Ideas for Being a Successful Student
1. Make sure you thoroughly understand the requirements of each class, how it will be taught, and what will be expected of you. Ask questions and ask for advice on how best to prepare for the class.
2.
Be an active learner. Work
with ideas by active reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
3.
Think of each subject you study as a form of thinking.
For example, for a communications class, your goal should be to think as
a communicator.
4.
Be a questioner. Engage
yourself in lectures and discussions by asking questions.
Ask questions while you read.
5.
Look for interconnections. The
content of courses are systems of interconnected ideas, not random lists of
things to memorize. Always relate
new learning to previous learning.
6.
Think of your instructor as a coach and yourself as a team member.
Practice the thinking exemplified by your instructor.
7.
Consider your textbook the thinking of the author.
Try to explain the main thoughts of the author.
8.
Consider class time as a time in which you practice thinking.
In an algebra class, think your way onto the algebra team.
9.
Relate what you learn in your classes to your own life.
10.Ask
yourself, “Can I explain this to someone not in class?”
If not, then reread, ask for help from a classmate, or ask your
instructor.
11.Before
coming to class, try to summarize, orally or in writing, the main points of the
previous class.
12.Use
writing as a way to learn by annotating, outlining, and summarizing.
Make up your own test questions and write out the answers.
Reading Essays
Read the title, first paragraph, boldface headings (if any), and the last paragraph of the essay.
In one to three words, what is the topic of the essay – what’s it about?
Read the first sentences of the paragraphs.
What do you think the author wants you to know or believe about the topic? State this in one sentence.
Read the entire essay.
State one important idea expressed in the essay.
What is one detail that the author provides to develop this idea?
What is your reaction to the author’s idea(s)? Why?