University Success - 2nd Edition

N. Mahoney, B. Klassen, M. D'Eon, & L. Marken and Mahoney, N., Klassen, B., D'Eon, M., Marken, and L.

University of Saskatchewan, 2017.

Saskatoon, SK

University Success - 2nd Edition by University of Saskatchewan is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Adapted from the University of Minnesota Libraries, College Success open textbook.

1

Publisher Information

University Success is adapted from a work produced and distributed under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC-SA) in 2016 by the University of Saskatchewan.

The original adaptation (University Success – 1st Edition by Mahoney, Klassen, & D’Eon) reformatted the original text, and replaced some images and figures to make the resulting whole more shareable, but did not significantly alter or update the original 2010 text.

This adaptation (University Success – 2nd Edition), published in 2017, features a wholly replaced chapter (Chapter 8: Writing in University: It’s All About the Process!), written by Liv Marken.

This work is made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license, with the exception of the cover photo, which is made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the following reviewers whose comprehensive feedback and suggestions for improving the material helped make this a better text:

- Henry F. Algera, Seattle Pacific University

- Lenore Arlee, University of Oklahoma, Norman Campus

- Katie Cerrone Arnold, The University of Akron, Summit University

- Steven R. Boyd, University of Texas at San Antonio

- Mark Brennaman, University of Central Oklahoma

- Kathryn Burk, Jackson Community University

- Christi Duque, Tarrant County University

- Debby Espinor, George Fox University

- Lameteria D. Hall, The Community University of Baltimore County

- Sheryl Hartman, Miami Dade University

- Ann Iseda, Jackson Community University Extension Centers

- Dan Issler, University of Pennsylvania

- Timothy J. Jones, University of Oklahoma

- Lucas Keefer, University of Kansas

- Sharon Kousaleos, Ohio University

- Carla Kulinsky, Salt Lake Community University

- Patricia McGee, University of Texas at San Antonio

- Ted Miller, Jackson Community University

- Penny Pasque, University of Oklahoma

- Said Sewell, The Fort Valley State University

- Melissa Thomas, University of Texas at San Antonio

- John Timmons, Winthrop University

- Patrick Raphael Toney, Bowie State University

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Preface

Our primary goal in writing University Success is to help you succeed in university.

According to Department of Education data, 30 percent of first year university students leave school in their first year and as many as 50 percent never graduate. University Success is designed to help change that.

University Success has a student-friendly format arranged to help you develop the essential skills and provide the information you need to succeed in university. This is not a textbook full of theory and extensive detail that merely discusses student success; rather, this is a how-to manual for succeeding in university. The book provides realistic, practical guidance ranging from study skills to personal health, from test taking to managing time and money. Furthermore, University Success is accessible—information is presented concisely and as simply as possible.

University Success has the following features to help you achieve your goals: Each chapter asks you to evaluate yourself because success starts with recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, your hopes and desires, and your own personal, individual realities. You’ll develop your own goals based on these self-assessments, determining what success in university really means for you as an individual. Throughout the book, you will find numerous interactive activities created to help you improve your skills. To assist you with this, the material is presented in easily digestible “chunks” of information so you can begin applying it immediately in your own life—and get the most out of your university education.

Welcome aboard!

Figure 1.1 –
CollegeDegrees360 – University Student – CC BY-SA 2.0.

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

Yes

Unsure

No

1. I understand all the benefits of a university education for my future life.

2. I have clear-cut career interests and have already planned my university program to prepare me best for my future work.

3. I am aware of how my previous educational background has prepared me for university work.

4. I have all the personal traits of a successful university student.

5. I know how the learning process functions and make an effort to maximize my learning at each step in this process.

6. I know my personal learning style and use it to my advantage when learning new things.

7. I know how to pay attention to gain the most from my classes.

8. I am aware of my university’s policies for academic honesty and behavior on campus.

9. I know where to find all the resources of my university that can help me succeed both academically and personally.

10. I am confident I can earn the grades I need to achieve success in my university courses.

11. I know the first year of university will be the most difficult, but I am fully prepared and take responsibility for my own success.

12. I am taking steps every day to ensure I am successful in every aspect of the university experience.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your present skills for succeeding in university?

Not very strong

Very strong

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

In the following list, circle the three most important areas in which you think you can improve:

- Relating my personal values to education

- Choosing a program or degree major

- Finding the best career for my interests and skills

- Being prepared for university-level work

- Developing a positive attitude for university

- Successfully using each step of the learning process

- Adapting and broadening my personal learning style

- Getting the most out of classes large and small

- Following all university policies

- Taking advantage of all university resources

- Getting the best grades I can get

- Successfully transitioning to university and completing the first year

- Doing everything I can every day to ensure I succeed in university

Are there other areas or skills that need more attention in order for you to succeed in university? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

- Viewing university in terms of your personal values

- Recognizing the importance of making a commitment to succeed in the first year of university

- Discovering which career and university major best match your interests and skills

- Understanding the obstacles students like you may have to overcome when transitioning into university

- Figuring out how to learn best in each step of the learning process

- Using your personal learning style effectively while also expanding to include other forms of learning

- Staying motivated and succeeding in large lecture classes as well as small discussion classes

- Working with your academic advisor to select courses and plan your program

- Discovering what resources your university offers students to succeed not only in classes but also in their personal and social lives

- Understanding why grades matter

- Understanding why the first year of university is so critical and how to ensure you make it through

- Knowing what steps you can take starting today and every day to ensure your success in university

Welcome to University!

Congratulations on your decision to attend university! For the great majority of university students, it really was your decision—not just an automatic thing to do. If you happen to be one of the few who just sort of ended up in university for want of anything better to do, the benefits of university will soon become obvious.

The reason for this book, and for almost all university courses, is that university requires commitment and effort. Like everything else in life that leads to meaningful results, success in university is not automatic. But when you apply yourself to your studies using the skills you’ll learn in this book, you’ll find you can succeed.

When asked, most students say they’re in university primarily for the job or career they expect to follow after university. And they are correct that university pays off enormously in terms of future earnings, job security and stability, and job satisfaction. Every statistic shows that people with a university education will make much more in their lifetime on average (much, much more than the cost of university itself) and be much happier with the work they do.

But job and career issues are only a part of the big picture. A university education results in many other personal benefits, and these also should be part of your motivation for doing well and continuing with your university plans. Here are a few additional, less tangible benefits of a university education:

- You will have a fuller life and a better understanding of the world around you.

- You will gain decision-making and problem-solving skills.

- You will meet many interesting and diverse people and have a richer social life.

- You will gain self-confidence.

- You will gain learning skills that can continue for a lifetime.

- You will make wiser decisions about lifestyle issues and live healthier.

- You will make wiser economic decisions the rest of your life.

- You will be better equipped to deal with other people, organizations, governmental agencies, and all the hassles of daily life.

- You will feel more fully a part of your community, the larger culture, and history.

A university education is correlated with greater success in all those areas, even though most students are usually more concerned with making it through the next class or test than the rest of their lives. But sometimes it helps to recall what a truly great step forward you are taking!

Sadly, however, it’s important to recognize that some students do not succeed in university and drop out within the first year. Sometimes it’s due to an unsolvable financial problem or a personal or family crisis, but the most likely reasons that a university student in Canada will drop out is an ineffective social network (not getting involved in extra-curricular and volunteering opportunities), a lack of academic abilities, and poor attitudes and habits towards post-secondary education [1].

A book like this one can help you stay motivated when things get tough, but it can’t necessarily give you motivation to start with. That’s part of what you yourself have to bring to university. What we can promise you is that you can learn the skills for succeeding in university.

Special skills are needed because university isn’t the same as high school. Throughout this book, we’ll be looking at the many ways university is different from high school. To name just a few, university is different in study skills needed, in personal skills related to being independent, in social skills for getting along with instructors and others on campus, in financial realities, in matters of personal health, and more.

Remember, you can learn whatever you need in order to succeed. That’s what this book is all about. You’ll learn how to get the most out of going to class. You’ll learn how to study in ways that use your time efficiently and help you pass tests. You’ll even learn how to remember what you read in your university textbooks. You’ll learn how to manage your time more effectively than you might have in the past, so that studying is less a burden and more a simple routine. You’ll even learn how things like eating well and getting enough sleep and exercise make it easier to do well in your classes.

One warning: you might not at first see an immediate payoff for everything you read in this book. When it comes to certain things, such as tips for how to take good notes in class to help you study later on for a test, you will get specific, practical advice you can put to use immediately to get a better grade. But not everything is as obvious or immediately beneficial. Some of the things you’ll read about here involve ideas you’ll need to think about. Some things will help you get to know yourself better and understand more clearly what you really want from your education and how to go about attaining them.

But we promise you this: if you care enough to want to succeed in university and care enough to read these chapters and try to use the information, suggestions, and tips presented here, you will succeed in university.

1. Ma, X. & Frempong, G. (2008). Reasons for Non-Completion of Postsecondary Education and Profile of Postsecondary Dropouts. Retrieved from: http://publications.gc.ca/collection_2008/hrsdc-rhdsc/HS28-143-2008E.pdf↵

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1.1 Who Are You, Really?

Learning Objectives

1. List your most important personal values and relate them to a university education.

2. Begin thinking about what kind of career will best match your interests, skills, and personality.

3. Understand how university is different from high school in many ways.

4. Develop a positive attitude about yourself as a university student.

5. Accept responsibility for your university experience and your life.

Succeeding in university is rather like succeeding in life. It’s really much more about you than it is about university. So the most important place to start is to consider why you’re here, what matters to you, and what you expect to get out it. Even if you have already thought about these questions, it’s good to reaffirm your commitment to your plan as we begin to consider what’s really involved in being a university student.

What’s Your Plan?

Take a few minutes and write down short answers to the questions in Activity 1. Be honest with yourself, and write down what you really feel. You are not writing for an instructor here—not what you think someone expects to hear—and you are not being graded on your answers!

Activity 1: Your University Plan

How long do you anticipate being in university?

________________________________________________________

How many courses will you need to take per term to finish university in your planned time period?

________________________________________________________

What do you anticipate will be the most difficult part of completing university?

________________________________________________________

Are you confident you will be able to overcome any possible difficulties in completing university?

________________________________________________________

Were you able to easily answer the questions in Activity 1? How confident do you feel about your plan?

These are important questions to think about for the simple reason that students who have a clear plan and who are prepared to overcome possible obstacles that may arise along the way are much more likely to succeed in university. In other words, just thinking in a positive way about your future can help that future come true!

What Matters to You?

The word values refers to “important and lasting beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is good or bad and desirable or undesirable”[1]. What makes you feel good? What things would you be doing if you had all the time, money, and opportunities in the world? Questions like these help us define our own values.

Thinking about your own values can help you know what you want from life and from university. Take a moment and consider the list of things in Activity 2 that are valued by some people. For each value, rate how important that thing is to you.

Activity 2: Your Values

Following is a list of things that different people say they value. For each item on this list, indicate how important it is to you yourself by ranking it as very important (5), not important (0), or somewhere in between.

Value

Not important

Very important

Making a good income

0

1

2

3

4

5

Having good friends

0

1

2

3

4

5

Learning new things about your interests

0

1

2

3

4

5

Having a nice car

0

1

2

3

4

5

Having intelligent conversations

0

1

2

3

4

5

Staying current with the news

0

1

2

3

4

5

Playing sports

0

1

2

3

4

5

Hanging out with friends

0

1

2

3

4

5

Playing computer or video games

0

1

2

3

4

5

Cooking

0

1

2

3

4

5

Online social networking

0

1

2

3

4

5

Sleeping

0

1

2

3

4

5

Reading a good book

0

1

2

3

4

5

Traveling to new places

0

1

2

3

4

5

Shopping

0

1

2

3

4

5

Being liked by others

0

1

2

3

4

5

Studying and reading textbooks

0

1

2

3

4

5

Having nice clothing

0

1

2

3

4

5

Watching television

0

1

2

3

4

5

Enjoying time alone

0

1

2

3

4

5

Getting out in nature

0

1

2

3

4

5

Working your job

0

1

2

3

4

5

Looking good, personal hygiene

0

1

2

3

4

5

Meeting new people

0

1

2

3

4

5

Going to movies or entertainments

0

1

2

3

4

5

Eating nice meals out

0

1

2

3

4

5

Exercising, being physically active

0

1

2

3

4

5

Being your own boss

0

1

2

3

4

5

Having a positive romantic relationship

0

1

2

3

4

5

Engaging in your hobbies

0

1

2

3

4

5

Setting your own schedule

0

1

2

3

4

5

Volunteering your time for a good cause

0

1

2

3

4

5

Cleaning house

0

1

2

3

4

5

Attending classes

0

1

2

3

4

5

Going to religious services

0

1

2

3

4

5

Talking on the telephone, texting, e-mail

0

1

2

3

4

5

Going to parties

0

1

2

3

4

5

Participating in clubs, organized activities

0

1

2

3

4

5

Other: __________________________

0

1

2

3

4

5

Other: __________________________

0

1

2

3

4

5

Look back at the values and activities you rated highly (4 or 5) in Activity 2, which probably gave a good indication of how you enjoy spending your time. But now look at these things you value in a different way. Think about how each relates to how you think you need to manage your time effectively while in university. Most university students feel they don’t have enough time for everything they like to do. Do some of the activities you value most contribute to your university experience, or will they distract you from being a good student?

Students who enter university with their eyes open and who think about their own values and motivations will be more successful. If you have a good idea of what you want from life, the rest of it can be learned. We’ll start right away in Chapter 2 “Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track” by helping you stay motivated and manage your time well. The following chapters will then lead you through learning how to study well and everything else.

Thinking Ahead to a Major and Career

If you’ve just begun university, should you already know what career you seek in the future and what courses you should take or what you should major in? Good question!

Some students say they have known from a very early age what they want to do after university, choose the university that is best for that plan, never waiver from the plan and choose each course with the one goal in mind, and then enter their chosen career after university or graduate school. At the other extreme, some students have only a vague sense of direction before beginning university, take a wide variety of courses, select a major only when they reach the point that they must major in something (or perhaps change majors multiple times), and then after university choose to work in an entirely different field.

Some students choose to major in an academic subject simply because they enjoy that subject, never concerned with what kind of job they may get afterward. The traditional idea of the liberal arts education is that you can go to university not to prepare for a specific career but to become a well-educated person who is then in a better position to work in any number of careers.

None of these different approaches to choosing a major and a career is better than others. All students receive the many benefits of university, and all are likely to find a more fulfilling career.

So where are you in this great variety of attitudes about career and major choices?

Assuming you are still early in your university program, the take-home message here is that you don’t need to make any decisions yet. Chances are, as you take courses in a variety of subjects and meet people in many different fields, you’ll naturally discover something about what you really enjoy doing and what career options you may choose to pursue.

On the other hand, help is available for discovering your interests, strengths, and personality factors related to careers. You can learn a lot about your options and what you would be good at by visiting your university’s advising or counseling department. Almost all universities have tools to help you discover what careers you would most enjoy.

Figure 1.2 – Talk with your advisor to learn more about what future careers you may be interested in.
Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment – Photo taken from Flickr – CC BY 2.0

The Strong Interest Inventory is such an assessment tool used by many universities and universities. You answer a series of simple questions, and the computer-scored tabulation provides information about your interests, strengths, and personality related to different types of careers. This tool can also suggest specific courses, jobs and internships, and extracurricular activities relevant to personal and career interests. Ask your university’s career counseling center if such a tool is available.

Another widely used tool is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The MBTI is a personality inventory that identifies you as one of sixteen distinct personality types. Each personality type correlates with happiness in certain careers. Ask your university’s career counselor to see if the MBTI is available for you.

For more Career Planning Tools, check out the assessment options offered by the University of Saskatchewan’s Student Employment and Career Centre.

Although there’s nothing wrong with starting out without an intended major or career path, take care not to accidentally take courses that end up not counting toward your program goal or degree. You could end up in university longer than needed or have to pay for additional courses. Be sure to read your university catalog carefully and to talk to your academic advisor.

Your Past Educational Experience

It is important to understand how university is different from high school and how well your own past educational experiences have prepared you for what you will find in university. This is another way in which entering university “with your eyes wide open” will prove beneficial.

University is a unique experience for all students—whether you just graduated from high school or are returning to education after years of working. You are transitioning from one form of education to another. Some students have difficulty because of the differences between university and high school.

Generally speaking, however, the university experience is usually different from high school in these ways:

- Time management is more important in university because of varying class and work schedules and other time commitments.

- University instructors seldom seek you out to offer extra help if you’re falling behind. You are on your own and expected to do the work, meet deadlines, and so on, without someone looking over your shoulder.

- There may be no attendance policy for classes. You are expected to be mature enough to come to class without fear of penalties.

- Many classes are large, making it easy to feel lost in a crowd.

- Many instructors, especially in large classes, teach by lecture—which can be difficult for those whose high school teachers interacted a great deal with students.

- University courses require more study time and require you to work on your own.

- Your social and personal life in university may be less supervised. Younger students may experience a sudden increase in freedom to do what they want.

- You will meet more people from more diverse backgrounds in university.

- All of these differences, along with a change in living situation for many students, can lead to emotional changes—both positive and negative.

What does all this add up to? For some students, the sudden independence and freedom can lead in negative directions: sleeping late, skipping classes, missing deadlines, failing to study adequately for tests, and so on. Other students who are highly motivated and work hard in their classes may also have difficulty transitioning to the higher academic standards of university. Suddenly, you’re responsible for everything. That can be thrilling but also a challenge to get used to. All the chapters in this book will help you make this transition successfully.

Liking Yourself as a Student and Why That Matters

Of all the factors that affect how well one does in university, attitude is probably the single most important. A positive attitude leads to high levels of motivation, and someone who is highly motivated to succeed can overcome obstacles that may occur.

In Chapter 2 “Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track”, we’ll discuss things you can do to keep a positive attitude about university and stay motivated in your studies. But your attitude toward yourself as a student matters just as much. Now that you are in university, you are a new person, not just the same person who happens now to be a university student. What do you think of this new person?

If you’re feeling excited, enthusiastic, capable, and confident in your new life—great! Skip ahead to the next section. But if you’re less sure how well you’ll do in your new role, take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. A lot of new university students, once they begin experiencing the differences from high school, start having doubts. Some may start to feel “I’m not a good enough student” or “I can’t keep up with all this.” Some may become fearful or apathetic.

These feelings, while a perfectly natural response to a big change in one’s life, can hinder one’s motivation and ability to succeed. If you think you can’t make it, that might become true. If you’re sure you’ll make it, you will.

Again, we’ll ask you to think honestly about this. If you have these thoughts sometimes, why is that? Are you just reacting to a low grade on your first test? Are you just feeling this way because you see other students who look like they know what they’re doing and you’re feeling out of place? Most likely, if you have doubts about being able to do well, this is just a reaction to university being more difficult than what you’re used to. It’s mostly a matter of having the right skills for succeeding in university. This book will help you learn them—everything from how to study effectively, how to do better on tests, even how to read your textbooks more effectively.

Why is it that some students need to work on strengthening their skills after beginning university while others seem to waltz right in and do well from the start?

The answer sounds simple but is actually rather complex. There simply are many differences among people. There are differences among high schools as well as one’s past teachers, one’s peer group, one’s family, one’s cultural background, and many other factors. As a result of many different things, some students just need a little more help to succeed in university. No student is better or automatically more capable than another, however, and everyone can learn the skills to succeed.

Self-Management

To succeed in university, you need to take control of your life. Gone are the days when you could just “cruise” through school, or life, or let others motivate you or establish schedules to manage your time. This change presents an exciting opportunity. It’s your first step in your new life and the key to your future. Here are a few thoughts to get you started in the right direction:

- Accept responsibility for your life. You are on equal footing with everyone else and have the same opportunities to succeed.

- Decide what you want to do. Don’t let things just happen—make them happen by deciding that they should happen.

- Realize you can change. You can change your habits to become a better student. You can change your attitudes and become a more positive, motivated student.

- Develop a personalethical code. Do what is right for you and for others. The university world demands ethical standards and rewards responsible, ethical behavior. Be proud of who you are and your good decisions.

- Enjoy your life! Going to university might seem overwhelming at times, but no one is asking you to “give up your life” to succeed in university. Enjoy meeting new people, learning new things, and experiencing the diversity of the university experience. Most university graduates look back on their university years as one of the best periods in their whole lives!

Key Takeaways

- A university education provides many intangible benefits as well as much better prospects for a career you will enjoy.

- Thinking about your personal values and how they relate to your education can help you stay motivated to succeed in university.

- Personality and skill inventories can help you discover the right career for your future and the best major in university.

- Because university is a new and different life experience for most students, taking responsibility for new freedoms and managing time well are critical.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Which of the following are benefits of a university education?

1. A better understanding of the world

2. Developing problem-solving skills

3. Meeting interesting people

4. Making wiser financial decisions in the future

5. All of the above

2. What do you value that will be richer in your future life because you will have a university education?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

What do you value that will you likely have less time or money to spend on while in university?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. Life in university usually differs in many ways from one’s previous life in high school or in the workforce. What are the biggest changes you are experiencing now or anticipate experiencing this term?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. For each of the following statements, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

Attitude is one of the most important factors affecting university success.

T

F

If you sit back, wait patiently, and stick it out long enough, success in university will inevitably come to you.

T

F

To do well in university, you basically have to give up everything else in life for a while.

T

F

Most university graduates later look back on their university years as one of the best times in their lives.

1. What are Values? (2016). Business Dictionary. Retrieved from:  http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/values.html ↵

2

1.2 Different Worlds of Different Students

Learning Objectives

1. Understand how you may be similar to, and different from, other traditional students or returning students.

2. Describe the characteristics of successful students.

Not all university students are the same, and the world of university is therefore sometimes different for different students. Students will answer the following questions in a variety of different ways:

1. Are you attending university directly from high school or within a year of graduation?

2. Are you a full-time student?

3. Is English your first language?

4. Are you the first person in your family to attend university?

5. Have you spent most of your life in a country other than Canada?

6. Are you married or living with a partner? Do you have children?

7. Do you now or have you worked full time?

When thinking about different “types” of students, be careful to avoid stereotyping. While there are genuine differences among individual students, we must never assume an individual person has certain characteristics simply because he or she is a certain “type” of student. For example, if you answered yes to questions 1 through 3 and no to the other questions, you may be called a “traditional” student—young and attending university after high school. The word “traditional” is used simply because, in the past, this group of students formed the majority of university students—even though, at many universities, these students are now the minority. On the other hand, if you are older and have worked for some years before returning to school, or if you are an international student or are working and attending classes part time, you might be considered a “nontraditional” student. Again, this term comes from past statistics, even though very many universities have more “nontraditional” students than “traditional” students.

Figure 1.3 – Universities have students of all ages and with diverse backgrounds
Bernard Oh – IMG_7560 – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

What does that mean to you? First, realize that not everything discussed in this book will apply to you. If you’re eighteen and living away from your family for the first time in a university dormitory, you will likely not face the same issues of finding time for studying as an older student working full time and having children at home. If you’re thirty and returning to school after years of successfully managing a job, you may have to reestablish your study skills but will not face the same issues as a younger student who may be tempted by the sudden freedom of university and have difficulty setting boundaries.

Every student brings certain advantages to university from their background experience. Every student may also face certain kinds of difficulties. Understanding how your own background may impact your own preparedness for university can help you make a good start in your university experience.

“Traditional” Students

We’re putting the quotation marks around the word “traditional,” again, because this group of university students is no longer the majority at many universities, although the term is still sometimes used by educators. Coming directly or almost directly from high school, “traditional” students are used to attending classes, reading textbooks, and studying and thus may find the transition to university easier. Many are single and unattached and have fewer time commitments to others. Although a high percentage do work while in university, the work is typically part time or during the summer and does not have a severe time impact on their studies. As first-year students, usually living on campus at a four-year university or university, they do not lose time to commuting and typically their housing plan includes meals and otherwise simplifies their living arrangements. In all, many have few responsibilities other than their academic work.

On the other hand, “traditional” students living away from home for the first time may face more psychological and social issues than other student groups. One is away from family and old friends, perhaps forced to cope with an incompatible roommate or living arrangements, and facing all sorts of new temptations. Experiencing this sudden new freedom, many students experiment with or develop habits such as poor dietary and sleep habits, lack of exercise, and sometimes substance abuse or other behaviors that disrupt their academic routine and study habits. Many young students are forced to “grow up” quickly after arriving at university. Some students who do not adjust to the freedoms of university end up dropping out in their first year.

Returning Students

Students returning to their education are often older, may have worked for a number of years, and may be used to living on their own and being financially and psychologically independent. They are often more mature and have a stronger sense of what they want from university; they may be more goal driven. They may be paying their own way through university and want to get their money’s worth. They may be full-time students but frequently are still working and can take only a part-time course load. They often live off campus and may own a home and have a mortgage. They may have children. Because they have made a very deliberate decision to go to university, returning students are often serious students and are motivated to do the work. Having spent time in the work world, they may also have developed good problem-solving and decision-making skills as a result of their “real-world” experience.

On the other hand, returning students may have less time for studying because of work and family commitments. They may feel more stress because of the time and financial requirements of university. Spending less time on campus may contribute to not feeling completely at home in the academic world. They may not have time for many extracurricular and campus activities. Although they may be dedicated and hardworking students, they may also be less patient learning “theory” in courses and want all their coursework to relate directly to the real world.

Other Student Groups

Beyond this difference of age, some other common differences also affect one’s university experience. Students in the following groups may be either “traditional” students by age or returning students.

First-Generation Students

The phrase “first-generation student” refers to students who are the first in their families to attend university. These students may be “traditional” students enrolled right after high school or may be returning students. Students whose parents did not attend university may be less familiar with some or all aspects of the university experience and thus may have a more difficult time transitioning into their new life.

Recent Immigrant and International Students

Many universities have a significant percentage of students who have recently immigrated to Canada or who are attending university here. What both groups may have in common is coming from a different culture and possibly speaking English as a second language. They may have to make cultural adjustments and accommodations. Language issues are often the most serious obstacle to overcome, especially since so much of university education is based on reading and writing in English.

Students with Disabilities

The University of Saskatchewan’s’ Disability Services for Students (DSS) assists students by offering programs and services for those students with mental and physical health issues, thereby fostering an accessible and welcoming campus. The breadth of services offered includes; Academic Accommodations, Note-Taking, Classroom Changes and Assistive Technology. Students with disabilities have the right to request any accommodations needed to allow them to succeed in university. For more information or to receive answers to any specific questions, contact the Disability Services for Students.

Students Who Are Working

The key issue for working students often is time—how to find enough time for studying enough to do well in classes. Since it is very difficult to maintain two full-time schedules—work and school—one or the other may suffer. For those working long hours, Chapter 2 “Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track” presents many tips for managing your time when you have less of it; Chapter 11 “Taking Control of Your Finances” also suggests ways to cut back on expenses while in university so that you don’t have to work so many hours.

Students with a Family

Typically it is returning students who have families of their own, although younger students may also have families to care for. Having children of your own means you have different priorities from most some students, but a family shouldn’t be viewed as an obstacle to university success. Time may be short, and you’ll have to manage it carefully to avoid falling behind in your studies. Chapter 2 “Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track” describes some creative ways students can involve their families in the experience to prevent normal student stresses from disrupting family happiness.

Profile of a Successful Student

While it’s important to consider your strengths, it’s also important to develop a plan for moving forward and ensuring you have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. The following are some of the characteristics of the successful student you can be:

- Successful students have a good attitude and know how to stay motivated. You will learn about this in Chapter 2 “Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track”.

- Successful students have developed good time management strategies, such as scheduling study time and getting started early on assignments and projects. You will also learn about this in Chapter 2 “Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track”.

- Successful students have effective strategies for taking good notes in class and using them. Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering” guides you through this learning process.

- Successful students have developed their critical thinking skills and apply them in their studies. Chapter 4 “Thinking about Thought” gets you started in this direction.

- Successful students have learned how to gain the most from their assigned readings for classes. Chapter 5 “Reading to Learn” presents guidelines for effective reading and taking notes to help you understand and retain information.

- Successful students know how to prepare for and take tests successfully. Chapter 6 “Preparing for and Taking Tests” tells you what you need to know and presents tips for effective test taking.

- Successful students interact well with their instructors and fellow students in and outside of class. Chapter 7 “Interacting with Instructors and Classes” helps you gain these skills.

- Successful students have learned to write well for their classes, an essential aspect of university education. Chapter 8 “Writing for Classes” introduces key principles of effective university writing to get you started.

- Successful students develop social relationships that contribute to, rather than detract from, their educational experiences. Chapter 9 “The Social World of University” will show you how to manage your social life.

- Successful students take control of their health with good habits that help them be better students and feel less stress. Chapter 10 “Taking Control of Your Health” can help you get started on good habits.

- Successful students have control over their finances. Because getting into debt is a very common reason that students have to drop out of university, it’s important to control expenditures and manage your finances well, as we’ll see in Chapter 11 “Taking Control of Your Finances”.

- Successful students are able to transition well from the world of university into their future careers. You will learn these important principles in Chapter 12 “Taking Control of Your Future” to carry forward into your future.

Key Takeaways

- University students vary widely in terms of age, work experience before university, cultural background, family, and other factors that may affect how they learn.

- Traditional, young students just out of high school face a transition involving new freedoms and new situations they may need to master in order to succeed academically.

- Returning students who work and may also have family responsibilities often have time issues and may feel out of place in the university environment.

- Other student groups include commuters, first-generation students, immigrant and international students, students with disabilities, and others, each of whom may need to face additional issues to be successful.

- Regardless of individual differences, all successful students share a number of traits, including a good attitude, effective time management strategies, good studying and test-taking skills, and more.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Are you a “traditional” or “returning” student? List an important advantage you have as a result of being in this classification:

__________________________________________________________________

2. Check off which traits in this list are true of successful students:

They know how to stay motivated.

They don’t need to schedule study periods because they study at every available moment every day.

They know better than to try to think on their own.

They know how to speed-read so they don’t have to underline or highlight in their textbooks.

They avoid talking with their instructors, so they can remain anonymous.

They develop their writing skills.

They eat fast food so they have more time for studying.

They have few friends, because social relationships distract one from academics.

They use several credit cards so they don’t have to worry about finances until after graduation.

3

1.3 How You Learn

Learning Objectives

1. Understand and make effective use of the four steps of the learning process.

2. Describe the different learning styles of different university students and recognize your own learning preferences.

3. Know how to benefit from your own learning style and how to expand your learning skills with the techniques of other styles.

4. Take action to learn effectively when your learning style differs from your instructor’s teaching style.

One of the first steps for becoming a successful student is to understand the learning process itself. Certain characteristics of effective learning, including the four-step learning cycle, are true of all people. At the same time, people have different learning styles. Understanding these processes is important for maximizing your own learning while in university.

The Learning Cycle: Four Steps to Learning

Adult learning is different from learning in primary and secondary school. In high school, teachers often take much of the responsibility for how students learn—encouraging learning with class discussions, repeating key material, creating study guides, and looking over students’ shoulders to make sure no one falls behind. In university, most of the responsibility for learning falls on the student. You’re free to fail—or succeed—as you choose. This applies as well to how well you learn.

Learning an academic subject means really understanding it, being able to think about it in meaningful ways and to apply that understanding in new situations. This is very different from simply memorizing something and repeating it back on a test. Academic learning occurs most effectively in a cycle of four steps:

1. Preparing

2. Absorbing

3. Capturing

4. Reviewing

Think first about the different situations in which you learn. Obviously you learn during class, whether by listening to the instructor speak or in class discussions in which you participate. But you also learn while reading your textbooks and other materials outside of class. You learn when you talk with an instructor during office hours. You learn by talking with other students informally in study groups. You learn when you study your class notes before an exam. All of these different learning situations involve the same four-step process.

Figure 1.4 The Learning Cycle

Prepare

One student rolls out of bed a few minutes before class and dashes across campus and grabs the last seat in the hall just as the instructor begins a lecture; it takes him a few minutes to find the right notebook in his backpack, and then he can’t find a pencil. He’s thinking about how he should’ve set his alarm a little earlier so he’d have had time to grab a cup of coffee, since he’s having trouble waking up. Finally he settles in his seat and starts listening, but now he can’t figure out what the instructor is talking about. He starts jotting down phrases in his notes anyway, thinking he’ll figure it out later.

Another student looks over his notes from the previous class and quickly glances back at passages he’d highlighted in the textbook reading. He arrives at class a few minutes early, sits up front where he can hear well, and has his notebook open and pencil out. While waiting for the instructor to arrive, he talks to another student about her ideas for the paper due next week in this class.

It’s obvious which of these students will learn more during today’s class lecture. One has prepared and the other has not, and they will experience a huge difference in their understanding of today’s topic. Preparing to learn is the first step for learning. The same is true when you sit down to read your textbook, to study for an exam, or to work on an out-of-class project. Partly you are putting yourself in the right mind-set to learn. But when you review yesterday’s notes to prepare for today’s class, you are also solidifying yesterday’s learning.

Absorb

“Absorbing” refers to the actual taking in of new ideas, information, or experience. This is what happens at the moment a student listens to a class lecture or reads a textbook. In high school, this is sometimes the only learning step taken by some students. They listened to what the instructor said and “regurgitated” it back on the test. But this won’t work in university because learning now requires understanding the topic, not just repeating facts or information. In coming chapters you’ll get tips for improving in this step.

Capture

“Capturing” refers to taking notes. No matter how good your memory, you need to take good notes in university simply because there is so much to learn. Just hearing something once is seldom enough. You have to go back over the material again, sometimes several times again, thinking about it and seeing how it all fits together.

The more effective your note-taking skills, the better your learning abilities. Take notes also when reading your textbooks. You’ll learn methods for taking good notes in later chapters.

Review

The step of reviewing—your class notes, your textbook reading and notes, and any other course materials possibly including recordings, online media, podcasts, and so on—is the next step for solidifying your learning and reaching a real understanding of the topic. Reviewing is also a way to prepare for new information and ideas. That’s why this is a learning cycle: the end of the process loops back to the beginning as you prepare for additional learning.

Reviewing is also the step in which you discover whether you really understand the material. If you do not understand something fully, you may need to reread a section of the book, talk it over with a friend in the class, or go see your instructor.

What’s Your Learning Style?

Different people have different learning styles. Style refers to a student’s specific learning preferences and actions. One student may learn more effectively from listening to the instructor. Another learns more effectively from reading the textbook, while another student benefits most from charts, graphs, and images the instructor presents during a lecture.

Learning style is important in university. Each different style, described later in more detail, has certain advantages and disadvantages compared with other styles. None is “right” or “wrong.” You can learn to use your own style more effectively.

University instructors also have different teaching styles, which may or may not match up well with your learning style. Although you may personally learn best from a certain style of teaching, you cannot expect that your instructors will use exactly the style that is best for you. Therefore it is important to know how to adapt to teaching styles used in university.

Different systems have been used to describe the different ways in which people learn. Some describe the differences between how extroverts (outgoing, gregarious, social people) and introverts (quiet, private, contemplative people) learn. Some divide people into “thinkers” and “feelers.” A popular theory of different learning styles is Howard Gardner’s “multiple intelligences[1],” based on eight different types of intelligence:

1. Verbal (prefers words)

2. Logical (prefers math and logical problem solving)

3. Visual (prefers images and spatial relationships)

4. Kinesthetic (prefers body movements and doing)

5. Rhythmic (prefers music, rhymes)

6. Interpersonal (prefers group work)

7. Intrapersonal (prefers introspection and independence)

8. Naturalist (prefers nature, natural categories)

Figure 1.5 – Eight Multiple Intelligences – By Sajaganesandip via Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 4.0]

The multiple intelligences approach recognizes that different people have different ways, or combinations of ways, of relating to the world. Here is an example of visual-spatial intelligence, as an artistic, autistic savant draws the New York City skyline from memory.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsJbApZ5GF0 = (length 3:49)

Another approach to learning styles is called the VARK approach [2], which focuses on learning through different senses (Visual, Aural, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic):

- Visual learners prefer images, charts, and the like.

- Aural learners learn better by listening.

- Reading/writing learners learn better through written language.

- Kinesthetic learners learn through doing, practicing, and acting.

You can take a free, self-scored online assessment of your VARK learning style at http://www.businessballs.com/freepdfmaterials/vak_learning_styles_questionnaire.pdf.

There are still more systems used by educators to describe the various ways in which people learn. All of these systems can help you learn more about how you as an individual person and university student learn best. You can use the online assessment in the “Outside the Book” section at the end of this chapter to learn more about your style.

Just knowing your style, however, doesn’t automatically provide a solution for how to do your best in your university courses. For example, although you may be a kinesthetic learner, you’ll likely still have textbook reading assignments (verbal learning) as well as lecture classes (listening). All students need to adapt to other ways of learning.

The following sections look at the key ways in which learning occurs in university classes and offer some suggestions about how to adapt your strengths for success.

Reading

Reading skills are critically important in university. Most classes involve reading assignments. Although many instructors may cover some of the textbook’s content in lectures or class discussions, students cannot skip the reading assignments and expect to do well.

If your personal learning style is verbal and independent—that is, if you learn well by sitting alone and reading—then you will likely not have difficulty with your university reading. Here are some tips to help maximize your learning:

- Underline and highlight key ideas when reading.

- Take good notes on your reading, using your own words.

- Write descriptions that summarize information presented in nonverbal modes, such as through charts and graphs.

- Do all optional and supplemental readings.

- Take good notes in class, as you may remember more from your written words than from the instructor’s spoken words.

- If a class involves significant nonreading learning, such as learning hands-on physical processes, study with other students who are kinesthetic or “doing” learners.

If you have a different learning style, then you may need to give more attention to your reading skills. Always allow plenty of time for reading assignments—rushing makes it harder to understand what you are reading. Do your reading at times of the day when you are most alert. Find a quiet, comfortable place conducive to reading.

Try also to maximize your learning through your personal style. If you learn better by listening, for example, sit up front in lecture classes where you can see and hear the instructor better. If needed, ask if you can tape-record an instructor’s lectures and then listen again at a convenient time, such as when commuting to class or work. If you are more of a visual learner, sit in class where you can see PowerPoint slides and other visual presentations most clearly. Use a visual approach in your class notes, as described in Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering”. Check out whether video podcasts may be available for reviewing lectures. Try to relate all of these visual images to the textbook’s content when you’re reading an assignment. In addition, pay special attention to illustrations and diagrams in the book, which will further help you understand the written ideas and information. If you are more of an interpersonal learner, form a study group with other students and talk with others about the course topics. Take advantage of your instructors’ office hours to help clarify your understanding after reading assignments.

