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.
Guide for Argumentative Essays
What is the topic of the argument? (1-3words)
What does the author(s) want you to believe or do about the topic? (one sentence)
What is one reason given for believing the author's claim?
What evidence is given for accepting the reason as valid?
Relate or connect the argument to yourself, someone you know, an event, or something that you knew before reading the essay.