Wise Choices in College

1
Wise Choices in College

• Learning College Customs
• Effective Note Taking
• Effective Studying
• Effective Test Taking

2
College Customs

• Review your college catalogue on the colleges
  web page.
• See your Advisor.
• Understand Prerequisites.
• Complete your general education requirements (36
  credits)
• Choose a major wisely.
• Take a realistic course load.
• Attend the first day of class on time.
• Sit in class where you can focus on learning.
• Study the syllabus.
• Buy required course books and supplies asap.
• Introduce yourself to one or more classmates and
  exchange phone numbers and email addresses.

3
College Customs .

• Inform your instructor before an absence.
• If you arrive late, slip in quietly.
• Ask questions.
• To hold an extended conversation with your
  instructors, make an appointment during their
  office hours.
• Get involved in campus life.
• Know the importance of your GPA.
• If you stop attending a class, withdraw
  officially.
• Talk to your instructor before withdrawing.
• Keep a file of important documents.
• Show respect to your classmates and instructor by
  avoiding inappropriate behaviors.

4
Effective Note Taking

• Before Note Taking
• Create a positive affirmation about taking notes.
• Get note-taking supplies that fit your style.
• Read and take notes on homework assignments
  before class.
• Prepare a list of questions based on homework
  assignments.
• Bring note-taking supplies to every class and use
  them.

5
Effective Note Taking

• During Note Taking
• Use the outline method.
• Use a concept map.
• Record only important ideas in your notes.
• Listen and look for cues.
• Listen for answers to your prepared questions.
• Use Abbreviations.
• If you cant keep up, leave spaces.
• Record the class.

6
Effective Note Taking..

• After Note Taking
• Review your notes.
• Talk about your notes.
• Compare notes.
• Revise your notes.
• Talk about your notes.
• Compare your notes.
• Revise your notes as appropriate.
• Review your notes periodically.
• Rehearse your notes aloud.

7
Effective Studying

• Before Studying
• Create a positive affirmation about studying.
• Create an ideal study space.
• Make a list of important assignments.
• Study your challenging subjects first.
• Arrange to be undisturbed.
• Tell yourself I will remember what Im about to
  study.
• Do the data dump.
• Form a study group.

8
Effective Studying..

• During Studying
• Play soft, instrumental music in the background.
• Change subjects after forty-five to sixty
  minutes.
• Take short break every thirty minutes or so.
• Studying during your prime learning times.
• Create Q A cards.
• Use Graphic Organizers.
• Create study sheets containing key math and
  science formulas.
• Review briefly every day.

9
Effective Studying.

• After Studying
• Review, Review, Review
• Create an instant replay of your study session.
• Discuss concepts often.
• Have someone quiz you.
• Teach what you learn.
• Seek tutoring.

10
Effective Test Taking

• Before a Test
• Create a positive affirmation about taking tests.
• Find out what will be covered on the test.
• Find out how you will be tested.
• Set a study schedule.
• Take a practice test.
• Visualize success.
• Get to the exam room early and find a comfortable
  place.

11
Effective Test Taking

• During the Test
• Right before the exam is handed out, relax, say
  your affirmation, and visualize your success once
  more.
• Skim the test.
• Read and follow directions carefully.
• Do easy questions first.
• Review your answers.
• Offer an answer for every question.
• Match questions to the answer sheet.

12
After the Test

• Reward yourself.
• Get the correct answers to all questions you
  missed and study them.
• Analyze your errors.