Career Goal-setting and Basic Study Skills

1. Career Goal-setting and Basic Study Skills Julian Hilliard Professor of Biology

2. WHY AM I HERE?...(in college) • Well, Dad’s paying for it… • You’re just supposed to go to college, right? • To meet the love of my life… • To socialize – same as High School (duh!) WRONG ANSWERS! (thanks for playing) Actually, you’re here so that YOU can PREPARE YOUSELF for a CAREER that suits your skills and personality.

3. Choosing a Career Path • Prioritize your personal goals and desires: • Financial independence, helping others, producing objects/art, scientific inquiry, etc. • With people who know you, brainstorm career ideas that match your life goals • Develop a plan of action for the next few years that will help you get there… • Talk to career counselors at school! Find out if the training and skills you plan to acquire are marketable! That is, “Can I get a job as a _________ around here in 2008?”

4. Fuel for the Long Haul (Motivation) Knowing why you’re putting forth all the money and effort for school will really help you reach your goals. On the flip side, not outlining your career goals and plan beforehand will likely lead to a longer, more expensive and more frustrating college experience.

5. In the Classroom:Advice from a Professor • Go to class - students who show up get better grades: amazing!! • If you’ve chosen the right career path, the subject should interest you. • Learn to take notes – this is your best source of information when studying later. • Listen and ask questions – engage your teacher in discussion (get your $ worth) • Don’t fear the subject, embrace the challenge… attitude is everything

6. Good Note-taking in Class • DO NOT record all the notes verbatim • Learn to paraphrase ideas for yourself • Record what’s written on the board • Record key points and terms • Listen for emphasized or repeated terms and concepts • Ask questions about confusing points – try to read and understand what you’re writing!

7. Now that you have Notes… • Begin reviewing your notes on the same day they’re taken. • Recopy the notes – this is a tried-and- true way to remember the information • Make notecards for key terms/concepts • Read your notes aloud – the more ways you hear the information, the better. • After reviewing, have a friend quiz you from notes or notecards Review your notes for about 3 times the amount of time you spent in class.

8. More Study Do’s and Don’ts • Read assigned chapters in the textbook – Buying it was pointless otherwise! • Study in a distraction-free environment. Turn off TV, telephone, etc. • Do not study while tired or stressed • Take short breaks at least every 40min • Get at least 6 hrs sleep/night • Eat low fat foods – fat makes you sleepy • Make a list of your study goals – eg. 4 hours of this, 2 hours of that, etc.

9. The Test… • Try to know 90% of the information two days BEFORE the test. • You should be reviewing 1 day before your exams. This reduces TEST ANXIETY!! • Studying well before the test means you can eat and sleep better, too. Remember: The time to worry about a test is before it – not after it.