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If it's helpful to have a study buddy with you, have at it. Just git 'er dun, cuz cramming never works. Ever.
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| redbubble.com |
College Success: Study smart.
If it's helpful to have a study buddy with you, have at it. Just git 'er dun, cuz cramming never works. Ever.
College Success: Lifelong Learning
Your education does not stop at graduation.
Your college degree has a very short shelf life. In this economy, plan to commit yourself to lifelong learning.
Continue your education...Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate...whatever is right for you.
Learning also comes from reading all you can about your career: attending workshops, seminars and conferences, and learning from more experienced co-workers.
Education is like running a marathon without a finish line.
Never stop learning and maintain your stride.
(c)2011-16 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.
College Success: Take care of what's bothering you.
Realize that if you have time to whine and complain about something, then you have time to do something about it.Is something going on in your personal, work or college life that's bothering you or taking your focus away from your college responsibilities?
You can take immediate action by asking for help.
Make a check-in appointment with a counselor (518.381.1365) and discuss the problem openly. The counselor is a highly-trained, non-judgmental listener, and will partner with you to find the right course of action. You'll also receive unconditional support as you work through your issue.
(c)2011-2016 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.
College Success: The choice is yours.
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| Who's steering your ship? |
Sometimes, it seems difficult to think beyond this semester, or academic year, or college degree. But as an adult, you must consider how your actions today could (and most definitely will) impact your future 5, 10, 20 years ahead.
How do you do this?
Ask yourself if what you're doing today is something you'd be proud to report on the 6:00 news tonight.
If not, re-think your decision.
(c)2011-2016 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.
College Success: It's supposed to be difficult.
There's a saying that goes, "If you think you'll succeed or if you think you'll fail, you're right." In other words, whatever you tell yourself will happen, will happen. [Every time.]
Our minds and attitudes are powerful influences on how we behave and what we believe.
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| Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan "A League of Their Own" |
"It's supposed to be hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great."
I'll bet you know lots of people who chose not to go to college because they didn't see the value or believed they couldn't handle the work.
That didn't stop you, though.
Just because something is challenging doesn't mean you shouldn't be doing it.
Tell yourself that even though reading a big chapter or taking an exam will be difficult, you can do it. It is impossible to fail. You will do it. You will be successful. You'll earn decent grades. You will graduate.
Did you know that it takes just as much of your energy to pump yourself up as it does to knock yourself down?
Which kind of energy will you be using this semester?
(c)2011-2016 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.
College Success: Pay it forward.
Write thank you notes to people who add value to your life, for even the smallest of things.
Perhaps a professor gave you an extension on a paper or project.
Maybe the cashier lady in the Commons is especially helpful and nice to you.
A classmate offers to carry some of your stuff, or gives you a compliment.
A security guard walks you to your car and waits until you're safely inside and the car starts.
These are all acts of kindness, and they deserve your recognition.
A short note expressing your appreciation for the specific gesture is not only good manners, but it will make the person feel great for having been nice to you, and it shows that you acknowledge that what they've done for you affected you in a positive way. [Wouldn't you want someone to appreciate something you've done for them?]
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| This little note can make a big difference. |
Your benefactors will be surprised and happy, and they'll be encouraged to continue doing good deeds. As a bonus, thank-yous are a way for you to pay it forward and do something nice for someone else in return.
(c)2011-2016 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.
College Success: Appreciate different points of view.
You can learn a lot from people who view the world differently than you do.
An important part of the college experience is to expose students to various perspectives, opinions, and beliefs. As you mature, you may find that your current beliefs are no longer relevant.
I found this great quote: "See the commonality of diversity so that you may see the diversity of commonality."
Keep your mind and heart open to the diversity around you, and give others the same respect you expect for yourself.
(c)2011-2016 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.
College Success: Midterms are coming. Everyone who's freaking out, raise your hands.
The primary reason people find themselves feeling like this is because they haven't made college a priority and therefore haven't done the amount of work that's required. Period. I can't tell you how many students admit that, in the sixth or seventh week of the semester, they haven't yet opened their textbooks. Seriously. And they wonder why they're freaked out.