Listening

Listening skills are as important in university as reading skills. University students are expected to listen to their instructors in class and remember and understand what is said. In discussion classes, listening is important also for participating well in discussions.

Figure 1.6 – Many university classes involve lectures. Chatham House – The Whitehead Lecture: Jack Straw – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

If your personal learning style favors listening, then you may already be good at understanding class lectures. Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering” provides tips to help you pay close attention, take good notes, and recall the information and ideas you have heard. Here are some more tips:

Figure 1.7 – Instructors often use visual aids to help explain concepts and ideas. This helps students with visual learning styles. Jill Watson – Caviar Instruction – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

- Sit where you can best hear the instructor, away from other distractions.

- Study with other students and listen to what they say about the course material. Hearing them talk from their class notes may be more helpful than reviewing your own written notes.

- Record lectures and listen to them again later when reviewing material before a test.

- When studying, read your notes aloud. Review previous tests by reading the questions aloud and speaking your answers. If a section in your textbook seems confusing, read it aloud.

- Talk with your instructor if you feel you are not understanding course readings.

- Use rhymes or acronyms to recall verbal information. For more information, see Chapter 4 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering”.

- Explore supplemental learning aids, such as audio and video podcasts (even from other universities and universities) on the course’s subject matter.

Seeing

A “seeing” learner learns more effectively through seeing than through reading or listening. Some university courses include demonstrations and physical processes that can be observed. If you are a visual learner, work on developing your reading and listening skills, too, because you will need to learn in these ways as well. Here are some tips to improve learning related to seeing:

- Pay special attention in class to visual presentations, such as charts, diagrams, and images.

- Take lecture notes using a visual approach. Do the same when taking notes on class readings. Use diagrams, different colors, lists, and sketches to help you remember. For more information, see Chapter 4 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering”.

- Use video podcasts or other visual aids for reviewing lectures.

- Pay special attention to your textbooks’ illustrations and diagrams.

- If your instructor or textbook uses few visuals to help you understand and recall information and ideas, try to imagine how you would present this information visually to others if you were giving a class presentation. In your notes, create sketches for a PowerPoint slideshow capturing the highlights of the material.

- Study with other students who may learn better by reading or listening, and watch how they explain the material.

Doing

People who learn best by doing are often attracted to careers with a strong physical or hands-on component, which can vary from athletics to engineering. But these students may need to use other learning skills as well. Here are some tips to help maximize your learning related to doing:

- Try to engage all your senses when learning. Even when reading about something, try to imagine what it would feel like if you touched it, how it might smell, how you could physically manipulate it, and so forth.

- Think about how you yourself would teach the topic you are presently learning. What visuals could you make to demonstrate the idea or information? Imagine a class lecture as a train of boxcars and think about what things you would put in those cars to represent the lecture topics.

- When it becomes difficult to concentrate when reading while sitting in a quiet place, get up and move around while studying; make gestures as you read aloud.

- Use your hands to create a range of study aids rather than just taking notes: make charts, posters, flash cards, and so on.

- When taking notes, sketch familiar shapes around words and phrases to help you remember them. Try to associate abstract ideas with concrete examples.

- The act of writing—handwriting more than typing at a keyboard—may increase retention; write key things several times.

- Study with other students who may learn better by reading or listening.

Feeling

Feeling learners focus on the emotional side of information and learn through personal connections. Too often they may feel that a university textbook or a class is “dry” or “boring” if it focuses exclusively on written information. In addition to improving their reading and listening skills, students with this style can enrich their learning by focusing on what they and others feel about the information and ideas being learned. Here are some tips to help maximize your learning related to feeling:

- Try to establish an emotional connection with the topic you are learning. In a history class, for example, imagine yourself as someone living in the period you are studying: what would you feel about the forces at work in your life? In a science class, think about what the implications of a particular scientific principle or discovery might mean for you as a person or how you yourself might have felt if you had been the scientist making that discovery.

- Talk with your instructor during office hours. Express your enthusiasm and share your feelings about the subject. Even instructors who may seem “dry” in a lecture class often share their feelings toward their subject in conversation.

- Do supplemental reading about the people involved in a subject you’re studying. For example, reading an online biographical sketch of a historical figure, scientist, or theorist may open your eyes to a side of the subject you hadn’t seen before and increase your learning.

- Study with other students who may learn better by reading or listening. Talk with them in a personal way about what the material means to them. Try teaching them about the topic while explaining your feelings about it.

- Also try the strategies listed for the “doing” learning style.

Your Style, Your Instructor’s Style

Many university classes tend to focus on certain learning styles. Instructors in large lecture classes, for example, generally emphasize listening carefully and reading well. Don’t worry, however, if these are not your particular strengths, for much of this book focuses on learning study skills and other university skills related to these activities. Take responsibility for your own learning, rather than expecting the instructor to help you through the subject in your own personal way. For example, if you are a visual learner but your instructor simply stands at a podium and lectures, then provide your own visual stimulation by sketching concept maps in your notes or by visualizing how information being presented might look in a pie chart or graph. For more information, see Chapter 4 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering”.

As you move further into your university curriculum, you will likely have more small classes with class discussions, demonstrations, group presentations, and other learning activities. Once you are in classes closely related to a career path that interests you, you will find your personal style more relevant to the kinds of material you will be learning.

Much learning in university also comes from interactions with others, who often have different learning styles. Be open to interacting with other students and instructors who are different from you, and you will find yourself learning in ways that may be new to you.

Finally, if a genuine mismatch is occurring between your learning style and your instructor’s teaching style to the extent that you may not succeed in a course, talk to your instructor privately during office hours. You can explain how you best learn and ask for suggestions about other resources that may help you.

Key Takeaways

- People learn through a four-step process, and you can maximize your learning by conscientiously applying all steps throughout university.

- The first step of the learning cycle is to prepare in advance for classes, reading, tests, and other learning.

- The second step is to absorb information and ideas effectively during classes, reading, and other learning experiences.

- The third step, capturing, typically involves taking notes on the learning experience to increase understanding and retention.

- The fourth step is to review your notes, to help solidify the learning and to prepare for repeating the cycle in the next class or reading assignment.

- People have natural learning preferences, affecting how they learn best, such as learning by reading, by listening, by seeing, by doing, and by feeling.

- Students should learn how to use their own learning style to their best advantage while also becoming flexible and working to develop other learning styles.

- Because your learning style may not match your instructor’s teaching style, you need to be flexible and work to develop new learning strategies essential for university success.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Number each the following actions to put them in the correct order of the four steps of the learning cycle:

- ___ Review your class notes to make sure you understand.

- ___ Listen carefully to what your instructor says.

- ___ Prepare for today’s class by looking over your notes on the reading you did for today.

- ___ Take effective notes.

2. How would you describe your personal learning style?

__________________________________________________________________

Name an activity from which you generally learn very well.

__________________________________________________________________

Name a type of learning experience you may have difficulty with.

__________________________________________________________________

For the activity above, list at least two strategies you can use to improve your learning effectiveness when in that situation next time.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. If you experience a situation in which your personal learning style seems to clash hopelessly with an instructor’s teaching style, what is your best course of action?

1. Ask the instructor to teach in a different way.

2. Drop the class.

3. Adapt your style or study with other students.

4. Complain to the dean.

1. Gardner, H. (2011). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligence. New York, NY: Basic Books. ↵

2. Fleming, N.D. (1996). Teaching and Learning Styles: VARK Strategies. Hershey, PA: IGI Global. ↵

4

1.4 What Is University, Really?

Learning Objectives

1. Describe differences between large and small university classes and discuss the implications for learning.

2. Understand courses within your own university program: core courses, electives, and major courses.

3. Describe different skills needed for online courses.

4. Know how to learn your university’s policies and understand their importance.

5. Know what resources your university makes available to students and how to access them.

Big Classes, Small Classes

While most high school classes are fairly small, many university classes are large—up to several hundred students in a large lecture class. Other classes you may take will be as small as high school classes. In large lecture classes you may feel totally anonymous—even invisible—in a very large class. This feeling can get some students in trouble, however. Here are some common mistaken assumptions and attitudes about large classes:

- The instructor won’t notice me sitting there, so I can check e-mail or read for a different class if I get bored.

- The instructor doesn’t know my name or recognize me, so I don’t even need to go to class as long as I can borrow someone’s notes to find out what happens.

- I hate listening to lectures, so I might as well think about something else because I’m not going to learn anything this way anyway.

These comments all share the same flawed attitude about university: it’s up to the instructor to teach in an entertaining way if I am to learn at all—and it’s actually the university’s or instructor’s fault that I’m stuck in this large class, so they’re to blame if I think about or do other things. But remember, in university, you take responsibility for your own learning. Sure, a student is free to try to sleep in a lecture class, or not attend the class at all—the same way a student is “free” to fail any class he or she chooses!

Figure 1.8 – In a lecture class, avoid the temptation to cruise the Web or engage in other activities that will distract you from paying attention. hackNY.org – fall 2012 hackNY student hackathon – CC BY-SA 2.0.

If you dislike large lecture classes but can’t avoid them, the best solution is to learn how to learn in such a situation. Later chapters will give you tips for improving this experience. Just remember that it’s up to you to stay actively engaged in your own learning while in university—it’s not the instructor’s job to entertain you enough to “make” you learn.

There is one thing you need to know right away. Even in a lecture hall holding three hundred students, your instructors do know who you are. They may not know your name right away or even by the end of the term, but they see you sitting there, doing whatever you are doing, looking wherever you are looking—and will form a distinct impression of you. Instructors do have academic integrity and won’t lower your grade on an exam because you slept once in class, but the impression you make just might affect how far instructors go out of their way to offer a helping hand. Interacting with instructors is a crucial part of education—and the primary way students learn. Successful interaction begins with good communication and mutual respect. If you want your instructors to respect you, then you need to show respect for them and their classes as well.

Core Courses, Electives, Majors, and Credits

Every university has its own course requirements for different programs and degrees. This information is available in a printed course catalog or online. While academic advisors are generally assigned to students to help them plot their path through university and take the most appropriate courses, you should also take this responsibility yourself to ensure you are registering for courses that fit well into your plan for a program completion or degree. In general there are three types of courses:

1. Core courses, which are required by all students who graduate with a specific degree. They may be specific courses or a selection from a larger list. As you advance, you have more opportunity to choose the classes you want to take.

2. Required courses in your major are determined by individual academic departments. Whether you choose to major in accounting, marketing, math, engineering, history or any other field, your individual department sets specific required courses you must take and gives you options for a required additional number of credits in the department. You may not need to declare a major for a while, but this is something you can start thinking about now.

3. Electives are courses you choose freely to complete the total number of university credits needed for your program or degree. How many electives you may take, how they “count” toward your total, and what kinds of courses are acceptable as electives all vary considerably among different schools and programs.

Most important is that you understand what courses you need and how each counts. Study the university catalog carefully and be sure to talk things over fully with your advisor. Don’t just sign up for courses that sound interesting—you might end up taking courses that don’t count toward your degree at all.

In addition, each term you may have to choose how many courses or hours to take. Universities have rules about the maximum number of hours allowed for full-time students, but this maximum may in fact be more than you are prepared to manage—especially if you work or have other responsibilities. Taking a light course load, while allowing more time for studying and other activities, could add up over time and result in an extra full year of university (or more!)—at significant additional expense. Part-time students often face decisions based more on time issues. Everyone’s situation is unique, however, and all students should talk this issue over with their advisor each year or term.

Online Courses

The University of Saskatchewan now offers some online courses that can be taken as electives.  You experience an online course via a computer rather than a classroom. Many different variations exist, but all online courses share certain characteristics, such as working independently and communicating with the instructor (and sometimes other students) primarily through written computer messages. If you have never taken an online course, carefully consider what’s involved to ensure you will succeed in the course.

- You need to own or have frequent access to a recent model of computer with a high-speed Internet connection.

- Without the set hours of a class, you need to be self-motivating to schedule your time to participate regularly.

- Without an instructor or other students in the room, you need to be able to pay attention effectively to the computer screen. Learning on a computer is not as simple as passively watching television! Take notes.

- Without reminders in class and peer pressure from other students, you’ll need to take responsibility to complete all assignments and papers on time.

- Since your instructor will evaluate you primarily through your writing, you need good writing skills for an online course. If you believe you need to improve your writing skills, put off taking an online course until you feel better prepared.

- You must take the initiative to ask questions if you don’t understand something.

- You may need to be creative to find other ways to interact with other students in the course. You could form a study group and get together regularly in person with other students in the same course.

Figure 1.9 – Online courses are increasingly common at universities and require independent learning. Claire Thompson – Marking – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

If you feel you are ready to take on these responsibilities and are attracted to the flexibility of an online course and the freedom to schedule your time in it, see what your university has available.

Class Attendance and Promptness

In some classes at some universities, attendance is required and absences can affect one’s grade in the course. But even when attendance is not required, missing classes will inevitably affect your grade as well. You’re not learning if you’re not there. Reading another student’s notes is not the same.

Arriving to class promptly is also important. Walking into a class that has already begun is rude to the instructor (remember what we said earlier about the impression you may be making) and to other students. A mature student respects the instructor and other students and in turn receives respect back.

University Policies

A university campus is almost like a small town—or country—unto itself. The campus has its own police force, its own government, its own stores, its own ID cards, its own parking rules, and so on. Universities also have their own policies regarding many types of activities and behaviors. Students who do not understand the rules can sometimes find themselves in trouble.

The most important academic policy is academic honesty. Cheating is taken very seriously. Some high school students may have only received a slap on the wrist if caught looking at another student’s paper during a test or turning in a paper containing sentences or paragraphs found online or purchased from a “term-paper mill.” In many universities, academic dishonesty like this may result in automatic failure of the course—or even expulsion from university. The principle of academic honesty is simple: every student must do his or her own work. If you have any doubt of what this means for a paper you are writing, a project you are doing with other students, or anything else, check the university Web site for its policy statements or talk with your instructor.

Universities also have policies about alcohol and drug use, sexual harassment, hazing, hate crimes, and other potential problems. Residence halls have policies about noise limits, visitors, hours, structural and cosmetic alterations of university property, and so on. The university registrar has policies about course add and drop dates, payment schedules and refunds, and the like. Such policies are designed to ensure that all students have the same right to a quality education—one not unfairly interrupted by the actions of others. You can find these policies on the university website or in the catalog.

University Resources

To be successful in university, you need to be fully informed and make wise decisions about the courses you register for, university policies, and additional resources. Always remember that your university wants you to succeed. That means that if you are having any difficulties or have any questions whose answers you are unsure about, there are university resources available to help you get assistance or find answers. This is true of both academic and personal issues that could potentially disrupt your university experience. Never hesitate to go looking for help or information—but realize that usually you have to take the first step.

The university catalog has already been mentioned as a great source of many kinds of information. You should have an updated catalog every year or know where to find it online.

The university’s website is the second place to look for help. Students are often surprised to see how much information is available online, including information about university programs, offices, special assistance programs, and so on, as well as helpful information such as studying tips, personal health, financial help, and other resources. Take some time to explore your university’s website and learn what is available—this could save you a lot of time in the future if you experience any difficulty.

In addition, many universities have offices or individuals that can help in a variety of ways. Following are some of the resources your university may have. Learn more about your university’s resources online or by visiting the office of student services or the dean of students.

- Academic advising office. This office helps you choose courses and plan your program or degree. You should have a personal meeting at least once every term.

- Counseling office. This office helps with personal problems, including health, stress management, interpersonal issues, and so on.

- Tutoring or skill centers. The title of this resource varies among universities, but most have special places where students can go for additional help for their courses. There may be a separate math center, writing center, or general study skills center.

- Computer lab. Before almost all students became skilled in computer use and had their own computers, universities built labs where students could use campus computers and receive training or help resolving technical problems. Many campuses still maintain computer centers to assist students with technical issues.

- Student health clinic. In addition to providing some basic medical care and making referrals, most university student health centers also help with issues such as diet and exercise counseling, birth control services, and preventive health care.

- Career guidance or placement office. This center can help you find a student job or internship, plan for your career after graduation, and receive career counseling.

Figure 1.10 – Your university has many resources and many professionals available to help you with any issue that may affect your success as a student. Tulane Public Relations – Orientation – CC BY 2.0.

- Office for students with disabilities. This office may provide various services to help students with disabilities adapt within the university environment.

- Residence office. This office not only controls campus residential housing but often assists students to find off-campus private accommodations.

- Diversity office. This office promotes cultural awareness on campus, runs special programs, and assists diverse students with adjusting to campus culture.

- Office of student affairs or student organizations. Participating in a group of like-minded students often supports academic success.

- Athletic center. Most universities have exercise equipment, pools, courts and tracks, and other resources open to all students. Take advantage of this to improve or maintain your personal health, which promotes academic success.

- Other specialized offices for student populations. These may include an office supporting students who speak English as a second language, adult students returning to university, international students, religious students, students with children (possibly a child-care center), veterans of the armed services, students preparing for certain types of careers, and so on.

- Your instructors. It never hurts to ask a friendly instructor if he or she knows of any additional university resources you haven’t yet discovered. There may be a brand new program on campus, or a certain department may offer a service not widely promoted through the university Web site.

Everyone needs help at some time—you should never feel embarrassed or ashamed to seek help. Remember that a part of your tuition and fees are going to these offices, and you have every right to take advantage of them.

Key Takeaways

- Even in large lecture classes, attendance is important, along with forming a good impression and paying attention.

- Study the university catalog and talk with your advisor to ensure you understand the role of core classes, electives, and major courses in your program or degree requirements.

- Online courses offer another option in many universities but require a certain preparedness and a heightened sense of responsibility.

- To avoid inadvertently finding yourself in trouble, know your university’s policies for academic issues and campus behavior.

- Taking advantage of the many resources your university offers to help you with a wide range of academic and personal matters is essential for success in university.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. For each of the following statements, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

If your instructor in a large lecture class is boring, there’s nothing you can do except to try to stay awake and hope you never have him or her for another class.

T

F

In a large lecture hall, if you sit near the back and pretend to listen, you can write e-mails or send text messages without your instructor noticing.

2. List three things a university student should be good at in order to succeed in an online course.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. Use your imagination and describe three different actions that would violate of your university’s academic honesty policy.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. Where on campus would you first go for help choosing your courses for next term?

__________________________________________________________________

For help with your math class?

__________________________________________________________________

For a problem coping with a lot of stress?

__________________________________________________________________

To learn about your options for student loans?

__________________________________________________________________

To find a better apartment?

__________________________________________________________________

5

1.5 Let’s Talk about Success

Learning Objectives

1. Understand that success in university means much more in the long term than simply passing or getting good grades.

2. Describe situations in which grades do matter—and why it’s important to do as well as you can.

3. Describe why it is so important to be successful in your first year of university.

4. List steps you can begin taking immediately to ensure your success.

Success in university is the theme of this book—and you’ll be learning more about everything involved in success in the following chapters. Let’s first define what success really means so that you can get started, right now, on the right foot.

Understand first that no book can “make” you be successful—it can only offer the tools for you to use if you want. What are you thinking right now as you read these words? Are you reading this right now only because you have to, because it is assigned reading in a course you have to take—and your mind keeps drifting to other things because you’re feeling bored? Or are you interested because you’ve decided you want to succeed in university?

We hope it’s the latter, that you’re feeling motivated—and excited, too—to do a great job in university. But even if you aren’t much concerned at present about these issues, we hope you’ll keep reading and do some thinking about why you’re in university and how to get motivated to do well.

Figure 1.11 – Thorvaldson Building at the University of Saskatchewan
The original uploader was Parihav at English Wikipedia  CC-BY-SA-3.0

“Success” and “Failure”

So what does “success” actually mean in university? Good grades? That’s what many students would say—at least toward the beginning of their time in university.

When you ask people about their university experience a few years later, grades are seldom one of the first things mentioned. University graduates reflecting back typically emphasize the following:

- The complete university experience (often described as “the best years of my life”)

- Exploring many different subjects and discovering one’s own interests

- Meeting a lot of interesting people, learning about different ways to live

- Learning how to make decisions and solve problems that are now related to a career

- Gaining the skills needed to get the job—and life—one desires

When you are achieving what you want in life and when you are happy and challenged and feel you are living life to its fullest and contributing to the world, then you’ll likely feel successful. When you reach this point, your grades in university are about the last thing you’ll think of.

This is not to say that grades don’t matter—just that getting good grades should not be the ultimate goal of university or the best way to define personal success while in university. Five or ten years from now, no one is going to care much about what grade you got in freshman English or Biology 101. A successful university experience does include acceptable grades, of course, but in the end—in your long-range goals—grades are only one component of a larger picture.

How Much Do Grades Matter?

As you begin your university experience, it’s good to think about your attitude toward grades, since grades often motivate students to study and do well on assignments.

Valuing grades too highly, or not highly enough, can cause problems. A student who is determined to get only the highest grades can easily be frustrated by difficult university classes. Expectations that are too high may lead to disappointment—possibly depression or anxiety—and may become counterproductive. At the other extreme, a student who is too relaxed about grades, who is content simply with passing courses, may not be motivated to study enough even to pass—and may be at risk for failing courses.

What is a good attitude to have toward grades? The answer to that depends in part on how grades do matter generally—and specifically in your own situation. Here are some ways grades clearly do matter:

- At most universities, all students must maintain a certain average to be allowed to continue taking courses and to graduate.

- Often times, financial aid and scholarship recipients must maintain a certain grade in all courses, or a minimum average grade overall, to continue receiving their financial award.

- In some programs, the grade in certain courses must be higher than simply passing in order to count toward the program or major.

After graduation, it may be enough in some careers just to have completed the program or degree. But in most situations, how well one did in university may still affect one’s life. Employers often ask how well you did in university (new graduates at least—this becomes less important after one has gained more job experience). Students who are proud of their grades may include their average grade on their résumés. Students with a low average may avoid including it on their resume, but employers may ask on the company’s application form or in an interview (and being caught in a lie can lead to being fired). An employer who asks for a university transcript will see all your grades, not just the grade average

In addition to the importance for jobs, grades matter if you plan to continue to graduate school, professional school, or other educational programs—all of which require your transcript.

Certainly grades are not the only way people are judged, but along with all forms of experience (work, volunteer, internship, hobbies) and personal qualities and the recommendations of others, they are an important consideration. After all, an employer may think, if this person goofed off so much in university that he got low grades, how can I expect him not to goof off on the job?

The best attitude to take toward grades in university is simply to do the best you can do. You don’t need to kill yourself, but if you’re not going to make an effort then there’s not much reason to be there in the first place. Almost everything in this book—from time management to study skills to social skills and staying healthy—will contribute to your overall success and, yes, to getting better grades.

If you have special concerns about grades, such as feeling unprepared in certain classes and at risk of failing, talk with your academic advisor. If a class requires more preparation than you have from past courses and experience, you might be urged to drop that class and take another—or to seek extra help. Your advisor can help you work through any individual issues related to doing well and getting the best grade you can.

Can You Challenge a Grade?

Yes and no. University instructors are very careful about how they assign grades, which are based on clear-cut standards often stated in the course syllabus. The likelihood of an instructor changing your grade if you challenge it is very low. On the other hand, we’re all human—mistakes can occur, and if you truly feel a test or other score was miscalculated, you can ask your instructor to review the grade. Just be sure to be polite and respectful.

Most situations in which students want to challenge a grade, however, result from a misunderstanding regarding the expectations of the grading scale or standards used. Students may simply feel they deserve a higher grade because they think they understand the material well or spent a lot of time studying or doing the assignment. The instructor’s grade, however, is based on your actual responses on a test, a paper or other assignment. The instructor is grading not what he or she thinks is in your head, but what you actually wrote down.

If you are concerned that your grade does not accurately reflect your understanding or effort, you should still talk with your instructor—but your goal should be not to argue for a grade change but to gain a better understanding of the course’s expectations so that you’ll do better next time. Instructors do respect students who want to improve. Visit the instructor during office hours or ask for an appointment and prepare questions ahead of time to help you better understand how your performance can improve and better indicate how well you understand the material.

A major aspect of university for some students is learning how to accept criticism. Your university instructors hold you to high standards and expect you to have the maturity to understand that a lower grade is not a personal attack on you and not a statement that you’re not smart enough to do the work. Since none of us is perfect, we all can improve in almost everything we do—and the first step in that direction is accepting evaluation of our work. If you receive a grade lower than you think you have earned, take the responsibility to learn what you need to do to earn a higher grade next time.

Succeeding in Your First Year

The first year of university is almost every student’s most crucial time. Statistics show a much higher drop-out rate in the first year than thereafter[1]. Why? Because for many students, adjusting to university is not easy. Students wrestle with managing their time, their freedom, and their other commitments to family, friends, and work. It’s important to recognize that it may not be easy for you.

On the other hand, when you do succeed in your first year, the odds are very good that you’ll continue to succeed and will complete your program or degree.

Are you ready? Remember that everything in this book will help you succeed in your first year. Motivation and a positive attitude are the keys to getting off to a running start. The next section lists some things you can do to start right now, today, to ensure your success.

Getting Started on the Right Foot Right Now

- Make an appointment to talk with your academic advisor if you have any doubt about the courses you have already enrolled in or about the direction you’re taking. Start examining how you spend your time and ensure you make enough time to keep up with your courses.

- Check for tutoring assistance if you feel you may need it and make an appointment or schedule time to visit tutoring centers on your university campus to see what help you can get if needed.

- Like yourself. You’ve come a long way to reach this point, you have succeeded in taking this first step toward meeting your university goal, and you are fully capable of succeeding the rest of the way. Avoid the trap of feeling down on yourself if you’re struggling with any classes.

- Pay attention to your learning style and your instructors’ teaching styles. Begin immediately applying the guidelines discussed earlier for situations in which you do not feel you are learning effectively.

- Plan ahead. Check your syllabus for each class and highlight the dates of major assignments and tests. Write on your calendar the important dates coming up.

- Look around your classroom and plan to introduce yourself right away to one or two other students. Talking with other students is the first step in forming study groups that will help you succeed.

Figure 1.12 – Start getting to know other students right away by talking before or after class. This is often a good way to start a study group.
Nicholas Chan – IMG_5940 – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

- Introduce yourself to your instructors, if you haven’t already. In a large lecture, go up to the instructor after class and ask a question about anything in the lecture or about an upcoming assignment.

- Participate in your classes. If you’re normally a quiet person who prefers to observe others asking questions or joining class discussions, you need to take the first step toward becoming a participating student—another characteristic of the successful student. Find something of particular interest to you and write down a question for the instructor. Then raise your hand at the right time and ask. You’ll find it a lot easier than you may think!

- Vow to pay more attention to how you spend your money. Some students have to drop out because they get into debt.

- Take good care of your body. Good health makes you a better student. Vow to avoid junk food, to get enough sleep, and to move around more. When you’re done reading this chapter, take a walk!

Excellent! Start doing these few things, and already you’ll be a step or two ahead—and on your way to a successful first year!

Key Takeaways

- While success in university involves many benefits and experiences, grades remain one important measure of success.

- Acceptable grades are important for continuing your university program and financial aid, for graduate school or other future educational opportunities, and for obtaining a good job in most careers.

- Succeeding is especially important in one’s first year of university because this is the most critical period to avoid the factors that lead to many students dropping out.

- You can launch yourself on a path of success immediately by taking the first steps for help with studies, developing a positive attitude, taking advantage of your personal learning style, starting to practice time management, meeting your instructors and other students, participating actively in your classes, and taking control of your personal health and finances.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. In your university or your specific program, do you need to maintain a minimum GPA in order to continue in the program? (If you don’t know, check your university catalog or Web site.) What is that minimum GPA?

_______________________

What was your cumulative GPA in high school?

_______________________

Because university classes are usually more difficult than high school classes, figure—purely as a starting point—that with the same effort, your university GPA could be a full point (or more) lower than your high school GPA. Does that give you any cause for concern? If so, what do you think you should work on most to ensure you succeed in university?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. For each of the following statements about success in university, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

See your academic advisor only when it’s time to register for courses or when the university requires you to.

T

F

The best way to get help with a class is to pick whoever looks like the smartest student in class and offer to pay that person for tutoring.

T

F

A positive attitude about yourself as a university student helps you stay motivated to work on succeeding in your classes.

T

F

Understanding one’s own learning style makes it easier to understand how to apply one’s strengths when studying and to overcome obstacles to learning by adapting in other ways.

T

F

Meeting other students in your classes is important early on because you can skip classes once you arrange to borrow other people’s notes.

T

F

Participating in class is a key to being successful in that class.

1. Freeman, S. (2009, September 20). 1 in 6 first year university students won't make the grade. The Toronto Star. Retrieved from: thestar.com ↵

6

1.6 Chapter Activities

Chapter Takeaways

- The first year of university is the most critical. Make the commitment to overcome any obstacles to a successful transition and stay committed and motivated to succeed.

- Although university students differ in many ways, all successful students share certain common traits, including a positive attitude, effective critical thinking skills, good time management skills, effective study skills, interactions with instructors and other students, and good habits for personal health and financial stability.

- You can learn to maximize your learning by attending to each step of the learning process: preparing, absorbing, capturing, and reviewing.

- It is important to understand your personal learning style and use it well in classes, while also making the effort to learn in new ways and work with other students for a more effective overall learning experience.

- Working with your academic advisor and taking advantage of the many resources available at your university are key actions to ensure success.

- Understanding the larger characteristics of university success leads to a richer university experience, supplementing the value of good grades.

- While it may take a few weeks to develop all the skills needed for success in university, there are many steps you can begin taking today to get moving in the right direction.

Chapter Review

Check off every action on the following list that you plan to use in your first year of university to help you be as successful as you can be.

Approach classes and homework exactly as I did in high school

View university as a vital experience preparing me for the rest of my life

Decide immediately what I want to major in and never change my mind as I move forward through my courses

Manage my time well so that I have enough time to study and start on assignments well ahead of the due dates

Attend classes when I think something important will be said and I can’t find someone to borrow class notes from

Adopt a positive attitude and work on staying motivated to succeed

Give up everything else in life while in university

Talk to my advisor so that I take only those classes where the teacher’s style matches my own learning style

Form study groups with other students different from me so I can take advantage of how they learn as well

Be sure to tell all my instructors what I think they want to hear, not what I might really think

Sit in the back row where I won’t be noticed or get asked a question I might not be able to answer

Make good friendships and interact with a wide range of people on campus

Pay very close attention in class so that I don’t have to be concerned with reviewing the course material later

Prepare for each class every day

If I read too slowly, look for a CliffsNotes summary of the reading so I don’t lose time reading whole textbook chapters

Talk to other students to find out what classes and instructors are easiest to keep my GPA up

Take as many online courses as I can so that I can sleep late and get help from friends doing online assignments

To save time, go first to a friendly instructor to learn about any resources the university may have to help me

Take it easy my first year in university, not worrying about grades, to avoid burnout

Check out tutoring services only as a last resort at the end of the term if I’m in danger of failing

Check the class syllabus for important assignments and exam dates and begin scheduling study periods well ahead of time

Get to know my instructors and other students in the class right away

Outside the Book

1. Go online to the Student Employement and Career Centre’s career assessment tools at https://students.usask.ca/jobs/careers.php#TakeaCareerAssessment to view the career assessment tools that are available to you. These tools will get you thinking about possible careers that may match your interests.

2. Go to http://www.businessballs.com/howardgardnermultipleintelligences.htm#multiple% 20intelligences%20tests and scroll down to the link for “free Multiple Intelligences test (based on Howard Gardner’s model)—in Microsoft Excel self-calculating format, and other versions.” You need Microsoft Excel on your computer to take this free online assessment of your learning style.

Clicking the link will download an Excel spreadsheet with 74 questions. Answer each as directed on the 1 to 4 scale. Your score totals are then shown for each of the “multiple intelligences” learning styles presented earlier in this chapter.

What are your two strongest “intelligence types”?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

What are your two weakest “intelligence types”?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Based on this evaluation, what aspects of university learning might you want to give more attention to? (Refer to Chapter 1 “You and Your University Experience”, Section 1.3 “How You Learn” for ideas to think about.)

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. Visit your university’s Web site and spend at least thirty minutes exploring available resources for current students.  Jot down some of the topics here that you might want to consult again in the future if you were to experience a problem involving money, personal health, academic success, emotional health, social problems, discrimination, or other issues.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Make an Action List

Attitude

My most negative attitude toward university is

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Here’s what I’ll do to be more positive:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Values

My personal values most closely related to a university education are

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I may have to put these values on hold while in university:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Transitioning to University

The most likely problems I’ll have (as a traditional or returning student) transitioning to university are

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Here’s what I’ll do to stay focused in my first year:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Learning Process

In the past, I have paid too little attention to these steps of the learning process:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Here’s what I will begin doing now in my classes to fully use all steps of the process:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Learning Style

This is my preferred learning style:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will begin working to strengthen my learning through these other styles:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Lecture Classes

When I’m bored in a large lecture hall, I frequently do this:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

To pay closer attention, I will try the following:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

University Resources

I have not paid much attention to these available resources on my campus:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

In the coming weeks, I will check online or in person for information about these offices that may be able to help me succeed:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

University Grades

My grades generally suffer when I

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

To ensure I do well in all my classes, I will now begin to focus on

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Immediate Steps to Success

I have not used my time as well as I might because I’ve been doing the following:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will immediately start taking these steps to ensure I succeed in my classes:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Figure 2.1
CollegeDegrees360 – Learning – CC BY-SA 2.0.

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

Yes

Unsure

No

1. I have clear, realistic, attainable goals for the short and long term, including for my educational success.

2. I have a good sense of priorities that helps ensure I always get the important things done, including my studies, while balancing my time among school, work, and social life.

3. I have a positive attitude toward being successful in university.

4. I know how to stay focused and motivated so I can reach my goals.

5. When setbacks occur, I work to solve the problems effectively and then move on.

6. I have a good space for studying and use my space to avoid distractions.

7. I do not attempt to multitask when studying.

8. I schedule my study periods at times when I am at my best.

9. I use a weekly or daily planner to schedule study periods and other tasks in advance and to manage my time effectively.

10. I am successful at not putting off my studying and other important activities or being distracted by other things.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate how well you stay focused on your goals and use your time?

Need to improve

Very successful

1

2

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In the following list, circle the three most important areas in which you think you need to improve:

- Setting goals

- Staying focused on goals

- Keeping strong priorities

- Maintaining a positive attitude

- Staying motivated for academic work

- Solving and preventing problems

- Having an organized space for studies

- Avoiding the distractions of technology

- Preventing distractions caused by other people

- Managing time well when studying

- Overcoming a tendency to put things off

- Using a planner to schedule study periods

- Using a to-do list to ensure all tasks are done

- Finding enough time to do everything

Are there other areas in which you can improve your time management skills so that you can study effectively in the time you have, while still managing other aspects of your life? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

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How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

- Setting and focusing on goals that are specific, realistic, and attainable

- Setting priorities for managing your time

- Adapting a positive attitude for university success and overcoming the fear of failure

- Developing and practicing strategies for staying focused

- Preventing or solving problems that might threaten your success in university

- Choosing a study space and using it to your advantage for efficient studying and avoiding distractions

- Understanding why multitasking, such as using your computer or cell phone while studying, is an inefficient use of time

- Using your “time personality” to perform at your best and to plan ahead

- Using an academic planner to schedule study periods, get started on projects well in advance, and manage your time well

- Developing and practicing strategies for overcoming any tendency to procrastinate

Goals and Time Management

Since you’re reading this now, chances are very good you’re already in university or about to start. That means you’ve already set at least one goal for yourself—to get a university education—and that you’ve been motivated to come this far. You should feel good about that, because lots of people don’t make it this far. You’re off to a great first step!

But did you know that in many universities in Canada, approximately 12% of first-year university students will not make it to graduation[1]? Ask your instructor if he or she knows the graduation rate at your university, or you research this topic on your own. Knowing this can be important, because peer pressure (whether to succeed or to be lax and possibly drop out later) can be an important factor in your success.

If you want to be among the students who do succeed, it’s important to accept that university is not easy for most students. But we’re not trying to scare or depress you. A huge majority of those who really want to finish university can do so successfully, if they stay motivated and learn how to succeed. That’s what this book is all about. But it may take some effort. Succeeding in university involves paying attention to your studies in ways you may not have had to in your former life.

One of the many reasons why students drop out of university are financial difficulties[2]. While no one is guaranteed to easily find the money needed for university, there are many ways you can cut costs and make it easier to get through. Chapter 11 “Taking Control of Your Finances” has lots of tips for how to manage your finances.

This chapter looks at another big issue: how to make sure that you succeed in your courses. The first step is to be committed to your education. You’ve been motivated to start university—now you need to keep that motivation going as you target specific goals for success in your classes. Much of this has to do with attitude and managing your time effectively.

In fact, time management skills can make the difference between those who graduate from university and those who drop out. Time management is actually all about managing yourself: knowing what you want, deciding how to get what you want, and then efficiently and effectively getting it. That applies to fun things, too. In fact, you may want to think of the goal of this chapter as not just managing your time for studying but ensuring that even as you do well in your studies, you’re still enjoying your life while in university.

1. Shaienks, D., Eisl-Culkin, J., & Bussière, P. (2006). Follow-up on Education and Labour Market Pathways of Young Canadians Aged 18 to 20 – Results from YITS Cycle 3. Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada. Retrieved from http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/statcan/culture_tourism_research_81-595-e/2006/045/81-595-MIE2006045.pdf↵

2. Ma, X. & Frempong, G. (2008). Reasons for Non-Completion of Postsecondary Education and Profile of Postsecondary Dropouts. Retrieved from: http://publications.gc.ca/collection_2008/hrsdc-rhdsc/HS28-143-2008E.pdf↵

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2.1 Setting and Reaching Goals

Learning Objectives

1. Make short-, mid-, and long-term goals that are realistic and specific and commit to them.

2. Set priorities for reaching your goals as a basis for time management.

3. Develop an attitude for success.

4. Learn to use strategies for staying focused and motivated.

5. Network with other students to help ensure academic success.

6. Solve problems and overcome setbacks that threaten your goals.

Some people are goal oriented and seem to easily make decisions that lead to achieving their goals, while others seem just to “go with the flow” and accept what life gives them. While the latter may sound pleasantly relaxed, moving through life without goals may not lead anywhere at all. The fact that you’re in university now shows you already have the major goal to complete your university program.

