1. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies “Approach” is a key factor in any professional career preparation. A good approach is to work “hard” and “smart”. Working ”smart” involves: 1.Structuring your life situation 2.Seeking help when you need it 3.Making good use of educational opportunities 4.Making good use of your professors 5.Avoiding certain behaviors 6.Demonstrating certain “winning” behaviors 7.Utilizing student services 8.Developing good study habits 9.Using good test taking skills 10.Managing you time wisely

2. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies 1.Structure you life situation: Living arrangements - On or near campus is best. Balance work and school - both can’t be full time! Typical lecture course is 3 credits (3 hrs/wk) Lab course is 4 credits (lecture plus 1 sch lab) 10 hrs/wk - Full Load, 15-18 sch, 5-6 courses 20 hrs/wk - Min. Full Load, 12 sch, 4 courses 40 hrs/wk - Part-Time, 6 - 8 sch, 2 courses Obviously, fewer courses, more years of study! Influence of family and friends Family and friends can provide a support structure The more stable, the better

3. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies 2.Don’t hesitate to seek help. Your peers - friends and study groups Your professors Find out how to get in touch - phone & email Office hours SWTJC Ace Lab Help with math, science, English, etc. Plato Learning System SWTJC library - information and research Most successful students participate in a variety of activities with peers and professors. You must learn to communicate and interact effectively, both now and when you go to work.

4. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies 3.Make good use of your educational opportunities. Teaching modes: Large lecture - 300+ students Small lecture - 25 to 30 students Recitations - Teaching assistant and 8-10 students One-on-one tutoring Subject expert “teaches” a neophyte Learning with these modes is limited! Teaching modes don’t matter if learning modes are not engaged

5. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies 3.Make good use of your educational opportunities. Learning modes Solitary, the “lone wolf” approach Collaborative - Most effective! Come early to class and talk to other students. Hang around the sub and library, talk to students you recognize. Organize a study group. Include a “brain” in the group. Ask the prof to attend a study session.

6. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies 4.Make good use of your professors. Provide one-on-one instruction - office hours. Provide academic and career advising. Monitor your progress and hold you accountable. Help you find a summer job. Serve as a reference when you look for a job. Nominate you for a scholarship or award. It pays to win over you professor! How? Show respect. Show interest and pay attention in class. Be responsible. Don’t make excuses!

7. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies 5.Behaviors to avoid: Coming in late to class. Sleeping in class. Not paying attention - surfing the Internet. Doing homework in class. Leaving class early. Failing to do homework or preparing for exams. Asking “Did I miss anything?” Correcting his/her mistakes in an antagonistic manner. General complaining...grades, exams, homework. Sending non-verbal messages.

8. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies 6.Winning behaviors: Be on time to class. Pay attention and show interest. Ask meaningful questions. Apply yourself to the job at hand. Offer compliments and constructive criticism. Show an interest in things the prof is interested in.

9. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies 7.Utilize other student services. Tutoring services. ACE labs Student Support Services Career center Financial aid office. Health office Library Counseling advising

10. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies 8.Develop good study habits. Study ahead. Getting behind is the “Kiss of death”. Master the material from a previous class before the next class. Begin doing the reading and homework assignments immediately. Don’t cram! Problem solutions always look “easy” when the prof does it in class. Recopy your notes. Keep all your work! Rework all examples. Rework exam problems you miss. Sit up front in lecture and “focus” your attention. Ask questions. Don’t ever gloss over things you don’t understand.

11. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies 9.Develop test taking strategies. The harder you work as you go, the less cramming will be needed. On a test, go through it and work the easy problems first. Then go back and work the ones you are unsure of. If you get stuck, go on and come back to it. Check you answers!!! Apply the “reasonableness” test. In the first two year of college, there are no stupid questions, but I’ve seen lots of stupid answers on tests and homework! Never leave a question blank, you might get lucky!

12. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies 10.Manage your time. Study at least two hours outside of class for every hour in class. (Example: ENGR 1201 - 4 hrs/wk) Make up a weekly schedule and stick to it. Make a serious commitment to study time. Study first and play last! Use a long term planner. Don’t let exams and major assignments slip up on you.

13. SWTJC STEM – ENGR 1201 cg - 7 Academic Success Strategies Again, plan to work “hard” and “smart”. There are no guarantees in life, but you can increase the odds in your favor!