Welcome to Dr. Sproat's Course Survival Skills

These course suvival skills are intended to help students succeed in college.  These skills are recommended by many academic orientation programs at colleges and universities across the country.  I hope they help you make the most of your academic opportunities.
 

1.  Attend class and be on time.
        You know they've found an incredible association between going to class and pass the class.
            If you find yourself tempted to skip class, do this little exercise:
                1.  Count the number of hours you spend in all class this semester.
                2.  Count the total number of dollars you (or someone) spend on tuition this semester.
                        (For 2002 -2003:  in-state $134 per credit hour /  out of state  $311 per credit)
                3.  Divide the number of hours by the total tuition.
                4.  That's how much money you throw away by missing one hour of class.
 

2.  Get a weekly planner and use it.
       Mark the dates of important events (exams, dues dates on papers, meetings) in the day-by-day section of your planner.  There will be a lot of different things you'll want to make sure you don't miss.
 

3.  Schedule your class and study time in your planner.
       Block out the hours you are scheduled to be in class and at work in your weekly schedule.

        Schedule study time for every open hour between classes.
                Remember, your schedule should be dedicated to school for every hour between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm (unless you have to be at work), except for an hour for lunch.
                     If you take an hour or two for work or fun, you owe the schedule to "repay" that time after 5:00 pm.
                    As a "full time student" you're committing your "work week" to being a student.
 

4.  Allow sufficient study time.
        There are several reasons why you're called a "full time student" if you take more than 11 credit hours in a regular college semester.  The main reason is the number of hours you need to spend in classs and studying will be the same or more than most full time jobs.

        Almost every major university has the following expectations for the minimum number of hours a student should spend studying each week:
                For every hour in lecture:  spend 2 hours (minimum) studying that week.
                For every hour in lab:  spend 1 hour (minimum) studying that week.

        Think of it this way, if you're a full time student, you owe the University every hour from 9:00 am  to  5:00 pm every Monday through Friday.  Hey, you wanted to know what it was like to the job market.
 

5.  Rewrite your class notes.  (This fits well with #3 & #4.)
        Ever read over your notes and wonder, "What did I mean to say there?"
            Rewrite your notes as soon after class as possbile.  (How about the first open hour you have after class?)
            Be sure your notes are legible and make sense.
            If you don't understand something in your notes, ask the instructor to repeat it in the very next class meeting.

        Time spent rewriting your notes also counts for study time.  You're reviewing the material as you rewrite.

        Want tips on note-taking skills?  Check this link from Sweet Briar College!   Go here! 
 

6.  Take notes in outline and phrase forms.
        Not sure what this means?  Check the link under #5 (above).
 

7.  Make outline notes for each chapter in the text book.
        Text books are written from an outline.  If you recreate that outline in your notes then you can put the text book on the shelf for most of your studying.
 

8.  Participate in study groups.
        Groups of people are able to explore concepts and review terms better than some people do on their own.
 

9.  Choose where you sit carefully.
        Distance from the front board = less than twice the width of the board, screen, or projected image.
        Angle from the center of the board = less than 45 degrees from the center of the board or screen.
 

10.  Participate in class.  Ask questions.
        It's true!  You learn faster and retain information better if you ask questions.  Don't worry, you're not likely to be the only one in class who had that question.
 

11.  Allow time for fun things, regular meals, and sufficient sleep.
        The brain needs time to play and rest, just like your muscles.  Give it the time it needs, too.
 

Good luck with all your classes.

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