A goal is a result we intend to reach mostly through our own actions. Things we do may move us closer to or farther away from that result. Studying moves us closer to success in a difficult course, while sleeping through the final examination may completely prevent reaching that goal. That may be an extreme case, yet still a lot of university students don’t reach their goal of graduating. The problem may be a lack of commitment to the goal, but often students have conflicting goals. One way to prevent problems is to think about all your goals and priorities and to learn ways to manage your time, your studies, and your social life to best reach your goals. Consider these four students:

A. To help his widowed mother,  Yuxi went to work full time after high school. Now, a few years later, he’s dissatisfied with the kinds of jobs he has been able to get and has begun taking computer programming courses in the evening. He’s often tired after work, however, and his mother would like him to spend more time at home. Sometimes he cuts class to stay home and spend time with her.

B. In her senior year of university, Becky has just been elected president of her student union and is excited about planning a major community service project. She knows she should be spending more time on her senior thesis, but she feels her community project may gain her contacts that can help her find a better job after graduation. Besides, the project is a lot more fun, and she’s enjoying the esteem of her position. Even if she doesn’t do well on her thesis, she’s sure she’ll pass.

C. After an easy time in high school, James is surprised his university classes are so hard. He’s got enough time to study for his first-year courses, but he also has a lot of friends and fun things to do. Sometimes he’s surprised to look up from his computer to see it’s midnight already, and he hasn’t started reading that chapter yet. Where does the time go? When he’s stressed, however, he can’t study well, so he tells himself he’ll get up early and read the chapter before class, and then he turns back to his computer to see who’s online.

D. Sachito was successful in cutting back her hours at work to give her more time for her engineering classes, but it’s difficult for her to get much studying done at home. Her husband has been wonderful about taking care of their young daughter, but he can’t do everything, and lately he’s been hinting more about asking her sister to babysit so that the two of them can go out in the evening the way they used to. Lately, when she’s had to study on a weekend, he leaves with his friends, and Sachito ends up spending the day with her daughter—and not getting much studying done.

What do these very different students have in common? Each has goals that conflict in one or more ways. Each needs to develop strategies to meet their other goals without threatening their academic success. And all of them have time management issues to work through: three because they feel they don’t have enough time to do everything they want or need to do and one because even though he has enough time, he needs to learn how to manage it more effectively. For all four of them, motivation and attitude will be important as they develop strategies to achieve their goals.

It all begins with setting goals and thinking about priorities.

As you think about your own goals, think about more than just being a student. You’re also a person with individual needs and desires, hopes and dreams, plans and schemes. Your long-term goals likely include graduation and a career but may also involve social relationships with others, a romantic relationship, family, hobbies or other activities, where and how you live, and so on. While you are a student you may not be actively pursuing all your goals with the same fervor, but they remain goals and are still important in your life.

Goals also vary in terms of time. Short-term goals focus on today, the next few days and perhaps the next few weeks. Mid-term goals involve plans for this school year and the time you plan to remain in university. Long-term goals may begin with graduating university and everything you want to happen thereafter. Often your long-term goals (e.g., the kind of career you want) guide your midterm goals (getting the right education for that career), and your short-term goals (such as doing well on an exam) become steps for reaching those larger goals. Thinking about your goals in this way helps you realize how even the little things you do every day can keep you moving toward your most important long-term goals.

Write out your goals in Activity 1. You should literally write them down, because the act of finding the best words to describe your goals helps you think more clearly about them. Follow these guidelines:

- Goals should be realistic. It’s good to dream and to challenge yourself, but your goals should relate to your personal strengths and abilities.

- Goals should be specific. Don’t write, “I will become a great musician”; instead, write, “I will finish my music degree and be employed in a symphony orchestra.”

- Goals should have a time frame. You won’t feel very motivated if your goal is vaguely “to finish university someday.” If you’re realistic and specific in your goals, you should also be able to project a time frame for reaching the goal.

- You should really want to reach the goal. We’re willing to work hard to reach goals we really care about, but we’re likely to give up when we encounter obstacles if we don’t feel strongly about a goal. If you’re doing something only because your parents or someone else wants you to, then it’s not your own personal goal—and you may have some more thinking to do about your life.

Activity 1: Personal Goals

Write your goals in the following blanks. Be sure to consider all areas of your life—consider everything important that you want to do between this moment and old age. (While you might aim for three to eight goals in each section, remember that everyone is unique, and you may be just as passionate about just one or two goals or more than eight.)

Short-term goals (today, this week, and this month):

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Midterm goals (this year and while in university):

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Long-term goals (from university on):

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Priorities

Thinking about your goals gets you started, but it’s also important to think about priorities. We often use the word “priorities” to refer to how important something is to us. We might think, This is a really important goal, and that is less important. Try this experiment: go back to the goals you wrote in Activity 1 and see if you can rank each goal as a 1 (top priority), 2 (middle priority), or 3 (lowest priority).

It sounds easy, but do you actually feel comfortable doing that? Maybe you gave a priority 1 to passing your courses and a priority 3 to playing your guitar. So what does that mean—that you never play guitar again, or at least not while in university? Whenever you have an hour free between class and work, you have to study because that’s the higher priority? What about all your other goals—do you have to ignore everything that’s not a priority 1? And what happens when you have to choose among different goals that are both number 1 priorities?

In reality, priorities don’t work quite that way. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to try to rank goals as always more or less important. The question of priority is really a question of what is more important at a specific time. It is important to do well in your classes, but it’s also important to have a social life and enjoy your time off from studying. You shouldn’t have to choose between the two—except at any given time. Priorities always involve time: what is most important to do right now. As we’ll see later, time management is mostly a way to juggle priorities so you can meet all your goals.

When you manage your time well, you don’t have to ignore some goals completely in order to meet other goals. In other words, you don’t have to give up your life when you register for university—but you may need to work on managing your life more effectively.

But time management works only when you’re committed to your goals. Attitude and motivation are very important. If you haven’t yet developed an attitude for success, all the time management skills in the world won’t keep you focused and motivated to succeed.

An Attitude for Success

What’s your attitude right now—what started running through your mind as you saw the “An Attitude for Success” heading? Were you groaning to yourself, thinking, “No, not the attitude thing again!” Or, at the other extreme, maybe you were thinking, “This is great! Now I’m about to learn everything I need to get through university without a problem!” Those are two attitude extremes, one negative and skeptical, the other positive and hopeful. Most students are somewhere in between—but everyone has an attitude of one sort or another.

Everything people do and how they do it starts with attitude. One student gets up with the alarm clock and cheerfully prepares for the day, planning to study for a couple hours between classes, go jogging later, and see a friend at dinner. Another student oversleeps after partying too late last night, decides to skip his first class, somehow gets through later classes fueled by fast food and energy drinks while dreading tomorrow’s exam, and immediately accepts a friend’s suggestion to go out tonight instead of studying. Both students could have identical situations, classes, finances, and academic preparation. There could be just one significant difference—but it’s the one that matters.

Figure 2.2 – Everything starts with attitude
Loozrboy – Flickr – CC BY-SA 2.0

Here are some characteristics associated with a positive attitude:

- Enthusiasm for and enjoyment of daily activities

- Acceptance of responsibility for one’s actions and feeling good about success

- Generally upbeat mood and positive emotions, cheerfulness with others, and satisfaction with oneself

- Motivation to get the job done

- Flexibility to make changes when needed

- Ability to make productive, effective use of time

And here are some characteristics associated with a negative attitude:

- Frequent complaining

- Blaming others for anything that goes wrong

- Often experiencing negative emotions: anger, depression, resentment

- Lack of motivation for work or studies

- Hesitant to change or seek improvement

- Unproductive use of time, procrastination

Video: Procrastination – (length: 1:21)

We started this chapter talking about goals, because people’s goals and priorities have a huge effect on their attitude. Someone who really wants to succeed in university is better motivated and can develop a more positive attitude to succeed. But what if you are committed to succeeding in university but still feel kind of doubtful or worried or even down on yourself—what can you do then? Can people really change their attitude? Aren’t people just “naturally” positive or negative or whatever?

While attitude is influenced by one’s personality, upbringing, and past experiences, there is no “attitude gene” that makes you one way or another. It’s not as simple as taking a pill, but attitude can be changed. If you’re committed to your goals, you can learn to adjust your attitude. The following are some things you can start doing.

Be More Upbeat with Yourself

We all have conversations with ourselves. I might do badly on a test, and I start thinking things like, “I’m just not smart enough” or “That teacher is so hard no one could pass that test.” The problem when we talk to ourselves this way is that we listen—and we start believing what we’re hearing. Think about what you’ve been saying to yourself since your first day at university. Have you been negative or making excuses, maybe because you’re afraid of not succeeding? You are smart enough or you wouldn’t be here. Even if you did poorly on a test, you can turn that around into a more positive attitude by taking responsibility. “OK, I goofed off too much when I should have been studying. I learned my lesson—now it’s time to buckle down and study for the next test. I’m going to ace this one!” Hear yourself saying that enough and guess what—you soon find out you can succeed even in your hardest classes.

Choose Whom You Spend Time With

We all know negative and positive people. Sometimes it’s fun to hang out with someone with a negative attitude, especially if their sarcasm is funny. And if we’ve just failed a test, we might enjoy being with someone else who also blames the instructor or “the system” for whatever goes wrong. As they say, misery loves company. But often being with negative people is one of the surest ways to stay negative yourself. You not only hear your own self-talk making excuses and blaming others and putting yourself down, but you hear other people saying it, too. After a while you’re convinced it’s true. You’ve developed a negative attitude that sets you up for failure.

University offers a great opportunity to make new friends. Friendships and other social relationships are important to all humans—and maybe to university students most of all, because of the stresses of university and the changes you’re likely experiencing. Later chapters in this book have some tips for making new friends and getting actively involved in campus life, if you’re not already there. Most important, try to choose friends with a positive attitude. It’s simply more fun to be with people who are upbeat and enjoying life, people whom you respect—and who, like you, are committed to their studies and are motivated. A positive attitude can really be contagious.

Overcome Resistance to Change

While it’s true that most people are more comfortable when their situation is not always changing, many kinds of change are good and should be welcomed. University is a big change from high school or being employed. Accepting that reality helps you be more positive about the differences. Sure, you have to study more, and the classes are harder. You may be working more and have less time for your personal life. But dwelling on those differences only reinforces a negative attitude. Look instead at the positive changes: the exciting and interesting people you’re meeting, the education you’re getting that will lead to a bright future, and the mental challenges and stimulation you’re feeling every day.

The first step may be simply to see yourself succeeding in your new life. Visualize yourself as a student taking control, enjoying classes, studying effectively, getting good grades. This book will help you do that in many ways. It all begins with the right attitude.

Overcome Fears

One of the most common fears of university students is a fear of failure—of not being able to make the grade. We all know that life is not all roses and that we’re not going to succeed at everything we try. Everyone experiences some sort of failure at some time—and everyone has fears. The question is what you do about it.

Again, think about your goals. You’ve enrolled in university for good reasons, and you’ve already shown your commitment by coming this far. If you still have any fear of failure, turn it around and use it in a positive way. If you’re afraid you may not do well on an upcoming exam, don’t mope around—sit down and schedule times to start studying well ahead of time. It’s mostly a matter of attitude adjustment.

Stay Focused and Motivated

Okay, you’ve got a positive attitude. But you’ve got a lot of reading for classes to do tonight, a test tomorrow, and a paper due the next day. Maybe you’re a little bored with one of your reading assignments. Maybe you’d rather play a computer game. Uh oh—now what? Attitude can change at almost any moment. One minute you’re enthusiastically starting a class project, and then maybe a friend drops by and suddenly all you want to do is close the books and relax a while, hang out with friends.

One of the characteristics of successful people is accepting that life is full of interruptions and change—and planning for it. Staying focused does not mean you become a boring person who does nothing but go to class and study all the time. You just need to make a plan.

Planning ahead is the single best way to stay focused and motivated to reach your goals. Don’t wait until the night before an exam. If you know you have a major exam in five days, start by reviewing the material and deciding how many hours of study you need. Then schedule those hours spread out over the next few days—at times when you are most alert and least likely to be distracted. Allow time for other activities, too, to reward yourself for successful studying. Then when the exam comes, you’re relaxed, you know the material, you’re in a good mood and confident, and you do well.

Planning is mostly a matter of managing your time well, as we’ll see later. Here are some other tips for staying focused and motivated:

- If you’re not feeling motivated, think about the results of your goals, not just the goals themselves. If just thinking about finishing university doesn’t sound all that exciting, then think instead about the great, high-paying career that comes afterward and the things you can do with that income.

- Say it aloud—to yourself or a friend with a positive attitude: “I’m going to study now for another hour before I take a break—and I’m getting an A on that test tomorrow!” It’s amazing how saying something aloud puts commitment in it and affirms that it can be true.

- Remember your successes, even small successes. As you begin a project or approach studying for a test, think about your past success on a different project or test. Remember how good it feels to succeed. Know you can succeed again.

- Focus on the here and now. For some people, looking ahead to goals, or to anything else, may lead to daydreaming that keeps them from focusing on what they need to do right now. Don’t worry about what you’re doing tomorrow or next week or month. If your mind keeps drifting off, however, you may need to reward or even trick yourself to focus on the here and now. For example, if you can’t stop thinking about the snack you’re going to have when you finish studying in a couple hours, change the plan. Tell yourself you’ll take a break in twenty minutes if you really need it—but only if you really work well first.

- If you just can’t focus in on what you should be doing because the task seems too big and daunting, break the task into smaller, manageable pieces. Don’t start out thinking, “I need to study the next four hours,” but think, “I’ll spend the next thirty minutes going through my class notes from the last three weeks and figure out what topics I need to spend more time on.” It’s a lot easier to stay focused when you’re sitting down for thirty minutes at a time.

- Never, ever multitask while studying! You may think that you can monitor your e-mails and send text messages while studying, but in reality, these other activities lower the quality of your studying.

- Imitate successful people. Does a friend always seem better able to stick with studying or work until they get it done? What are they doing that you’re not? We all learn from observing others, and we can speed up that process by deliberately using the same strategies we see working with others. Visualize yourself studying in the same way and getting that same high grade on the test or paper.

- Separate yourself from unsuccessful people. This is the flip side of imitating successful people. If a roommate or a friend is always putting off things until the last minute or is distracted with other interests and activities, tell yourself how different you are. When you hear other students complaining about how hard a class is or bragging about not studying or attending class, visualize yourself as not being like them at all.

- Reward yourself when you complete a significant task—but only when you are done. Some people seem able to stay focused only when there’s a reward waiting.

- While some people work harder for the reward, others are motivated more by the price of failing. While some people are almost paralyzed by anxiety, others are moved by their fear to achieve their best.

- Get the important things done first. We’ll talk about managing your academic planner and to-do lists later in the chapter, but for now, to stay focused and motivated, concentrate on the things that matter most. You’re about to sit down to read a chapter in a book you’re not much enjoying, and you suddenly notice some clothing piled up on a chair. “I really should clean up this place,” you think. “And I’d better get my laundry done before I run out of things to wear.” Don’t try to fool yourself into feeling you’re accomplishing something by doing laundry rather than studying. Stay focused!

Network for Success

Making friends with people with positive attitudes not only helps you maintain a positive attitude yourself, but it gets you started networking with other students in ways that will help you succeed.

Did you study alone or with friends in high school? Because university classes are typically much more challenging, many university students discover they do better, and find it much more enjoyable, if they study with other students taking same course. This might mean organizing a study group or just getting together with a friend to review material before a test. It’s good to start thinking right away about networking with other students in your classes.

If you consider yourself an independent person and prefer studying and doing projects on your own rather than with others, think for a minute about how most people function in their careers and professions, what the business world is like. Most work today is done by teams or individuals working together in a collaborative way. Very few jobs involve a person always being and working alone. The more you learn to study and work with other students now, the more skills you are mastering for a successful career.

Studying with other students has immediate benefits. You can quiz each other to help ensure that everyone understands the course material; if you’re not clear about something, someone else can help teach it to you. You can read and respond to each other’s writing and other work. You can divide up the work in group projects. And through it all, you can often have more fun than if you were doing it on your own.

Studying together is also a great way to start networking—a topic we’ll discuss more in coming chapters. Networking has many potential benefits for your future. University students who feel they are part of a network on campus are more motivated and more successful in university.

Tips for Success: Staying Motivated

- Keep your eye on your long-term goals while working toward immediate goals.

- Keep your priorities straight—but also save some time for fun.

- Work on keeping your attitude positive.

- Keep the company of positive people; imitate successful people.

- Don’t let past habits drag you down.

- Plan ahead to avoid last-minute pressures.

- Focus on your successes.

- Break large projects down into smaller tasks or stages.

- Reward yourself for completing significant tasks.

- Avoid multitasking.

- Network with other students; form a study group.

Problem Solving: When Setbacks Happen

Even when you have clear goals and are motivated and focused to achieve them, problems sometimes happen. Accept that they will happen, since inevitably they do for everyone. The difference between those who succeed by solving the problem and moving on and those who get frustrated and give up is partly attitude and partly experience—and knowing how to cope when a problem occurs.

Lots of different kinds of setbacks may happen while you’re in university—just as to everyone in life. Here are a few examples:

- A financial crisis

- An illness or injury

- A crisis involving family members or loved ones

- Stress related to frequently feeling you don’t have enough time

- Stress related to relationship problems

Some things happen that we cannot prevent—such as some kinds of illness, losing one’s job because of a business slowdown, or crises involving family members. But many other kinds of problems can be prevented or made less likely to occur. You can take steps to stay healthy, as you’ll learn in Chapter 10 “Taking Control of Your Health”. You can take control of your finances and avoid most financial problems common among university students, as you’ll learn in Chapter 11 “Taking Control of Your Finances”. You can learn how to build successful social relationships and get along better with your instructors, with other students, and in personal relationships. You can learn time management techniques to ensure you use your time effectively for studying. Most of the chapters in this book also provide study tips and guidelines to help you do well in your classes with effective reading, note-taking, test-taking, and writing skills for classes. Preventing the problems that typically keep university students from succeeding is much of what this book is all about.

Not all problems can be avoided. Illness or a financial problem can significantly set one back—especially when you’re on a tight schedule and budget. Other problems, such as a social or relationship issue or an academic problem in a certain class, may be more complex and not easily prevented. What then?

First, work to resolve the immediate problem:

1. Stay motivated and focused. Don’t let frustration, anxiety, or other negative emotions make the problem worse than it already is.

2. Analyze the problem to consider all possible solutions. An unexpected financial setback doesn’t automatically mean you have to drop out of school—not when alternatives such as student loans, less expensive living arrangements, or other possible solutions may be available. Failing a midterm exam doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to fail the course—not when you make the effort to determine what went wrong, work with your instructor and others on an improved study plan, and use better strategies to prepare for the next test.

3. Seek help when you need to. None of us gets through life alone, and it’s not a sign of weakness to see your academic advisor or a university counselor if you have a problem.

4. When you’ve developed a plan for resolving the problem, work to follow through. If it will take a while before the problem is completely solved, track your progress in smaller steps so that you can see you really are succeeding. Every day will move you one step closer to putting it behind you.

Video: How President Obama Solves Problems – (length: 2:12)

After you’ve solved a problem, be sure to avoid it again in the future:

1. Be honest with yourself: how did you contribute to the problem? Sometimes it’s obvious: a student who drank heavily at a party the night before a big test failed the exam because he was so hung over he couldn’t think straight. Sometimes the source of the problem is not as obvious but may become clearer the more you think about it. Another student did a lot of partying during the term but studied all day before the big test and was well rested and clear-headed at test time but still did poorly; he may not yet have learned good study skills. Another student has frequent colds and other mild illnesses that keep him from doing his best: how much better would he feel if he ate well, got plenty of exercise, and slept enough every night? If you don’t honestly explore the factors that led to the problem, it’s more likely to happen again.

2. Take responsibility for your life and your role in what happens to you. Earlier we talked about people with negative attitudes, who are always blaming others, fate, or “the system” for their problems. It’s no coincidence that they keep on having problems. Unless you want to keep having problems, don’t keep blaming others.

3. Taking responsibility doesn’t mean being down on yourself. Failing at something doesn’t mean you are a failure. We all fail at something, sometime. Adjust your attitude so you’re ready to get back on track and feel happy that you’ll never make that mistake again!

4. Make a plan. You might still have a problem on that next big test if you don’t make an effective study plan and stick to it. You may need to change your behavior in some way, such as learning time management strategies. (Read on!)

Key Takeaways

- Goals should be realistic, specific, and time oriented, and you must be committed to them.

- Setting priorities helps keep you focused on your goals but doesn’t determine how you use your time at all times.

- Attitude is an important reason students succeed or fail in university. Everyone can work on developing a more positive, motivating attitude.

- Planning, the essence of time management, is necessary to stay focused and continue moving toward your goals.

- Networking with other students helps you stay motivated as well as making studying more effective.

- Since problems and setbacks are inevitable, knowing how to solve problems is important for reaching goals. With a good attitude, most common student problems can be prevented.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Which of the following goal statements is written in a way that shows the person has carefully considered what he or she wants to achieve?

1. I will do better in my math course.

2. I will earn at least a B on my next English paper.

3. I will study more this term.

2. List ways in which a negative attitude can prevent students from being successful in university.

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3. Think about your friends in university or other students you have observed in one of your classes. Choose one who usually seems positive and upbeat and one who sometimes or frequently shows a negative attitude about university. Visualize both their faces—side by side—as if you are talking to both of them. Now imagine yourself sitting down to study with one of them for a final exam. Describe how you would imagine that study session going.

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4. Look back at the four students described at the beginning of the chapter. Each of them is experiencing some sort of problem that could interrupt their progress toward their goals. Think about each student and write down a solution for each problem that you would try to work out, if you were that person.

For Yuxi:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

For Becky:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

For James:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

For Sachito:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

5. List a few things you can do if you’re having trouble getting motivated to sit down to study.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

8

2.2 Organizing Your Space

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize the importance of organizing your space to your best advantage for studying.

2. Avoid distractions in the space where you are studying.

3. Understand the myth of multitasking and prevent distractions from your personal technology.

Now that you’ve worked up an attitude for success and are feeling motivated, it’s time to get organized. You need to organize both your space and your time.

Space is important for many reasons—some obvious, some less so. People’s moods, attitudes, and levels of work productivity change in different spaces. Learning to use space to your own advantage helps get you off to a good start in your studies. Here are a few of the ways space matters:

- Everyone needs his or her own space. This may seem simple, but everyone needs some physical area, regardless of size, that is really his or her own—even if it’s only a small part of a shared space. Within your own space, you generally feel more secure and in control.

- Physical space reinforces habits. For example, using your bed primarily for sleeping makes it easier to fall asleep there than elsewhere and also makes it a poor good place to try to stay awake and alert for studying.

- Different places create different moods. While this may seem obvious, students don’t always use places to their best advantage. One place may be bright and full of energy, with happy students passing through and enjoying themselves—a place that puts you in a good mood. But that may actually make it more difficult to concentrate on your studying. Yet the opposite—a totally quiet, austere place devoid of color and sound and pleasant decorations—can be just as unproductive if it makes you associate studying with something unpleasant. Everyone needs to discover what space works best for himself or herself—and then let that space reinforce good study habits.

Use Space to Your Advantage and to Avoid Distractions

Begin by analyzing your needs, preferences, and past problems with places for studying. Where do you usually study? What are the best things about that place for studying? What distractions are most likely to occur there?

The goal is to find, or create, the best place for studying, and then to use it regularly so that studying there becomes a good habit.

- Choose a place you can associate with studying. Make sure it’s not a place already associated with other activities (eating, watching television, sleeping, etc.). Over time, the more often you study in this space, the stronger will be its association with studying, so that eventually you’ll be completely focused as soon as you reach that place and begin.

- Your study area should be available whenever you need it. If you want to use your home, apartment, or dorm room but you never know if another person may be there and possibly distract you, then it’s probably better to look for another place, such as a study lounge or an area in the library. Look for locations open at the hours when you may be studying. You may also need two study spaces—one in or near where you live, another on campus. Maybe you study best at home but have an hour free between two classes, and the library is too far away to use for only an hour? Look for a convenient empty classroom.

Figure 2.3 – Choose a pleasant, quiet place for studying, such as the university library.
clemsonunivlibrary – Students Study in 4 West – CC BY-NC 2.0.

- Your study space should meet your study needs. An open desk or table surface usually works best for writing, and you’ll tire quickly if you try to write notes sitting in an easy chair (which might also make you sleepy). You need good light for reading, to avoid tiring from eyestrain. If you use a laptop for writing notes or reading and researching, you need a power outlet so you don’t have to stop when your battery runs out.

- Your study space should meet your psychological needs. Some students may need total silence with absolutely no visual distractions; they may find a perfect study carrel hidden away on the fifth floor in the library. Other students may be unable to concentrate for long without looking up from reading and momentarily letting their eyes move over a pleasant scene. Some students may find it easier to stay motivated when surrounded by other students also studying; they may find an open space in the library or a study lounge with many tables spread out over an area. Experiment to find the setting that works best for you—and remember that the more often you use this same space, the more comfortable and effective your studying will become.

- You may need the support of others to maintain your study space. Students living at home, whether with a spouse and children or with their parents, often need the support of family members to maintain an effective study space. The kitchen table probably isn’t best if others pass by frequently. Be creative, if necessary, and set up a card table in a quiet corner of your bedroom or elsewhere to avoid interruptions. Put a “do not disturb” sign on your door.

- Keep your space organized and free of distractions. You want to prevent sudden impulses to neaten up the area (when you should be studying), do laundry, wash dishes, and so on. Unplug a nearby telephone, turn off your cell phone, and use your computer only as needed for studying. If your e-mail or message program pops up a notice every time an e-mail or message arrives, turn off your Wi-Fi or detach the network cable to prevent those intrusions.

- Plan for breaks. Everyone needs to take a break occasionally when studying. Think about the space you’re in and how to use it when you need a break. If in your home, stop and do a few exercises to get your blood flowing. If in the library, take a walk up a couple flights of stairs and around the stacks before returning to your study area.

- Prepare for human interruptions. Even if you hide in the library to study, there’s a chance a friend may happen by. At home with family members or in a dorm room or common space, the odds increase greatly. Have a plan ready in case someone pops in and asks you to join them in some fun activity. Know when you plan to finish your studying so that you can make a plan for later—or for tomorrow at a set time.

The Distractions of Technology

Multitasking is the term commonly used for being engaged in two or more different activities at the same time, usually referring to activities using devices such as cell phones, smartphones, computers, and so on. Many people claim to be able to do as many as four or five things simultaneously, such as writing an e-mail while responding to an instant message (IM) and reading a tweet, all while watching a video on their computer monitor or talking on the phone. Many people who have grown up with computers consider this kind of multitasking a normal way to get things done, including studying. Even people in business sometimes speak of multitasking as an essential component of today’s fast-paced world.

Video: Nicholas Carr – Why the Human Brain Can’t Multitask (length 2:39)

It is true that some things can be attended to while you’re doing something else, such as checking e-mail while you watch television news—but only when none of those things demands your full attention. You can concentrate 80 percent on the e-mail, for example, while 20 percent of your attention is listening for something on the news that catches your attention. Then you turn to the television for a minute, watch that segment, and go back to the e-mail. But you’re not actually watching the television at the same time you’re composing the e-mail—you’re rapidly going back and forth. In reality, the mind can focus only on one thing at any given moment. Even things that don’t require much thinking are severely impacted by multitasking, such as driving while talking on a cell phone or texting. An astonishing number of people end up in the emergency room from just trying to walk down the sidewalk while texting, so common is it now to walk into a pole or parked car while multitasking.

“Okay,” you might be thinking, “why should it matter if I write my paper first and then answer e-mails or do them back and forth at the same time?” It actually takes you longer to do two or more things at the same time than if you do them separately—at least with anything that you actually have to focus on, such as studying. That’s true because each time you go back to studying after looking away to a message or tweet, it takes time for your mind to shift gears to get back to where you were. Every time your attention shifts, add up some more “downtime”—and pretty soon it’s evident that multitasking is costing you a lot more time than you think. And that’s assuming that your mind does fully shift back to where you were every time, without losing your train of thought or forgetting an important detail. It doesn’t always.

The other problem with multitasking is the effect it can have on the attention span—and even on how the brain works. Research has shown that in people who constantly shift their attention from one thing to another in short bursts, the brain forms patterns that make it more difficult to keep sustained attention on any one thing[1]. So when you really do need to concentrate for a while on one thing, such as when studying for a big test, it becomes more difficult to do even if you’re not multitasking at that time. It’s as if your mind makes a habit of wandering from one thing to another and then can’t stop.

Figure 2.4 – Multitasking makes studying much less effective.
Benton Greene – Multitasking – CC BY 2.0.

So stay away from multitasking whenever you have something important to do, like studying. If it’s already a habit for you, don’t let it become worse. Manipulate your study space to prevent the temptations altogether. Turn your computer off—or shut down e-mail and messaging programs if you need the computer for studying. Turn your cell phone off—if you just tell yourself not to answer it but still glance at it each time to see who sent or left a message, you’re still losing your studying momentum and have to start over again. For those who are really addicted to technology (you know who you are!), go to the library and don’t take your laptop or cell phone.

In the later section in this chapter on scheduling your study periods, we recommend scheduling breaks as well, usually for a few minutes every hour. If you’re really hooked on checking for messages, plan to do that at scheduled times.

What about listening to music while studying? Some don’t consider that multitasking, and many students say they can listen to music without it affecting their studying. Studies are inconclusive about the positive or negative effects of music on people’s ability to concentrate, probably because so many different factors are involved[2]. But there’s a huge difference between listening to your favorite CD and spontaneously singing along with some of the songs and enjoying soft background music that enhances your study space the same way as good lighting and pleasant décor. Some people can study better with low-volume instrumental music that relaxes them and does not intrude on their thinking, while others can concentrate only in silence. And some are so used to being immersed in music and the sounds of life that they find total silence more distracting—such people can often study well in places where people are moving around. The key thing is to be honest with yourself: if you’re actively listening to music while you’re studying, then you’re likely not studying as well as you could be. It will take you longer and lead to less successful results.

Family and Roommate Issues

Sometimes going to the library or elsewhere is not practical for studying, and you have to find a way to cope in a shared space.

Part of the solution is time management. Agree with others on certain times that will be reserved for studying; agree to keep the place quiet, not to have guests visiting, and to prevent other distractions. These arrangements can be made with a roommate, spouse, and older children. If there are younger children in your household and you have child-care responsibility, it’s usually more complicated. You may have to schedule your studying during their nap time or find quiet activities for them to enjoy while you study. Try to spend some time with your kids before you study, so they don’t feel like you’re ignoring them. (More tips are offered later in this chapter.)

The key is to plan ahead. You don’t want to find yourself, the night before an exam, in a place that offers no space for studying.

Finally, accept that sometimes you’ll just have to say no. If your roommate or a friend often tries to engage you in conversation or suggests doing something else when you need to study, just say no. Learn to be firm but polite as you explain that you just really have to get your work done first. Students who live at home may also have to learn how to say no to parents or family members—just be sure to explain the importance of the studying you need to do. Remember, you can’t be everything to everyone all the time.

Key Takeaways

- Where you study can have a huge impact on the effectiveness of your study efforts. Choose and organize your space to your advantage.

- How you control your study space can help you prevent distractions, especially those caused by other people or your personal technology.

- Attempting to multitask while studying diminishes the quality of your study time and results in a loss of time.

- Control your study space to prevent or manage potential interruptions from family members or roommates.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. For each of the following statements, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

Your bed is usually a good place to study if you can keep the room quiet.

T

F

To study well, use the most drab, boring place you can find.

T

F

An empty classroom can be a good place to get some studying done if you happen to have an hour free between classes.

T

F

To maintain a clear focus while studying, limit the time you spend checking for e-mail and text messages to every ten minutes or so. Put your cell phone on vibrate mode and keep it in your pocket where you can more easily ignore it.

T

F

It’s OK to have the television or radio on while you study as long as you don’t give it your full attention.

T

F

The key to avoiding interruptions and distractions from family members or roommates is to plan ahead for when and where you’ll study.

2. Class discussion exercise: Share stories about distractions caused by roommates and others that you and other students have experienced. Brainstorm together how to handle similar situations next time they arise.

1. Levitin, D. (2015, January 18). Why the modern world is bad for your brain. The Guardian. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jan/18/modern-world-bad-for-brain-daniel-j-levitin-organized-mind-information-overload↵

2. Doraiswamy, S. (2012, October 8). Does music help you study? Retrieved from: http://www.mindthesciencegap.org/2012/10/08/does-music-help-you-study/↵

9

2.3 Organizing Your Time

Learning Objectives

1. Discover your time personality and know where your time goes.

2. Understand the basic principles of time management and planning.

3. Learn and practice time management strategies to help ensure your academic success.

4. Know how to combat procrastination when it threatens to prevent getting your academic work done.

5. Use a calendar planner and daily to-do list to plan ahead for study tasks and manage your time effectively.

6. Learn effective time management techniques for students who work, students with family, and student athletes.

This is the most important part of this chapter. When you know what you want to do, why not just sit down and get it done? The millions of people who complain frequently about “not having enough time” would love it if it were that simple!

Time management isn’t actually difficult, but you do need to learn how to do it well.

Time and Your Personality

People’s attitudes toward time vary widely. One person seems to be always rushing around but actually gets less done than another person who seems unconcerned about time and calmly goes about the day. Since there are so many different “time personalities,” it’s important to realize how you approach time. Start by trying to figure out how you spend your time during a typical week, using Activity 2.

Activity 2: Where Does the Time Go?

See if you can account for a week’s worth of time. For each of the activity categories listed, make your best estimate of how many hours you spend in a week. (For categories that are about the same every day, just estimate for one day and multiply by seven for that line.)

Category of activity

Number of hours per week

Sleeping

Eating (including preparing food)

Personal hygiene (i.e., bathing, etc.)

Working (employment)

Volunteer service or internship

Chores, cleaning, errands, shopping, etc.

Attending class

Studying, reading, and researching (outside of class)

Transportation to work or school

Getting to classes (walking, biking, etc.)

Organized group activities (clubs, church services, etc.)

Time with friends (include television, video games, etc.)

Attending events (movies, parties, etc.)

Time alone (include television, video games, surfing the Web, etc.)

Exercise or sports activities

Reading for fun or other interests done alone

Talking on phone, e-mail, Facebook, etc.

Other—specify: ________________________

Other—specify: ________________________

Now use your calculator to total your estimated hours. Is your number larger or smaller than 168, the total number of hours in a week? If your estimate is higher, go back through your list and adjust numbers to be more realistic. But if your estimated hours total fewer than 168, don’t just go back and add more time in certain categories. Instead, ponder this question: Where does the time go? We’ll come back to this question.

Think about your time analysis in Activity 2. People who estimate too high often feel they don’t have enough time. They may have time anxiety and often feel frustrated. People at the other extreme, who often can’t account for how they use all their time, may have a more relaxed attitude. They may not actually have any more free time, but they may be wasting more time than they want to admit with less important things. Yet they still may complain about how much time they spend studying, as if there’s a shortage of time.

People also differ in how they respond to schedule changes. Some go with the flow and accept changes easily, while others function well only when following a planned schedule and may become upset if that schedule changes. If you do not react well to an unexpected disruption in your schedule, plan extra time for catching up if something throws you off. This is all part of understanding your time personality.

Another aspect of your time personality involves time of day. If you need to concentrate, such as when writing a class paper, are you more alert and focused in the morning, afternoon, or evening? Do you concentrate best when you look forward to a relaxing activity later on, or do you study better when you’ve finished all other activities? Do you function well if you get up early—or stay up late—to accomplish a task? How does that affect the rest of your day or the next day? Understanding this will help you better plan your study periods.

While you may not be able to change your “time personality,” you can learn to manage your time more successfully. The key is to be realistic. How accurate is the number of hours you wrote down in Activity 2? The best way to know how you spend your time is to record what you do all day in a time log, every day for a week, and then add that up. Make copies of the time log in Figure 2.5 “Daily Time Log” and carry it with you. Every so often, fill in what you have been doing. Do this for a week before adding up the times; then enter the total hours in the categories in Activity 2. You might be surprised that you spend a lot more time than you thought just hanging out with friends—or surfing the Web or playing around with Facebook or any of the many other things people do. You might find that you study well early in the morning even though you thought you are a night person, or vice versa. You might learn how long you can continue at a specific task before needing a break.

Figure 2.5 – Daily Time Log
If you have work and family responsibilities, you may already know where many of your hours go. Although we all wish we had “more time,” the important thing is what we do with the time we have. Time management strategies can help us better use the time we do have by creating a schedule that works for our own time personality.

Time Management

Time management for successful university studying involves these factors:

- Determining how much time you need to spend studying

- Knowing how much time you actually have for studying and increasing that time if needed

- Being aware of the times of day you are at your best and most focused

- Using effective long- and short-term study strategies

- Scheduling study activities in realistic segments

- Using a system to plan ahead and set priorities

- Staying motivated to follow your plan and avoid procrastination

For every hour in the classroom, university students should spend, on average, about two hours on that class, counting reading, studying, writing papers, and so on. If you’re a full-time student with fifteen hours a week in class, then you need another thirty hours for rest of your academic work. That forty-five hours is about the same as a typical full-time job. If you work part time, time management skills are even more essential. These skills are still more important for part-time university students who work full time and commute or have a family. To succeed in university, virtually everyone has to develop effective strategies for dealing with time.

Look back at the number of hours you wrote in Activity 2 for a week of studying. Do you have two hours of study time for every hour in class? Many students begin university not knowing this much time is needed, so don’t be surprised if you underestimated this number of hours. Remember this is just an average amount of study time—you may need more or less for your own courses. To be safe, and to help ensure your success, add another five to ten hours a week for studying.

To reserve this study time, you may need to adjust how much time you spend in other activities. Activity 3 will help you figure out what your typical week should look like.

Activity 3: Where Should Your Time Go?

