Archive for the 'Academic Tips' Category

What type of employee will you be?

Written by Lethbridge College on July 11, 2012. 1 Comment
hardworkingemployee

I am moving on to new challenges and will no longer be contributing to the College Cliff Notes blog from Lethbridge College, but I wanted to leave one last piece of advice for new and returning college students.

In college you have assignment after assignment and some of them may seem like a waste of time, in fact they may all seem like a waste of time.  But they’re not!

When I was in college I remember some classmates would put in the bare minimum to pass the assignment.  Their projects quite frankly, looked like crap, but they met the requirements of the assignment and passed.

I was one of the students that spent a lot of time on my projects. I enjoyed working on them and creating something cool.  I didn’t always get the highest mark, but I put 100% in.

In my career I don’t always succeed, but I always put in 100% and it shows.  I’ve been very fortunate to have an amazing career (all stemming from my Lethbridge College diploma) in the field I studied.

The work habits of students set the tone for their work habits during employment.

Are you going to be an employee that does the minimum to get by or are you going to excel and do your best – not for those around you, but for yourself?

 

Setting goals boosts your college success

Written by Jen Golletz on June 6, 2012. 0 Comments
Image from SGFsoccer.com via Flickr

I have discovered a vital step to success in college is setting goals. There have been many teachers and others that told me this through the years. However, I truly never honed this skill until my time in college.

With a constant barrage of class assignments and study demands, college can be over whelming. Having distinct goals allows you to have a concentration, and focus your time on what is most important to you. It also makes you think about where you want to go with your education.

Goals can be as big or as little as you like. From being on time to class to maintaining a certain G.P.A., it is all about what you want to improve on.

I personally find it best to start out with smaller goals. Making goals that are unrealistic or are too difficult for you to reach can discourage you and make you throw in the towel before you have given yourself a fair shot.

Start out with a goal you know you can accomplish with a little bit of effort. This will get you started on the right foot. If you stick with it soon you will see yourself setting and accomplishing one goal after another.

What will be the first goal you will accomplish?

Lethbridge College has a team of people just waiting to help you with your list of goals. Check out all the support services available to present, prospective, and former students.

What are some of the goals you have set?

Image from SGFsoccer.com via Flickr

How to Overcome Exam Anxiety

Written by Lethbridge College on April 19, 2012. 0 Comments
examanxiety

On Tuesday, I shared some exam preparation tips.  But even with all the preparation, it’s inevitable that you’ll feel exam anxiety.

It is natural to feel anxious about writing exams. To keep the anxiety levels to a minimum, try following these suggestions before you write an exam and while you are writing one.

Before Exams

Two important steps you can take to manage test anxiety are to be prepared and well rested before you begin. It is better to have many short study sessions over the semester than an intensive night of studying right before the exam.

Carefully read your course outline and modules outcomes a few days before the exam to make sure you know the content on which you will be tested. If you have questions, contact your instructor for clarification.

It is easier to think clearly when you have had a good rest the night before. Try to avoid the temptation to review everything the night before an exam. Go to bed early and rest well so you will be ready for the next day.

During Exams

Many students feel anxious, nervous and upset during exams. Some may find it hard to breathe or think straight. The first step is to take several deep breaths. This will help calm your mind and clear your head. You can also talk privately to yourself during the exam to stay calm and positive.

When you feel ready, go back to the test and mark the difficult questions. Leave those and move on to those that are easier. If you are allowed to do so, write down any formulas or memorization strategies on a scrap piece of paper so you don’t forget them.

After Exams

Immediately after your test, reflect on your performance. Ask yourself: What did I do well? What could I have prepared for more effectively? What did I learn about test taking for my next test? What questions do I still have about the content? There is a chance that you may be asked questions about some of the same content on a later exam, so now is a good time to review your course work and highlight what you did not know during this test.

What do you do to overcome your exam anxiety? Please share below.

Image from by stephalicious via Flickr

Preparing for Finals

Written by Lethbridge College on April 17, 2012. 0 Comments
examprep

With exams looming for many students, we decided offer a few blog posts to help you prepare and write final exams.

When it comes to final exams, there are many steps you can take to be better prepared.

Step 1:  Planning
It is important to know the following information because it will help you organize your study time and prepare for the exam. 

  • Is the final exam comprehensive or does it just cover the last section of the course?
  • What date and time is the exam scheduled?
  • Where will you write the exam? If possible, locate the room in advance of writing the exam. Check on transportation or parking facilities so that you can plan to arrive early on exam day.
  • How much time will you have to write the exam?
  • Will it be an open or closed book exam?

Step 2:  Organization
It is best to organize the materials before you study so you don’t miss an important chapter or unit. Do this by:

  • Writing down the major topics in this study checklist (check to see if they are still available in the Learning Cafe).
  • Estimating how much time you will need to study each topic.

Step 3  Mental Preparation
Keeping a positive outlook will help you cope with test anxiety. You can prepare mentally before and during an exam.

  • Before – While you study, work at being able to recall the information, not just recognize it. Picture yourself being able to do this while you are writing an exam.
  • Plan to do well – Keep a mental picture of yourself succeeding. Visualize yourself doing well on the exam.

Step 4  Cramming
Resist the temptation to cram a whole semester of information into your brain the night before an exam! It is the least effective study strategy. You are liable to be tired the next day and may get terms and concepts confused during the exam. Plan to study in short sessions, well ahead of the exam, and rest well the night before.

Check back on Thursday for some tips to deal with exam anxiety.

What are some of your strategies when preparing to write finals?