1. Get your textbooks before classes begin, and read ahead. Finish the tables of contents and first chapters before the first day of classes, and keep reading all assignments before lectures.
2. Eat well, exercise, and stay healthy! Get a full night's sleep before class, especially before a test.
3. Go to class!
4. Some lectures will be large. If you sit toward the front and center of the class, it'll be easier to connect with what your instructor is saying.
5. While in class, take useful notes. This doesn't mean writing down every word your instructor says. Instead, develop an outline, the essence of what your instructor is saying.
6. Take responsibility for your interest by actively listening and reading. Ask yourself questions: "What are examples of a concept?," "What are limits of principles?," "How do concepts relate to each other?," "What are analogies, similar relationships in different fields?," and, "What's coming next?"
7. If you have questions, or need to clarify difficult concepts, talk with your instructor. If you can't do this in class, make an appointment to meet with your instructor during office hours.
8. To perform well, study an average of at least two hours outside of class for each hour in class.
9. Rather than studying one topic for many hours, spend a part of each day studying for each class.
10. Similarly, it's helpful to break large tasks, like term papers, into smaller, manageable pieces. And, for major research and writing projects, be sure to take advantage of the help available through KU's Information Literacy Program, www.lib.ku.edu/~instruction/research/?for=students, and Writing Center, www.writing.ku.edu.
11. Balance academic work with recreation and other kinds of activities. It's okay to have a part-time job, but don't let your job take more than 15 hours per week.
12. Use a planner to schedule study times, as well as other commitments, including times to review for tests and complete parts of projects.
13. To understand concepts and prepare for tests, thoroughly review and work through a lot of practice test questions.
14. Groups can provide social support for studying, and you can learn by teaching and testing each other. Be sure, however, to do all your own homework! This will helps you prepare for tests, and tests are a bigger part of your college grades than homework.
15. Reward your progress, and celebrate successes!
16. If you have difficulty with a course, it is your responsibility to seek help! A useful first step is to meet with your instructor during office hours. Head-off problems before tests!
17. Engage in damage control. Don't let one disappointing test score undermine your performance in an entire class, and don't let a disappointing grade in one course undermine your performance in other classes.
18. As far as academic standing, it's better to withdraw from a class, than to fail, but this action can have implications for receiving financial aid, living in student housing, NCAA eligibility, coverage by a parent's health and car insurance, conditional admission status, international student visa status, etc. Monitor your performance, note withdrawal deadlines posted at www.registrar.ku.edu/calendar, and regularly consult with advisors.
19. For more help, the Academic Achievement & Access Center, www.achievement.ku.edu, holds free Academic Success Workshops, offers low cost tutoring for many KU courses, and can make appropriate referrals to other academic support services.
20. And, keep going to class!
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College Student Academic Services 1450 Jayhawk Boulevard Room 109 Strong Hall Lawrence, KS 66045-7535 (785) 864-3500 |
Paul J. Crosby Premedical Advisor pcrosby@ku.edu © 2008 The University of Kansas This file was updated 08/18/08 08:51 AM |