Plan for the ideal use of a week’s worth of time. Fill in your hours in this order:

1. Hours attending class

2. Study hours (2 times the number of class hours plus 5 or more hours extra)

3. Work, internships, and fixed volunteer time

4. Fixed life activities (sleeping, eating, hygiene, chores, transportation, etc.)

Now subtotal your hours so far and subtract that number from 168. How many hours are left? ____________ Then portion out the remaining hours for “discretionary activities” (things you don’t have to do for school, work, or a healthy life).

5. Discretionary activities

Category of activity

Number of hours per week

Attending class

Studying, reading, and researching (outside of class)

Working (employment)

Volunteer service or internship

Sleeping

Eating (including preparing food)

Personal hygiene (i.e., bathing, etc.)

Chores, cleaning, errands, shopping, etc.

Transportation to work or school

Getting to classes (walking, biking, etc.)

Subtotal:

Discretionary activities:

Organized group activities (clubs, church services, etc.)

Time with friends (include television, video games, etc.)

Attending events (movies, parties, etc.)

Time alone (include television, video games, surfing the Web, etc.)

Exercise or sports activities

Reading for fun or other interests done alone

Talking on phone, e-mail, Facebook, etc.

Other—specify: ________________________

Other—specify: ________________________

Note: If you find you have almost no time left for discretionary activities, you may be overestimating how much time you need for eating, errands, and the like. Use the time log in Figure 2.5 “Daily Time Log” to determine if you really have to spend that much time on those things.

Activity 3 shows most university students that they do actually have plenty of time for their studies without losing sleep or giving up their social life. But you may have less time for discretionary activities than in the past. Something, somewhere has to give. That’s part of time management—and why it’s important to keep your goals and priorities in mind. The other part is to learn how to use the hours you do have as effectively as possible, especially the study hours. For example, if you’re a typical university freshman who plans to study for three hours in an evening but then procrastinates, gets caught up in a conversation, loses time to checking e-mail and text messages, and listens to loud music while reading a textbook, then maybe you actually spent four hours “studying” but got only two hours of actual work done. So you end up behind and feeling like you’re still studying way too much. The goal of time management is to actually get three hours of studying done in three hours and have time for your life as well.

Special note for students who work. You may have almost no discretionary time at all left in Activity 3 after all your “must-do” activities. If so, you may have overextended yourself—a situation that inevitably will lead to problems. You can’t sleep two hours less every night for the whole school year, for example, without becoming ill or unable to concentrate well on work and school. It is better to recognize this situation now rather than set yourself up for a very difficult term and possible failure. If you cannot cut the number of hours for work or other obligations, see your academic advisor right away. It is better to take fewer classes and succeed than to take more classes than you have time for and risk failure.

Time Management Strategies for Success

Following are some strategies you can begin using immediately to make the most of your time:

- Prepare to be successful. When planning ahead for studying, think yourself into the right mood. Focus on the positive. “When I get these chapters read tonight, I’ll be ahead in studying for the next test, and I’ll also have plenty of time tomorrow to do X.” Visualize yourself studying well!

- Use your best—and most appropriate—time of day. Different tasks require different mental skills. Some kinds of studying you may be able to start first thing in the morning as you wake, while others need your most alert moments at another time.

- Break up large projects into small pieces. Whether it’s writing a paper for class, studying for a final exam, or reading a long assignment or full book, students often feel daunted at the beginning of a large project. It’s easier to get going if you break it up into stages that you schedule at separate times—and then begin with the first section that requires only an hour or two.

- Do the most important studying first. When two or more things require your attention, do the more crucial one first. If something happens and you can’t complete everything, you’ll suffer less if the most crucial work is done.

- If you have trouble getting started, do an easier task first. Like large tasks, complex or difficult ones can be daunting. If you can’t get going, switch to an easier task you can accomplish quickly. That will give you momentum, and often you feel more confident tackling the difficult task after being successful in the first one.

- If you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed because you have too much to do, revisit your time planner. Sometimes it’s hard to get started if you keep thinking about other things you need to get done. Review your schedule for the next few days and make sure everything important is scheduled, then relax and concentrate on the task at hand.

- If you’re really floundering, talk to someone. Maybe you just don’t understand what you should be doing. Talk with your instructor or another student in the class to get back on track.

- Take a break. We all need breaks to help us concentrate without becoming fatigued and burned out. As a general rule, a short break every hour or so is effective in helping recharge your study energy. Get up and move around to get your blood flowing, clear your thoughts, and work off stress.

- Use unscheduled times to work ahead. You’ve scheduled that hundred pages of reading for later today, but you have the textbook with you as you’re waiting for the bus. Start reading now, or flip through the chapter to get a sense of what you’ll be reading later. Either way, you’ll save time later. You may be amazed how much studying you can get done during downtimes throughout the day.

- Keep your momentum. Prevent distractions, such as multitasking, that will only slow you down. Check for messages, for example, only at scheduled break times.

- Reward yourself. It’s not easy to sit still for hours of studying. When you successfully complete the task, you should feel good and deserve a small reward. A healthy snack, a quick video game session, or social activity can help you feel even better about your successful use of time.

- Just say no. Always tell others nearby when you’re studying, to reduce the chances of being interrupted. Still, interruptions happen, and if you are in a situation where you are frequently interrupted by a family member, spouse, roommate, or friend, it helps to have your “no” prepared in advance: “No, I really have to be ready for this test” or “That’s a great idea, but let’s do it tomorrow—I just can’t today.” You shouldn’t feel bad about saying no—especially if you told that person in advance that you needed to study.

- Have a life. Never schedule your day or week so full of work and study that you have no time at all for yourself, your family and friends, and your larger life.

- Use a calendar planner and daily to-do list. We’ll look at these time management tools in the next section.

Battling Procrastination

Procrastination is a way of thinking that lets one put off doing something that should be done now. This can happen to anyone at any time. It’s like a voice inside your head keeps coming up with these brilliant ideas for things to do right now other than studying: “I really ought to get this room cleaned up before I study” or “I can study anytime, but tonight’s the only chance I have to do X.” That voice is also very good at rationalizing: “I really don’t need to read that chapter now; I’ll have plenty of time tomorrow at lunch.…”

Procrastination is very powerful. Some people battle it daily, others only occasionally. Most university students procrastinate often, and about half say they need help avoiding procrastination. Procrastination can threaten one’s ability to do well on an assignment or test.

People procrastinate for different reasons. Some people are too relaxed in their priorities, seldom worry, and easily put off responsibilities. Others worry constantly, and that stress keeps them from focusing on the task at hand. Some procrastinate because they fear failure; others procrastinate because they fear success or are so perfectionistic that they don’t want to let themselves down. Some are dreamers. Many different factors are involved, and there are different styles of procrastinating.

Just as there are different causes, there are different possible solutions for procrastination. Different strategies work for different people. The time management strategies described earlier can help you avoid procrastination. Because this is a psychological issue, some additional psychological strategies can also help:

- Since procrastination is usually a habit, accept that and work on breaking it as you would any other bad habit: one day at a time. Know that every time you overcome feelings of procrastination, the habit becomes weaker—and eventually you’ll have a new habit of being able to start studying right away.

- Schedule times for studying using a daily or weekly planner. Carry it with you and look at it often. Just being aware of the time and what you need to do today can help you get organized and stay on track.

- If you keep thinking of something else you might forget to do later (making you feel like you “must” do it now), write yourself a note about it for later and get it out of your mind.

- Counter a negative with a positive. If you’re procrastinating because you’re not looking forward to a certain task, try to think of the positive future results of doing the work.

- Counter a negative with a worse negative. If thinking about the positive results of completing the task doesn’t motivate you to get started, think about what could happen if you keep procrastinating. You’ll have to study tomorrow instead of doing something fun you had planned. Or you could fail the test. Some people can jolt themselves right out of procrastination.

- On the other hand, fear causes procrastination in some people—so don’t dwell on the thought of failing. If you’re studying for a test, and you’re so afraid of failing it that you can’t focus on studying and you start procrastinating, try to put things in perspective. Even if it’s your most difficult class and you don’t understand everything about the topic, that doesn’t mean you’ll fail, even if you may not receive an A or a B.

- Study with a motivated friend. Form a study group with other students who are motivated and won’t procrastinate along with you. You’ll learn good habits from them while getting the work done now.

- Keep a study journal. At least once a day write an entry about how you have used your time and whether you succeeded with your schedule for the day. If not, identify what factors kept you from doing your work. (Use the form at the end of this chapter.) This journal will help you see your own habits and distractions so that you can avoid things that lead to procrastination.

- Get help. If you really can’t stay on track with your study schedule, or if you’re always putting things off until the last minute, see a university counselor. They have lots of experience with this common student problem and can help you find ways to overcome this habit.

Video – TED 2016: Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator (length: 14:03)

Calendar Planners and To-Do Lists

Calendar planners and to-do lists are effective ways to organize your time. Many types of academic planners are commercially available (check your university bookstore), or you can make your own. Some people like a page for each day, and some like a week at a time. Some use computer calendars and planners. Almost any system will work well if you use it consistently.

Some university students think they don’t need to actually write down their schedule and daily to-do lists. They’ve always kept it in their head before, so why write it down in a planner now? Some first-year students were talking about this one day in a study group, and one bragged that she had never had to write down her calendar because she never forgot dates. Another student reminded her how she’d forgotten a preregistration date and missed taking a course she really wanted because the class was full by the time she went online to register. “Well,” she said, “except for that time, I never forget anything!” Of course, none of us ever forgets anything—until we do.

Calendars and planners help you look ahead and write in important dates and deadlines so you don’t forget. But it’s just as important to use the planner to schedule your own time, not just deadlines. For example, you’ll learn later that the most effective way to study for an exam is to study in several short periods over several days. You can easily do this by choosing time slots in your weekly planner over several days that you will commit to studying for this test. You don’t need to fill every time slot, or to schedule every single thing that you do, but the more carefully and consistently you use your planner, the more successfully will you manage your time.

But a planner cannot contain every single thing that may occur in a day. We’d go crazy if we tried to schedule every telephone call, every e-mail, every bill to pay, every trip to the grocery store. For these items, we use a to-do list, which may be kept on a separate page in the planner.

Check the example of a weekly planner form in Figure 2.6 “Weekly Planner”. (You can copy this page and use it to begin your schedule planning. By using this first, you will find out whether these time slots are big enough for you or whether you’d prefer a separate planner page for each day.) Fill in this planner form for next week. First write in all your class meeting times; your work or volunteer schedule; and your usual hours for sleep, family activities, and any other activities at fixed times. Don’t forget time needed for transportation, meals, and so on. Your first goal is to find all the blocks of “free time” that are left over.

Remember that this is an academic planner. Don’t try to schedule in everything in your life—this is to plan ahead to use your study time most effectively.

Next, check the syllabus for each of your courses and write important dates in the planner. If your planner has pages for the whole term, write in all exams and deadlines. Use red ink or a highlighter for these key dates. Write them in the hour slot for the class when the test occurs or when the paper is due, for example. (If you don’t yet have a planner large enough for the whole term, use Figure 2.6 “Weekly Planner” and write any deadlines for your second week in the margin to the right. You need to know what’s coming next week to help schedule how you’re studying this week.)

Figure 2.6 – Weekly Planner

Remember that for every hour spent in class, plan an average of two hours studying outside of class. These are the time periods you now want to schedule in your planner. These times change from week to week, with one course requiring more time in one week because of a paper due at the end of the week and a different course requiring more the next week because of a major exam. Make sure you block out enough hours in the week to accomplish what you need to do. As you choose your study times, consider what times of day you are at your best and what times you prefer to use for social or other activities.

Don’t try to micromanage your schedule. Don’t try to estimate exactly how many minutes you’ll need two weeks from today to read a given chapter in a given textbook. Instead, just choose the blocks of time you will use for your studies. Don’t yet write in the exact study activity—just reserve the block. Next, look at the major deadlines for projects and exams that you wrote in earlier. Estimate how much time you may need for each and work backward on the schedule from the due date.

For example,

You have a short paper due on Friday. You determine that you’ll spend ten hours total on it, from initial brainstorming and planning through to drafting and revising. Since you have other things also going on that week, you want to get an early start; you might choose to block an hour a week ahead on Saturday morning, to brainstorm your topic, and jot some preliminary notes. Monday evening is a good time to spend two hours on the next step or prewriting activities. Since you have a lot of time open Tuesday afternoon, you decide that’s the best time to reserve to write the first draft; you block out three or four hours. You make a note on the schedule to leave time open that afternoon to see your instructor during office hours in case you have any questions on the paper; if not, you’ll finish the draft or start revising. Thursday, you schedule a last block of time to revise and polish the final draft due tomorrow.

If you’re surprised by this amount of planning, you may be the kind of student who used to think, “The paper’s due Friday—I have enough time Thursday afternoon, so I’ll write it then.” What’s wrong with that? First, university work is more demanding than many first-year students realize, and the instructor expects higher-quality work than you can churn out quickly without revising. Second, if you are tired on Thursday because you didn’t sleep well Wednesday night, you may be much less productive than you hoped—and without a time buffer, you’re forced to turn in a paper that is not your best work.

Figure 2.7 “Example of a Student’s Weekly Planner Page with Class Times and Important Study Sessions” shows what one student’s schedule looks like for a week. This is intended only to show you one way to block out time—you’ll quickly find a way that works best for you.

Figure 2.7 – Example of a Student’s Weekly Planner Page with Class Times and Important Study Sessions

Here are some more tips for successful schedule planning:

- Studying is often most effective immediately after a class meeting. If your schedule allows, block out appropriate study time after class periods.

- Be realistic about time when you make your schedule. If your class runs to four o’clock and it takes you twenty minutes to wrap things up and reach your study location, don’t figure you’ll have a full hour of study between four o’clock and five o’clock.

- Don’t overdo it. Few people can study four or five hours nonstop, and scheduling extended time periods like that may just set you up for failure.

- Schedule social events that occur at set times, but just leave holes in the schedule for other activities. Enjoy those open times and recharge your energies!

- Try to schedule some time for exercise at least three days a week.

- Plan to use your time between classes wisely. If three days a week you have the same hour free between two classes, what should you do with those three hours? Maybe you need to eat, walk across campus, or run an errand. But say you have an average forty minutes free at that time on each day. Instead of just frittering the time away, use it to review your notes from the previous class or for the coming class or to read a short assignment. Over the whole term, that forty minutes three times a week adds up to a lot of study time.

- If a study activity is taking longer than you had scheduled, look ahead and adjust your weekly planner to prevent the stress of feeling behind.

- If you maintain your schedule on your computer or smartphone, it’s still a good idea to print and carry it with you. Don’t risk losing valuable study time if you’re away from the device.

- If you’re not paying close attention to everything in your planner, use a colored highlighter to mark the times blocked out for really important things.

- When following your schedule, pay attention to starting and stopping times. If you planned to start your test review at four o’clock after an hour of reading for a different class, don’t let the reading run long and take time away from studying for the test.

Your Daily To-Do List

People use to-do lists in different ways, and you should find what works best for you. As with your planner, consistent use of your to-do list will make it an effective habit.

Some people prefer not to carry their planner everywhere but instead copy the key information for the day onto a to-do list. Using this approach, your daily to-do list starts out with your key scheduled activities and then adds other things you hope to do today.

Some people use their to-do list only for things not on their planner, such as short errands, phone calls or e-mail, and the like. This still includes important things—but they’re not scheduled out for specific times.

Although we call it a daily list, the to-do list can also include things you may not get to today but don’t want to forget about. Keeping these things on the list, even if they’re a low priority, helps ensure that eventually you’ll get to it.

Start every day with a fresh to-do list written in a special small notebook or on a clean page in your planner. Check your planner for key activities for the day and check yesterday’s list for items remaining.

Some items won’t require much time, but other activities such as assignments will. Include a time estimate for these so that later you can do them when you have enough free time. If you finish lunch and have twenty-five minutes left before your next class, what things on the list can you do now and check off?

Finally, use some system to prioritize things on your list. Some students use a 1, 2, 3 or A, B, C rating system for importance. Others simply highlight or circle items that are critical to get done today. Figure 2.8 “Examples of Two Different Students’ To-Do Lists” shows two different to-do lists—each very different but each effective for the student using it.

Figure 2.8 Examples of Two Different Students’ To-Do Lists
Use whatever format works best for you to prioritize or highlight the most important activities.

Here are some more tips for effectively using your daily to-do list:

- Be specific: “Read history chapter 2 (30 pages)”—not “History homework.”

- Put important things high on your list where you’ll see them every time you check the list.

- Make your list at the same time every day so that it becomes a habit.

- Don’t make your list overwhelming. If you added everything you eventually need to do, you could end up with so many things on the list that you’d never read through them all. If you worry you might forget something, write it in the margin of your planner’s page a week or two away.

- Use your list. Lists often include little things that may take only a few minutes to do, so check your list any time during the day you have a moment free.

- Cross out or check off things after you’ve done them—doing this becomes rewarding.

- Don’t use your to-do list to procrastinate. Don’t pull it out to find something else you just “have” to do instead of studying!

Time Management Tips for Students Who Work

If you’re both working and taking classes, you seldom have large blocks of free time. Avoid temptations to stay up very late studying, for losing sleep can lead to a downward spiral in performance at both work and school. Instead, try to follow these guidelines:

- If possible, adjust your work or sleep hours so that you don’t spend your most productive times at work. If your job offers flex time, arrange your schedule to be free to study at times when you perform best.

- Try to arrange your class and work schedules to minimize commuting time. If you are a part-time student taking two classes, taking classes back-to-back two or three days a week uses less time than spreading them out over four or five days. Working four ten-hour days rather than five eight-hour days reduces time lost to travel, getting ready for work, and so on.

- If you can’t arrange an effective schedule for classes and work, consider online courses that allow you to do most of the work on your own time.

- Use your daily and weekly planner conscientiously. Any time you have thirty minutes or more free, schedule a study activity.

- Consider your “body clock” when you schedule activities. Plan easier tasks for those times when you’re often fatigued and reserve alert times for more demanding tasks.

- Look for any “hidden” time potentials. Maybe you prefer the thirty-minute drive to work over a forty-five-minute train ride. But if you can read on the train, that’s a gain of ninety minutes every day at the cost of thirty minutes longer travel time. An hour a day can make a huge difference in your studies.

- Can you do quick study tasks during slow times at work? Take your class notes with you and use even five minutes of free time wisely.

- Remember your long-term goals. You need to work, but you also want to finish your university program. If you have the opportunity to volunteer for some overtime, consider whether it’s really worth it. Sure, the extra money would help, but could the extra time put you at risk for not doing well in your classes?

- Be as organized on the job as you are academically. Use your planner and to-do list for work matters, too. The better organized you are at work, the less stress you’ll feel—and the more successful you’ll be as a student also.

- If you have a family as well as a job, your time is even more limited. In addition to the previous tips, try some of the strategies that follow.

Time Management Tips for Students with Family

Living with family members often introduces additional time stresses. You may have family obligations that require careful time management. Use all the strategies described earlier, including family time in your daily plans the same as you would hours spent at work. Don’t assume that you’ll be “free” every hour you’re home, because family events or a family member’s need for your assistance may occur at unexpected times. Schedule your important academic work well ahead and in blocks of time you control. See also the earlier suggestions for controlling your space: you may need to use the library or another space to ensure you are not interrupted or distracted during important study times.

Students with their own families are likely to feel time pressures. After all, you can’t just tell your partner or kids that you’ll see them in a couple years when you’re not so busy with job and university! In addition to all the planning and study strategies discussed so far, you also need to manage your family relationships and time spent with family. While there’s no magical solution for making more hours in the day, even with this added time pressure there are ways to balance your life well:

- Talk everything over with your family. If you’re going back to school, your family members may not have realized changes will occur. Don’t let them be shocked by sudden household changes. Keep communication lines open so that your partner and children feel they’re together with you in this new adventure. Eventually you will need their support.

- Work to enjoy your time together, whatever you’re doing. You may not have as much time together as previously, but cherish the time you do have—even if it’s washing dishes together or cleaning house. If you’ve been studying for two hours and need a break, spend the next ten minutes with family instead of checking e-mail or watching television. Ultimately, the important thing is being together, not going out to movies or dinners or the special things you used to do when you had more time. Look forward to being with family and appreciate every moment you are together, and they will share your attitude.

Figure 2.9 – Make the most of your time with family, since you’ll also need time alone for studying.
Lee Ruk – 2015 July 01,Family visit – CC BY-SA 2.0.

- Combine activities to get the most out of time. Don’t let your children watch television or play video games off by themselves while you’re cooking dinner, or you may find you have only twenty minutes family time together while eating. Instead, bring the family together in the kitchen and give everyone something to do. You can have a lot of fun together and share the day’s experiences, and you won’t feel so bad then if you have to go off and study by yourself.

- Share the load. Even children who are very young can help with household chores to give you more time. Attitude is everything: try to make it fun, the whole family pulling together—not something they “have” to do and may resent, just because Mom or Dad went back to school. (Remember, your kids will reach university age someday, and you want them to have a good attitude about university.) As they get older, they can do their own laundry, cook meals, and get themselves off to school, and older teens can run errands and do the grocery shopping. They will gain in the process by becoming more responsible and independent.

- Schedule your study time based on family activities. If you face interruptions from young children in the early evening, use that time for something simple like reviewing class notes. When you need more quiet time for concentrated reading, wait until they’ve gone to bed.

- Be creative with child care. Usually options are available, possibly involving extended family members, sitters, older siblings, cooperative child care with other adult students, as well as child-care centers. After a certain age, you can take your child along to campus when you attend an evening course, if there is somewhere the child can quietly read. At home, let your child have a friend over to play with. Network with other older students and learn what has worked for them. Explore all possibilities to ensure you have time to meet your university goals. And don’t feel guilty: “day care babies” grow up just as healthy psychologically as those raised in the home full time.

Time Management Tips for Student Athletes

Student athletes often face unique time pressures because of the amount of time required for training, practice, and competition. During some parts of the year, athletics may involve as many hours as a full-time job. The athletic schedule can be grueling, involving weekend travel and intensive blocks of time. You can be exhausted after workouts or competitions, affecting how well you can concentrate on studies thereafter. Students on athletic scholarships often feel their sport is their most important reason for being in university, and this priority can affect their attitudes toward studying. For all of these reasons, student athletes face special time management challenges. Here are some tips for succeeding in both your sport and academics:

- Realize that even if your sport is more important to you, you risk everything if you don’t also succeed in your academics. Failing one class in your first year won’t get you kicked out, but you’ll have to make up that class—and you’ll end up spending more time on the subject than if you’d studied more to pass it the first time.

- It’s critical to plan ahead. If you have a big test or a paper due the Monday after a big weekend game, start early. Use your weekly planner to plan well in advance, making it a goal, for example, to have the paper done by Friday—instead of thinking you can magically get it done Sunday night after victory celebrations. Working ahead will also free your mind to focus better on your sport.

- Accept that you have two priorities—your sport and your classes—and that both come before your social life. That’s just how it is—what you have accepted in your choice to be a university athlete. If it helps, think of your classes as your job; you have to “go to study” the same as others “go to work.”

- Use your planner to take advantage of any downtime you have during the day between classes and at lunch. Other students may seem to have the luxury of studying during much of the afternoon when you’re at practice, and maybe they can get away with hanging out between classes, but you don’t have that time available, at least not during the season. You need to use all the time you can find to keep up with your studying.

- Stay on top of your courses. If you allow yourself to start slipping behind, maybe telling yourself you’ll have more time later on to catch up, just the opposite will happen. Once you get behind, you’ll lose momentum and find it more difficult to understand what’s going on the class. Eventually the stress will affect your athletic performance also.

- Get help when you need it. Many athletic departments offer tutoring services or referrals for extra help. But don’t wait until you’re at risk for failing a class before seeking help. A tutor won’t take your test or write your paper for you—they can only help you focus in to use your time productively in your studies. You still have to want to succeed.

Key Takeaways

- People “use” time very differently. To develop strategies for managing your time, discover your time personality and observe how much time you spend in different activities in the course of a week.

- Plan your schedule with two hours of study time for each hour in class. Use your most alert times of day, break up large tasks into smaller pieces and stages, take breaks to help you stay focused, avoid distractions, and reward yourself for successful accomplishments.

- Procrastination has many different causes for different people but is a problem for most students. Different techniques can help you battle procrastination so you can get the job done.

- Use a weekly calendar planner to block out study times and plan well ahead for examinations and key assignments to achieve success in school.

- Use a daily to-do list along with your weekly planner to avoid overlooking even smaller tasks and to make the most of your time throughout the day.

- Students who work, live with family, or are athletes often face significant time pressures and must make a special effort to stay organized and plan ahead for efficient studying.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. What time(s) of day are you at your most alert?

_________________________

What time(s) of day are you at your least alert?

_________________________

2. What category of discretionary activity (not sleeping, working, studying, etc.) represents your largest use of time?

_________________________

Can you reduce the time you spend in that activity if you need more time for your coursework?

_________________________

3. For each of the following statements about time management, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

Think yourself into a positive mood before starting to study.

T

F

Always study just before going to sleep so that you’ll dream about the topic.

T

F

Break up larger projects into smaller parts and stages.

T

F

Get everything done on your to-do list before studying so that you’re not distracted.

T

F

When feeling stressed by a project, put it off until tomorrow.

T

F

Talk with your instructor or another student if you’re having difficulty.

T

F

Try to study at least three hours at a time before taking a break.

T

F

Reward yourself for successfully completing a task.

T

F

Avoid studying at times not written in on your weekly planner; these are all free times just for fun.

T

F

Whenever interrupted by a friend, use that opportunity to take a break for up to thirty minutes.

T

F

Turn off all electronic devices when reading an assignment except for your laptop if you use it to take notes.

T

F

Since people procrastinate when they’re distracted by other things that need doing, it’s best to delay studying until you’ve done everything else first.

T

F

Studying with a friend is a sure way to waste time and develop poor study habits.

T

F

Use a study journal to observe how you use your time and determine what things are keeping you from getting your work done.

T

F

There’s no reason to keep a weekly calendar if all your instructors have provided you with a syllabus that gives the dates for all assignments and tests.

T

F

Studying for a particular class is most effective immediately after that class meets.

4. Without looking at your planner, to-do list, or anything else in writing, quickly write a list of everything you need to do in the next few days. Then look through your planner, to-do list, and any other class notes for anything you missed. What might you have forgotten or delayed if you weren’t keeping a planner and to-do list?

5. Without looking at your weekly or daily schedule, think about your typical week and the times you have free when not in class, working, studying, eating, socializing, and so on. List at least three “downtimes” when you don’t usually study that you can use for coursework when necessary.

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

10

2.4 Chapter Activities

Chapter Takeaways

- It’s important to have short-, mid-, and long-term goals that are specific, realistic, time oriented, and attainable. Goals help you set priorities and remain motivated and committed to your university success.

- Attitude is the largest factor determining success in university. Work to stay positive and surround yourself with positive people, and you’ll find you are motivated to carry out the activities that will help you succeed in your courses.

- Planning ahead, and then following your plan, is the essence of time management. Organize both your space and your time to develop the best study habits. Learning strategies to stay on track, avoid distractions of people and technology, and to prevent procrastination will pay off not only in university but also in your career thereafter.

- Plan your use of time based on your “time personality” after assessing how you typically use your free time. Then use an academic weekly and daily planner to schedule blocks of time most efficiently. Start well ahead of deadlines to prevent last-minute stresses and problems completing your work.

- Because many university students have significant time commitments with work, family, athletics, or other activities, time management techniques are among the most important skills you can learn to help ensure your success.

Chapter Review

1. Describe the characteristics of well-written goals.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. List at least four or five things you can do to develop a positive attitude.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. What have you personally found helps motivate you to sit down and start studying?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. Describe the most important characteristics of an effective study space.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

5. How can you prepare for unplanned interruptions while studying?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

6. After you have analyzed how you typically spend time and have blocked out study periods for the week, you may still have difficulty using that study time well. List additional time management strategies that can help you make the most of the time that you do have.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

7. If you find yourself procrastinating, what can you do to get back on track?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

8. What can go wrong if you try to micromanage every minute of the day?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

What should you do, instead?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

9. Realizing that any action repeated consistently and frequently will soon become a habit, what should you do with your academic planner every day and every week to establish a strong habit that will help ensure your success in all your university courses to come?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Outside the Book

Make seven copies of the “Study Journal” page following. Near the end of the day, every day for the next week, spend a few minutes reviewing your day and writing answers to those questions. At the end of the week, review what you have written and summarize what you observe about your study tendencies by answering these questions:

1. Did you usually get as much, more, or less schoolwork done as you had scheduled for the day?

________________________________________

If you got less done, was the problem due to scheduling more time than you actually had, or not making effective use of the scheduled blocks of time?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. List the steps you will follow to make your scheduling process work better next week.

_______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. What other things did you do repeatedly during the week when you should have been studying? ________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. What were the most common distractions (people or other interruptions) during the week when you were studying? ________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

5. List ways you can control your study space to avoid these activities and prevent these distractions next week. _____________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

6. Do you see a pattern in the activities you least enjoyed and had difficulty getting started on? ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

7. Review Chapter 2 “Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track”, Section 2.2 “Organizing Your Space” and Section 2.3 “Organizing Your Time” for specific strategies to use to stay focused and motivated. Make a list here of five or more things you will do differently next week if studying becomes difficult or less enjoyable.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Study Journal for Date: ____________

1. My daily planner had scheduled ______ hours of academic time today (not counting time in class). It turned out that I actually spent about ______ hours on my studies.

At some times I was scheduled to study or do academic work, I was doing this instead:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. The academic time I most enjoyed today was doing ___________________

__________________________________________________________________

I enjoyed this most because _____________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. The academic time I least most enjoyed today was doing _______________

__________________________________________________________________

I enjoyed this least because ____________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. I had the most difficulty getting started on this study activity:

__________________________________________________________________

Why?

__________________________________________________________________

5. I did my studying and other academic work in these places:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

6. During the time I was studying, I was interrupted by these people:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Other interruptions included the following (phone calls, e-mail, etc.):

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Make an Action List

Goals

I have not yet set realistic, specific, and time-oriented goals for the following:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

In the coming weeks and months, I will think about and clarify these goals:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Planning Ahead

Too often in the past, I have not started early enough on these kinds of school assignments and studying:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

To ensure I successfully plan ahead to complete all work on time in the future, I will do the following:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Attitude

I have most difficulty maintaining a positive attitude at the following times:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I can do the following things to “adjust” my attitude at these times to help ensure my success:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Focus and Motivation

When I’m not feeling motivated to work on my studies, I often do these things instead:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will try to use these strategies to keep motivated and focused on my studies in the future:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Study Space

I have the following problems with the places where I usually study now:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will make the following changes in my study space (or I will try these new places) to help prevent distractions:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Time Management

I often feel I don’t have enough time for my university work for the following reasons:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will start using these techniques to make sure I use my available time well:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Figure 4.1 – Students prepare for a lecture
By StFX (StFX), via Wikimedia Commons

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

Yes

Unsure

No

1. I am satisfied with my grades.

2. I usually feel well prepared for classes.

3. I usually understand what is going on in class.

4. I find it easy to stay focused in class.

5. I am not shy or self-conscious about asking questions.

6. I learn from recorded lectures and podcasts.

7. I take useful notes in class.

8. I go to the instructor’s office when I have a question about an assignment.

9. I can successfully study for a test from the notes I have taken.

10. I use different note-taking methods in different classes.

11. I do not have trouble remembering facts and ideas.

12. I retain useful information after an exam.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your level of academic achievement at this time?

A poor student

An excellent student

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

In the following list, circle the three most important areas in which you think you can improve:

- Preparing for class

- Taking notes on your laptop

- Listening in class

- Using different systems for note taking

- Using seat selection to your advantage

- Remembering facts and figures

- Listening to podcasts

- Remembering ideas and concepts

- Asking good questions

- Choosing a memory method that’s right for you

- Taking notes on paper

- Using a memory system

Are there other areas in which you can improve your academic performance? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

- Setting yourself up for success by following the learning cycle

- Listening actively

- Listening in class

- Asking good questions

- Taking effective notes

- Learning the principal note-taking methods

- Modifying your note-taking methods to meet your learning style and your instructor’s approach to the material

- Understanding how your memory works

- Using your memory effectively

- Learning memory-building tips

This Is Not Like High School; This Is Not Like Work

As you embark on your university career, you have found yourself in an environment like no other. You soon will discover the new social structure, you may be invigorated by a new freedom, and you may be daunted by the number of options you have for activities. We cover these nonacademic aspects of university life starting in Chapter 9 “The Social World of University”. But for now, consider some of the differences between  university classes and what you likely were used to in high school. These differences are important because they demand you change your behavior if you want to be a successful student.

Table 4.1 Differences between High School and University Classes

In High School

In University

Your teacher would guide you and let you know when you were falling behind.

You are expected to take responsibility for your academic success.

Your teacher would take attendance and report you when you were absent; the teacher would help you make up the material you missed.

Your instructor rarely takes attendance but expects you to be in class and understand the material.

Your teacher would write assignments on the board and remind you to complete them.

It is up to you to read, save, and follow the course syllabus and to know what material you must read and understand and by when. Since the syllabus makes this clear, instructors will rarely remind you of assignment due dates.

Each class would typically meet three to five times each week with minimal homework each night.

Each class meets less frequently but requires much more work from each student. You should generally count on doing two to three hours of studying for each hour of class. What seems like an eight-hour work day may quickly become fourteen hours or more of academic work. Take responsibility for budgeting your time and not falling behind. In university it is much harder to catch up if you do get behind.

High school teachers are passionate about guiding their students and teaching them to learn.

University instructors are often more passionate about their subject matter than they are about their teaching. But you can tap into their passion for what they are talking about and guide your own learning by asking questions, seeking advice during office hours, and participating in class discussions.

Daily homework assignments and unit quizzes contributed heavily to your grade. Oftentimes a teacher would offer extra credit opportunities to give students a chance to make up for lapses along the way.

Your grade in a course may be determined primarily by one or two exams and a long-term project or paper. A subpar performance on a single exam or paper can really drag your grades down. Identify the assignments on the syllabus and get to work on them early and consistently. Don’t put off assignments or studying for tests until the last minute! In university, extra credit is not an option to fall back on!

You were told what you should study and when. You followed a predetermined curriculum set by state and local officials. Even your parents and guidance counselors had a major say in your “elective” choices.

You determine what you want to learn. It is your education—not someone else’s. Find your passion and follow it! You will be a much better student if you do.

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3.1 Setting Yourself Up for Success

Learning Objective

1. Identify the roles of listening and note taking in the learning cycle.

Too many students try to get the grade just by going to class, maybe a little note taking, and then cramming through the text right before an exam they feel unprepared for. Sound familiar? This approach may have worked for you in high school where tests and quizzes were more frequent and teachers prepared study guides for you, but universities require you to take responsibility for your learning and to be better prepared.

Most students simply have not learned how to study and don’t understand how learning works. As we discussed in Chapter 1 “You and Your University Experience”, learning is actually a cycle of four steps: preparing, absorbing, capturing, and reviewing. When you get in the habit of paying attention to this cycle, it becomes relatively easy to study well. But you must use all four steps.

This chapter focuses on listening, a key skill for learning new material, and note taking, the most important skill in the capturing phase of the cycle. These skills are closely related. Good listening skills make you a better note taker, and taking good notes can help you listen better. Both are key study skills to help you do better in your classes.

Figure 3.2 – The Learning Cycle

Key Takeaways

- University is very different from high school.

- You must take personal responsibility for your learning.

- Time management is crucial.

- Learning is a cycle of four steps: preparing, absorbing, capturing, and reviewing.

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3.2 Are You Ready for Class?

Learning Objectives

1. Prepare for listening in class and taking notes.

2. Use a syllabus.

A professional athlete wouldn’t take the field without warming up first. An effective student won’t go to a class without preparing for it first. To get the most out of a class, you need to get yourself in the right frame of mind. This does not take a lot of time, but it greatly increases your ability to listen actively and take good notes.

Like a good athlete, first you need to get psyched. Clearly visualize your goals. Thinking about the following questions may help:

- What do I want to get out of the class?

- What is the main idea the class will cover?

- How will today’s class help me do better in this course?

Go to class with confidence. The best way to achieve this is to start early and be sure you’ve completed any assignment the instructor gave you in the last class. Think about how today’s material will tie into what you’ve already learned. You should also review the course syllabus to see what the instructor expects to cover in the class and how it relates to what you have learned so far.

Be physically prepared, too:

- Make sure you are getting enough sleep and eating nutritious meals, including breakfast. It’s hard to focus on learning when you’re hungry.

- Make sure you have all materials you’ll need for class (paper, pens, laptop, books, etc.).

- Be punctual. Give yourself plenty of time to get into your seat and organize your space. If you are late, you’ll struggle to get into the right mind-set for listening, and you won’t feel in control of your learning as you try to catch up with the class. If you’re tardy, you also create a distraction for your classmates—and the instructor, who will take notice!

- Clear away all other distractions before the instructor starts. Remember that putting your cell phone on “vibrate” may still distract you—so turn it off, all the way off.

Now, take a deep breath, focus on the instructor, and listen and learn!

Key Takeaways

- To get the most out of a class, get yourself in the right frame of mind.

- Clearly visualize your goals and approach the class with confidence.

- Be physically prepared: rested, punctual, and not distracted.

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3.3 Are You Really Listening?

Learning Objectives

1. Listen actively in social situations and in class environments.

2. Apply strategies that make listening more effective.

3. Ask good questions.

Are you a good listener? Most of us like to think we are, but when we really think about it, we recognize that we are often only half listening. We’re distracted, thinking about other things, or formulating what we are going to say in reaction to what we are hearing before the speaker has even finished. Effective listening is one of the most important learning tools you can have in university. And it is a skill that will benefit you on the job and help your relationships with others. Listening is nothing more than purposefully focusing on what a speaker is saying with the objective of understanding.

Figure 4.3 – Active listening requires focus and attention
Robert Nichols – USDA – (CC BY-ND 2.0)

This definition is straightforward, but there are some important concepts that deserve a closer look. “Purposefully focusing” implies that you are actively processing what the speaker is saying, not just letting the sounds of their voice register in your senses. “With the objective of understanding” means that you will learn enough about what the speaker is saying to be able to form your own thoughts about the speaker’s message. Listening is an active process, as opposed to hearing, which is passive.

