1. Engineering Orientation Class EGG101 and EGG101L Lecture Instructor Robert Abella Ph.D. Associate Dean Undergraduate Studies http://faculty.unlv.edu/rabella http://faculty.unlv.edu/rabella. Class 4

2. Last Class 1. Study Groups 2. Classroom Conduct 3. Your Professors 4. Success Study Group Assignment Prepare 2 questions to ask the department chairs during their visit.

3. Class 4 Study Skills Reading and Note Taking Test Taking Problem Solving Engineering Presentations What Engineers Do

4. Human brain and learning Human brain cell - neuron

5. Improving Your Study Skills Chapter 2 and 5 Reading and Note Taking Test Taking Problem Solving

6. Reading and Note Taking Jennifer Thomas Academic Advisor College of Engineering

7. Reading Effective Reading & Note Taking 1.Prepare to read. a)Skim chapter & section headings. Review exhibits & examples. b)Write down any questions or ideas you want to get a better understanding of during the reading.

8. Reading Effective Reading & Note Taking 2. During your reading. a)Ask yourself, what is the central theme of the chapter/section? i.How does this theme impact the course? ii.What concepts are repeated through the sections? b)Highlight or notate ideas that support the central theme of the section and the chapter. i.Highlight only key ideas, making notes if needed of why you think it is a key idea. ii.Use highlighting to create a guide for future test/paper preparations. iii.Make notes of any questions you have on the material & follow up before the next class. c)Take the time to take good notes of the reading & to complete all homework. i.6 “P’s” Prior Planning Prevents Pathetically Poor Performance.

9. Reading Effective Reading & Note Taking 3. After you have completed your reading. a)Recite & reread. i.Recite the main ideas you have read outloud, or go over the ideas with a friend or your study group. ii.Verbally answer any questions you wrote down in your prep read. b)Review. i.Establish review times in your study schedule so you can reinforce both your readings from the textbook as well as class lecture notes. c)Solve problems. i.Practice all concepts and theorems learned in class and in the book. ii.If you are struggling with a concept, practice the example problems step-by-step a few times. iii.If you still need help, ask a tutor or your teacher for practice problems & assistance in understanding the theorem. iv.Use the internet as a resource for finding other illustrations of the concept, to get additional material and to find other practice problems.

10. Reading Things that can help After class, review your notes & ask yourself the following questions: 1. What ideas from my reading were repeated during the class lecture? 2. What problems and theorems did the instructor go over that I am still unclear on? 3. How can I resolve my questions before the next class?

11. Test Taking

12. 5. Get enough rest before the test Do not cram 1. Know how to do every homework problem and class example before you start to study for the test 3. Ask professor for old tests and quizzes 4. Make up a test for yourself Unassigned problems in book 2. Get notes and tests from student who has taken the class

13. Test Taking Go into a test confident that you are prepared and that you can do your best.

14. Test Anxiety

15. Causes of Test Anxiety Lack of Preparation: Cramming the night before the exam Poor Time Management Failure to organize notes Poor Study Habits WORRYING: About past performance on examinations How friends and classmates are doing What will happen if you fail

16. Physical Signs of Test Anxiety May Experience Bodily Changes: Perspiration Sweaty Palms Headache Upset Stomach Rapid Heart Beat Tense Muscles

17. Effects of Test Anxiety Mental Blocking Going blank on questions Remembering the correct answer as soon as the exam is over

18. Effects of Test Anxiety Nervousness: Difficulty understanding the questions on the exam Difficulty organizing your thoughts Difficulty retrieving key words and concepts Doing poorly on exam even though you know the material

19. Use Relaxation Techniques What Can you do?

20. Use Relaxation Techniques Immediately Before the Exam: Don’t look at notes again Meditate Relax your body and mind with deep breaths Visualize doing well on the exam Keep a positive attitude

21. During the Exam Get there early. If you are late it will set the panic in motion Try to sit in the seat you regularly sit in during class. It will make you more comfortable with the environment. Try to block out other noise or chatter about the exam. Keep your focus. NO NEGATIVE THOUGHTS. If you do not know the first question on the exam don’t panic. Find one you know then go back

22. During the Exam If panic or fear arises during exam…PAUSE. Put down your pencil, close your eyes and breathe. If panic or fear arises during exam…PAUSE. Put down your pencil, close your eyes and breathe. Look around at your environment…this will keep you current and take you out of the panic. Repeat positive statements, then continue.

23. After the Exam Use Reinforcing Self-Statements IT WORKED! YOU DID IT! It wasn’t as bad as you expected Your getting better. You’re learning to cope more smoothly You should be pleased with your progress

24. Before the Next Exam Critique how you did on last exam: How was your grade? How can you prepare more? Are you organized enough? Are you studying correctly? How is my study environment? What can I do differently in class. REMEMBER THIS IS A PROCESS!!!

25. Improving Your Study Skills Keep experimenting until you find out what works for you

26. Problem Solving

27. 1. Know the theory 2. Work all text and class examples 3. Understand the problem 4. Write down what you know about the problem 5. If you cannot solve the problem go to the next problem and come back to it 6. Know how do work every homework problem Get help if you need it 7. Group Study

28. Engineering Department Presentations 9/10Civil and Environmental Engineering 9/15Mechanical Engineering 9/17Construction Management 9/22Electrical and Computer Engineering 9/24Entertainment Engineering and Design 9/29Informatics 10/1Computer Science Next Class Assignment for Next Class Read Chapter 2

29. Engineering Department Presentations Assignment A one page summary of each major is due the class after each presentation.

30. Engineering Department Presentations 1. What types of jobs your graduates work at and where they work 2. Average starting salaries and typical salaries after 5 years. 3. The courses they will take in your program 4. The areas of specialization in your program 5. The research being conducted by your department 6 The competitions and fun things your students are involved in 7. Your graduate program

31. Summary Study Skills Reading and Note Taking Test Taking Problem Solving Engineering Presentations