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Psychology 1230: Adolescence

Don Hartmann

Fall 2005

Lecture 1b: Succeeding in Psych. 1230

Administrative Announcements

The following A students from Spring term will be involved in grading the essay portions of the midterm quizzes: Andrea Buckner, Jenna Evans, & Lukas Schafer

Discussion of handouts on “Class Participation” and on “WEB Discussions” today

Handout Summary

Handout WEB

Date Date 1. Lect. 1a: Introduction 08/09 2. HO-Syllabus* 08/24 08/05 3. HO-Class Locator* 08/24 4. HO-Inform. Sheet* 08/24 08/05 5. HO-TA Application* 08/24 08/05 6. Lect. 1b: How to succeed 08/11 7. HO-Class Participation* 08/26 08/05 8. HO-WEB Discussions* 08/05

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*Indicates handouts discussed in class.

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Overview

Introductions: What is Success? Peer Relations Relations with Professor Learning the Content Getting a good grade

Participation Term paper The exams Extra credit Others

Next Lecture. #2: Historical Perspective Discussion of handout on “Term Paper”

What is Success?

Getting along with classmates; making new friends

Getting along with the instructor; setting him up for a latter letter of recommendation

Learning the content of the classGetting a good grade

Peer Relations

How to improve your relations with classmates: Change seats so that you are exposed

to more classmates Introduce yourself to the people sitting around you Walk to or away from the class with classmates If you are very shy, mention that when you introduce

yourself. Try to initiate conversations Be helpful to classmates—e.g., sharing notes, study

guide answers Be dependable in your commitments to classmates Be sensitive to alternative values/life styles of your

classmates—critical to maintaining a safe classroom

Relations with the Professor (1)

Smile on occasion—this is not a darkened theatre but instead is a community of individuals who share a number of goals

Avoiding thoughtless irritations such as walking out in the middle of a lecture without advance warning, walking down the center isle in front of the professor during the lecture, leaving your cell phone on

Interact with the professor, both in class, between classes, and in his office

Consult with the professor about your term paper--repeatedly!

Relations with the Professor (2)

If you have a problem with the professor, talk with him about it. Don’t seethe

The professor might be of use to you as: A letter writer Someone who may be forced to make decisions

about you when the situation is ambiguous Someone who knows something about the

Psychology Department, graduate schools, and how to succeed more generally in the University

A mentor

Learning the Content: Motivation

Have goals within the context of the class, and use the class material to help achieve those goals; e.g., to help you understand why your sister is afraid of Boy Scouts

Be personally reflective about the content. I.e., How does this stuff on early puberty apply to me?

Strive to get a good grade and have the instructor think highly of you for a future LOR

Learning the Content: Process

Studying Read the text on a regular basis & in digestible bits.

Do not get behind in the readings Assume that disasters will happen (e.g., misplacement of text,

loss of girl friend, car breakdown) Engage the professor and other students about

content—in class and out of class Teach your parents/partner about adolescent

psychology Relate the class material to material about adolescents

you read and watch in the mass media

Performing Well: Participation

Keep track on a daily basis of what should be done when—and then do it and record. Be organized!

Be sensitive to other members of classIf you are shy, rehearse a simple

question that you can state in class

Performing Well: Term Paper (1)

Begin thinking about topic early in the semester

Read the term paper handout & slides about the term paper

Talk to mother/partner if mindless about topic Talk to professor. Also

Check with him about references Send him abstract & a sample reference

Read sample papers on reserve

Performing Well: Term Paper (2)

Check class WEB resources regarding writing term papers

Find an editor, perhaps from your study group, who is dependable & prompt

Get a draft of your paper to at least one editor at least a week before paper is due

If necessary, consult with writing lab in Marriott Reread the term paper handout, noting frequently

made errors and material to be handed in—including an evaluation of the writing experience.

Check to see if your references look like those in the reference section of the text and that your text citations look like those in the text

Performing Well: The Quizzes (1)

Read the text with the study guide in hand Jot down text pages for answer on study guide Jot down study guide question number on relevant page of

text Join a study group

Compare study guide answers with at least one member of study group well before quiz. Resolve discrepancies by reference to text/lecture notes, and if that doesn’t work, a third classmate or the professor

Have a member of the study group compare answers with other study group members during class review sessions; transmit that information to other members of study group

Performing Well: The Quizzes (2)

Note that quizzes cannot be taken early or late

Appeal if appropriate, but don’t whineKeep old study guides & corrected

copies of previous quizzes—in case you need to take the final

Performing Well: Extra Credit

Unless you are an A student and almost always perform well, get at least 5 extra-credit points. Participating in WEB discussions is a fairly painless method of

accruing extra-credit points Collecting cartoons suitable for the class can be an enjoyable

method of obtaining extra credit. Remember to email them with a short description of the class content for which they are appropriate

If you don’t usually perform well and if you performed poorly on the first quiz, get at least 10 extra-credit points Doing a supplemental project is an efficient method of getting

a big hunk of extra-credit points

Perform Well: Other

Download lectures on a regular basis Keep track of when handouts are available, and download

handouts soon after they are placed on the WEB Provide the instructor with prompt and useful feedback. Try to

include some positives along with critical feedback. If you can’t think of anything positive, lie!

If the professor does favors for you—such as scheduling and attending review sessions, acknowledge the favor. In general, reinforce behaviors that you like or that benefits you

Use exemplary models whenever they are provided at Marriott Anticipate problems, and try to lay down a plan for their early

solution (e.g., the rabbit died, and my girlfriend appear to be 3 months pregnant).

Do not use avoidance in response to anxiety! Ask for help, support, and assistance if and when you need it

DLO

TNEDUTS

“Dam him with faint praise!”

Summary

What is Success? Peer Relations Relations with Professor Learning the Content Getting a good grade

Next time: Lecture. #2: Historical Perspective Discussion of handout on “Term Paper”

Go in Peace!