You listen to others in many situations: to interact with friends, to get instructions for a task, or to learn new material. There are two general types of listening situations: where you will be able to interact freely with the speaker (everyday conversations, small discussion classes, business meetings) and where interaction is limited (lectures and Webcasts).

In interactive situations, you should apply the basic principles of active listening (see “Principles of Active Listening”). These are not hard to understand, but they are hard to implement and require practice to use them effectively.

Principles of Active Listening

1. Focus on what is being said. Give the speaker your undivided attention. Clear your mind of anything else. Don’t prejudge. You want to understand what the person is saying; you don’t need to agree with it.

2. Repeat what you just heard. Confirm with the speaker that what you heard is what he or she said.

3. Ask speaker to expand or clarify. If you are unsure you understand, ask questions; don’t assume.

4. Look for nonverbal signals as well as the words used. Nonverbal messages come from facial expressions, body positioning, arm gestures, and tone of voice. Confirm these body language messages just as you would verbal messages by saying, for example, “You seem very excited about this idea.”

5. Listen for requests. A speaker will often hide a request as a statement of a problem. If a friend says, “I hate math!” this may mean, “Can you help me figure out a solution to this problem?”

Activity: Listening with Your Whole Body

Think of a person you consider an excellent listener. Picture that person clearly in your mind. Focus on what she does, not what they she is saying. Describe what actions and postures she uses to show she is listening. Put this list on the left-hand side of the page.

Think of a person you consider a poor listener. Picture that person clearly in your mind. Focus on what he does, not what he is saying. Describe what actions and postures he uses to show he is not listening. Put this list on the right-hand side of the page.

Now compare these lists with your own behavior. How many of the body language signals from each side do you think you exhibit? How can you add more of the left column’s attitudes and actions to your own behaviors? How can you control those behaviors you recognize in yourself from the right column?

Listening in a classroom or lecture hall to learn can be challenging because you are limited by how—and how much—you can interact with an instructor during the class. The following strategies help make listening at lectures more effective and learning more fun.

1. Get your mind in the right space. Prepare yourself mentally to receive the information the speaker is presenting by following the previous prep questions and by doing your assignments (instructors build upon work presented earlier).

2. Get yourself in the right space. Sit toward the front of the room where you can make eye contact with the instructor easily. Most instructors read the body language of the students in the front rows to gauge how they are doing and if they are losing the class. Instructors also believe students who sit near the front of the room take their subject more seriously and are more willing to give them help when needed or to give them the benefit of the doubt when making a judgment call while assigning grades.

3. Focus on what is being said. Eliminate distractions. Turn your cell phone off and pack it away in your backpack. If you are using your laptop for notes, close all applications except the one that you use to take notes. Clear your mind and keep quiet. Listen for new ideas. Think like an investigative reporter: you don’t just want to accept what is being said passively—you want to question the material and be convinced that it makes sense.

4. Look for signals. Each instructor has a different way of telling you what is important. Some will repeat or paraphrase an idea; others will raise (or lower) their voices; still others will write related words on the board. Learn what signals your instructors tend to use and be on the lookout for them. When they use that tactic, the idea they are presenting needs to go in your notes and in your mind—and don’t be surprised if it appears on a test or quiz!

5. Listen for what is not being said. If an instructor doesn’t cover a subject, or covers it only minimally, this signals that that material is not as important as other ideas covered in greater length.

6. Sort the information. Decide what is important and what is not, what is clear and what is confusing, and what is new material and what is review. This mental organizing will help you remember the information, take better notes, and ask better questions.

7. Take notes. We cover taking notes in much greater detail later in this chapter, but for now think about how taking notes can help recall what your instructor said and how notes can help you organize your thoughts for asking questions.

8. Ask questions. Asking questions is one of the most important things you can do in class. Most obviously it allows you to clear up any doubts you may have about the material, but it also helps you take ownership of (and therefore remember) the material. Good questions often help instructors expand upon their ideas and make the material more relevant to students. Thinking through the material critically in order to prepare your questions helps you organize your new knowledge and sort it into mental categories that will help you remember it.

A note about tape-recording lectures: You may want to record a lecture to double-check what you heard in class, but it’s usually not a good idea. Depending on a recording may lead you to listen less effectively and think less actively. Additionally, many instructors do not allow students to record their lectures, so recording is usually not even an option.

Dealing with Special Listening Challenges

What to Do If…

- Your instructor speaks too fast. Crank up your preparation. The more you know about the subject, the more you’ll be able to pick up from the instructor. Exchange class notes with other students to fill in gaps in notes. Visit the instructor during office hours to clarify areas you may have missed. You might ask the instructor—very politely, of course—to slow down, but habits like speaking fast are hard to break!

- Your instructor has a heavy accent. Sit as close to the instructor as possible. Make connections between what the instructor seems to be saying and what he or she is presenting on the board or screen. Ask questions when you don’t understand. Visit the instructor during office hours; the more you speak with the instructor the more likely you will learn to understand the accent.

- Your instructor speaks softly or mumbles. Sit as close to the instructor as possible and try to hold eye contact as much as possible. Check with other students if they are having problems listening, too; if so, you may want to bring the issue up with the instructor. It may be that the instructor is not used to the lecture hall your class is held in and can easily make adjustments.

Now That’s a Good Question…

Are you shy about asking questions? Do you think that others in the class will ridicule you for asking a dumb question? Students sometimes feel this way because they have never been taught how to ask questions. Practice these steps, and soon you will be on your way to customizing each course to meet your needs and letting the instructor know you value the course.

- Be prepared. Doing your assignments for a class or lecture will give you a good idea about the areas you are having trouble with and will help you frame some questions ahead of time.

- Position yourself for success. Sit near the front of the class. It will be easier for you to make eye contact with the instructor as you ask the question. Also, you won’t be intimidated by a class full of heads turning to stare at you as you ask your question.

- Don’t wait. Ask your questions as soon as the instructor has finished a thought. Being one of the first students to ask a question also will ensure that your question is given the time it deserves and won’t be cut short by the end of class.

- In a lecture class, write your questions down. Make sure you jot your questions down as they occur to you. Some may be answered in the course of the lecture, but if the instructor asks you to hold your questions until the end of class, you’ll be glad you have a list of the items you need the instructor to clarify or expand on.

- Ask specific questions. “I don’t understand” is a statement, not a question. Give the instructor guidance about what you are having trouble with. “Can you clarify the use of the formula for determining velocity?” is a better way of asking for help. If you ask your question at the end of class, give the instructor some context for your question by referring to the part of the lecture that triggered the question. For example, “Professor, you said the Union troops were emboldened by Lincoln’s leadership. Was this throughout the Civil War, or only after Gettysburg?”

- Don’t ask questions for the sake of asking questions. If your question is not thought out, or if it appears that you are asking the question to try to look smart, instructors will see right through you!

Key Takeaways

- In all interactive learning situations, apply the basic principles of active listening.

- Focus on what is being said, confirm that you heard the right message, ask for any clarification you need, watch for nonverbal messages, and listen for requests.

- Specific strategies are helpful for listening well in a lecture hall.

- Be ready to compensate if your instructor speaks too fast, has a heavy accent that makes understanding difficult for you, or speaks too softly.

- Don’t be shy about asking questions. Asking questions is easier when you are prepared and positioned for success.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. List two things you should do before the class to prepare yourself for active listening.

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2. Where should you sit in the classroom? Why?

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3. What are some of the ways instructors signal important material?

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3.4 Got Notes?

Learning Objectives

1. Explain why taking notes is important.

2. Use the four primary methods of note taking: lists, outlines, concept maps, and the Cornell method.

3. Define which methods support your learning style and the instructor’s teaching style.

4. Apply strategies to make note taking more effective.

5. Use some effective strategies if you happen to miss a class.

6. Organize your notes into effective study guides.

7. Use teacher handouts to complement your notes.

8. Determine what to do with your notes after the course is complete.

Everybody takes notes, or at least everybody claims to. But if you take a close look, many who are claiming to take notes on their laptops are actually surfing the Web, and paper notebooks are filled with doodles interrupted by a couple of random words with an asterisk next to them reminding you that “This is important!” In university, these approaches will not work. In university, your instructors expect you to make connections between class lectures and reading assignments; they expect you to create an opinion about the material presented; they expect you to make connections between the material and life beyond university. Your notes are your road maps for these thoughts. Do you take good notes? After learning to listen, note taking is the most important skill to ensure your success in a class.

Effective note taking is important because it

- supports your listening efforts,

- allows you to test your understanding of the material,

- helps you remember the material better when you write key ideas down,

- gives you a sense of what the instructor thinks is important,

- creates your “ultimate study guide.”

There are various forms of taking notes, and which one you choose depends on both your personal style and the instructor’s approach to the material. Each can be used in a notebook, index cards, or in a digital form on your laptop. No specific type is good for all students and all situations, so we recommend that you develop your own style, but you should also be ready to modify it to fit the needs of a specific class or instructor. To be effective, all of these methods require you to listen actively and to think; merely jotting down words the instructor is saying will be of little use to you.

Table 3.2 Note-Taking Methods

Method

Description

When to Use

Lists

A sequential listing of ideas as they are presented. Lists may be short phrases or complete paragraphs describing ideas in more detail.

This method is what most students use as a fallback if they haven’t learned other methods. This method typically requires a lot of writing, and you may find that you are not keeping up with the professor. It is not easy for students to prioritize ideas in this method.

Outlines

The outline method places most important ideas along the left margin, which are numbered with roman numerals. Supporting ideas to these main concepts are indented and are noted with capital letters. Under each of these ideas, further detail can be added, designated with an Arabic number, a lowercase letter, and so forth.

A good method to use when material presented by the instructor is well organized. Easy to use when taking notes on your computer.

Concept Maps

When designing a concept map, place a central idea in the center of the page and then add lines and new circles in the page for new ideas. Use arrows and lines to connect the various ideas.

Great method to show relationships among ideas. Also good if the instructor tends to hop from one idea to another and back.

Cornell Method

The Cornell method uses a two-column approach. The left column takes up no more than a third of the page and is often referred to as the “cue” or “recall” column. The right column (about two-thirds of the page) is used for taking notes using any of the methods described above or a combination of them. After class or completing the reading, review your notes and write the key ideas and concepts or questions in the left column. You may also include a summary box at the bottom of the page, in which to write a summary of the class or reading in your own words.

The Cornell method can include any of the methods above and provides a useful format for calling out key concepts, prioritizing ideas, and organizing review work. Most universities recommend using some form of the Cornell method.

The List Method

Figure 3.4 – The List Method of Note Taking

The list method is usually not the best choice because it is focused exclusively on capturing as much of what the instructor says as possible, not on processing the information. Most students who have not learned effective study skills use this method, because it’s easy to think that this is what note taking is all about. Even if you are skilled in some form of shorthand, you should probably also learn one of the other methods described here, because they are all better at helping you process and remember the material. You may want to take notes in class using the list method, but transcribe your notes to an outline or concept map method after class as a part of your review process. It is always important to review your notes as soon as possible after class and write a summary of the class in your own words.

The Outline Method

Figure 3.5 – The Outline Method of Note Taking

The advantage of the outline method is that it allows you to prioritize the material. Key ideas are written to the left of the page, subordinate ideas are then indented, and details of the subordinate ideas can be indented further. To further organize your ideas, you can use the typical outlining numbering scheme (starting with roman numerals for key ideas, moving to capital letters on the first subordinate level, Arabic numbers for the next level, and lowercase letters following.) At first you may have trouble identifying when the instructor moves from one idea to another. This takes practice and experience with each instructor, so don’t give up! In the early stages you should use your syllabus to determine what key ideas the instructor plans to present. Your reading assignments before class can also give you guidance in identifying the key ideas.

If you’re using your laptop computer for taking notes, a basic word processing application (like Microsoft Word or Works) is very effective. Format your document by selecting the outline format from the format bullets menu. Use the increase or decrease indent buttons to navigate the level of importance you want to give each item. The software will take care of the numbering for you!

After class be sure to review your notes and then summarize the class in one or two short paragraphs using your own words. This summary will significantly affect your recall and will help you prepare for the next class.

The Concept Map Method

Figure 3.6 – The Concept Map Method of Note Taking

This is a very graphic method of note-taking that is especially good at capturing the relationships among ideas. Concept maps harness your visual sense to understand complex material “at a glance.” They also give you the flexibility to move from one idea to another and back easily (so they are helpful if your instructor moves freely through the material).

To develop a concept map, start by using your syllabus to rank the ideas you will listen to by level of detail (from high-level or abstract ideas to detailed facts). Select an overriding idea (high level or abstract) from the instructor’s lecture and place it in a circle in the middle of the page. Then create branches off that circle to record the more detailed information, creating additional limbs as you need them. Arrange the branches with others that interrelate closely. When a new high-level idea is presented, create a new circle with its own branches. Link together circles or concepts that are related. Use arrows and symbols to capture the relationship between the ideas. For example, an arrow may be used to illustrate cause or effect, a double-pointed arrow to illustrate dependence, or a dotted arrow to illustrate impact or effect.

As with all note-taking methods, you should summarize the chart in one or two paragraphs of your own words after class.

The Cornell Method

Figure 3.7 – The Cornell Method of Note Taking

The Cornell method was developed in the 1950s by Professor Walter Pauk at Cornell University [1]. It is recommended by many universities because of its usefulness and flexibility. This method is simple to use for capturing notes, is helpful for defining priorities, and is a very helpful study tool.

The Cornell method follows a very specific format that consists of four boxes: a header, two columns, and a footer.

The header is a small box across the top of the page. In it you write identification information like the course name and the date of the class. Underneath the header are two columns: a narrow one on the left (no more than one-third of the page) and a wide one on the right. The wide column, called the “notes” column, takes up most of the page and is used to capture your notes using any of the methods outlined earlier. The left column, known as the “cue” or “recall” column, is used to jot down main ideas, keywords, questions, clarifications, and other notes. It should be used both during the class and when reviewing your notes after class. Finally, use the box in the footer to write a summary of the class in your own words. This will help you make sense of your notes in the future and is a valuable tool to aid with recall and studying.

Using Index Cards for the Cornell Method

Some students like to use index cards to take notes. They actually lend themselves quite well to the Cornell method. Use the “back” or lined side of the card to write your notes in class. Use one card per key concept. The “front” unlined side of the card replaces the left hand “cue” column. Use it after class to write keywords, comments, or questions. When you study, the cards become flash cards with questions on one side and answers on the other. Write a summary of the class on a separate card and place it on the top of the deck as an introduction to what was covered in the class.

“I used to tape my lecture classes so I could fill in my sketchy notes afterward. Now that I’m using the Cornell system, my notes are complete and organized in much less time. And my regular five-minute reviews make learning almost painless. No more taping and listening twice.”      – A student at Southern Methodist University

You will have noticed that all methods end with the same step: reviewing your notes as soon as possible after class. Any review of your notes is helpful (reading them, copying them into your computer, or even recasting them using another note-taking method). But THINK! Make your review of notes a thoughtful activity, not a mindless process. When you review your notes, think about questions you still have and determine how you will get the answers. (From the next class? Studying with a friend? Looking up material in your text or on the net?) Examine how the material applies to the course; make connections with notes from other class sessions, with material in your text, and with concepts covered in class discussions. Finally, it’s fun to think about how the material in your notes applies to real life. Consider this both at the very strategic level (as in “What does this material mean to me in relation to what I want to do with my life?”) as well as at a very mundane level (as in “Is there anything cool here I can work into a conversation with my friends?”).

Instructor Handouts

Some instructors hand out or post their notes or their PowerPoint slides from their lectures. These handouts should never be considered a substitute for taking notes in class. They are a very useful complement and will help you confirm the accuracy of your notes, but they do not involve you in the process of learning as well as your own notes do. After class, review your notes with highlighter in hand and mark keywords and ideas in your notes. This will help you write the summary of the class in your own words.

General Tips on Note Taking

Regardless of what note-taking method you choose, there are some note-taking habits you should get into for all circumstances and all courses:

1. Be prepared. Make sure you have the tools you need to do the job. If you are using a notebook, be sure you have it with you and that you have enough paper. Also be sure to have your pen (as well as a spare) and perhaps a pen with different colored ink to use for emphasis. If you are taking notes on your laptop, make sure the battery is charged! Select the application that lends itself best to your style of note taking. Microsoft Word works very well for outline notes, but you might find taking notes in Excel to work best if you are working within the Cornell method. (It’s easier to align your thoughts in the cue or recall column to your notes in the right column. Just be sure you keep one idea per row!)

2. Write on only one side of the paper. This will allow you to integrate your reading notes with your class notes.

3. Label, number, and date all notes at the top of each page. This will help you keep organized.

4. When using a laptop, position it such that you can see the instructor and white board right over your screen. This will keep the instructor in your field of vision even if you have to glance at your screen or keyboard from time to time. Make sure your focus remains with the instructor and not on your laptop. A word of caution about laptops for note taking: use them if you are very adept at keyboarding, but remember that not all note-taking methods work well on laptops because they do not easily allow you to draw diagrams and use special notations (scientific and math formulas, for example).

5. Don’t try to capture everything that is said. Listen for the big ideas and write them down. Make sure you can recognize the instructor’s emphasis cues and write down all ideas and keywords the instructor emphasizes. Listen for clues like “the four causes were…” or “to sum up.…”

6. Copy anything the instructor writes on the board. It’s likely to be important.

7. Leave space between ideas. This allows you to add additional notes later (e.g., notes on the answer to a question you or one of your classmates asked).

8. Use signals and abbreviations. Which ones you use is up to you, but be consistent so you will know exactly what you mean by “att.” when you review your notes. You may find it useful to keep a key to your abbreviations in all your notebooks.

9. Use some method for identifying your own thoughts and questions to keep them separate from what the instructor or textbook author is saying. Some students use different color ink; others box or underline their own thoughts. Do whatever works for you.

10. Create a symbol to use when you fall behind or get lost in your note taking. Jot down the symbol, leave some space, and focus on what the instructor is covering now. Later you can ask a classmate or the professor to help you fill in what you missed, or you can find it in your textbook.

11. Review your notes as soon after class as possible (the same day is best).This is the secret to making your notes work! Use the recall column to call out the key ideas and organize facts. Fill in any gaps in your notes and clean up or redraw hastily drawn diagrams.

12. Write a summary of the main ideas of the class in your own words. This process is a great aid to recall. Be sure to include any conclusions from the lecture or discussion.

This video provides some great tips for note-taking as well – “How to Take Great Notes” (length 5:08)

Journal Entry

Choose one of your classes where you normally take notes. Make a conscious effort to use the Cornell method with either the outline or concept map method for taking your notes. Follow as many steps listed previously as possible. Now compare these notes with those you took in the previous class. Are your new notes more useful? What did you like about taking notes this way? What are some of the things you need to work on improving? (Remember this will get much easier with more practice.) Write your thoughts here.

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What If You Miss Class?

Clearly the best way to learn class material is to be at the class and to take your own notes. In university, regular attendance is expected. But life happens. On occasion, you may have to miss a class or lecture. When this happens, here are some strategies you can use to make up for it:

- Check with the instructor to see if there is another section of the class you can attend. Never ask the instructor “Did I miss anything important?” (Think about what that’s saying and you’ll see it’s rather insulting.)

- If the instructor posts his or her lectures as a podcast, listen to the lecture online and take notes. If the instructor uses PowerPoint slides, request a copy (or download them if posted) and review them carefully, jotting down your own notes and questions. Review your notes with a classmate who did attend.

- You may want to borrow class notes from a classmate. If you do, don’t just copy them and insert them in your notebook. They will not be very helpful. When you borrow notes from a classmate, you should photocopy them and then review them carefully and mark your copy with your own notes and questions. Use your textbook to try to fill in the gaps. Finally, schedule a study session with the person who gave you the notes to review the material and confirm your understanding. (See studying with others in Chapter 6 “Preparing for and Taking Tests”.)

- If none of these options is available for you, use the course syllabus to determine what was covered in the class, then write a short paper (two pages or so) on the material using the class readings and reliable online sources. See your instructor during office hours to review your key findings and to answer any questions you still may have.

Keeping Your Notes

Class is over, and you have a beautiful set of notes in your spiral notebook or saved in your laptop. You have written the summary of the class in your own words. Now what?

Start by organizing your notes. We recommend you use a three-ring binder for each of your subjects. Print your notes if you used a computer. If you used note cards, insert them in plastic photo holders for binders. Group all notes from a class or unit together in a section; this includes class notes, reading notes, and instructor handouts. You might also want to copy the instructor’s syllabus for the unit on the first page of the section.

Next, spend some time linking the information across the various notes. Use the recall column in your notes to link to related information in other notes (e.g., “See class notes date/page”).

If you have had a quiz or test on the unit, add it to your binder, too, but be sure to write out the correct answer for any item you missed. Link those corrections to your notes, too.

Use this opportunity to write “notes on your notes.” Review your summary to see if it still is valid in light of your notes on the reading and any handouts you may have added to your notes package.

You don’t need to become a pack rat with your notes. It is fairly safe to toss them after the end of a course except in the following cases:

1. If the course you took is a prerequisite for another course, or when the course is part of a standard progression of courses that build upon each other (this is very common in math and science courses), you should keep them as a reference and review for the follow-up course.

2. If the course may pertain to your future major, keep your notes. You may not realize it now that they may have future value when you study similar topics or even the same topics in more depth.

3. If you are very interested in the course subject and would like to get into the material through a more advanced course, independent study, or even research, keep your notes as a prep tool for further work.

Key Takeaways

- After effective listening, good note taking is the most important skill for academic success.

- Choose among effective note-taking styles for what works best for you and modify it to meet the needs of a specific class or instructor.

- List notes are generally less effective and not prioritized.

- Outlines work well for taking notes on a laptop when the instructor is well organized.

- Concept map notes are good for showing the relationships among ideas.

- The Cornell method is effective for calling out key concepts and organizing notes for review.

- Instructor handouts and PowerPoint presentations help with—but do not replace the need for—personal note taking.

- If you miss a class, explore your options for replacing your missing notes.

- Keep your notes organized in a way that makes it easy to study for tests and other uses in the future.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Name two advantages of the Cornell system over the list method of note taking.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. Describe the benefits of—and potential problems with—taking class notes on a laptop.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. List at least three ways to make up for missing notes because you miss a class.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

1. Pauk, W. & Owens, R.J.Q. (2013). How to Study in College. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. ↵

15

3.5 Remembering Course Materials

Learning Objectives

1. Identify what is important to remember.

2. Understand the difference between short- and long-term memory.

3. Use a variety of strategies to build your memory power.

4. Identify the four key types of mnemonic devices.

5. Use mnemonics to remember lists of information.

Up to now we have covered how to capture material in your notes. The rest of this chapter is dedicated to strategies for recording ideas and facts in your memory.

The Role of Memorization in Learning

Have you ever gone into an exam you have studied for and drawn a blank on a particular question? Have you ever walked into a room only to forget for a moment why you went there? Have you ever forgotten where you left your keys? How about finding yourself in a conversation with someone whose name you can’t remember? The fact is, memory fails everyone from time to time. It is not surprising that students, with a huge amount of information they must commit to memory (not to mention frequent distractions and interruptions), are often frustrated by their memory.

Let’s start by taking some of the pressure off you. You will not be required to memorize everything your instructor says in a class—nor should you try to. There is way too much to capture. People speak at a rate of 100 to 150 words per minute. An average 50-minute lecture may contain around 7,500 words. By listening effectively and taking notes, your job is to distill the main ideas and a few keywords. These are the things you should choose to memorize.

In your early and high school education, memorization was a key aspect of learning. You memorized multiplication tables, the names of the states, and vocabulary words. Memorized facts ensured your success on multiple-choice questions. In university, however, most of your work is focused on understanding the material in depth. Remembering the year of the 9/11 attack (2001) is far less important than grasping the impact of that attack on American foreign policy. Understanding themes and ideas and being able to think critically about them is really the key to your success in university learning. For more on critical thinking skills, see Chapter 4 “Thinking about Thought”. Although memorization is not the primary key to success, having a good memory is important to capture ideas in your mind, and it helps tremendously in certain subjects like sciences and foreign languages.

How Memory Works

Memory is the process of storing and retrieving information. Think of a computer. In many ways it is an electronic model of the human memory. A computer stores, retrieves, and processes information similarly to how the human mind does. Like the human version, there are two types of memory: short-term or active memory (RAM in the computer) and long-term or passive memory (the computer’s hard drive). As its name suggests, short-term or active memory is made up of the information we are processing at any given time. Short-term memory involves information being captured at the moment (such as listening in class) as well as from information retrieved from our passive memory for doing complex mental tasks (such as thinking critically and drawing conclusions). But short-term memory is limited and suffers from the passing of time and lack of use. We begin to forget data within thirty seconds of not using it, and interruptions (such as phone calls or distractions) require us to rebuild the short-term memory structure—to get “back on task.” Learn more about multitasking in Chapter 6 “Preparing for and Taking Tests”. To keep information in our memory, we must either use it or place it into our long-term memory (much like saving a document on your computer).

How we save information to our long-term memory has a lot to do with our ability to retrieve it when we need it at a later date. Our mind “saves” information by creating a complex series of links to the data. The stronger the links, the easier it is to recall. You can strengthen these links by using the following strategies. You should note how closely they are tied to good listening and note-taking strategies.

- Make a deliberate decision to remember the specific data. “I need to remember Richard’s name” creates stronger links than just wishing you had a better memory for names.

- Link the information to your everyday life. Ask yourself, “Why is it important that I remember this material?”—and answer it.

- Link the information to other information you already have “stored,” especially the key themes of the course, and you will recall the data more easily. Ask yourself how this is related to other information you have. Look for ways to tie items together. Are they used in similar ways? Do they have similar meanings? Do they sound alike?

- Mentally group similar individual items into “buckets.” By doing this, you are creating links, for example, among terms to be memorized. For example, if you have to memorize a vocabulary list for a Spanish class, group the nouns together with other nouns, verbs with verbs, and so forth. Or your groupings might be sentences using the vocabulary words.

- Use visual imagery. Picture the concept vividly in your mind. Make those images big, bold, and colorful—even silly! Pile concepts on top of each other or around each other; exaggerate their features like a caricature; let your imagination run wild. Humor and crazy imagery can help you recall key concepts.

- Use the information. Studies have generally shown that we retain only 5 percent of what we hear, 10 percent of what we read, 20 percent of what we learn from multimedia, and 30 percent of what is demonstrated to us, but we do retain 50 percent of what we discuss, 75 percent of what we practice by doing, and 90 percent of what we teach others or use immediately in a relevant activity. Review your notes, participate in class, and study with others.

- Break information down into manageable “chunks.” Memorizing the ten-digit number “3141592654” seems difficult, but breaking it down into two sets of three digits and one of four digits, like a phone number—(314) 159-2654—now makes it easier to remember. (Pat yourself on the back if you recognized that series of digits: with a decimal point after the three, that’s the value of pi to ten digits. Remember your last math class?)

- Work from general information to the specific. People usually learn best when they get the big picture first, and then look at the details.

- Eliminate distractions. Every time you have to “reboot” your short-term memory, you risk losing data points. Multitasking—listening to music or chatting on Facebook while you study—will play havoc with your ability to memorize because you will need to reboot your short-term memory each time you switch mental tasks.

- Repeat, repeat, repeat. Hear the information; read the information; say it (yes, out loud), and say it again. The more you use or repeat the information, the stronger the links to it. The more senses you use to process the information, the stronger the memorization. Write information on index cards to make flash cards and use downtime (when waiting for the subway or during a break between classes) to review key information.

- This is a test. Test your memory often. Try to write down everything you know about a specific subject, from memory. Then go back and check your notes and textbook to see how you did. Practicing retrieval in this way helps ensure long-term learning of facts and concepts.

- Location, location, location. There is often a strong connection between information and the place where you first received that information. Associate information to learning locations for stronger memory links. Picture where you were sitting in the lecture hall as you repeat the facts in your mind.

Just for Fun

Choose a specific fact from each of your classes on a given day. Now find a way of working that information into your casual conversations during the rest of the day in a way that is natural. Can you do it? What effect do you think that will have on your memory of that information?

Exercise Your Memory

Read the following list for about twenty seconds. After you have read it, cover it and write down all the items you remember.

Arch

Pen

Chowder

Maple

Airplane

Window

Kirk

Scotty

Paper clip

Thumb drive

Column

Brownies

Oak

Door

Subway

Skateboard

Leia

Cedar

Fries

Luke

How many were you able to recall? Most people can remember only a fraction of the items.

Now read the following list for about twenty seconds, cover it, and see how many you remember.

Fries

Skateboard

Chowder

Subway

Brownies

Luke

Paper clip

Leia

Pen

Kirk

Thumb drive

Scotty

Oak

Column

Cedar

Window

Maple

Door

Airplane

Arch

Did your recall improve? Why do you think you did better? Was it easier? Most people take much less time doing this version of the list and remember almost all the terms. The list is the same as the first list, but the words have now been grouped into categories. Use this grouping method to help you remember lists of mixed words or ideas.

Using Mnemonics

What do the names of the Great Lakes, the makings of a Big Mac, and the number of days in a month have in common? They are easily remembered by using mnemonic devices. Mnemonics (pronounced neh-MA-nicks) are tricks for memorizing lists and data. They create artificial but strong links to the data, making recall easier. The most commonly used mnemonic devices are acronyms, acrostics, rhymes, and jingles.

Acronyms are words or phrases made up by using the first letter of each word in a list or phrase. Need to remember the names of the Great Lakes? Try the acronym HOMES using the first letter of each lake:

- Huron

- Ontario

- Michigan

- Erie

- Superior

To create an acronym, first write down the first letters of each term you need to memorize. Then rearrange the letters to create a word or words. You can find acronym generators online (just search for “acronym generator”) that can help you by offering options. Acronyms work best when your list of letters includes vowels as well as consonants and when the order of the terms is not important. If no vowels are available, or if the list should be learned in a particular order, try using an acrostic instead.

Acrostics are similar to acronyms in that they work off the first letter of each word in a list. But rather than using them to form a word, the letters are represented by entire words in a sentence or phrase. If you’ve studied music, you may be familiar with “Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge” to learn the names of the notes on the lines of the musical staff: E, G, B, D, F. The ridiculous and therefore memorable line “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” was used by many of us to remember the names of the planets (at least until Pluto was downgraded):

My

Mercury

Very

Venus

Educated

Earth

Mother

Mars

Just

Jupiter

Served

Saturn

Us

Uranus

Nine

Neptune

Pizzas

Pluto

To create an acrostic, list the first letters of the terms to be memorized in the order in which you want to learn them (like the planet names). Then create a sentence or phrase using words that start with those letters.

Rhymes are short verses used to remember data. A common example is “In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” Need to remember how many days a given month has? “Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November…,” and so forth. Writing rhymes is a talent that can be developed with practice. To start, keep your rhymes short and simple. Define the key information you want to remember and break it down into a series of short phrases. Look at the last words of the phrases: can you rhyme any of them? If they don’t rhyme, can you substitute or add a word to create the rhyme? (For example, in the Columbus rhyme, “ninety-two” does not rhyme with “ocean,” but adding the word “blue” completes the rhyme and creates the mnemonic.)

Jingles are phrases set to music, so that the music helps trigger your memory. Jingles are commonly used by advertisers to get you to remember their product or product features. Remember “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun”—the original Big Mac commercial. Anytime you add rhythm to the terms you want to memorize, you are activating your auditory sense, and the more senses you use for memorization, the stronger the links to the data you are creating in your mind. To create a jingle for your data, start with a familiar tune and try to create alternate lyrics using the terms you want to memorize. Another approach you may want to try is reading your data aloud in a hip-hop or rap music style.

Creative Memory Challenge

Create an acrostic to remember the noble gasses: helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and the radioactive radon (Rn).

Create an acronym to remember the names of the G8 group of countries: France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada. (Hint: Sometimes it helps to substitute terms with synonyms—“America” for the United States or “England” for the United Kingdom—to get additional options.)

Create a jingle to remember the names of the Seven Dwarfs: Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy.

Mnemonics are good memory aids, but they aren’t perfect. They take a lot of effort to develop, and they also take terms out of context because they don’t focus on the meaning of the words. Since they lack meaning, they can also be easily forgotten later on, although you may remember them through the course.

Key Takeaways

- Understanding ideas is generally more important in university than just memorizing facts.

- To keep information in our memory, we must use it or build links with it to strengthen it in long-term memory.

- Key ways to remember information include linking it to other information already known; organizing facts in groups of information; eliminating distractions; and repeating the information by hearing, reading, and saying it aloud.

- To remember specific pieces of information, try creating a mnemonic that associates the information with an acronym or acrostic, a rhyme or a jingle.

Checkpoint Exercise

1. For each of the following statements, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

Preparing for class is important for listening, for taking notes, and for memory.

T

F

Multitasking enhances your active memory.

T

F

If you listen carefully, you will remember most of what was said for three days.

T

F

“Use it or lose it” applies to information you want to remember.

T

F

Mnemonics should be applied whenever possible.

16

3.6 Chapter Activities

Chapter Takeaways

Listening

- Learning involves following a cycle of preparing, absorbing, recording, and reviewing.

- The most important difference between high school learning and university learning is that universities expect you to take full responsibility for your learning. Many of the support mechanisms you had in high school do not exist in university.

- Listening takes place in two primary situations: where there can be open interaction with the speaker (social conversation, small group discussions, business meetings, and small classes) and where there is limited interaction with the speaker (lectures, online courses, and podcasts).

- In situations where interaction is allowed, active listening principles work well.

- In lecture situations, additional strategies are required. They include physical preparation, seating for listening, eliminating distractions, thinking critically about the material as it is presented, taking notes, and asking appropriate questions.

- Prepare for listening by completing all assignments for the class and reviewing the syllabus. Ask yourself what you expect to gain from the class and how that ties in to the rest of the course material.

- Think critically about what you are listening to. Do you agree with what the instructor is saying? How does it tie to the rest of the material in the course? What does this new material mean to you in “real” life?

Note Taking

- There are four primary ways of taking notes (lists, outlines, concept maps, and the Cornell method).

- Select the note-taking method that best serves your learning style and the instructor’s teaching style. Remember that methods may be combined for maximum effect.

- Completing assignments and reviewing the syllabus can help you define the relative importance of the ideas the instructor presents.

- Don’t expect to capture everything the instructor says. Look for keywords and central ideas.

- Anything the instructor writes on the board is likely to be important.

- Review your notes as soon as possible after the class, to annotate, correct, complete, and summarize.

Memory

- The two types of memory are short-term memory, which allows you to apply knowledge to a specific task, and long-term memory, which allows you to store and recall information.

- The brain commits information to long-term memory by creating an intricate system of links to that information. Strength, number, and variety of links all lead to better recall.

- To create strong links, start by making a conscious decision to want to commit something specific to memory. Link the information to real life and other data from the course. Group like information into “buckets” that create links among the terms you want to remember.

- Use the information. The more you use the information, the more you will activate the links in your brain.

- Eliminate distractions. Every time you are diverted from your task, you need to reboot your short-term memory, weakening the links.

Chapter Review

1. Describe the four steps of active listening.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. How is listening defined?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. List three things you should do to prepare to listen in class.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. Where should you sit in a class? Why?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

5. What should you do with your notes soon after each class?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

6. Why do you think the Cornell method of note taking is recommended by so many universities?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

7. How do short-term and long-term memory differ?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

8. List three ways in which you can create links to help remember ideas.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

9. Why is multitasking dangerous to memorization?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

10. What is a mnemonic?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Make an Action List

Two things I will do to improve

Action

By when I expect to take the action

How I will know I accomplished the action

My listening

1.

2.

My note taking

1.

2.

My memory

1.

2.

Figure 3.1
CollegeDegrees360 – Backpack – CC BY-SA 2.0.

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

Yes

Unsure

No

1. I am a good problem solver.

2. I am considered creative by my friends.

3. I have good judgment.

4. I find it easy to make decisions quickly.

5. My decisions usually turn out to be good decisions.

6. I like to think things through before speaking.

7. I am not shy about asking questions when I don’t understand something.

8. I enjoy good discussions and arguments.

9. I regularly practice an art form (music, acting, painting, etc.)

10. I enjoy hearing other people’s points of view, even when I disagree with them.

11. I usually question information presented as fact on the Internet or television.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your level of thinking skills at this time?

Poor thinking skills

Excellent thinking skills

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

In the following list, circle the three most important areas in which you think you can improve:

- Applying information

- Analyzing information

- Thinking critically

- Asking questions about information

- Evaluating information

- Coming up with new ideas

- Solving problems

- Making decisions

- Identifying weaknesses in ideas

- Choosing sources for research

Are there other areas in which you can improve your thinking skills? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

- Understanding what makes thinking in university different from thinking in high school

- Learning how to think

- Knowing the types of thinking

- Recognizing why all types of thinking are important

- Understanding what critical thinking is

- Recognizing and avoiding logical fallacies and faulty assumptions

- Establishing critical thinking habits

- Researching and thinking critically

- Understanding what creative thinking is

- Developing creative thinking habits

- Solving problems

- Making decisions

- Brainstorming

It’s All in Your Head

Throughout this book, we make the case that university is really quite different from high school. Sure, the social life is different, and there are different pressures in university, perhaps a family to support or a job schedule to coordinate with studies. But the two most fundamental differences involve expectations—the expectation that you will be independent and take responsibility for your actions and the expectation that you will think for yourself.

Remember the heavy “thinking” you did in high school? Most of it was recalling facts or information you had previously committed to memory. Perhaps in some courses you were asked to support a statement or hypothesis using content from your textbook or class. Your thinking in high school was very structured and tied closely to reflecting what was taught in class.

In university, you are expected to think for yourself; to access and evaluate new approaches and ideas; to contribute to your knowledge base; and to develop or create new, fresh ideas. You will be required to develop and use a variety of thinking skills—higher-order thinking skills—which you seldom used in high school. In university, your instructors’ roles will be not only to supply a base of new information and ideas, as good instructors will challenge you to stretch your skills and knowledge base through critical and creative thinking. Much of their teaching involves the questions they ask, not the directions they give. Your success in university education—and in life beyond university—is directly linked to becoming an improved and competent learner. Becoming an improved and competent learner requires practicing some skills with consistent behavior.

