation on resumes on-line
Joyce Donahue can help with your resume
Sign up with “Career Link”
Get notices on companies who visit ASU
Sign up for interviews
Companies view resumes on file with Career Services

16. Dr. A-R’s Tips for Survival
15. JOIN A STUDENT ORGANIZATION
Join AISES, MAES, NSBE, SHPE, SWE
Join the organization for your major
IEEE, ASCE, IIE, etc.
Later join the Honor Organization for your major
Networking is very important for engineers
Industry notices if you are not active in organizations
Leadership Skills for important for engineers
Go into leadership slowly
Volunteer to be on a committee; then become a committee chair.

17. Dr. A-R’s Tips for Success
16. Enroll in FSE 394 – Academic Success
Two credit hours
Seven meetings per semester
Each meeting offered four times
Special session on 4.0 Plan for students
new to class
Engineers from industry speak
Graduate student panel
How to use research data bases on-line
Course required by METS Scholars
Other transfer students can take the course + assignments and earn $300 scholarship (x2)

18. Dr. A-R’s Tips for Success
Additional Hints:
Classes may use Blackboard. Be sure to check.
Use the METS Center
Take advantage of the computers and free printing
Network – new computers in Fall 2014!
Use the METS staff for resources, informal mentoring
Attend their workshops
Don’t call a professor by their first name unless they tell you to
Don’t call female professors “Mrs.” or “Maam”

19. Success Tips Be aware of “transfer shock” and “transfer ecstasy”
Be aware of “PCP”
Be aware of the “imposter syndrome”

20. Reference: “Guaranteed 4.0 Plan” by Donna O. Johnson Mackey
Questions?
Dr. Mary R. Anderson-Rowland
Tel: (cell)
Reference: “Guaranteed 4.0 Plan” by
Donna O. Johnson Mackey