General Tips

On Thursday I talked a little bit about ways to help yourself do better, both in this class and in college. I would like to take a minute to reiterate those ideas. Please consider these ideas general tips of advice. I am not directing this at anyone. I have seen it many times in my classes, not just in this class. Although some of the advice may be harsh, or even elementary, this isn’t meant to offend you; it is meant to help you. I am not trying to be condescending, and I know many of you have heard similar advice over and over again, especially from me, but I want you guys to know how to step it up a bit. This is college. Remember, I want you to succeed beyond just my class, and in order to do that you have to:

Get involved in Your Education


Communicate
If you have problems communicate them to the teacher. If that is hard, communicate them to your peers.
+If you do not understand something, ask a question. If you cannot figure it out on your own, do not wait for some one else to ask it, or wait to figure it out on your own later. And definitely do not continue without ever trying to figure it out.
+If something is happening outside of school that is keeping you from doing your work, let your instructors know. Some instructors will not care, but some will be willing to work with you. If nothing else, let them know when you will be absent – preferably before you are absent or the day of the absence (not days later).
+If you are having trouble understanding an assignment, having trouble completing an assignment, or turning an assignment in on time, you should talk to your instructors in person or at least send them an email (Before it is due!). Even if they do not cut you some slack, they will at least know you are trying.

Become Self Reliant.
Find resources for yourself and practice discipline.
+There is such a thing as a stupid question. Stupid questions are ones you can figure out on your own or have already been answered a few times.
+But it’s far better to ask a stupid question and be a little embarrassed, then to be ignorant.
+Remember if you do not understand something, it is up to you to figure out a way to learn it.
+If you cannot get something, it is up to you to find a way to get it – even if it seems unreasonable or unobtainable.
+Teach yourself to self analyze and learn to spot your own errors.
+Check your own work. If you see something that is wrong, fix it.
+Know your own weakness and strengths. Work to make these two things more equal.
+When something is difficult, explore ways that you can fix it on your own. (Do your own research).
+No one will be there to force you to do your homework or come to class. Try to think of it less like Work and more like Working Out. Much like the gym, you aren’t here to get paid, you paid to be here. The harder you try here, the more value you get for your money.
+Be in charge of your own brain. Do not accept everything you are told. If you analyze what you are being told there will be times where you question what professors are telling you. Don’t be afraid to do your own research, ask other students, other professors, or even the professor him/herself.

Network
Often, you will be the only one you can count on, but when you have the opportunity, reach out to other people. Even a small community can help make both learning and assignments easier.
+Proofread each other’s work (and your own).
+Ask each other questions.
+Use each other’s strengths. You probably do this with your friends all the time. It may be time to do this now with new people.
+Get phone numbers and email addresses of other students, and don’t be afraid to use them when you need to.
+Be someone other people can rely on, but don’t let people rely on you when they offer you nothing in return.
+Talk to professors. They often will be willing to help you – even after you have passed their class. They also come in handy when you need things like letters of recommendation later.

Failure Happens
Not everything always goes according to plan.
+When you fail, it is up to you to fix it.
**Sometimes the teacher is a jerk, sometimes you get sick, sometimes you just mess up, but what ever happens, you can fix it. You just have to be willing to try (I mean really try).
+When failure happens, ask yourself why it happened. Apply your critical lens to the situation, and remember to apply it to yourself as well.
+If you cannot figure out what went wrong, ASK (politely).
+Failure is only failure if you learned nothing from the experience.
+Sometimes people just need more time to master something. Everyone develops at a different rate, and that rate is seldom the four months in a semester.
+Remember that failure is a powerful teacher.

Be Professional
As a student in a university, you are a professional scholar – act like it. But remember this advice is applicable to other professions as well.
+Be presentable.
Even having a professional sounding email address can go a long ways.
+Try to eliminate things that are easy to catch before they become problems.
+Try not to shoot yourself in the foot. And try to make things easier for those above you or evaluating you.
+Take your time, but do not procrastinate.
+Professionals read, and they also read the directions.
+Professionals practice manners and courtesy with their superiors and each other.
+Professionals are always prepared.
+Professionals know their material, but aren’t afraid to admit when they don’t; but when they don’t, they quickly find out, so that it never happens again.
+And professionals are familiar with the above four sections.
**Professionals communicate when they need to. They are self reliant, but they network when they need to. And most of all, professionals fail. The only thing that is different is that when professionals fail, they learn from their failure, so they don’t fail next time.


Now, there is obviously one thing I left out: Fun. Yes, it is actually important to have fun. People actually learn more when they have fun. Also things tend to feel less overwhelming when they are fun. So, when you have an assignment, try to pick subjects that interest you. Do not always take all of the “hard” classes together. Spread them out, or you will fatigue. Make sure you plan some fun into your life, but keep it balanced. Have fun. Three is no reason why fun cannot be part of the equation when it is appropriate.