17

4.1 Types of Thinking

Learning Objectives

1. Understand that there are different types of thinking.

2. Identify how each type of thinking contributes to learning.

So what are the various types of thinking skills, and what kind things are we doing when we apply them? In the 1950s, Benjamin Bloom developed a classification of thinking skills that is still helpful today; it is known as Bloom’s taxonomy. He lists six types of thinking skills, ranked in order of complexity: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Figure 3.2 “Types of Thinking Skills” outlines each skill and what is involved in that type of thinking, as updated by Lorin Anderson and David Krothwohl[1].

Figure 3.2 – Types of Thinking Skills

All of these thinking skills are important for university work (and life in the “real world,” too). You’ve likely had a great deal of experience with the lower-level thinking skills (yellow section). The midlevel skills are skills you will get a lot of practice with in university, and you may be well on your way to mastering them already. The higher-level thinking skills (red section) are the most demanding, and you will need to invest focused effort to develop them.

Exercise: Thought Inventory

Think about Figure 3.2 “Types of Thinking Skills”. Are you using all six thinking skills? Reflect on your schoolwork in the past three weeks and identify specific examples where you used each of the thinking skills. Use the comment column to write notes about the skills that are second nature to you and those you would like to develop further.

Skill Set

How You Used It in the Past Three Weeks

Comments

Remembering and Recalling

Understanding

Applying

Analyzing

Evaluating

Creating

Look at the lists of things you actually did in each case. Notice that there are certain verbs that apply to each skill set. When you see those verbs as a prompt in an assignment or an exam, you will know what kind of thinking the instructor expects from you. Table 3.1 “Thinking Verbs” lists some of the most common verbs associated with each thinking skill.

Table 3.1 Thinking Verbs

Skill Set

Verbs

1. Remembering and Recalling

Bookmark, count, describe, draw, enumerate, find, google, identify, label, list, match, name, quote, recall, recite, search, select, sequence, tell, write

2. Understanding

Blog, conclude, describe, discuss, explain, generalize, identify, illustrate, interpret, paraphrase, predict, report, restate, review, summarize, tell, tweet

3. Applying

Apply, articulate, change, chart, choose, collect, compute, control, demonstrate, determine, do, download, dramatize, imitate, implement, interview, install (as in software), participate, prepare, produce, provide, report, role-play, run (software), select, share, show, solve, transfer, use

4. Analyzing

Analyze, break down, characterize, classify, compare, contrast, debate, deduce, diagram, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, examine, infer, link, outline, relate, research, reverse-engineer, separate, subdivide, tag

5. Evaluating

Appraise, argue, assess, beta test, choose, collaborate, compare, contrast, conclude, critique, criticize, decide, defend, “friend/de-friend,” evaluate, judge, justify, network, post, predict, prioritize, prove, rank, rate, review, select, support

6. Creating

Adapt, animate, blog, combine, compose, construct, create, design, develop, devise, film, formulate, integrate, invent, make, model, modify, organize, perform, plan, podcast, produce, program, propose, rearrange, remix, revise, rewrite, structure

Throughout this book, we give tips that will help you develop your thinking skills. You have read about the learning cycle and the importance of applying your knowledge. You will learn tips for remembering information from your notes and classes. Preparing for class requires you to analyze what you know and what you need to learn. The sections on listening and reading will help you develop your understanding skills. Look for those tips and practice them.

In this chapter, we will focus on critical thinking (evaluating) and creative thinking. They deserve specific focus because they are likely to be the skills you have least practice with. These are the skills most helpful for success in university and in “real life.” Creative thinking will help you come up with possible solutions for problems and new ideas. Critical thinking will help you decide which of those ideas have most merit and deserve to be implemented.

Key Takeaways

- We use different types of thinking skills to address different requirements, and these skills are classified in Bloom’s taxonomy.

- You have been using many thinking skills since childhood.

- Two very important thinking skills you will need to develop for success in university and in life are critical (or evaluative) thinking and creative thinking.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. List three verbs that are associated with application skills.

____________________

____________________

____________________

2. What is another name for “evaluation” thinking skills?

__________________________________________________________________

3. What thinking skills are associated with each of the following?

1. Compose and design: _______________________________________

2. Tweet and describe: _________________________________________

3. Break down and discriminate: __________________________________

4. Rank and beta test: _________________________________________

5. Enumerate and google: ______________________________________

1. Anderson, L.W. & Krathwohl, D.R. (2001). A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. ↵

18

4.2 It’s Critical

Learning Objectives

1. Understand what critical thinking is and why it’s important.

2. Identify logical pitfalls.

3. Discover assumptions and biases.

4. Practice problem solving and decision making.

5. Know the power of questions.

6. Evaluate information (on and off the Internet).

Canadians Have Access to…

- 1 million new books each year

- 5,500 magazines

- 10,500 radio stations

- 65,000 iPhone Apps

- 1,000,000,000,000 Web pages[1]

In today’s environment, it is not so critical to “know” a great deal of information. The list above indicates how much information we can easily access. In fact, the abundance of information might be the greater challenge. Your success will depend on what you can do with the information, not just on what you know. How we filter and use that abundance of data is the reason critical thinking has become so important today.

Critical thinking is the “…intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action[2]“. Or, put more simply, critical thinking is the ability to discover the value of an idea, a set of beliefs, a claim, or an argument. It requires you to use logic and reasoning to evaluate evidence or information to make a decision or reach a conclusion. Critical thinking is

- a foundation for effective communication,

- the principal skill used in effective decision making,

- at the core of creating new knowledge,

- a way to uncover bias and prejudices.

Critical thinking is a part of everyday life, too. Decisions you make can have a lasting impact on your life, and these decisions benefit from critical thinking. Did you ever decide to quit smoking or to lose weight? Were you successful? How did you decide to attend the university you are in? Was that the right choice for you? In any of these cases, could you have made a better decision if you had a better source of information?

The Critical Thinking Process

The critical thinking process is really nothing more than asking the right questions to understand a problem or issue and then gathering the data you need to complete the decision or take sides on an issue.

What is the problem or issue I am considering really about? Understanding this is key to successful critical thinking. What is the objective? A position? A decision? Are you deciding what candidate in an election will do a better overall job, or are you looking to strengthen the political support for a particular cause? Are you really against a recommendation from your dad, or are you using the issue to establish your independence?

Do you understand the terms related to the issue? Are you in agreement with the proponent’s definitions? For example, if you are evaluating a quotation on the health-care system for use in a paper, your objective might be to decide to use the quotation or not, but before you can make that decision you need to understand what the writer is really saying. If a term like “family” is used, for example, does it mean direct relations or extended family?

What are my options? What are choices that are available to you (if you are making a decision), or what are the “sides” (in the case of a position) you might choose to agree with? What are their differences? What are the likely consequences of each option? In making a decision, it might be helpful to ask yourself, “What is the worst thing that might happen in each scenario?” Examining different points of view is very important; there may be dozens of alternative viewpoints to a particular issue—and the validity of each can change depending on circumstances. A position that is popular or politically correct today may not have been a year ago, and there is no guarantee it will be right in the future. Likewise, a solution to a personal problem that was successful for your roommate may not apply to you. Remember also that sometimes the best option might be a combination of the options you identify initially.

What do I know about each option? First, make sure you have all the information about each option. Do you have all the information to support each of your likely options? What is still missing? Where can you get the information you need? Keep an open mind and don’t dismiss supporting information on any position before you evaluate it carefully.

How good is my information? Now it’s time to evaluate the quality of the support of each option or point of view. Evaluate the strengths and the weaknesses of each piece of supporting evidence. Are all the relevant facts presented? Are some facts presented in misleading ways? Are enough examples presented to support the premise? Consider the source of the supporting information. Who is the expert presenting the facts? That “expert” may have a vested interest in the position. Consider that bias, more for understanding the point of view than for rejecting it. Consider your own opinions (especially when working with emotional issues); are your emotional ties to a point of view getting in your way of clear thinking (your own biases)? If you really like a particular car model, are you giving the financial implications of buying that car a fair consideration? Are there any errors or fallacies in your logic? (See Table 4.2 “Fallacies and How to Avoid Them”.)

Fallacies are defects in logic that weaken arguments. You should learn to identify them in your own thinking so you can strengthen your positions, as well as in the arguments of others when evaluating their strength.

Table 4.2 Fallacies and How to Avoid Them

Fallacy

Description

Examples

How to Avoid It in Your Own Thinking

Generalizations

Making assumptions about a whole group of people based on an inadequate sample.

Engineering students are nerds.

My economics class is boring, and my friend says her economic class is boring, too—therefore all economics classes are boring.

What kind of sample are you using? Is it large enough to support the conclusions? You may want to increase your sample size or draw a more modest conclusion by using the word “some” or “many.”

False Cause

Drawing improper conclusions through sequencing. If A comes before B, then A causes B.

I studied biology last term, and this term I’m taking organic chem, which is very confusing. Biology makes chemistry confusing.

When making causal statements, be sure you can explain the process through which A causes B beyond their mere sequence.

Personalizations

Also known by their Latin names (ad hominem, or “against the man,” and tu quoque, or “you too”). Inserting personalities inappropriately into an argument. Common in political arguments.

Against the man: I won’t support Senator Smith’s education bill. He’s had a mistress and marital problems.

Focus on the merits and supporting data of an argument, not on the personality or behavior of the people making the arguments.

Everyone Does It

Also known by its Latin name (ad populum, or “against many”). Justifying an issue based solely on the number of people involved.

You too: A parent explains the evidence of the risks of binge drinking. The child rejects the arguments, saying, “When you were my age, you drank too.”

It’s healthy to drink only soda; millions of Canadian kids do.

The popular position is not always the right one. Be wary of arguments that rely exclusively on one set of numbers.

Appealing to Authority

Using an endorsement from someone as a primary reason for supporting a point of view.

We should oppose higher taxes; Curt Schilling does.

Pitcher Curt Schilling may be a credible authority on baseball, but is he an authority on taxes?

Quoting authorities is a valuable tool to build an argument; make sure the authorities you quote are truly subject matter experts on the issue you are discussing.

Weak Analogy

Using irrelevant similarities in two objects to draw a conclusion.

Cars and motorcycles are both driven at high speeds on the highway. Car drivers aren’t required to wear helmets, so motorcycle riders shouldn’t have to either.

You can draw an analogy between just about any two objects or ideas. If you are using an analogy, make sure you identify the properties relevant to the argument you are making and see if both share those properties. (In the example, the motorcycle does not provide protection to the rider, but the car does. Equating the two vehicles based on traveling speed is not relevant to the argument.)

False Dichotomy

Setting up a situation in which it looks like there are only two possible options. If one option is discredited, the other must be accepted.

The classic example here is “Canada, love it or leave it.”

Examine your own thinking. Are there really only two options? Look for the third option. If you were asked to develop a compromise between the two positions, what would it look like? What would its strengths and weaknesses be?

You will need to use critical thinking throughout your university years and beyond. Here are some common critical thinking situations and the kinds of questions you should ask to apply critical thinking. Note that critical thinking is central to themes covered in detail throughout this book.

- Personal choices. Examples include “What should I major in?” and “Should I buy a new car?” What do you know about each of your options? What is the quality of that information? Where can you get more (reliable) information? How do those options relate to your financial and emotional needs? What are the pros and cons of each option? Are you open to the points of view of others who may be involved? (See Chapter 11 “Taking Control of Your Finances” and Chapter 12 “Taking Control of Your Future”.)

- Reading, listening, note taking, and studying. What are the core messages of the instructor or author? Why are they important? How do these messages relate to one another or differ? (This is covered in much more detail in Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering” and Chapter 5 “Reading to Learn”.)

- Research papers. What evidence do you need to support your thesis? What sources are available for that evidence? Are they reliable sources? Are there any fallacies in your argument? (This is covered in more detail in Chapter 8 “Writing for Classes”.)

- Essay questions on exams. What is the professor really asking you to do? What do you know about the question? What is your personal belief about the question? What are the beliefs or biases of the professor or quoted authors? What are the arguments against your point of view? What are the most important pieces of evidence you should offer to support your answer? (This covered in more detail in Chapter 6 “Preparing for and Taking Tests”.)

Video – “Which are deadlier: sharks or horses?” (length 2:09)

Tips for Critical Thinking

- Consider all points of view; seriously consider more than two (look for grey areas).

- Keep an open mind.

- Answer three questions about your supporting data:

1. Is it enough support?

2. Is it the right support?

3. Is it credible?

- Look for evidence that contradicts your point of view. Pretend to disagree with the position you are supporting. What parts of your argument are weak? Do you have the supporting facts to overcome that evidence?

- Create a set of criteria you will use to evaluate the strength of information you want to use to support your argument. Ask questions like these:

- What is the source of this information?

- Is the author well respected in the field?

- When was this information developed? Is that important? Why?

- Does the author or publisher have an agenda for publishing the information? How does that agenda affect the credibility of the information?

- Create a table on which you list your main points, then for each one, list the evidence you have to support it. This method will help you visually identify where you have weak evidence and what points actually lack evidence.

- Be willing to admit that you lack information to support a point of view or make a decision. Ask questions or do some focused research to get what you still need.

- Make sure that your assumptions and points of view are supported by facts, not opinions.

- Learn what types of fallacies you use habitually, and then be on the lookout for them. Writers will often rely on certain types of arguments as a matter of habit. Review some of your old papers to identify which fallacies you need to avoid.

- Question your characterizations of others. Are those authorities truly competent in the area you are considering? Are you attacking the opponents of your point of view rather than attacking their arguments?

- Be careful of broad generalizations. Claims that use absolute words like “all,” “none,” “always,” “never,” “no one,” and “everyone” require much more proof than claims that use words like “most,” “some,” “often,” “rarely,” “sometimes,” and so on.

Where Did That Come From?

One of the most consistent uses for critical thinking in your university work is in considering the value of research material and deciding how to use it. The Internet gives you access to an almost unlimited amount of data, and you must choose what to use carefully. Following are some guidelines.

1. Look at the URL, the Web address. It can give you important information about the reliability and intentions of the site. Start with the page publisher. Have you heard of this source before? If so, would you consider it a reliable source for the kind of material you are about to read? Now consider the domain type in the URL, which follows the period after the publisher: “.com” and “.biz” are used by commercial enterprises, “.org” is normally used by nonprofit organizations, and “.edu” is reserved for educational institutions. None of these is necessarily bad or good, but they may give you a sense behind the motivation for publishing this material. Are you dealing with a company or the Web site of an individual—and how might that affect the quality of the information on that site?

2. What can you learn from poking around with navigation tabs or buttons, and what do they tell you about the objective of the Web site? Look for a tab labeled “About Us” or “Biography.”

3. Consider what others are saying about the site. Does the author offer references, reviews, or quotations about the material? What do they say? Check the blogosphere to see what other people think of the author or Web site.

4. Trust your own impressions about the material. Is the information consistent with what you already know?

5. Ask yourself why the Web site was written. (To inform? To provide data or facts? To sell something? To promote a cause? To parody?)

Based on what you learned, ask yourself if the information from this Web site is reliable for your needs. These steps are covered in more detail in Chapter 5 “Reading to Learn”.

Key Takeaways

- Critical thinking is evaluating the strength of your arguments, data, and information.

- Three questions to ask about the support for an argument or position:

1. Is it enough support?

2. Is it the right support?

3. Is it credible?

- Weaknesses in arguments are most commonly logical fallacies. Recognizing them will help evaluate the strength of an argument effectively.

Checkpoint Exercises

Figure 3.3 Crossword: Full of Fallacies

Across

Down

1. Fallacy is an error in _____________.

2. Appealing to _______________

3. Also known as the “you too” fallacy

5. Ad ______________; everybody does it

4. False ________; a fallacy based on the order of events

7. To draw conclusions based on a small sample

6. A tendency or inclination which prevents fair consideration of a point of view

9. False ________; a fallacy on forced choice between only two options

8. Weak ______________; irrelevant comparison

1. McLeod, S. & Fisch, K. (2009). Did You Know 4.0. [Video File]. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ILQrUrEWe8↵

2. Scriven, M. & Paul, R. (1987). Critical Thinking, 8th Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking and Education Reform. Retrieved from: https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766↵

19

4.3 Searching for “Aha!”

Learning Objectives

1. Use creative thinking: the competitive advantage in the twenty-first century.

2. Understand the difference between creative thinking and free-form thinking.

3. Practice guidelines for creating ideas.

4. Use rules and directions to create effectively.

5. Understand group creativity: how to conduct effective brainstorming.

Canada is full of very talented individuals; we have a creative, diverse, innovative, and open society. Increasingly, the most important competitive advantage is the ability to imagine and generate new ideas with speed and efficiency, and to implement them through global collaboration.

But let’s face it: many jobs are subject to outsourcing. The more menial or mechanical the job, the greater the likelihood that there will be someone overseas ready to do the job for a lot less pay. But generating new ideas, fostering innovation, and developing processes or plans to implement them are something that cannot be easily farmed out, and these are strengths of a Canadian university education. Businesses and organizations want problem solvers, not just instruction-followers. Developing your creative thinking skills will position you for lifelong success in whatever career you choose.

Creative thinking is the ability to look at things from a new perspective, to come up with fresh solutions to problems. It is a deliberate process that allows you to think in ways that improve the likelihood of generating new ideas or thoughts.

Let’s start by killing a couple of myths:

- Creativity is an inherited skill. Creativity is not something people are born with but is a skill that is developed over time with consistent practice. It can be argued that people you think were “born” creative because their parents were creative, too, are creative simply because they have been practicing creative thinking since childhood, stimulated by their parents’ questions and discussions.

- Creativity is free-form thinking. While you may want to free yourself from all preconceived notions, there is a recognizable structure to creative thinking. Rules and requirements do not limit creative thinking—they provide the scaffolding on which truly creative solutions can be built. Free-form thinking often lacks direction or an objective; creative thinking is aimed at producing a defined outcome or solution.

Creative thinking involves coming up with new or original ideas; it is the process of seeing the same things others see but seeing them differently. Creative thinking utilizes skills such as examining associations and relationships, flexibility of thought, elaboration and modification of ideas, imagery, and metaphorical thinking. Throughout the creative thinking process, you will stimulate your curiosity, come up with new approaches to things, and have fun.

Tips for Creative Thinking

- Feed your curiosity. Read. Read books, newspapers, magazines, blogs—anything at any time. When surfing the Web, follow links just to see where they will take you. Go to events or productions that you might not normally attend. Take advantage of guest lectures and other public presentations. Creative people make a habit of gathering information, because they never know when they might put it to good use. Creativity is often as much about rearranging known ideas as it is about creating a completely new concept. The more “known ideas” you have been exposed to, the more options you’ll have for combining them into new concepts.

- Develop your flexibility by looking for a second right answer. Throughout school we have been conditioned to come up with the right answer; the reality is that there is often more than one “right” answer. Examine all the possibilities. Look at the items in Figure 3.4. Which is different from all the others?

Figure 3.4

If you chose C, you’re right; you can’t eat a board. Maybe you chose D; that’s right, too—clams are the only animal on the chart. B is right, as it’s the only item you can make oil from, and A can also be right; it’s the only red item.

Each option can be right depending on your point of view. Life is full of multiple answers, and if we go along with only the most obvious answer, we would be in danger of losing the context for our creative ideas. The value of an idea can only be determined by comparing it with another. Multiple ideas will also help you generate new approaches by combining elements from a variety of “right” answers. In fact, the greatest danger to creative thinking is to have only one idea. Always ask yourself, “What’s the other right answer?”

- Combine old ideas in new ways. When King C. Gillette registered his patent for the safety razor, he built on the idea of disposable bottle caps, but his venture didn’t become profitable until he toyed with a watch spring and came up with the idea of how to manufacture inexpensive (therefore disposable) blades. Bottle caps and watch springs are far from men’s grooming materials, but Gillette’s genius was in combining those existing but unlikely ideas. Train yourself to think “out of the box.” Ask yourself questions like, “What is the most ridiculous solution I can come up with for this problem?” or “If I were transported by a time machine back to the 1930s, how would I solve this problem?” You may enjoy watching competitive design, cooking, or fashion shows (Top Chef, Chopped, Project Runway, etc.); they are great examples of combining old ideas to make new, functional ones.

- Think metaphorically. Metaphors are useful to describe complex ideas; they are also useful in making problems more familiar and in stimulating possible solutions. For example, if you were a partner in a company about to take on outside investors, you might use the pie metaphor to clarify your options (a smaller slice of a bigger pie versus a larger slice of a smaller pie). If an organization you are a part of is lacking direction, you may search for a “steady hand at the tiller,” communicating quickly that you want a consistent, non-reactionary, calm leader. Based on that ship-steering metaphor, it will be easier to see which of your potential leaders you might want to support. Your ability to work comfortably with metaphors takes practice. When faced with a problem, take time to think about metaphors to describe it, and the desired solution. Observe how metaphors are used throughout communication and think about why those metaphors are effective. Have you ever noticed that the financial business uses water-based metaphors (cash flow, frozen assets, liquidity) and that meteorologists use war terms (fronts, wind force, storm surge)? What kinds of metaphors are used in your area of study?

- Ask. A creative thinker always questions the way things are: Why are we doing things this way? What were the objectives of this process and the assumptions made when we developed the process? Are they still valid? What if we changed certain aspects? What if our circumstances changed? Would we need to change the process? How? Get in the habit of asking questions—lots of questions.

Video – “Problem Solving Through Creativity” (length 5:44)

Key Takeaways

- Creative thinking is a requirement for success.

- Creative thinking is a deliberate process that can be learned and practiced.

- Creative thinking involves, but is not limited to, curiosity, flexibility, looking for the second right answer, combining things in new ways, thinking metaphorically, and questioning the way things are.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Feed your curiosity. List five things you will do in the next month that you have never done before (go to the ballet, visit a local museum, try Moroccan food, or watch a foreign movie). Expand your comfort “envelope.” Put them on your calendar.

1. ______________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________

2. How many ways can you use it? Think of as many uses for the following common items as possible. Can you name more than ten?

Peanut Butter (PBJ counts as one,

regardless of the flavor of jelly)

Paper Clips

Honors Level: Pen Caps

3. A metaphor for life. In the movie Forrest Gump, Forrest states, “Life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” Write your own metaphor for life and share it with your classmates.

__________________________________________________________________

4. He has eyes in the back of his head. What if we really had eyes in the backs of our heads? How would life be different? What would be affected? Would we walk backward? Would we get dizzy if we spun in circles? Would it be easy to put mascara on the back eyes? Generate your own questions and answers; let the creative juices flow!

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20

4.4 Problem Solving and Decision Making

Learning Objectives

1. Learn to understand the problem.

2. Learn to combine creative thinking and critical thinking to solve problems.

3. Practice problem solving in a group.

Much of your university and professional life will be spent solving problems; some will be complex, such as deciding on a career, and require time and effort to come up with a solution. Others will be small, such as deciding what to eat for lunch, and will allow you to make a quick decision based entirely on your own experience. But, in either case, when coming up with the solution and deciding what to do, follow the same basic steps.

- Define the problem. Use your analytical skills. What is the real issue? Why is it a problem? What are the root causes? What kinds of outcomes or actions do you expect to generate to solve the problem? What are some of the key characteristics that will make a good choice: Timing? Resources? Availability of tools and materials? For more complex problems, it helps to actually write out the problem and the answers to these questions. Can you clarify your understanding of the problem by using metaphors to illustrate the issue?

- Narrow the problem. Many problems are made up of a series of smaller problems, each requiring its own solution. Can you break the problem into different facets? What aspects of the current issue are “noise” that should not be considered in the problem solution? (Use critical thinking to separate facts from opinion in this step.)

- Generate possible solutions. List all your options. Use your creative thinking skills in this phase. Did you come up with the second “right” answer, and the third or the fourth? Can any of these answers be combined into a stronger solution? What past or existing solutions can be adapted or combined to solve this problem?

Video: TED-Ed – “Working Backward to Solve Problems” (length 5:56)

Group Think: Effective Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a process of generating ideas for solutions in a group. This method is very effective because ideas from one person will trigger additional ideas from another. The following guidelines make for an effective brainstorming session:

- Decide who should moderate the session. That person may participate, but his main role is to keep the discussion flowing.

- Define the problem to be discussed and the time you will allow to consider it.

- Write all ideas down on a board or flip chart for all participants to see.

- Encourage everyone to speak.

- Do not allow criticism of ideas. All ideas are good during a brainstorm. Suspend disbelief until after the session. Remember a wildly impossible idea may trigger a creative and feasible solution to a problem.

- Choose the best solution. Use your critical thinking skills to select the most likely choices. List the pros and cons for each of your selections. How do these lists compare with the requirements you identified when you defined the problem? If you still can’t decide between options, you may want to seek further input from your brainstorming team.

Decisions, Decisions

You will be called on to make many decisions in your life. Some will be personal, like what to major in, or whether or not to get married. Other times you will be making decisions on behalf of others at work or for a volunteer organization. Occasionally you will be asked for your opinion or experience for decisions others are making. To be effective in all of these circumstances, it is helpful to understand some principles about decision making.

First, define who is responsible for solving the problem or making the decision. In an organization, this may be someone above or below you on the organization chart but is usually the person who will be responsible for implementing the solution. Deciding on an academic major should be your decision, because you will have to follow the course of study. Deciding on the boundaries of a sales territory would most likely be the sales manager who supervises the territories, because he or she will be responsible for producing the results with the combined territories. Once you define who is responsible for making the decision, everyone else will fall into one of two roles: giving input, or in rare cases, approving the decision.

Understanding the role of input is very important for good decisions. Input is sought or given due to experience or expertise, but it is up to the decision maker to weigh the input and decide whether and how to use it. Input should be fact based, or if offering an opinion, it should be clearly stated as such. Finally, once input is given, the person giving the input must support the other’s decision, whether or not the input is actually used.

Consider a team working on a project for a science course. The team assigns you the responsibility of analyzing and presenting a large set of complex data. Others on the team will set up the experiment to demonstrate the hypothesis, prepare the class presentation, and write the paper summarizing the results. As you face the data, you go to the team to seek input about the level of detail on the data you should consider for your analysis. The person doing the experiment setup thinks you should be very detailed, because then it will be easy to compare experiment results with the data. However, the person preparing the class presentation wants only high-level data to be considered because that will make for a clearer presentation. If there is not a clear understanding of the decision-making process, each of you may think the decision is yours to make because it influences the output of your work; there will be conflict and frustration on the team. If the decision maker is clearly defined upfront, however, and the input is thoughtfully given and considered, a good decision can be made (perhaps a creative compromise?) and the team can get behind the decision and work together to complete the project.

Finally, there is the approval role in decisions. This is very common in business decisions but often occurs in university work as well (the professor needs to approve the theme of the team project, for example). Approval decisions are usually based on availability of resources, legality, history, or policy.

Key Takeaways

- Effective problem solving involves critical and creative thinking.

- The four steps to effective problem solving are the following:

1. Define the problem

2. Narrow the problem

3. Generate solutions

4. Choose the solution

- Brainstorming is a good method for generating creative solutions.

- Understanding the difference between the roles of deciding and providing input makes for better decisions.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Gather a group of three or four friends and conduct three short brainstorming sessions (ten minutes each) to generate ideas for alternate uses for peanut butter, paper clips, and pen caps. Compare the results of the group with your own ideas. Be sure to follow the brainstorming guidelines. Did you generate more ideas in the group? Did the quality of the ideas improve? Were the group ideas more innovative? Which was more fun? Write your conclusions here.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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2. Using the steps outlined earlier for problem solving, write a plan for the following problem: You are in your second year of studies in computer animation at Jefferson Community University. You and your wife both work, and you would like to start a family in the next year or two. You want to become a video game designer and can benefit from more advanced work in programming. Should you go on to complete a four-year degree?

1. Define the problem: What is the core issue? What are the related issues? Are there any requirements to a successful solution? Can you come up with a metaphor to describe the issue?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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2. Narrow the problem: Can you break down the problem into smaller manageable pieces? What would they be?

__________________________________________________________________

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3. Generate solutions: What are at least two “right” answers to each of the problem pieces?

__________________________________________________________________

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4. Choose the right approach: What do you already know about each solution? What do you still need to know? How can you get the information you need? Make a list of pros and cons for each solution.

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21

4.5 Chapter Activities

Chapter Takeaways

- Your ability to think critically and creatively is a key to your success in university and in life. You should develop and practice these skills.

- Bloom’s taxonomy provides a framework to describe the many kinds of thinking we need to do. Up to this point, you probably have practiced most of the lower-level thinking skills but have not had much experience with the higher-level skills (critical thinking and creative thinking).

- Critical thinking involves evaluating the strength of ideas or concepts by asking questions about them. Critical thinking will also allow you to identify and weed out logical fallacies that weaken the value of an idea.

- Creative thinking is the process of generating new ideas, concepts, or solutions. This often involves adapting existing ideas or combining them in new ways to create a new solution.

- Problem solving is effectively achieved by applying both critical thinking and creative thinking to generate viable solutions and decisions.

Chapter Review

1. List the six levels of thinking described in Bloom’s taxonomy.

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2. Which thinking skill is most important for short answer quizzes? Why?

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3. List five verbs that describe the application level of thought.

__________________________________________________________________

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4. What thinking skills are you using if you are blogging? How do you use each one?

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5. What is critical thinking?

__________________________________________________________________

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6. Why is it important to pose some questions about the source of the material you read? What kinds of questions should you ask?

__________________________________________________________________

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7. What is a logical fallacy? Give an example of two types.

__________________________________________________________________

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8. List six words that signal a broad generalization and a recommended alternative that would resolve that problem of each.

__________________________________________________________________

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9. What are some ways in which you can feed your curiosity?

__________________________________________________________________

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10. Why is brainstorming more effective at generating new ideas than individual work?

__________________________________________________________________

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11. List the four steps of problem solving.

1. ___________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________

12. How do you use critical thinking and creative thinking in solving problems?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Make an Action List

Two things I will do to practice

Action

By when I expect to take the action

The expected results of that action

My critical thinking

1.

2.

My creative thinking

1.

2.

My problem solving

1.

2.

Figure 5.1
CollegeDegrees360 – Reading a Book – CC BY-NC 2.0.

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

Unsure

No

Yes

1. I am a good reader and like to read for pleasure.

2. I feel overwhelmed by the amount of reading I have to do for classes.

3. I usually understand what is written in textbooks.

4. I get frustrated by difficult books.

5. I find it easy to stay focused on my reading.

6. I am easily bored reading for classes.

7. I take useful notes when I read.

8. I can successfully study for a test from the notes I have taken.

9. I use a dictionary when needed while reading.

10. I have trouble reading long passages on the computer screen.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your level of academic reading at this time?

Poor reader

Excellent reader

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

In the following list, circle the three most important areas in which you think you can improve:

- Preparing for reading

- Understanding what you read

- Staying focused while reading

- Selecting the best location for reading

- Selecting the best time for reading assignments

- Breaking down assignments into manageable pieces

- Working my way through a difficult text

- Setting priorities for reading assignments

- Reading faster

- Taking notes while reading

- Finding strategies for highlighting and marginal notes

- Reading primary source documents

- Improving my vocabulary

Are there other ways in which you can improve your reading? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

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How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

- Understanding why reading is so important for university success

- Learning how reading fits into the learning cycle

- Learning how reading in university is different from reading in high school

- Discovering the principles of reading to learn (active reading)

- Knowing where, when, and how long to read

- Discovering the anatomy of a textbook

- Learning tips for reading textbooks in specific subjects

- Learning tips for reading primary sources

- Learning tips for reading digital texts

- Building your vocabulary

Reading to Learn

Sure you can read. After all, that’s what you are doing now, at this moment. But reading to learn is active reading, a process that involves much more than the mechanics of converting a set of letters into meaningful words. It is a process that you will use for gathering much of the new information you get in school—and in life.

Does the following sound familiar? You’ve had a full day of classes, so you go to the gym to get in a workout. Afterward, you meet a friend who suggests going out for a quick bite; you get back to your room around eight o’clock and settle in to work on your reading assignment, a chapter from your sociology text entitled “Stratification and Social Mobility.” You jump right in to the first paragraph, but the second paragraph seems a bit tougher. Suddenly you wake up and shake your head and see your clock says 11:15 p.m. Oh no! Three hours down the drain napping, and your book is still staring back at you at the beginning of the chapter, and you have a crick in your neck.

Now, picture this: You schedule yourself for a series of shorter reading periods at the library between classes and during the afternoon. You spend a few minutes preparing for what you are going to read, and you get to work with pen and paper in hand. After your scheduled reading periods, by 5:30 p.m. you have completed the assignment, making a note that you are interested in comparing the social mobility in India with that in Canada. You reward yourself with a workout and dinner with a friend. At 8 p.m., you return to your room and review your notes, feeling confident that you are ready for the next class.

The difference between these two scenarios is active reading. Active reading is a planned, deliberate set of strategies to engage with text-based materials with the purpose of increasing your understanding. This is a key skill you need to master for university. Along with listening, it is the primary method for absorbing new ideas and information in university. But active reading also applies to and facilitates the other steps of the learning cycle; it is critical for preparing, capturing, and reviewing, too.

Figure 5.2 The Role of Reading in the Learning Cycle

In this chapter, you will learn the basics of active reading. Follow all the recommended steps, even though at first you may think they take too long. In the end, you will be able to cut your reading time while increasing what you learn from reading. Read on!

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5.1 Are You Ready for the Big Leagues?

Learning Objectives

1. Explain how reading in university is different from reading in high school.

2. Understand the importance of reading for university learning.

Think back to a high school history or literature class. Those were probably the classes in which you had the most reading. You would be assigned a chapter, or a few pages in a chapter, with the expectation that you would be discussing the reading assignment in class. In class, the teacher would guide you and your classmates through a review of your reading and ask questions to keep the discussion moving. The teacher usually was a key part of how you learned from your reading.

If you have been away from school for some time, it’s likely that your reading has been fairly casual. While time spent with a magazine or newspaper can be important, it’s not the sort of concentrated reading you will do in university. And no one will ask you to write in response to a magazine piece you’ve read or quiz you about a newspaper article.

In university, reading is much different. You will be expected to read much more. For each hour you spend in the classroom, you will be expected to spend two or more additional hours studying between classes, and most of that will be reading. Assignments will be longer (a couple of chapters is common, compared with perhaps only a few pages in high school) and much more difficult. University textbook authors write using many technical terms and include complex ideas. Many university authors include research, and some textbooks are written in a style you may find very dry. You will also have to read from a variety of sources: your textbook, ancillary materials, primary sources, academic journals, periodicals, and online postings. Your assignments in literature courses will be complete books, possibly with convoluted plots and unusual wording or dialects, and they may have so many characters you’ll feel like you need a scorecard to keep them straight.

In university, most instructors do not spend much time reviewing the reading assignment in class. Rather, they expect that you have done the assignment before coming to class and understand the material. The class lecture or discussion is often based on that expectation. Tests, too, are based on that expectation. This is why active reading is so important—it’s up to you to do the reading and comprehend what you read.

Note: It may not always be clear on an instructor’s syllabus, but a reading assignment listed on any given class date should be read before coming to class on that date.

Key Takeaways

- University reading is very different from high school reading.

- You must take personal responsibility for understanding what you read.

- Expect to spend about two or more hours on homework, most of it reading, for every hour you spend in class.

- Reading is a primary means for absorbing ideas in the learning cycle, but it is also very important for the other three aspects of the learning cycle.

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5.2 How Do You Read to Learn?

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the four steps of active learning.

2. Develop strategies to help you read effectively and quickly.

The four steps of active reading are almost identical to the four phases of the learning cycle—and that is no coincidence! Active reading is learning through reading the written word, so the learning cycle naturally applies. Active reading involves these steps:

1. Preparing

2. Reading

3. Capturing the key ideas

4. Reviewing

Let’s take a look at how to use each step when reading.

Preparing to Read

Start by thinking about why your instructor has chosen this text. Has the instructor said anything about the book or the author? Look at the table of contents; how does it compare with the course syllabus? What can you learn about the author from the front matter of the book (see Table 5.1 “Anatomy of a Textbook”)? Understanding this background will give you the context of the book and help define what is most important in the text. Doing this exercise once per textbook will give you a great deal of insight throughout the course.

Now it is time to develop a plan of attack for your assignment. Your first step in any reading assignment is to understand the context of what you are about to read. Think of your reading assignment in relation to the large themes or goals the instructor has spelled out for the class. Remember that you are not merely reading—you are reading for a purpose. What parts of a reading assignment should you pay special attention to, and what parts can you browse through? As we mentioned in the beginning of this chapter, you will be expected to do a considerable amount of reading in university, and you will not get through it all by reading each and every word with a high level of focus and mental intensity. This is why it is so important to learn to define where to invest your efforts.

Open your text to the assigned pages. What is the chapter title? Is the chapter divided into sections? What are the section titles? Which sections are longer? Are there any illustrations? What are they about? Illustrations in books cost money, so chances are the author and publisher thought these topics were particularly important, or they would not have been included. How about tables? What kinds of information do they show? Are there bold or italicized words? Are these terms you are familiar with, or are they new to you? Are you getting a sense for what is important in the chapter? Use the critical thinking skills discussed in Chapter 4 “Thinking about Thought” as you think about your observations. Why did the author choose to cover certain ideas and to highlight specific ideas with graphics or boldface fonts? What do they tell you about what will be most important for you in your course? What do you think your instructor wants you to get out of the assignment? Why?

Anatomy of a Textbook

Good textbooks are designed to help you learn, not just to present information. They differ from other types of academic publications intended to present research findings, advance new ideas, or deeply examine a specific subject. Textbooks have many features worth exploring because they can help you understand your reading better and learn more effectively. In your textbooks, look for the elements listed in the table below.

Table 5.1 Anatomy of a Textbook

Textbook Feature

What It Is

Why You Might Find It Helpful

Preface or

Introduction

A section at the beginning of a book in which the author or editor outlines its purpose and scope, acknowledges individuals who helped prepare the book, and perhaps outlines the features of the book.

You will gain perspective on the author’s point of view, what the author considers important. If the preface is written with the student in mind, it will also give you guidance on how to “use” the textbook and its features.

Foreword

A section at the beginning of the book, often written by an expert in the subject matter (different from the author) endorsing the author’s work and explaining why the work is significant.

A foreword will give you an idea about what makes this book different from others in the field. It may provide hints as to why your instructor selected the book for your course.