But I'm not here to scold or shame anyone. I'd like to help. Here are some tips to help you make a plan to study for midterms:
1. Schedule time to study.
Yes, I said schedule. Block out chunks of time on your calendar for each course and stick to the plan.
Your room (but not on your bed), dining room (if you live alone), the campus Library, the public library, the campus Learning Center. Be sure to sit at a desk or table with good light, and a sturdy chair to support your back. Your bed or sofa is too comfy, and you might be tempted to grab a quick nap when you had planned to study.
Pull together your textbooks, notebooks, and any other relevant materials for each course, including Power Point slides, homework, quizzes, writing assignments. Have all of the school supplies you'll need for each subject, and a clock to manage your time (one with a timer is even better).
Put the materials for each course in separate piles. Tackle the subject you've scheduled first, and set the timer to one hour. Study one chapter only during this time. Breaking it down to smaller tasks will make you feel less overwhelmed, and you'll be more motivated to continue.
Start with your textbook, and review the questions at the end of each chapter. If you can correctly answer most of them, you're on the right track; if not, take the time to read the chapter again. Use your class notes as well, because a lot of information professors offer during a lecture often doesn't come from the book. Since they made the effort to give more material to help you understand, it will likely be on a test.
A tip I use when studying is to copy my notes over in another notebook. This gives me the freedom to scribble down what I can in class. Not only do I end up with neatly organized notes, I remember what I'm writing and it helps me to better understand the topic. Index cards as a study tool works well, too.
If you need help with taking notes or studying for exams, please visit the nice people in the Learning Center in Elston 523.
If your professor offers review sessions, GO. Bring questions you have, and be prepared to add to your notes. You may also consider getting a study buddy, or start a study group for each class. Sometimes another student can explain things in terms that another student can understand.
Don't plan to study more than an hour at a time; your brain can handle only so much at once. Which leads me to...
Plan a break to give your mind and body a rest after each hour of studying. The best breaks include some type of physical exercise: 10-minute fast walk outside, stretching exercises for the muscles that tighten as we concentrate so hard are great, a phone call with your BFF, healthy food break, and whatever else may work for you. Break for no more than 15-20 minutes, so you can get back to studying feeling refreshed and motivated; more than that will set you up to extend the break to 30 minutes...an hour...two... You get my point.
9. Tips for the night before an exam
Stop studying at least an hour before you go to bed. You've done a lot of work to prepare, so be confident in what you know. Do something unrelated to studying, like watching a favorite TV show, a hot shower, catch up on Facebook, and so on. Wind down to prepare yourself to get a good night's rest (as corny as that sounds)...at least 8 hours. Research has proven that students perform better when they are alert and calm.
10. Exam DayEat breakfast, get to campus early and take time to relax. Breathing deeply for a few minutes can help calm your jitters and get you focused. Do not study more; cramming will do nothing but get you whipped up into a tizzy and you'll undo all of the great studying you've done. Let your mind rest so you're ready to go in there and nail it.
Source: http://www.nkaleidoscope.com/confetti/2012/01/13/how-to-prepare-for-midterm-exams/
(All images courtesy of Google Images, unless otherwise indicated.)
(c) Copyright 2012-2014 Robyn M.Posson King. All Rights Reserved.
Relationships: Feb. 14th...Do something nice for yourself instead.
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I heard on the news last night that in the United States alone, people spend over $1 billion (yes, I said BILLION) on Valentine's Day. All I can say is...Really. Are you freakin' kidding me?
In my work, I hear all too often from unattached folks about the heartbreak of not "being with someone," and the reminder that they are alone...again...on a major holiday like Valentine's Day.
Those who are in a relationship worry and are annoyed by the expectations of "having to do something" for their partners...but not knowing what to do, how much to do, and how they're going to pay for it.
It saddens me that a day dedicated to show our love and appreciation with loved ones is so ridden with angst, disappointment and profound sadness.
Those who are in a relationship worry and are annoyed by the expectations of "having to do something" for their partners...but not knowing what to do, how much to do, and how they're going to pay for it.
It saddens me that a day dedicated to show our love and appreciation with loved ones is so ridden with angst, disappointment and profound sadness.
Let's change that way of thinking today. Right now.
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Think about how far you've come, how grateful you are for the opportunities brought your way, your health, and list all of the things that are wonderful about you.
