Monthly Archive for March, 2012

Education embracing new technologies

Written by Jen Golletz on March 29, 2012. 0 Comments
technology

Education is moving to into a new age of technical dependency. Most post-secondary schools are now equipped with online learning tools with class materials and assignment available online.

These moves towards technology have been happening for years and now more and more aspects of how our education are being delivered to us through technology.

There has recently been debate about moving away from traditional textbooks and towards purchasing online versions of textbooks, to be used on tablets.

But, what is better for the student?

Having your textbooks on a tablet would allow you to have all of your class materials in one place without lugging around a ton of books. But reading all of your education materials off of computer screens can become exhausting for student eyes.

Online learning materials enable instantaneous access to a variety of sources, but some argue that having a digital textbook doesn’t allow for highlighting and not being able to physically mark pages inhibits successful studying.

Online text allows students to access materials in a much more cost efficient way as the production cost for online is much less than printed materials. However, in order for the student to have convenient access to online information they would have to purchase a tablet or laptop.

It may not be long before most of our learning is done in front of a computer screen, but for now it looks as though we will continue to learn in a world of growing technology.

What are your thoughts on how technology influences education?

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Never too late to invest in your future

Written by Jen Golletz on March 27, 2012. 3 Comments
invest

Many people told me that it was never too late to go back to school. I always thought that if you didn’t go into post-secondary right after high school, it was too late. Taking a few years would make it too challenging and keeping up with classes would be much harder as I had been out of the schooling world.

I returned to college six years after I graduated. And as it turns out those people were right, it is never too late to return to school.

For those of you who are wavering on whether or not going back to school would be the right decision for you, there are a few definite advantages you have over those who jump right into college after high school.

First of all you have lived. You have spent some time living in the real world and this gives you all kinds of practical skills.

Taking a little time off from education also gives you time to figure out who you are and where you want to go.

More often than not mature students are the most dedicated to their studies because they know what they want and what they have to do to get there.

If you have a goal of getting a diploma or becoming successful in a certain career, do not stop yourself just because of your age. Education has no age limits and it is never too late to invest in your future.

Lethbridge College is full of students who are all different ages and from all different walks of life. If you are interested and would like to speak with someone, academic advisors are available to speak to you about Lethbridge College programs, services and admissions details, or post-secondary education in general.

(403) 320-3322 or email advisor@lethbridgecollege.ca

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Test drive a college subject

Written by Lethbridge College on March 22, 2012. 0 Comments
testdrive

College is an expensive (and valuable) investment.  It’s not just an investment of money, but also of time.

This huge commitment may deter you from pursuing a college education.  Many institutions offer a variety of programs. So how do you pick? How will you know if you like a subject area? Taking a college or subject area for a “test drive” may help you better choose a program that fits your interests and skills.

One approach to “test drive” a college subject would be to take a continuing education course.

These courses are less expensive and require less time commitment than a full program and may give you insight into your interests and skills.

For example,  if you’ve always had an interest in graphic design but not sure if you would enjoy a career or educational experience in graphic design, a continuing education course in Photoshop may provide some insight.

Most colleges offer continuing education courses in a variety of subjects with a range of prices.  Lethbridge College also offers a number of continuing education courses that can help you “test drive” a Lethbridge College subject.

Fend off sickness and avoid missing class

Written by Jen Golletz on March 20, 2012. 0 Comments
sleeping

The ability to stay healthy when you’re a student is vital. Missing classes and falling behind can be devastating to your education. But, staying healthy is not easy to do when you are immersed in the post-secondary population. Here are a few key pointers to try and keep yourself healthy and present in your studies.

Get more sleep- There are many things to keep you up at night, finishing off that essay, cramming for that exam or spending time with your friends, but you need to get a good night’s sleep to keep your body and brain working properly.

Lack of sleep impairs attention, concentration, and reasoning, basically everything you need to be a productive student. It also weakens your immune system making you more likely to end up with the latest virus.

It’s pretty straight forward, get home earlier, put down the highlighter and turn off the tube. Your body needs those eight hours.

Eat something green- Trying to find time to get some healthy food in you is not always easy. Avoid processed foods as much as possible; eating items with ingredients that you can’t pronounce is not going to keep the illness away. And ingest as many fruits and veg as you can!

