10 Tips for Students

1. 10 Tips for Students A Janet Thiel, OSF, PhD Assistant Vice-President for Academic Affairs Neumann University

2. Go to class. • The #1 advice from upperclass students to freshmen is “Go to class!” • There is no substitute for being there – both mentally and physically. • Consider each class as an opportunity to learn something new.

3. Get to know the professors • Get to know the professors and let them get to know you. • Clarify course content. • Go over exams. • Get tutoring. • Build relationships for letters of recommendation.

4. Get to know other students in your class. • Get phone numbers and e-mail addresses for at least 2 students in each of your classes. • Form a study group and meet regularly. Discuss material and quiz each other. • Use the www.neumann.edu site and BlackBoard Vista site for your classes to communicate easily.

5. Use Time Management Techniques. • Plan ahead: Use a schedule, calendar and a daily “to-do” list. • Break down large tasks into small parts. • Use your “prime time” for study. • Balance your time for study, recreation, sleep, etc. • Plan enough study time. • Remember that a full time student means a 40 hour study/class week!

6. Study Effectively • Know where and when you study effectively—home, dorm room, study lounge, library, empty classroom, etc. • Remove distractions. • Be consistent. • Schedule study time!

7. Know your style • Know your learning style – visual, auditory, or tactile. • Use your strengths to study effectively. • Find your style online at http://www.learning-styles-online.com

8. Prepare for Class • Do the assigned reading before class. • Review each syllabus weekly. • Use a system for reading your textbooks. • Turn a passive practice into an active one. • Do assignments on time!

9. Note to Self: Take Good Notes • Use good note-taking techniques. • Organize your notes for study – “cues on the left to test yourself on your notes, personal notes on the right as reminders, visual emphasis for important points, and a summary to condense material. • Study notes within 24 hours, before the next class, at the end of the week and several times before exams.

10. Get Ready for Exams • Prepare for exams as you would a marathon. • Review material repeatedly: the more you review, the more you remember. • Use previous exams as a study guide. • Use flash cards. • Make summary sheets to review material from your text and notes (i.e., outlines, charts, webs, etc.) • Use mnemonic devices for memorizing. • Review your previous exams with your professor. • Analyze what you did wrong and make a new plan of study for the next exam, based on what you learned. • Allow enough time to study for exams. Begin at least one week ahead for a major exam.

11. Balance Your Life • Balance your academic life with campus involvement. • Engage in special experiences to complement your academic life: internships, leadership experiences, service opportunities, study abroad, clubs, etc. • Learn to ask for help. • Use campus resources: Wellness Center, Health Center, Disability Support Services, Academic Resource Center (ARC), Career Development Office, Library Services, etc.

12. Get an Academic Coach • To help you make the grades you want, come to the John C. Ford Academic Resource Center (ARC)! We offer individual academic tutoring, workshops, and a computer learning lab to help you with all the skills you need to be an Active student. www.neumann.edu/academics/arc.asp • Work with your Advisor to keep you on the pathway to graduation! Make a degree completion plan and review it with your advisor each semester. The Advising Center will be glad to give you the guidance needed to navigate Neumann’s road to a degree! • Both the Advising Center and the Arc are located on the ground floor. Just follow the signs!