Author Profile

A short biography of the author illustrating the author’s credibility in the subject matter.

This will help you understand the author’s perspective and what the author considers important.

Table of

Contents

A listing of all the chapters in the book and, in most cases, primary sections within chapters.

The table of contents is an outline of the entire book. It will be very helpful in establishing links among the text, the course objectives, and the syllabus.

Chapter Preview or Learning

Objectives

A section at the beginning of each chapter in which the author outlines what will be covered in the chapter and what the student should expect to know or be able to do at the end of the chapter.

These sections are invaluable for determining what you should pay special attention to. Be sure to compare these outcomes with the objectives stated in the course syllabus.

Introduction

The first paragraph(s) of a chapter, which states the chapter’s objectives and key themes. An introduction is also common at the beginning of primary chapter sections.

Introductions to chapters or sections are “must reads” because they give you a road map to the material you are about to read, pointing you to what is truly important in the chapter or section.

Applied Practice Elements

Exercises, activities, or drills designed to let students apply their knowledge gained from the reading. Some of these features may be presented via Web sites designed to supplement the text.

These features provide you with a great way to confirm your understanding of the material. If you have trouble with them, you should go back and reread the section. They also have the additional benefit of improving your recall of the material.

Chapter Summary

A section at the end of a chapter that confirms key ideas presented in the chapter.

It is a good idea to read this section before you read the body of the chapter. It will help you strategize about where you should invest your reading effort.

Review Material

A section at the end of the chapter that includes additional applied practice exercises, review questions, and suggestions for further reading.

The review questions will help you confirm your understanding of the material.

Endnotes and Bibliographies

Formal citations of sources used to prepare the text.

These will help you infer the author’s biases and are also valuable if doing further research on the subject for a paper.

Now, before actually starting to read, try to give your reading more direction. Are you ever bored when reading a textbook? Students sometimes feel that about some of their textbooks. In this step, you create a purpose or quest for your reading, and this will help you become more actively engaged and less bored.

Start by checking your attitude: if you are unhappy about the reading assignment and complaining that you even have to read it, you will have trouble with the reading. You need to get “psyched” for the assignment. Stoke your determination by setting yourself a reasonable time to complete the assignment and schedule some short breaks for yourself. Approach the reading with a sense of curiosity and thirst for new understanding. Think of yourself more as an investigator looking for answers than a student doing a homework assignment.

Take out your notebook for the class for which you are doing the reading. Remember the Cornell method of note taking from Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering”? You will use the same format here with a narrow column on the left and a wide column on the right. This time, with reading, approach taking notes slightly differently. In the Cornell method used for class notes, you took notes in the right column and wrote in questions and comments in the left column after class as you reviewed your notes. When using this system with reading, write your questions about the reading first in the left column (spacing them well apart so that you have plenty of room for your notes while you read in the right column). From your preliminary scanning of the pages, as described previously, you should already have questions at your fingertips.

Use your critical thinking skill of questioning what the author is saying. Turn the title of each major section of the reading into a question and write it down in your left column of your notes. For example, if the section title is “The End of the Industrial Revolution,” you might write, “What caused the Industrial Revolution to end?” If the section title is “The Chemistry of Photosynthesis,” you might write, “What chemical reactions take place to cause photosynthesis, and what are the outcomes?” Note that your questions are related to the kind of material you are hearing about in class, and they usually require not a short answer but a thoughtful, complete understanding. Ideally, you should not already know the answer to the questions you are writing! (What fun is a quest if you already know each turn and strategy? Expect to learn something new in your reading even if you are familiar with the topic already.) Finally, also in the left column, jot down any keywords that appear in boldface. You will want to discover their definitions and the significance of each as you read.

Activity: Try It Now!

OK. Time to take a break from reading this book. Choose a textbook in which you have a current reading assignment. Scan the assigned pages, looking for what is really important, and write down your questions using the Cornell method.

Now answer the following questions with a journal entry.

- Do you feel better prepared to read this assignment? How?

- Do you feel more confident?

- Do you feel less overwhelmed?

- Do you feel more focused?

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Alternative Approaches for Preparing to Read

In Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering” you may have determined that you are more comfortable with the outline or concept map methods of note taking. You can use either of these methods also to prepare for reading. With the outline method, start with the chapter title as your primary heading, then create subheadings for each section, rephrasing each section title in terms of a question.

If you are more comfortable using the concept map method, start with the chapter title as your center and create branches for each section within the chapter. Make sure you phrase each item as a question.

Now Read

Now you are ready to start reading actively. Start by taking a look at your notes; they are your road map. What is the question you would like to answer in the first section? Before you start reading, reflect about what you already know about the subject. Even if you don’t know anything, this step helps put you in the right mind-set to accept new material. Now read through the entire section with the objective of understanding it. Follow these tips while reading, but do not start taking notes or highlighting text at this point:

- Look for answers to the questions you wrote.

- Pay particular attention to the first and last lines of each paragraph.

- Think about the relationships among section titles, boldface words, and graphics.

- Skim quickly over parts of the section that are not related to the key questions.

After reading the section, can you answer the section question you earlier wrote in your notes? Did you discover additional questions that you should have asked or that were not evident from the title of the section? Write them down now on your notes page. Can you define the keywords used in the text? If you can’t do either of these things, go back and reread the section.

Video:“Effective Reading” – This tutorial explains how to use a process called ‘SQ4R’ to maximize on retention and understanding of textbook, book, and article reading (length 3:48)

Capture the Key Ideas

Once you can answer your questions effectively and can define the new and keywords, it is time to commit these concepts to your notes and to your memory. Start by writing the answers to your questions in your notes in the right column. Also define the keywords you found in the reading.

Now is also the time to go back and reread the section with your highlighter or pencil to call out key ideas and words and make notes in your margins. Marking up your book may go against what you were told in high school, when the school owned the books and expected to use them year after year. In university, you bought the book. Make it truly yours. Although some students may tell you that you can get more cash by selling a used book that is not marked up, this should not be a concern at this time—that’s not nearly as important as understanding the reading and doing well in the class!

The purpose of marking your textbook is to make it your personal studying assistant with the key ideas called out in the text. Most readers tend to highlight too much, however, hiding key ideas in a sea of yellow lines. When it comes to highlighting, less is more. Think critically before you highlight. Your choices will have a big impact on what you study and learn for the course. Make it your objective to highlight no more than 10 percent of the text.

Use your pencil also to make annotations in the margin. Use a symbol like an exclamation mark (!) or an asterisk (*) to mark an idea that is particularly important. Use a question mark (?) to indicate something you don’t understand or are unclear about. Box new words, then write a short definition in the margin. Use “TQ” (for “test question”) or some other shorthand or symbol to signal key things that may appear in test or quiz questions. Write personal notes on items where you disagree with the author. Don’t feel you have to use the symbols listed here; create your own if you want, but be consistent. Your notes won’t help you if the first question you later have is “I wonder what I meant by that?”

If you are reading an essay from a magazine or an academic journal, remember that such articles are typically written in response to other articles. In Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering”, you learned to be on the lookout for signal words when you listen. This applies to reading, too. You’ll need to be especially alert to signals like “according to” or “Jones argues,” which make it clear that the ideas don’t belong to the author of the piece you are reading. Be sure to note when an author is quoting someone else or summarizing another person’s position. Sometimes, students in a hurry to get through a complicated article don’t clearly distinguish the author’s ideas from the ideas the author argues against. Other words like “yet” or “however” indicate a turn from one idea to another. Words like “critical,” “significant,” and “important” signal ideas you should look at closely.

After annotating, you are ready to read the next section.

Reviewing What You Read

When you have completed each of the sections for your assignment, you should review what you have read. Start by answering these questions: “What did I learn?” and “What does it mean?” Next, write a summary of your assigned reading, in your own words, in the box at the base of your notepaper. Working from your notes, cover up the answers to your questions and answer each of your questions aloud. (Yes, out loud. Remember from Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering” that memory is improved by using as many senses as possible?) Think about how each idea relates to material the instructor is covering in class. Think about how this new knowledge may be applied in your next class.

If the text has review questions at the end of the chapter, answer those, too. Talk to other students about the reading assignment. Merge your reading notes with your class notes and review both together. How does your reading increase your understanding of what you have covered in class and vice versa?

Strategies for Textbook Reading

The four steps to active reading provide a proven approach to effective learning from texts. Following are some strategies you can use to enhance your reading even further:

- Pace yourself. Figure out how much time you have to complete the assignment. Divide the assignment into smaller blocks rather than trying to read the entire assignment in one sitting. If you have a week to do the assignment, for example, divide the work into five daily blocks, not seven; that way you won’t be behind if something comes up to prevent you from doing your work on a given day. If everything works out on schedule, you’ll end up with an extra day for review.

- Schedule your reading. Set aside blocks of time, preferably at the time of the day when you are most alert, to do your reading assignments. Don’t just leave them for the end of the day after completing written and other assignments.

- Get yourself in the right space. Choose to read in a quiet, well-lit space. Your chair should be comfortable but provide good support. Libraries were designed for reading—they should be your first option! Don’t use your bed for reading textbooks; since the time you were read bedtime stories, you have probably associated reading in bed with preparation for sleeping. The combination of the cozy bed, comforting memories, and dry text is sure to invite some shut-eye!

- Avoid distractions. Active reading takes place in your short-term memory. Every time you move from task to task, you have to “reboot” your short-term memory and you lose the continuity of active reading. Multitasking—listening to music or texting on your cell while you read—will cause you to lose your place and force you to start over again. Every time you lose focus, you cut your effectiveness and increase the amount of time you need to complete the assignment.

- Avoid reading fatigue. Work for about fifty minutes, and then give yourself a break for five to ten minutes. Put down the book, walk around, get a snack, stretch, or do some deep knee bends. Short physical activity will do wonders to help you feel refreshed.

- Read your most difficult assignments early in your reading time, when you are freshest.

- Make your reading interesting. Try connecting the material you are reading with your class lectures or with other chapters. Ask yourself where you disagree with the author. Approach finding answers to your questions like an investigative reporter. Carry on a mental conversation with the author.

Key Takeaways

- Consider why the instructor has selected the particular text. Map the table of contents to the course syllabus.

- Understand how your textbook is put together and what features might help you with your reading.

- Plan your reading by scanning the reading assignment first, then create questions based on the section titles. These will help you focus and prioritize your reading.

- Use the Cornell method for planning your reading and recording key ideas.

- Don’t try to highlight your text as you read the first time through. At that point, it is hard to tell what is really important.

- End your reading time by reviewing your notes.

- Pace yourself and read in a quiet space with minimal distractions.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. List the four steps to active reading. Which one do you think will take most time? Why?

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2. Think of your most difficult textbook. What features can you use to help you understand the material better?

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3. What things most commonly distract you when you are reading? What can you do to control these distractions?

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4. List three specific places on your campus or at home that are appropriate for you to do your reading assignments. Which is best suited? What can you do to improve that reading environment?

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5.3 Dealing with Special Texts

Learning Objectives

Recognize strategies for reading special types of material and special situations, such as the following:

- Mathematics texts

- Science texts

- Social studies texts

- Primary sources

- Foreign language texts

- Integrating reading with your family life

- Online reading

While the active reading process outlined earlier is very useful for most assignments, you should consider some additional strategies for reading assignments in other subjects.

Mathematics Texts

Mathematics present unique challenges in that they typically contain a great number of formulas, charts, sample problems, and exercises. Follow these guidelines:

- Do not skip over these special elements as you work through the text.

- Read the formulas and make sure you understand the meaning of all the factors.

- Substitute actual numbers for the variables and work through the formula.

- Make formulas real by applying them to real-life situations.

- Do all exercises within the assigned text to make sure you understand the material.

- Since mathematical learning builds upon prior knowledge, do not go on to the next section until you have mastered the material in the current section.

- Seek help from the instructor or teaching assistant during office hours if need be.

Reading Graphics

You read earlier about noticing graphics in your text as a signal of important ideas. But it is equally important to understand what the graphics intend to convey. Textbooks contain tables, charts, maps, diagrams, illustrations, photographs, and the newest form of graphics—Internet URLs for accessing text and media material. Many students are tempted to skip over graphic material and focus only on the reading. Don’t. Take the time to read and understand your textbook’s graphics. They will increase your understanding, and because they engage different comprehension processes, they will create different kinds of memory links to help you remember the material.

To get the most out of graphic material, use your critical thinking skills and question why each illustration is present and what it means. Don’t just glance at the graphics; take time to read the title, caption, and any labeling in the illustration. In a chart, read the data labels to understand what is being shown or compared. Think about projecting the data points beyond the scope of the chart; what would happen next? Why?

Table 5.2 “Common Uses of Textbook Graphics” shows the most common graphic elements and notes what they do best. This knowledge may help guide your critical analysis of graphic elements.

Table 5.2 Common Uses of Textbook Graphics

Figure 5.3 Table

Most often used to present raw data. Understand what is being measured. What data points stand out as very high or low? Why? Ask yourself what might cause these measurements to change.

Figure 5.4 – Bar Chart

Used to compare quantitative data or show changes in data over time. Also can be used to compare a limited number of data series over time. Often an illustration of data that can also be presented in a table.

Figure 5.5 Line Chart

Used to illustrate a trend in a series of data. May be used to compare different series over time.

Figure 5.6 – Pie Chart

Used to illustrate the distribution or share of elements as a part of a whole. Ask yourself what effect a change in distribution of factors would have on the whole.

Figure 5.7 – Map

Used to illustrate geographic distributions or movement across geographical space. In some cases can be used to show concentrations of populations or resources. When encountering a map, ask yourself if changes or comparisons are being illustrated. Understand how those changes or comparisons relate to the material in the text.

Figure 5.8
Theodore Roosevelt – Wikipedia Commons – Public Domain

Used to represent a person, a condition, or an idea discussed in the text. Sometimes photographs serve mainly to emphasize an important person or situation, but photographs can also be used to make a point. Ask yourself if the photograph reveals a biased point of view.

Figure 5.9 – Illustration

Used to illustrate parts of an item. Invest time in these graphics. They are often used as parts of quizzes or exams. Look carefully at the labels. These are vocabulary words you should be able to define.

Figure 5.10 – Flowchart or Diagram

Commonly used to illustrate processes. As you look at diagrams, ask yourself, “What happens first? What needs to happen to move to the next step?”

Scientific Texts

Science occurs through the experimental process: posing hypotheses, and then using experimental data to prove or disprove them. When reading scientific texts, look for hypotheses and list them in the left column of your notes pages. Then make notes on the proof (or disproof) in the right column. In scientific studies these are as important as the questions you ask for other texts. Think critically about the hypotheses and the experiments used to prove or disprove them. Think about questions like these:

- Can the experiment or observation be repeated? Would it reach the same results?

- Why did these results occur? What kinds of changes would affect the results?

- How could you change the experiment design or method of observation? How would you measure your results?

- What are the conclusions reached about the results? Could the same results be interpreted in a different way?

Social Sciences Texts

Social sciences texts, such as those for history, economics, and political science classes, often involve interpretation where the authors’ points of view and theories are as important as the facts they present. Put your critical thinking skills into overdrive when you are reading these texts. As you read, ask yourself questions such as the following:

- Why is the author using this argument?

- Is it consistent with what we’re learning in class?

- Do I agree with this argument?

- Would someone with a different point of view dispute this argument?

- What key ideas would be used to support a counterargument?

Record your reflections in the margins and in your notes.

Social science courses often require you to read primary source documents. Primary sources include documents, letters, diaries, newspaper reports, financial reports, lab reports, and records that provide firsthand accounts of the events, practices, or conditions you are studying. Start by understanding the author(s) of the document and his or her agenda. Infer their intended audience. What response did the authors hope to get from their audience? Do you consider this a bias? How does that bias affect your thinking about the subject? Do you recognize personal biases that affect how you might interpret the document?

Foreign Language Texts

Reading texts in a foreign language is particularly challenging—but it also provides you with invaluable practice and many new vocabulary words in your “new” language. It is an effort that really pays off. Start by analyzing a short portion of the text (a sentence or two) to see what you do know. Remember that all languages are built on idioms as much as on individual words. Do any of the phrase structures look familiar? Can you infer the meaning of the sentences? Do they make sense based on the context? If you still can’t make out the meaning, choose one or two words to look up in your dictionary and try again. Look for longer words, which generally are the nouns and verbs that will give you meaning sooner. Don’t rely on a dictionary (or an online translator); a word-for-word translation does not always yield good results. For example, the Spanish phrase “Entre y tome asiento” might correctly be translated (word for word) as “Between and drink a seat,” which means nothing, rather than its actual meaning, “Come in and take a seat.”

Reading in a foreign language is hard and tiring work. Make sure you schedule significantly more time than you would normally allocate for reading in your own language and reward yourself with more frequent breaks. But don’t shy away from doing this work; the best way to learn a new language is practice, practice, practice.

Note to English-language learners: You may feel that every book you are assigned is in a foreign language. If you do struggle with the high reading level required of university students, check for university resources that may be available to ESL (English as a second language) learners. Never feel that those resources are only for weak students. As a second-language learner, you possess a rich linguistic experience that many Canadian-born students should envy. You simply need to account for the difficulties you’ll face and (like anyone learning a new language) practice, practice, practice.

Activity: Lost in Translation

Go online and open a Web-based language translator such as Babel Fish (http://www.babelfish.yahoo.com). In the translation window, type in a phrase that you or your friends might say in your daily conversations, including any slang terms. Translate it to another language (any language will do) and then copy the translation. Then open a new translation window, paste the translated phrase, and translate back from that language to English. Does it match your original phrase? Try this with other languages to see if your results vary. What does this tell you about automated translation programs?

Integrating Reading with Your Family Life

If you are a parent of young children, you know how hard it is to get your schoolwork done with them around. You might want to consider some of these strategies.

- Don’t expect that you will often get long periods of uninterrupted reading time. Find or create short periods of time to do things like scanning the assignment and preparing your questions.

- Schedule your heavy reading for early in the morning or late at night when the children are sleeping. Don’t use that precious uninterrupted time for watching television or washing the dishes; those can be done when the kids are awake.

- Read to your children and then tell them it’s time for everybody to read their own book. (Even very young children like to “read” books by looking at the pictures.) You’ll be surprised how long kids will read, especially when they see Mommy and Daddy reading, too.

- Take your reading with you. You can get a lot of reading done while waiting for your children during music or dance class or soccer practice, or while you wait to pick them up at school.

- Share child-care responsibilities with other students who also have children. This can buy an additional big block of reading time for each of you.

Online Reading

When accessing materials online, you should ask additional questions in order to fully understand the assignment. The Internet provides access to virtually endless numbers of articles on just about any subject. The following five steps will help you understand the “story behind the story” in online materials and also evaluate the reliability of the material, especially if this is a reading you selected yourself for research or independent work.

1. Look at the URL, the Web address. It can give you important information about the reliability and intentions of the site. Start with the page publisher (the words following the “www” or between the “http//” and the first single backslash). Have you heard of this source before? If so, would you consider it a reliable source for the kind of material you are about to read? For example, you might happen upon an article about cholesterol with this URL: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1516. The page publisher identifier shows this is the Web site of the American Heart Association, a reputable source of health information. Now consider the domain type in the URL, which follows the period after the publisher. “.com” and “.biz” are used by commercial enterprises, “.org” is normally used by nonprofit organizations, and “.edu” is reserved for educational institutions. None of these is necessarily bad or good, but it may give you a sense of the motivation for publishing this material. For example, a different article about cholesterol on a pharmaceutical company’s Web site might be biased toward treatment of high cholesterol with a drug the company makes.

2. Look at the page’s perimeter and the “masthead” at the top of the page. What name is listed there? Is it the same entity as the one listed as the publisher in the URL? Are you dealing with a company or the Web site of an individual—and how might that affect the quality of the information on this site? What can you learn from poking around with navigation tabs or buttons: what do they tell you about the objective of the Web site? Look for a tab labeled “About Us” or “Biography”; those pages will give you additional background on the writer.

3. Check the quality of the information. Based on what you learned earlier, ask yourself if the information from this Web site is reliable for your needs. If the material you are reading was originally published elsewhere, was that publication reputable, such as an academic or peer-reviewed journal or a well-known newspaper? If you need the most up-to-date information, check the bottom of the page, where a “last modified” date may be shown. Does the author reference reliable sources? What links does the author offer to other Web sites? Are they active and reputable?

4. Consider what others are saying about the site. Does the author offer references, reviews, or quotes about the material? Check blogs to see what other people think of the author or Web site by searching for the title of the article together with the word “review” or “blog.” Enter the Web site’s URL in the search engine at http://www.Alexa.com to see what other Web sites link to the one you are reading.

5. Trust your impressions about the material. You have recently been exposed to related material in your class and textbooks. What does your “gut” say about the material? Ask yourself why the Web site was written. (To inform and provide data or facts? To sell something? To promote a cause? To parody?) If you are unsure of the quality of the information, don’t use it or check first with your instructor or university librarian before you do.

Additional Resources

University of California Berkeley Library. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html

Cornell University Olin and Uris Libraries. http://guides.library.cornell.edu/evaluating_Web_pages

Key Takeaways

- Do all the exercises in math textbooks; apply the formulas to real-world situations.

- Each type of graphic material has its own strength; those strengths are usually clues about what the author wants to emphasize by using the graphic.

- Look for statements of hypotheses and experimental design when reading science texts.

- History, economics, and political science texts are heavily influenced by interpretation. Think critically about what you are reading.

- Working with foreign language texts requires more time and more frequent breaks. Don’t rely on word-for-word translations.

- If you need to read with children around, don’t put off your reading until you have a large block of time; there is much you can do with short reading periods.

- Online materials offer endless possibilities, but select Web sites for information carefully to ensure reliability and currency.

Checkpoint Exercise

Go online and find an article about something you are reading about in a textbook. (Use the five steps to evaluate the article.) Scan both the Web page and the equivalent textbook section and list your questions for both. Are the questions different, or are many similar? How does each author answer those questions? Which do you think is better written and more authoritative? Why?

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5.4 Building Your Vocabulary

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize the importance of building your vocabulary.

2. Master techniques for building your vocabulary.

Both leaders and advertisers inspire people to take action by choosing their words carefully and using them precisely. A good vocabulary is essential for success in any role that involves communication, and just about every role in life requires good communication skills. We included this section on vocabulary in this chapter on reading because of the connections between vocabulary building and reading. Building your vocabulary will make your reading easier, and reading is the best way to build your vocabulary.

Learning new words can be fun and does not need to involve tedious rote memorization of word lists. The first step, as in any other aspect of the learning cycle, is to prepare yourself to learn. Consciously decide that you want to improve your vocabulary; decide you want to be a student of words. Work to become more aware of the words around you: the words you hear, the words you read, the words you say, and those you write.

Do you have a lazy vocabulary? Wake it up with the “lazy speech” exercise.

Activity: Lazy Speech

Recruit a friend you spend a lot of time with. Give them an index card with the following words written on it and ask them to keep a tally of the number of times you say these words sometime when you are together for an hour or more. If you have a small recorder, give it to the person and ask them to record you at a time you are not aware of it.

- Ummm or Uhh

- Like

- They

- You know

- OK

- Yeah

- Ohmigawd

Include in this list any other words, including expletives, that you may be using without thinking.

Are there words you constantly overuse? Were you surprised at how often you used some of these expressions? Now that you are aware of the frequency you use certain expressions, what strategies can you use to control or substitute more articulate and expressive words for them?

Building a stronger vocabulary should start with a strong foundation of healthy word use. Just as you can bring your overuse of certain words to your conscious awareness in the previous activity, think about the kinds of words you should be using more frequently. Some of the words you might consciously practice are actually very simple ones you already know but significantly underuse or use imprecisely. For example, many students say he or she “goes” instead of he or she “says.” If you take it a step further, you can consider more accurate choices still. Perhaps, he “claims” or she “argues.” Maybe he “insists” or “assumes.” Or it could be that she “believes” or she “suggests.” This may seem like a small matter, but it’s important from both a reader’s and a writer’s perspective to distinguish among the different meanings. And you can develop greater awareness by bringing some of these words into your speech.

These habits are easier to put into action if you have more and better material to draw upon: a stronger vocabulary. The following tips will help you gain and correctly use more words.

- Be on the lookout for new words. Most will come to you as you read, but they may also appear in an instructor’s lecture, a class discussion, or a casual conversation with a friend. They may pop up in random places like billboards, menus, or even online ads!

- Write down the new words you encounter, along with the sentences in which they were used. Do this in your notes with new words from a class or reading assignment. If a new word does not come from a class, you can write it on just about anything, but make sure you write it. Many word lovers carry a small notepad or a stack of index cards specifically for this purpose.

- Infer the meaning of the word. The context in which the word is used may give you a good clue about its meaning. Do you recognize a common word root in the word? (Check Table 5.3 “Common Latin and Greek Word Roots” for common roots.) What do you think it means?

- Look up the word in a dictionary. Do this as soon as possible (but only after inferring the meaning). When you are reading, you should have a dictionary at hand for this purpose. In other situations, do this within a couple hours, definitely during the same day. How does the dictionary definition compare with what you inferred?

- Write the word in a sentence, ideally one that is relevant to you. If the word has more than one definition, write a sentence for each.

- Say the word out loud and then say the definition and the sentence you wrote.

- Use the word. Find occasion to use the word in speech or writing over the next two days.

- Schedule a weekly review with yourself to go over your new words and their meanings.

Table 5.3 Common Latin and Greek Word Roots

Root

Meaning

Examples

auto

self

automatic, automobile

bi

two

bicycle, biplane

bio

life

biography, biology

chrono

time

synchronize, chronicle

dict

say

predict, dictate

gen

give birth

generate, genetic

geo

earth

geology, geography, geometry

log

thought

biology, logic, pathology

manu

hand

manufacture, manual

phil

love

philosophy, anglophile

port

carry

transport, portable

sub

under

submarine, subtract

vac

empty

vacuum, evacuate

Where Have You Been All My Life?

The following are some fun ways to find new words:

- Read.

- When you look up a word in the dictionary, look at other interesting words on the same page.

- Solve crossword puzzles.

- Play word games like Scrabble, Boggle, or Pictionary.

- Watch movies.

- Listen to speeches and attend lectures.

- Go to comedy clubs.

- Have discussions (not just casual conversations) with friends.

- Read some more.

Key Takeaways

- The best way to build your vocabulary is to read, and a stronger vocabulary makes it easier and more fun to read.

- Be aware of your own lazy vocabulary and try to avoid those words and expressions.

- Look for new words everywhere, not just in class readings.

- Before you look up a word in the dictionary, infer its meaning based on its context and roots.

- After you look up a word in the dictionary, write your own sentence using the new word. Say the word and definition out loud.

- Use the new word as soon as possible.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Which words do you habitually overuse? Do your friends overuse the same words? How can you collaborate to correct that overuse?

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2. During the course of the day, find five new words in five different places. What were those words, and where did you uncover them?

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3. What do the words “manuscript,” “scribe,” and “scribble” have in common? Can you detect the same root in these words?

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4. What do you think the root means?

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5.5 Chapter Activities

Chapter Takeaways

Reading

- Reading, like learning, involves a cycle of preparing, absorbing, recording, and reviewing.

- In university, you will be expected to do much reading; it is not unusual to do two or more hours of reading for every hour you spend in class. In university, you are also expected to think critically about what you read.

- Active reading involves four steps:

1. Prepare for reading by scanning the assignment and developing questions for which you want to discover answers through your reading.

2. Read the material and discover the answers to your questions.

3. Capture the information by highlighting and annotating the text as well as by taking effective notes.

4. Review the reading by studying your notes, by integrating them with your class notes, and by discussing the reading with classmates.

- Before you read, learn as much as you can about the author and his or her reason for writing the text. What is his or her area of expertise? Why did the instructor select this text?

- When scanning a reading, look for clues to what might be important. Read the section titles, study illustrations, and look for keywords and boldface text.

- Do not highlight your text until you have read a section completely to be sure you understand the context. Then go back and highlight and annotate your text during a second read-through.

- Think critically about what you are reading. Do you agree with what the author is saying? How does it relate to the rest of the material in the course? What does this new material mean to you in “real life”?

Special Texts and Situations

- Do all the exercises in math textbooks; apply the formulas to real-world situations.

- Practice “reading” the illustrations. Each type of graphic material has its own strength or purpose.

- Look for statements of hypotheses and experimental design when reading science texts.

- History, economics, and political science texts are heavily influenced by interpretation. Think critically about what you are reading.

- Working with foreign language texts requires more time and more frequent breaks. Don’t rely on word-for-word translations.

- If you need to read with children around, don’t put off your reading until you have a large block of time; learn to read in short periods as available.

- When reading on the Internet, be extra diligent to evaluate the source of the material to decide how reliable that source may be.

- If English is your second language, seek out resources that may be offered on campus. In any case, be patient with the process of mastering university-level English. And always remember this: what feels like a disadvantage in one situation can be a great gift in another situation.

Vocabulary

- Reading and vocabulary development are closely linked. A stronger vocabulary makes reading easier and more fun; the best way to build a vocabulary is to read.

- Look for new words everywhere, not just in class.

- When you encounter a new word, follow these steps:

1. Write it down and write down the sentence in which it was used.

2. Infer its meaning based on the context and word roots.

3. Look it up in a dictionary.

4. Write your own sentence using the word.

5. Say the word, its definition, and your sentence out loud.

6. Find an opportunity to use the word within two days.

Chapter Review

1. Describe the four steps of active reading.

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__________________________________________________________________

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2. What part of a textbook should you compare with a class syllabus? Why?

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3. Why is it important to know something about a textbook’s author?

__________________________________________________________________

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4. What time of the day should you plan to do your reading? Why?

__________________________________________________________________

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5. What is the difference between using the Cornell method for taking class notes and using the Cornell method for reading notes?

__________________________________________________________________

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6. Why do you think it is important to pose some questions about the material before you read?

__________________________________________________________________

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7. What should you do if you are getting tired when reading?

__________________________________________________________________

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8. List three requirements for a good reading location.

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9. Can you multitask while doing a reading assignment? Why or why not?

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10. Describe the process of evaluating a Web-based reading selection.

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Make an Action List

Two things I will do to improve

Actions

By when I expect to take the action

How I will know I accomplished the action

My reading comprehension/understanding

1.

2.

My reading speed

1.

2.

My vocabulary

1.

2.

Figure 6.1
Robert the Noid – Friday….. Test….. – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

Usually

Sometimes

Seldom

1. I do well on exams.

2. Exams make me very nervous and anxious.

3. I study for exams at the last minute.

4. I feel confident going into tests or exams.

5. When we get pop quizzes, I do OK.

6. I remember what I’ve studied long after studying for an exam.

7. I am overwhelmed by the amount of material I have to study for an exam.

8. I run out of time when taking exams.

9. I write good responses to essay questions.

10. I “draw a blank” during an exam on material I know.

11. I have trouble really understanding what the instructor is looking for on a test.

12. I lose points for stupid mistakes.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your preparation for tests at this time?

Prepare for tests poorly

Prepare for tests well

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your test-taking skills at this time?

A poor tester

An excellent tester

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

In the following list, circle the three most important areas in which you think you can improve:

- Reducing test anxiety

- Cramming for exams

- Using study time more effectively

- Feeling confident for an exam

- Staying focused while studying

- Using my time effectively during an exam

- Selecting the right things to study

- Answering multiple-choice questions

- Selecting the best time and place to study

- Answering short answer questions

- Working in effective study groups

- Answering essay questions

- Studying from my notes

- Taking oral exams/giving presentations as exams

- Studying from my text

- Taking online exams

Are there other areas in which you can improve your test preparation and test taking? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

- Knowing what exams really are and why the right attitude about them is important for your university success

- Discovering how studying for and taking tests fit in to the learning cycle

- Dealing with test anxiety

- Learning when, where, and how to study

- Recognizing types of tests and types of test questions

- Learning tips for multiple-choice, true-or-false, fill-the-blank, matching, short answer, and essay questions

- Applying general strategies for tests and exams

- Applying strategies for math and science tests

Tested at Every Turn

Testing is a part of life. Have you ever participated in an athletic event? Completed a crossword puzzle? Acted in a play? Cooked dinner? Answered a child’s question? Prepared a cost estimate? All of these common life situations are forms of tests because they measure how much we know about a specific subject at a single point in time. They alone are not good measurements about how smart or gifted you are—they show only how much you know or can do at that moment. We can learn from how we have performed, and we can think about how to apply what we have learned to do even better next time. We can have fun measuring our progress.

Many of our daily activities are measurements of progress toward mastery of skills or knowledge. We welcome these opportunities as both work and fun. But when these opportunities are part of our academic life, we often dread them and rarely feel any sense of fun. In reality, however, academic tests are similar to real-life tests in the following ways:

- They help us measure our progress toward mastery of a particular skill.

- They are not a representation of how smart, talented, or skilled we are but rather are a measurement only of what we know about a specific subject at a specific point in time.

- They are extraordinary learning opportunities.

Academic tests in university are different from those you took in high school. University instructors expect to see much more of you in an exam: your thoughts, your interpretations, your thinking process, your conclusions. High school teachers usually look for your ability to repeat precisely what you read in your text or heard in your class. Success on high school tests relies much more on memorization than on understanding the material. This is why you need to modify your study habits and your strategies for taking exams in university.

Take a look at the learning cycle in Figure 6.2 “The Learning Cycle: Review and Apply”. In this chapter, we cover reviewing and applying the material you learn; preparing for and taking exams is the practical application of this phase.

Figure 6.2 – The Learning Cycle: Review and Apply

The end and the beginning of the learning cycle are both involved in test taking, as we’ll see in this chapter. We will discuss the best study habits for effective review and strategies for successful application of your knowledge in tests and exams. Finally, we will cover how the review and application processes set you up for additional learning.

Let’s start at the top of the cycle. You have invested your time in preparing for class, you have been an active listener in class, and you have asked questions and taken notes. You have summarized what you learned and have looked for opportunities to apply the material. You have completed your reading assignments and compared your reading notes with your class notes. And now you hear your instructor say, “Remember the exam next week.”

A sense of dread takes over. You worry about the exam and what might be on it. You stay up for a couple of nights trying to work through the volumes of material the course has covered. Learning or remembering it all seems hopeless. You find yourself staring at the same paragraph in your text over and over again, but you just don’t seem to get it. As the exam looms closer, you feel your understanding of the material is slipping away. You show up to the exam and the first questions look familiar, but then you draw a blank—you’re suffering from test anxiety.

27

6.1 Test Anxiety and How to Control It

Learning Objectives

1. Learn what test anxiety really is.

2. Gain strategies for controlling anxiety.

Take the true-or-false quiz below (circle T for true or F for false). There are no wrong answers.

Activity: Testing Your Test Anxiety

T

F

I have a hard time starting to study for a test.

T

F

When studying for an exam, I feel desperate or lost.

T

F

When studying for an exam, I often feel bored and tired.

T

F

I don’t sleep well the night before an exam.

T

F

My appetite changes the day of the exam. (I’m not hungry and skip meals or I overeat—especially high-sugar items like candy or ice cream.)

T

F

When taking an exam, I am often confused or suffer mental blocks.

T

F

When taking an exam, I feel panicky and my palms get sweaty.

T

F

I’m usually in a bad mood after taking an exam.

T

F

I usually score lower on exams than on papers, assignments, and projects.

T

F

After an exam, I can remember things I couldn’t recall during the exam.

If you answered true to any of the statements in the table above, you have suffered some of the symptoms of test anxiety. Most of us have experienced this. It is normal to feel stress before an exam, and in fact, that may be a good thing. Stress motivates you to study and review, generates adrenaline to help sharpen your reflexes and focus while taking the exam, and may even help you remember some of the material you need. But suffering too many stress symptoms or suffering any of them severely will impede your ability to show what you have learned. Test anxiety can be defined as “a state of uneasiness and distress before and during a test that often lowers performance”. Anxiety during a test interferes with your ability to recall knowledge from memory as well as your ability to use higher-level thinking skills effectively. To learn more about critical thinking and study skills, see Chapter 4 “Thinking about Thought” and Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering”, respectively.

There are steps you should take if you find that stress is getting in your way:

- Be prepared. A primary cause of test anxiety is not knowing the material. If you take good class and reading notes and review them regularly, this stressor should be greatly reduced if not eliminated. You should be confident going into your exam (but not overconfident).

- Bounce bad vibes. Your own negative thoughts—“I’ll never pass this exam” or “I can’t figure this out, I must be really stupid!”—may move you into spiraling stress cycle that in itself causes enough anxiety to block your best efforts. When you feel you are brewing a storm of negative thoughts, stop what you are doing and clear your mind. Allow yourself to daydream a little; visualize yourself in pleasant surroundings with good friends. Don’t go back to work until you feel the tension release. Sometimes it helps to take a deep breath and shout “STOP!” and then proceed with clearing your mind. Once your mind is clear, repeat a reasonable affirmation to yourself—“I know this stuff”—before continuing your work.

- Visualize success. Picture what it will feel like to get that A grade. Translate that vision into specific, reasonable goals and work toward each individual goal. Take one step at a time and reward yourself for each goal you complete.

- It’s all about you! Don’t waste your time comparing yourself to other students in the class, especially during the exam. Keep focused on your own work and your own plan. Exams are not a race, so it doesn’t matter who turns in their paper first. Certainly you have no idea how they did on their exam, so a thought like “Kristen is already done, she must have aced it, I wish I had her skills” is counterproductive and will only cause additional anxiety.

- Have a plan and follow it. As soon as you know that an exam is coming, you can develop a plan for studying. As soon as you get your exam paper, you should develop a plan for the exam itself. We’ll discuss this more later in this chapter. Don’t wait to cram for an exam at the last minute; the pressure you put on yourself and the late night will cause more anxiety, and you won’t learn or retain much.

- Make sure you eat well and get a good night’s sleep before the exam. Hunger, poor eating habits, energy drinks, and lack of sleep all contribute to test anxiety.

- Chill! You perform best when you are relaxed, so learn some relaxation exercises you can use during an exam. Before you begin your work, take a moment to listen to your body. Which muscles are tense? Move them slowly to relax them. Tense them and relax them. Exhale, then continue to exhale for a few more seconds until you feel that your lungs are empty. Inhale slowly through your nose and feel your rib cage expand as you do. This will help oxygenate your blood and reenergize your mind. Chapter 10 “Taking Control of Your Health” has more tips for dealing with stress.