Amp up your vitamin C and find some vitamin D- Take your vitamins! Not just when you are feeling lethargic, take them all the time. Try to incorporate as much vitamin C into your daily life as possible, buy a box of oranges, substitute your Coke at lunch for an apple juice…just get some goodness in you.

In the winter months especially we find ourselves lacking the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D. Decreased levels that are linked to lowered immune systems.  With many benefits, vitamin D speeds up the absorption of vitamin C and helps keep your mood up and your body strong.

Binge selectively- for most post-secondary students alcohol is a reoccurring substance on most weekends (and some weekdays too). There is always a social event or party that your friends will convince you to go to. It is important to try and keep your alcohol ingestion down, not only will it impair your ability to eat right and get a good sleep but studies show that excessive alcohol is toxic to immune systems.

Kill those germs- When you are constantly touching surfaces that many other student have come in contact with, you are bound to pick something up. Sanitize and wash your hands consistently to protect yourself and others from spreading germs everywhere.

Get movin’ but not too much- Moderate exercise gets your antibodies and white blood cells moving, which helps battle stress, sickness and will boost your mood. Just don’t get too carried away, high intensity activity can actually decrease the movement of white blood cells and up your chances of illness.

Health first- When you do start to feel that fever hit make sure to take care of yourself. Stay home, coming to class when you are feeling awful doesn’t benefit anyone, it slows your recovery time and increases the chances that you will spread your sickness to others. Take advantage of on campus health care. Lethbridge College has an on-site clinic, making it convenient and an easy way to see the doc between your hectic class schedules.

What are some of your routines for staying healthy? Please share below.

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Tips for successful studying

Written by Jen Golletz on March 15, 2012. 0 Comments
studying

For most college students it takes a while to find out the best ways to study effectively. Here are a few study tips that might help you stay on track during your educational endeavor.

Establish a place to study. You should surround yourself with a relaxed atmosphere with as little distraction as possible. Eliminating distractions like the TV or your gossiping roommate is the only way to ensure that you will not get sidetracked or pulled away from your studies.

Try to find a place where you don’t routinely do other things, it should be an area where your brain only has one thing to focus on. Also, good lighting is key.

Prioritize. With multiply classes, assignments and exams can pile up and can sometimes seem impossible to get through. Get yourself organized. What is due first or what exam do you write first? What is worth more in terms of your grade, or in terms of your personal, education or career goals?

If you aren’t sure what is more important or time sensitive, start with the most difficult subject. Putting off a difficult subject until your tired only makes it even harder.

Make a list and tackle one thing at a time. Concentrating on each task individually will help you feel less overwhelmed and give you greater focus.

Give yourself plenty of time. Unfortunately cramming doesn’t work. By starting to study weeks ahead of your exam you have plenty of time to read everything. It also gives you time to ask questions about anything you don’t fully understand. Procrastination is a student’s worst enemy, try and avoid it as much as possible.

Understand the assignment. Nothing is harder or more frustrating than trying to complete something when you are unclear of the expectations. Ask questions and get help if you need it.

Break down each task. Figure out everything that you need to do to accomplish the task and then break it down into smaller objectives. By subdividing the project, it becomes less intimidating and you seem to work through it faster.

Schedule breaks. Take a ten minute break after every hour of study. Spread out several short study sessions during the day and if possible avoid long blocks of study time. There is no point in trying to study when you have reached zombie state. By taking breaks you refresh your brain and make it easier to focus.

Utilize campus resources. Get to know your instructors and ask questions. Also, get to know your campus. Find the leaning services that are offered and take advantage of them.

Lethbridge College has a Learning Café that offers students, peer tutoring, development study courses, study skills, workshops, and free individualized academic support. The Learning Café is in the back section of the Buchanan Library in room CE1340.

And for those long nights when you find yourself in need of help and the college is closed, LC has an eLearning Café. This online resource offers you quick online access to advice, tools, tips and practice activities to help you reach academic success.

For more information you can visit the Learning Café on campus or contact at: learningcafe@lethbridgecollege.ca or call 403-382-6952.

What are some of your best studying tips? Please share below.

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