I know, I know...you think this is loon crazy. But hear me out. Only when we truly love ourselves as we are today, will we ever be able to feel true love for someone else. It's impossible to be loved by someone worthy if we don't first feel deserving and worthy ourselves.
If you're single, do something nice for yourself today. Take yourself out to eat, go to a movie with friends, or buy a small box of your favorite candy (that you don't have to share with anyone!).
And contrary to the ridiculous statistic I mentioned above, those of you who are in a relationship need not spend a lot of money to show your partner how you feel. A card, one flower, a heartfelt spoken expression of your appreciation, gratitude and love will do the job. For realz.
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Anyhoo...I have written a series of blog entries that I hope you'll find informative, interesting and helpful. I call it the "ABC's of Healthy Relationships," and its purpose is to remind people how to love themselves first, and how to treat their partners (or potential partners) in ways that will up the chances of having the best relationships ever.
PS: Happy Valentine's Day to Me...and You.
(c) 2012-2017 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.
College Success: Tips for a Successful Semester
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Then...around week five of the semester, things start to shift. You're feeling the full impact of what being a college student entails. Papers and classroom presentations are coming due. Midterm exams are right around the corner. You have a group project to contribute to. Your boss/significant other/friends/family/etc. are getting on your nerves, you're feeling overwhelmed by all you need to do...and you haven't even opened your textbook yet. The behaviors you swore were behind you begin creeping back in. How did you get into this crazy predicament...again???
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Your course syllabus is a contract between you and your professor. It clearly defines the professor's responsibilities, the rules and regulations for how the class is structured and the behaviors expected, and what is expected of you as a student and how your grade will be determined. If after reading and going over the syllabus, you're not willing or are unable to do everything required, then drop the class. However, if you choose to stay in the class, it is understood that you agree to and are bound by the conditions of the course syllabus.
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Successful students ask for help when they need it. Professors list their office hours on the syllabus, and this is when you can get extra help (before and after your class may not be convenient, as the professor may need to get to another class). Also, SCCC offers many other services to help students succeed (Counseling, Tutoring, Learning Center, Math Lab, Accounting Lab, TRIO, Computer Lab,
Employment Services) and they are all FREE to registered students.
Employment Services) and they are all FREE to registered students.
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| Image: Google Images |
Go to class every day, get there on time, and show up prepared. Do your reading assignments before class, write down questions you want to ask the professor. Bring a notebook and something to write with every time. Focus on the class only (no texting, talking, or other shenanigans), and take notes during the lecture. Show the same respect for your professors and class mates that you require them to give you. |
| Image: metamorphicinternational.org |
Set your priorities and get comfortable with saying "no." College must be your first priority. If you need to do homework, start a paper, or read for tomorrow morning's lecture, then you need to turn down other activities. Say no. If it is your priority to finish college with the best grades you can earn in the shortest amount of time possible, you have to focus on that priority and say no to anything that gets in the way of that.
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| Image: lsua.edu |
Develop a good relationship with your faculty advisor. Your advisor is perhaps the most important person in your college experience. He/she will advise and guide you toward graduation, but because you are an adult and are in control, you make the final decisions about what to do. Your advisor can also refer you to campus support services, tell you about internships in your field, and even write a recommendation letter for getting into another college or for a job.
The secret to this is getting to know your advisor, and having them get to know you. Drop in during office hours (posted on their door) and let them know how you're doing, what your career goals are, and so on. Your advisor can be an awesome ally to have...but you have to take the first step to make it happen.
Well, these tips are enough to get you started. Talk with your professors, advisor, a counselor, coach or mentor to help get you on (and keep you on) the right track toward academic success...this semester and beyond. Good luck!
QUESTION: What tips do you have for academic success?
Getting to Know You: Shame on you, shame.
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| Brene' Brown |
She defines it as "The intensely painful feeling that we are unworthy of love and belonging." Ouch. Talk about hitting home.
This link is an excerpt from her appearance on "Super Soul Sunday" where she shares what she knows about this horrible, lethal feeling.
When you're finished watching, please share your reactions.
(c)2014-16 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.
Wellness Wisdom: Why you need to quit smoking TODAY (video)
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Please click on the link above for lifesaving information.
(c) 2011-2016 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.
