Success @ X

September 5, 2011

Angie Thompson

Angie’s “Top 10” for Academic Success at X

Number 10

• Organize your time … NOW!

• Put your classes, assignments, quizzes, exams, and any other due dates IN your calendar NOW!

– Notice the conflicts/tightness of your schedule• Plan accordingly• Be proactive!

Number 9

• Start assignments and/or study for quizzes/exams BEFORE the night before they are due/scheduled

– Turn your cell phone, MSN, Facebook, etc. OFF when studying and/or writing papers

– See also*:• Top 10 for studying for exams• Top 10 for writing papers

* Available at www.stfx.ca/people/amthomps through the classes link

Number 8

• Read – Read a little (a lot?) each day – Read to understand - not to memorize

Number 7

• Take advantage of opportunities presented in your classes

– Service learning– Research projects– Active learning

Number 6

• Get to know your professors. – We are people too … don’t be scared of

us – Reference letters– Opportunities– Questions

Number 5

• Talk about what you learned in class with your classmates or with your friends (your parents?)

Number 4

• Discuss when given the opportunity to work in pairs/groups

– Get into a different group each time you are asked to work with your classmates

Number 3

• Ask relevant questions in and out of class

Number 2

• When you are in class – be ‘in’ class! – Turn off your cellphone (not even

vibrate!)– Turn off email, facebook, MSN, etc. if

using your computer in class– Eat before coming to class (in class if

allowed)– It is almost impossible to learn when you

are hung over– Be physically active in between classes

Number 1

Contained in your classes is a microcosm of human existence assembled for you to query and examine and ponder. Your classes are not the only place such opportunities are presented, but they are such a place that you cannot participate if you are not there

* Paraphrased from T. Wayman - Did I miss anything?

Go to class !