Video: “Calm Test Anxiety & Relaxation Breathing Technique” (length 3:23)

Exercise: Talking Back to Boogie Talk

You’ve learned how negative thoughts contribute to test anxiety and keep you from doing as well as you can. Take some time to disarm your most frequent offenders. From the following list, select three negative thoughts that you have experienced (or write your own). Then fill in the second and third columns for each statement, as shown in the example.

- I don’t know anything.…What’s the matter with me?

- If I fail this test, I’ll flunk the course.

- I should have studied more.…I’ll never make it through.

- I just can’t think.…Why did I ever take this course?

- I know everyone’s doing better than I am.

- If I fail this test, my dad (or husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, teacher) will be mad. I don’t know how I can face them again.

- I’m going to be the last one done again.…I must really be stupid.

- I’m getting really tense again; my hands are shaking.…I can’t even hold the pen.

- I can’t remember a thing.…This always happens to me.…I never do well on anything.

My boogie statement

How rational is this thought? Do you have any evidence that it is true?

Reasonable reinforcing or affirmation statements you can use to replace it.

Example: I’m drawing a blank.…I’ll never get the answer…I must really be stupid.

I’ve missed questions on things that I studied and knew before.

I studied this and know it. I’ll visualize where it’s written in my notes to help me trigger my memory.

Key Takeaways

- Some stress before a test or exam is common and beneficial.

- Test anxiety is stress that gets in the way of performing effectively.

- The most common causes of test anxiety are lack of preparation and negative attitudes.

- The key to combating test anxiety is to try to reduce stressors to a manageable level rather than try to eliminate them totally.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. List three things you should do before a test or exam to combat test anxiety.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. List three things you can do during an exam to reduce stress.

__________________________________________________________________

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28

6.2 Studying to Learn (Not Just for Tests)

Learning Objectives

1. Face tests with confidence, not anxiety.

2. Learn how to use your class and reading notes to learn the material, not just to pass the test.

3. Gain key strategies for effective studying.

4. Form and participate in study groups.

Figure 6.3 – Late-night cramming is not an effective studying strategy
Laurenellen McCann – May – CC BY-NC 2.0.

You have truly learned material when you can readily recall it and actually use it—on tests or in real-life situations. Effective studying is your most important tool to combat test anxiety, but more important, effective studying helps you truly master the material and be able to apply it as you need to, in school and beyond.

In Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering” and Chapter 5 “Reading to Learn”, we set the foundation for effective learning. You learned how to listen and how to take notes. You learned some tricks for improving your memory. You learned how to read actively and how to capture information from written sources. Now we’ll follow up on some of those key ideas and take the learning cycle to its conclusion and a new beginning.

The reviewing and applying stage of the learning cycle involves studying and using the material you have been exposed to in your course. Recall that in Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering” and Chapter 5 “Reading to Learn” we emphasized the importance of reviewing your notes soon after the class or assignment. This review is largely what studying is all about.

Effective studying is an ongoing process of reviewing course material. The first and most important thing you should know is that studying is not something you do a few days before an exam. To be effective, studying is something you do as part of an ongoing learning process, throughout the duration of the term.

Studying Every Day

Studying begins after each class or assignment when you review your notes. Each study session should involve three steps:

1. Gather your learning materials. Take time to merge your class notes with your reading notes. How do they complement each other? Stop and think. What do the notes tell you about your material? What aspects of the material are you unsure about? Do you need to reread a part of your text? Write down any questions you have for your instructor and pay a visit during office hours. It is better to clear up any misconceptions and get your questions answered soon after you are exposed to the material, rather than to wait, for two reasons: (1) the question or doubt is fresh in your mind and you won’t forget about it and (2) instructors usually build their lessons on material already presented. If you don’t take these steps now, you are setting yourself up for problems later in the course.

2. Apply or visualize. What does this material mean to you? How will you use this new knowledge? Try to find a way to apply it in your own life or thoughts. If you can’t use the knowledge right away, visualize yourself using the knowledge to solve a problem or visualize yourself teaching the material to other students.

3. Cement your knowledge. If you use the two-column note-taking method, cover up the right side of your notes with a piece of paper, leaving the questions in the left column exposed. Test yourself by trying to answer your questions without referring to your notes. How did you do? If you are unsure about anything, look up the answer and write it down right away. Don’t let a wrong answer be the last thing you wrote on a subject, because you will most likely continue to remember the wrong answer.

Studying in Course Units

At the end of each unit, or at least every two weeks or so, use your notes and textbook to write an outline or summary of the material in your own words. (Remember the paragraphs you wrote to summarize each class or reading? They’ll be very helpful to you here.) After you have written the summary or outline, go back and reread your outline from the prior unit followed by the one you just wrote. Does the new one build on the earlier one? Do you feel confident you understand the material?

Studying before the Exam

At least a week before a major exam, ask yourself these questions: What has the instructor said about what is included on the exam? Has the instructor said anything about what types of questions will be included? If you were the instructor, what questions would you ask on an exam? Challenge yourself to come up with some really tough open-ended questions. Think about how you might answer them. Be sure to go to any review sessions the instructor or your section leader holds.

Now go back and review your outlines. Do they cover what the instructor has suggested might be on the exam? After reviewing your outlines, reread the sections of your notes that are most closely associated with expected exam questions. Pay special attention to those items the instructor emphasized during class. Read key points aloud and write them down on index cards. Make flash cards to review in downtimes, such as when you’re waiting for a bus or for a class to start.

More Tips for Success

- Schedule a consistent study-review time for each course at least once a week, in addition to your class and assignment time. Keep to that schedule as rigorously as you do your class schedule. Use your study time to go through the steps outlined earlier; this is not meant to be a substitute for your assignment time.

- Get yourself in the right space. Choose to study in a quiet, well-lit space. Your chair should be comfortable but provide good support. Remember that libraries were designed for reading and should be your first option.

- Minimize distractions. Turn off your cell phone and get away from Facebook, television, other nearby activities, and chatty friends or roommates. All of these can cut into the effectiveness of your study efforts. Multitasking and studying don’t mix.

- If you will be studying for a long time, take short breaks at least once an hour. Get up, stretch, breathe deeply, and then get back to work. (If you keep up with your daily assignments and schedule weekly review sessions for yourself—and keep them—there should be almost no need for long study sessions.)

Studying in Groups

Figure 6.4 – A study group that is too large is more likely to digress into casual conversation.
clemsonunivlibrary – Study groups are back studying in Cooper! All is right with the world – CC BY-NC 2.0.

Study groups are a great idea—as long as they are thoughtfully managed. A study group can give you new perspectives on course material and help you fill in gaps in your notes. Discussing course content will sharpen your critical thinking related to the subject, and being part of a group to which you are accountable will help you study consistently. In a study group, you will end up “teaching” each other the material, which is the strongest way to retain new material. But remember, being in a group working together doesn’t mean there will be less work for you as an individual; your work will just be much more effective.

Here are some tips for creating and managing effective study groups:

- Think small. Limit your study group to no more than three or four people. A larger group would limit each student’s participation and make scheduling of regular study sessions a real problem.

- Go for quality. Look for students who are doing well in the course, who ask questions, and who participate in class discussions. Don’t make friendship the primary consideration for who should be in your group. Meet up with your friends instead during “social time”—study time is all about learning.

- Look for complementary skills and learning styles. Complementary skills make for a good study group because your weaknesses will be countered by another student’s strengths. When a subject requires a combination of various skills, strengths in each of those skills is helpful (e.g., a group with one student who is really good at physics and another at math would be perfect for an engineering course). Finally, a variety of learning styles is helpful because each of you pick up differing signals and emphases from the instructor that you can share with each other, so you will not likely miss important points.

- Meet regularly. When you first set up a study group, agree to a regular meeting schedule and stick to it. Moving study session times around can result in non participation, lack of preparation, and eventually the collapse of the study group. Equally important is keeping your sessions to the allotted times. If you waste time and regularly meet much longer than you agreed to, participants will not feel they are getting study value for their time invested.

- Define an agenda and objectives. Give your study sessions focus so that you don’t get sidetracked. Based on requests and comments from the group, the moderator should develop the agenda and start each session by summarizing what the group expects to cover and then keep the group to task.

- Include some of the following items on your agenda:

- Review and discuss class and assignment notes since your last meeting.

- Discuss assigned readings.

- Quiz each other on class material.

- “Reteach” aspects of the material team participants are unsure of.

- Brainstorm possible test questions and responses.

- Review quiz and test results and correct misunderstandings.

- Critique each other’s ideas for paper themes and approaches.

- Define questions to ask the instructor.

- Assign follow-up work. If there is any work that needs to be done between meetings, make sure that all team members know specifically what is expected of them and agree to do the work.

- Rotate the role of moderator or discussion leader. This helps ensure “ownership” of the group is spread equally across all members and ensures active participation and careful preparation.

Key Takeaways

- Effective studying happens over time, not just a few days before an exam. Consistent and regular review time helps you learn the material better and saves you time and anguish as exam time approaches.

- The following are three steps to follow in each study session:

- Gather your knowledge.

- Apply or visualize your knowledge.

- Cement your knowledge.

- Study groups are a great idea—provided they are thoughtfully managed.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. What do we mean by “gathering your knowledge”?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. What study habits recommended in this section do you want to develop or improve? What specific steps will you take to start working on them?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. Think of your toughest course. Which students in that class would you want to include in a study group? Why?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

29

6.3 Taking Tests

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the kinds of tests you will take in university and how you can learn from them.

2. Learn general strategies to apply when taking tests and quizzes.

Figure 6.5 – Test-taking at the University of Vienna
KF, Wikipedia Commons, Public Domain

Types of Tests

All tests are designed to determine how much you know about a particular subject at a particular point in time. But you should be aware of differences in types of tests because this will help guide how you prepare for them. Two general types of tests are based on their objectives, or how they intend to provide feedback learning has occurred: formative assessments and summative assessments [1].

Formative assessments include quizzes, unit tests, pop quizzes, and review quizzes from a textbook or its Web site. Their main objective is to make sure you know the fundamental material before moving on to more challenging topics. Because these quizzes usually don’t count much toward your final grade, many students think they are not very important. In fact, these quizzes are very important, particularly to you; they can help you to identify what you know and what you still need to learn to be successful in the course and in applying the material. A poor result on a quiz may not negatively affect your final grade much—but learning from its results and correcting your mistakes will affect your final grade, on the positive side, when you take midterms and finals! More on this in Chapter 6 “Preparing for and Taking Tests”, Section 6.6 “Using Test Results”.

Summative assessments include midterms and finals. They are used by the instructor to determine if you are mastering a large portion of the material, and as such, they usually carry a heavy weight toward your final grade for the course. Because of this, they often result in high levels of test anxiety and long study periods.

In addition to this classification by objective, tests can also be grouped into various categories based on how they are delivered. Each type has its own peculiar strategies.

- Paper tests are still the most common type of test, requiring students to write answers on the test pages or in a separate test booklet. They are typically used for in-class tests. Neatness and good grammar count, even if it’s not an English exam. Remember that the instructor will be reading dozens of test papers and will not likely spend much time trying to figure out your hieroglyphics, arrows, and cross-outs.

- Open-book tests allow the student to consult their notes, textbook, or both while taking the exam. Instructors often give this type of test when they are more interested in seeing your thoughts and critical thinking than your memory power. Be prepared to expose and defend your own viewpoints. When preparing, know where key material is present in your book and notes; create an index for your notes and use sticky notes to flag key pages of your textbook before the exam. Be careful when copying information or formulas to your test answers, because nothing looks worse in an open-book exam than misusing the material at your disposal.

- Take-home tests are like open-book tests except you have the luxury of time on your side. Make sure you submit the exam on time. Know what the instructor’s expectations are about the content of your answers. The instructor will likely expect more detail and more complete work because you are not under a strict time limit and because you have access to reference materials. Be clear about when the test is due. (Some instructors will ask you to e-mail your exam to them by a specific time.) Also find out if the instructor allows or expects you to collaborate with classmates. Be sure to type your exam and don’t forget to spell-check!

- Online tests are most commonly used for formative assessments, although they are starting to find their way into high-stakes exams, particularly in large lecture classes that fulfill a graduation requirement (like introductory psychology or history survey courses). The main advantage of online tests is that they can be computer graded, providing fast feedback to the student (with formative tests) and allowing the instructor to grade hundreds of exams easily (with summative assessments). Since these tests are computer graded, be aware that the instructor’s judgment is not involved in the grading. Your answers will be either right or wrong; there is no room for partially correct responses. With online tests, be sure you understand the testing software. Are there practice questions? If so, make sure you use them. Find out if you will be allowed to move freely between test sections to go back and check your work or to complete questions you might have skipped. Some testing software does not allow you to return to sections once they are “submitted.” Unless your exam needs to be taken at a specific time, don’t wait until the last minute to take the test. Should you have technical problems, you want to have time to resolve the issues. To avoid any conflicts with the testing software, close all other software applications before beginning the testing software.

- Electronic tests in the classroom are becoming more common as universities install “smart classrooms” with technology such as wireless “clicker” technology that instructors may use to get a quick read of students’ understanding of a lecture. This testing method allows for only true-or-false and multiple-choice questions, so it is rarely used for summative assessments. When taking this kind of quick quiz, take notes on questions you miss so that you can focus on them when you do your own review.

- Presentations and oral tests are the most complete means for instructors to evaluate students’ mastery of material, because the evaluation is highly interactive. The instructor can (and likely will) probe you on certain points, question your assumptions, or ask you to defend your point of view. Make sure you practice your presentation many times with and without an audience (your study group is good for this). Have a clear and concise point of view and keep to the allotted time. (You don’t want to miss delivering a killer close if your instructor cuts you off because you weren’t aware of the time!) Chapter 7 “Interacting with Instructors and Classes” covers public speaking and class presentations in more detail. Use the same strategies in oral exams.

Tips for Taking Tests

You’ve reviewed the material for a test and feel confident that you will do well. You have brought your test anxiety into control. What else can you do to ensure success on a test? Learn and apply these top ten test-taking strategies:

1. Learn as much as you can about the test. What has the instructor told you about the test? Will it be open book? What types of questions will be on it? Are there parts of the test that will be worth more points than others? Will it be cumulative or just cover the most recent material? Will you have choices about which questions to answer?

2. Try to foresee the questions likely to be on the test. What kinds of questions would you include if you were the instructor? Brainstorm possible questions with your study group. Look for possible questions in your notes. Review past quizzes and tests to see what kinds of questions the instructor likes to ask. Above all, take it seriously whenever your instructor warns, “This will be on the test.”

3. Don’t be tempted to stay up late cramming. Get some exercise and watch what you eat. Cramming is not a substitute for doing your assignments and studying consistently over time. It is far more important to get a good night’s sleep and face your test fresh and well rested. A good workout the day before an exam will help you be fresh and stay focused during the exam (provided you already like to work out; if not, find time to take a long walk). A healthy diet the night before and the day of the exam will give you energy and concentration to do well on the exam. Include “brain foods,” such as those rich in omega-3 oils, and avoid “heavy” foods that are rich in fat and sugar. (After the exam, you can celebrate with a cheeseburger, fries, and milkshake—but not before the exam!)

4. Get to the test site early. Take out all your allowable tools (pencils, pens, calculator, etc.). Turn off your cell phone (yes, all the way off, not on vibrate) as a way of disconnecting from your everyday world. Do some of the relaxation exercises described earlier for controlling test anxiety.

5. Create a test plan. Listen carefully to the directions given by the instructor. When you receive your test, scan the entire test first. Evaluate the importance of each section. Then create a time allocation plan. Decide how much time you should dedicate to each section. You don’t want to spend 80 percent of your time on a question worth 10 percent of the grade.

6. Write it down. Take a couple minutes to write down key facts, dates, principles, statistics, and formulas on a piece of scratch paper or in the margin of the exam paper. Do this while you are still fresh and aren’t yet feeling time pressure (when it will be harder to remember them). Then you can refer to these notes as you take the exam.

7. Read the directions carefully. Then reread them. Do you understand what is expected of you? If not, ask the instructor to be sure you are clear. Too many students lose points simply by not following directions completely!

8. Do the easy questions first. By getting the easy questions out of the way, you’ll feel more confident about the test and have more time to think about the tougher questions. Start with the objective sections of the exam first (multiple choice, true or false, and matching columns). As you answer these questions, keep an eye out for facts or concepts you may want to use later in an essay question.

9. Keep an eye on the time. Keep as close to your plan as possible. If you see that you are running out of time, don’t panic. Move to those questions you think you can still answer accurately within the remaining time.

10. Check your work. This doesn’t mean going through all your calculations again. Start by ensuring that you have complete answers according to the directions. Then look for other common mistakes, such as a misplaced decimal point, dropped words (especially those that can modify the answer, like “not”), and any incomplete or incomprehensible phrases.

Strategies for Math and Science Exams

Math tests require some special strategies because they are often problem based rather than question based.

Do the following before the test:

- Attend all classes and complete all assignments. Pay special attention to working on all assigned problems. After reviewing problems in class, take careful notes about what you did incorrectly. Repeat the problem and do a similar one as soon as possible. It is important that the last solution to a problem in your mind is a correct solution.

- Think about how each problem solution might be applied in a real-world situation. This helps make even the most complex solutions relevant and easier to learn.

- In your study group, take turns presenting solutions to problems and observing and correcting everyone’s work.

- If you are having difficulty with a concept, get help right away. Remember that math especially builds new material on previous material, so if you are having trouble with a concept now, you are likely to have trouble going forward. Make an appointment with your instructor, your teaching assistant, or a skilled classmate. Check with your university’s academic support office to see about a tutor. Don’t be shy about asking for a tutor—tutoring is not just for students needing remedial help; many successful students seek them out, too.

Do the following during the test:

- Review the entire test before you start and work the problems you feel most confident with first.

- Approach each problem following three distinct steps:

1. Read the problem through twice: the first time to get the full concept of the question, and the second time to draw out pertinent information. After you read through the problem the first time, ask yourself, “What is this problem about?” and “What is the answer likely to look like?” The second time through, consider these questions: “What facts do I have available?” “What do I know?” “What measurable units must the answer be in?” Think about the operations and formulas you will need to use. Try to estimate a ballpark answer.

2. Compute your answer. First, eliminate as many unknowns as possible. You may need to use a separate formula for each unknown. Use algebraic formulas as far as you can before plugging in actual numbers; that will make it easier to cancel and combine factors. Remember that you may need two or more tries before you come up with the answer.

3. Check your work. Start by comparing your actual answer to the estimate you made when you first read the problem. Does your final answer sound likely? Check your arithmetic by opposite operations: use multiplication to check division and addition to check subtraction, and so on.

You should consider using these three steps whenever you are working with any math problems, not just when you get problems on tests.

Science tests also are often problem based, but they also generally use the scientific method. This is why science tests may require some specific strategies.

- Before the test, review your lab notes as well as your class notes and assignments. Many exam questions build upon lab experience, so pay close attention to your notes, assignments, and labs. Practice describing the experimental process.

- Read the question carefully. What does the instructor expect you to do? Prove a hypothesis? Describe an experiment? Summarize research? Underline the words that state the objective of the question.

- Look carefully at all the diagrams given with the question. What do they illustrate? Why are they included with the question? Are there elements on the diagram you are expected to label?

- Many science questions are based on the scientific method and experimental model. When you read the test question, identify the hypothesis the problem is proposing; be prepared to describe an experimental structure to prove a hypothesis. When you check your work, make sure the hypothesis, experimental steps, and a summary of results (or expected results) are clear. Some of these elements may be part of the question, while others you may need to provide in your answer.

Video: Make sure to follow the instructions – Mr. Bean – The Exam (length 5:56)

Key Takeaways

- There is no such thing as an unimportant quiz.

- In addition to studying, prepare for exams and quizzes by getting plenty of rest, eating well, and getting some exercise the day before the exam.

- Cramming is seldom a good strategy.

- Before the exam, learn as much as you can about the kinds of questions your instructor will be asking and the specific material that will be covered.

- The first step to successful completion of any exam is to browse the entire exam and develop a plan (including a “time budget”) for completing the exam.

- Read questions carefully. Underline keywords in questions, particularly in essay questions and science questions.

- Unless points are deducted for a wrong answer, it pays to take educated guesses.

1. Hanna, G. S., & Dettmer, P. A. (2004). Assessment for effective teaching: Using context-adaptive planning. Boston, MA: Pearson A&B.↵

30

6.4 The Secrets of the Q and A’s

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the five principal types of questions.

2. Gain specific strategies for addressing each type of question.

You can gain even more confidence in your test-taking abilities by understanding the different kinds of questions an instructor may ask and applying the following proven strategies for answering them. Most instructors will likely use various conventional types of questions. Here are some tips for handling the most common types.

Multiple-Choice Questions

- Read the instructions carefully to determine if there may be more than one right answer. If there are multiple right answers, does the instructor expect you to choose just one, or do you need to mark all correct options?

- Read each question carefully and try to answer it in your head before reading the answer options. Then consider all the options. Eliminate first the options that are clearly incorrect. Compare the remaining answers with your own answer before choosing one and marking your paper.

- Look for clue words that hint that certain option answers might be correct or incorrect. Absolute words like “never,” “always,” “every,” or “none” are rarely found in a correct option. Less absolute words like “usually,” “often,” or “rarely” are regularly found in correct options.

- Be on the lookout for the word “not” in the stem phrase and in the answer choice options; it is an easy word to miss if you are reading too quickly, but it completely changes the meaning of the possible statements.

True-or-False Questions

- Most of the tips for multiple-choice questions apply here as well. Be particularly aware of the words “never,” “always,” “every,” “none,” and “not” because they can determine the correct answer.

- Answer the questions that are obvious to you first. Then go back to statements that require more thought.

- If the question is stated in the positive, restate it to yourself in the negative by adding the word “not” or “never.” Does the new statement sound truer or more false?

- If you still are unsure whether a statement is true or false and must guess, choose “true” because most tests include more true statements than false (but don’t guess if a wrong answer penalizes you more than one left blank).

Matching Columns

- Start by looking at the two columns to be matched. Is there an equal number of items in both columns? If they are not equal, do you have to match some items in the shorter column to two or more items in the longer column, or can you leave some items unmatched? Read the directions to be sure.

- If one column has a series of single words to be matched to phrases in the other column, read all the phrases first, then all the single words before trying to make any matches. Now go back and read each phrase and find the word that best suits the phrase.

- If both columns have single words to be matched, look to cut down the number of potential matches by grouping them by parts of speech (nouns with nouns, verbs with verbs, etc.).

- As always, start by making the matches that are obvious to you, and then work on the ones that require more thought. Mark off all items you have already used so you can easily see which words or phrases still remain to be matched.

Short Answer Questions

Figure 6.6 – An essay test requires careful planning of what you want to write.
Tim Riley – Essay time (Postmodern Feminism): My Floor – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

- Short answer questions are designed for you to recall and provide some very specific information (unlike essay questions, which also ask you to apply critical thinking to that information). When you read the question, ask yourself what exactly the instructor wants to know. Keep your answers short and specific.

Essay Questions

- Essay questions are used by instructors to evaluate your thinking and reasoning applied to the material covered in a course. Good essay answers are based on your thoughts, supported by examples from classes and reading assignments.

- Careful planning is critical to answering essay questions effectively. Note how many essay questions you have to answer and how difficult each question seems. Then allocate your time accordingly.

- Read the question carefully and underline or circle keywords. Watch for words that describe the instructor’s expectations for your response (see Table 6.1 “Words to Watch for in Essay Questions”).

- If time allows, organize your thoughts by creating a quick outline for your essay. This helps ensure that you don’t leave out key points, and if you run out of time, it may pick up a few points for your grade. Jot down specific information you might want to use, such as names, dates, and places. Chapter 8 “Writing for Classes” discusses outlining and other aspects of the writing process in more detail.

- Introduce your essay answer, but get right to the point. Remember that the instructor will be grading dozens of papers and avoid “filler” text that does not add value to your answer. For example, rather than writing, “In our study of the Civil War, it is helpful to consider the many facets that lead to conflict, especially the economic factors that help explain this important turning point in our nation’s history,” write a more direct and concise statement like this: “Economic factors help explain the start of the Civil War.”

- Write neatly and watch your grammar and spelling. Allow time to proofread your essay. You want your instructor to want to read your essay, not dread it. Remember that grading essays is largely subjective, and a favorable impression can lead to more favorable grading.

- Be sure to answer all parts of the question. Essay questions often have more than one part. Remember, too, that essay questions often have multiple acceptable answers.

Table 6.1 Words to Watch for in Essay Questions

Word

What It Means

What the Instructor Is Looking For

Analyze

Break concept into key parts

Don’t just list the parts; show how they work together and illustrate any patterns.

Compare

Show similarities (and sometimes differences) between two or more concepts or ideas

Define the similarities and clearly describe how the items or ideas are similar. Do these similarities lead to similar results or effects? Note that this word is often combined with “contrast.” If so, make sure you do both.

Contrast

Show differences between two or more concepts or ideas

Define the differences and clearly describe how the items or ideas are different. How do these differences result in different outcomes? Note that this word is often combined with “compare.” If so, make sure you do both.

Critique

Judge and analyze

Explain what is wrong—and right—about a concept. Include your own judgments, supported by evidence and quotes from experts that support your point of view.

Define

Describe the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept

Define the concept or idea as your instructor did in class—but use your own words. If your definition differs from what the instructor presented, support your difference with evidence. Keep this essay short. Examples can help illustrate a definition, but remember that examples alone are not a definition.

Discuss

Explain or review

Define the key questions around the issue to be discussed and then answer them. Another approach is to define pros and cons on the issue and compare and contrast them. In either case, explore all relevant data and information.

Explain

Clarify, give reasons for something

Clarity is key for these questions. Outline your thoughts carefully. Proofread, edit, proofread, and proofread again! Good explanations are often lost in too many words.

Illustrate

Offer examples

Use examples from class material or reading assignments. Compare and contrast them to other examples you might come up with from additional reading or real life.

Prove

Provide evidence and arguments that something is true

Instructors who include this prompt in an exam question have often proven the hypothesis or other concepts in their class lectures. Think about the kind of evidence the instructor used and apply similar types of processes and data.

Summarize

Give a brief, precise description of an idea or concept

Keep it short, but cover all key points. This is one essay prompt where examples should not be included unless the instructions specifically ask for them. (For example, “Summarize the steps of the learning cycle and give examples of the main strategies you should apply in each one.”)

Checkpoint Exercise

Test your test knowledge.

Figure 6.6 Crossword

Across

Down

2. “Always,” “never,” and “every” are words that usually indicate the answer is ___________.

1. It helps to group words in matching columns by ___________________ ___ _______________.

3. A way to organize your thoughts for an essay

4. Clarify, give reasons for something

6. Short answer questions require a __________ answer.

5. Essay questions often have more than one ________ answer.

8. Describe the meaning of a word

7. Show similarities and differences

9. Give a brief, precise description of an idea or concept

12. Most common answer in true and false questions

10. Type of question used to evaluate thinking and reasoning

11. Since instructors need to read many essays, it is important to write _________.

31

6.5 The Honest Truth

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the importance of academic integrity and the consequences of dishonesty.

2. Identify most common types of academic dishonesty.

Throughout this book we have focused on the active process of learning, not just on how to get good grades. The attitude of some students that grades are the end-all in academics has led many students to resort to academic dishonesty to try to get the best possible grades or handle the pressure of an academic program. Although you may be further tempted if you’ve heard people say, “Everybody does it,” or “It’s no big deal at my school,” you should be mindful of the consequences of cheating:

- You don’t learn as much. Cheating may get you the right answer on a particular exam question, but it won’t teach you how to apply knowledge in the world after school, nor will it give you a foundation of knowledge for learning more advanced material. When you cheat, you cheat yourself out of opportunities.

- You risk failing the course or even expulsion from school. Each institution has its own definitions of and penalties for academic dishonesty, but most include cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication or falsification. The exact details of what is allowed or not allowed vary somewhat among different universities and even instructors, so you should be sure to check your school’s Web site and your instructor’s guidelines to see what rules apply. Ignorance of the rules is seldom considered a valid defense.

- Cheating causes stress. Fear of getting caught will cause you stress and anxiety; this will get in the way of performing well with the information you do know.

- You’re throwing away your money and time. Getting a university education is a big investment of money and effort. You’re simply not getting your full value when you cheat, because you don’t learn as much.

- You are trashing your integrity. Cheating once and getting away with it makes it easier to cheat again, and the more you cheat, the more comfortable you will feel with giving up your integrity in other areas of life—with perhaps even more serious consequences.

- Cheating lowers your self-esteem. If you cheat, you are telling yourself that you are simply not smart enough to handle learning. It also robs you of the feeling of satisfaction from genuine success.

Figure 6.7 – Resist the temptation to cheat by using material from the Internet.
Thomas Favre-Bulle – Working on UML – CC BY-NC 2.0.

Technology has made it easier to cheat. Your credit card and an Internet connection can procure a paper for you on just about any subject and length. You can copy and paste for free from various Web sites. Students have made creative use of texting and video on their cell phones to gain unauthorized access to material for exams. But be aware that technology has also created ways for instructors to easily detect these forms of academic dishonesty. Most universities make these tools available to their instructors. Instructors are also modifying their testing approaches to reduce potential academic misconduct by using methods that are harder to cheat at (such as in-class essays that evaluate your thinking and oral presentations).

If you feel uneasy about doing something in your university work, trust your instincts. Confirm with the instructor that your intended form of research or use of material is acceptable. Cheating just doesn’t pay.

For more information on the University of Saskatchewan’s Academic Misconduct Regulations, please visit the following link (and please note that new regulations are coming into effect in January 2017): Office of the University Secretary – Academic Misconduct.

Examples of Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty can take many forms, and you should be careful to avoid them. The following list is a clear and complete compilation of what most institutions will consider unacceptable academic behavior:

1. Cheating: using unauthorized notes, study aids, or information on an examination; altering a graded work after it has been returned, then submitting the work for regrading; allowing another person to do one’s work and submitting that work under one’s own name; submitting identical or similar papers for credit in more than one course without prior permission from the course instructors.

2. Plagiarism: submitting material that in part or whole is not entirely one’s own work without attributing those same portions to their correct source.

3. Fabrication: falsifying or inventing any information, data or citation; presenting data that were not gathered in accordance with standard guidelines defining the appropriate methods for collecting or generating data and failing to include an accurate account of the method by which the data were gathered or collected.

4. Obtaining an Unfair Advantage: (a) stealing, reproducing, circulating or otherwise gaining access to examination materials prior to the time authorized by the instructor; (b) stealing, destroying, defacing or concealing library materials with the purpose of depriving others of their use; (c) unauthorized collaboration on an academic assignment; (d) retaining, possessing, using or circulating previously given examination materials, where those materials clearly indicate that they are to be returned to the instructor at the conclusion of the examination; (e) intentionally obstructing or interfering with another student’s academic work; or (f) otherwise undertaking activity with the purpose of creating or obtaining an unfair academic advantage over other students’ academic work.

5. Aiding and Abetting Academic Dishonesty: (a) providing material, information, or other assistance to another person with knowledge that such aid could be used in any of the violations stated above, or (b) providing false information in connection with any inquiry regarding academic integrity.

6. Falsification of Records and Official Documents: altering documents affecting academic records; forging signatures of authorization or falsifying information on an official academic document, grade report, letter of permission, petition, drop/add form, ID card, or any other official University document.

7. Unauthorized Access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems: viewing or altering computer records, modifying computer programs or systems, releasing or dispensing information gained via unauthorized access, or interfering with the use or availability of computer systems or information.

Key Takeaways

- Being dishonest can have major consequences that can affect not only your university career but also your life beyond university.

- “Everybody does it” and “It’s no big deal at my school” are not valid reasons for cheating.

- When you cheat, you are primarily cheating yourself.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. What are the most common forms of academic dishonesty you have heard about at your school? What should be done about them?

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2. What resources do you have on campus to learn about correct forms of referencing other people’s work in your own?

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32

6.6 Using Test Results

Learning Objectives

1. Effectively evaluate your test results and correct your mistakes.

2. Use your test results as a study guide.

So far, we have focused on how to study for and take tests effectively. This section discusses how to use test results to their greatest benefit. Some of your most important learning begins when your graded test paper is returned to you. Your first reaction, of course, is to see what grade you received and how you did compared with your classmates. This is a natural reaction.

Make sure you listen to the instructor as the papers are returned. What is the instructor saying about the test? Is there a particular point everyone had trouble with? Does the instructor generally think everyone did well? The instructor’s comments at this point may give you important information about what you should study more, about the value of review sessions, and even about possible questions for the next exam.

Although you may be tempted to throw away the exam, don’t. It is a very helpful tool for the next phase of preparing for learning. This is a three-step process, beginning with evaluating your results.

Evaluating Your Test Results

When you receive your test back, sit quietly and take a close look at it. What questions did you get wrong? What kind of mistakes were they? (See Table 6.2 “Exam Errors and How to Correct Them”.) Do you see a pattern? What questions did you get right? What were your strengths? What can you learn from the instructor’s comments?

Now think of the way in which you prepared for the exam and the extent to which you applied the exam strategies described earlier in this chapter. Were you prepared for the exam? Did you study the right material? What surprised you? Did you read the entire test before starting? Did your time allocation work well, or were you short of time on certain parts of the exam?

Table 6.2 Exam Errors and How to Correct Them

Type of Error

Examples

Corrective Steps

Study and Preparation Errors

I did not study the material for that question (enough).

Practice predicting possible questions better.

I ran out of time.

Join a study group.

I did not prepare enough.

Read the entire test before starting. Allocate your time.

Focus Errors or Carelessness

I did not read the directions carefully.

Allocate exam time carefully.

I confused terms or concepts that I actually know well.

Give yourself time to read carefully and think before answering a question.

I misread or misunderstood the question.

Content Errors

I studied the material but couldn’t make it work with the question

Seek additional help from the instructor.

I didn’t understand what the instructor wanted.

Go to all classes, labs, and review sessions.

I confused terms or concepts.

Join a study group.

Check and practice your active reading and listening skills.

Schedule regular study time for this course.

Mechanical Errors

The instructor misread my writing.

Slow down! Don’t rush through the exam. Take the time to do things right the first time.

I didn’t erase a wrong answer completely (on a computer-graded answer sheet).

I forgot to go back to a question I had skipped over.

I miscopied some calculations or facts from my worksheet.

Based on your analysis of your test, identify the kind of corrective steps you should take to improve your learning and test performance. Implement those steps as you begin your preparation for your next class. If you don’t learn from your mistakes, you are doomed to repeat them; if you don’t learn from your successes, it will be harder to repeat them.

Correcting Your Mistakes

The second step in making your test work for you is to correct your wrong answers. The last time you wrote the information (when you took the test), you created a link to wrong information in your memory, so that must be corrected.

- For multiple-choice questions, write out the question stem with the correct answer to form a single correct sentence or phrase.

- For true-or-false questions, write the full statement if it is true; if it is false, reword it in such a way that it is true (such as by inserting the word “not”). Then write the new statement.

- For math and science questions involving calculations, redo the entire solution with the calculations written out fully.

- You need not rewrite an entire essay question if you did not do well, but you should create a new outline for what would be a correct answer. Make sure you incorporate any ideas triggered by your instructor’s comments.

- When you have rewritten all your answers, read them all out loud before incorporating your new answers in your notes.

Integrating Your Test into Your Study Guide

Your corrected quizzes and midterm exams are an important study tool for final exams. Make sure you file them with your notes for the study unit. Take the time to annotate your notes based on the exam. Pay particular attention to any gaps in your notes on topics that appeared in the quiz or exam. Research those points in your text or online and complete your notes. Review your exams throughout the term (not just before the final) to be sure you cement the course material into your memory.

When you prepare for the final exam, start by reviewing your quizzes and other tests to predict the kinds of questions the instructor may ask on the final. This will help focus your final studying when you have a large amount of coursework to cover.

If You Don’t Get Your Test Back

If your instructor chooses not to return tests to students, make an appointment to see the instructor soon after the test to review it and your performance. Take notes on what you had trouble with and the expected answers. Add these notes into your study guide. Make sure you don’t lose out on the opportunity to learn from your results.

Key Takeaways

- Working with exams does not end when your instructor hands back your graded test.

- Quizzes and midterms are reliable predictors of the kind of material that will be on the final exam.

- When evaluating your test performance, don’t look only at the content you missed. Identify the types of mistakes you commonly make and formulate plans to prevent these mistakes in future assessments.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Take time to examine your notes for each course you are now taking. Are your exams and quizzes part of that package? If not, include them now. Review them this week.

2. Compare your exams across two or three courses. What kinds of mistakes do you make on a regular basis? Is there a trend you need to correct?

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33

6.7 Chapter Activities

Chapter Review I

1. What is test anxiety? What are the three causes of test anxiety you would like to work on controlling?

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2. When should you start studying for an exam?

__________________________________________________________________

3. Can you multitask while studying? Why or why not?

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4. What are some of the most common distractions to your studying?

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5. Describe the characteristics of a successful study group.

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6. What are the two types of assessment? Which of these forms might be called the “student’s assessment”? Why?

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7. Why would an instructor assign an open-book exam? What types of things should you pay attention to if you are taking an open-book exam?

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8. How might you predict the kinds of questions that will be on an exam?

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9. What should you do right after the instructor hands out the exam?

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10. List five words to watch for in multiple-choice and true-or-false questions.

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11. List five words to watch for in essay questions.

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12. What forms of academic dishonesty are most prevalent on your campus? What can you do to avoid them in your own academic career?

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13. List the five most common types of errors made on exams.

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14. What should you do with your exam after is has been graded and returned to you?

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Chapter Review II

The following test will allow you to practice the strategies for each question type outlined in Chapter Review I:

I. Multiple-choice section (10 points)

1. All actions on this list are examples of academic dishonesty except

To avoid running out of time on a test, you should

II. True-or-false section (10 points)

1. ____ You should never use examples when an essay question asks you to illustrate.

2. ____ Beds are a good place to study because they are comfortable and quiet.

3. ____ It’s smart to schedule a specific and consistent time for studying for each course.

4. ____ In true-or-false questions, it is safer to mark true than false if you don’t know the answer.

5. ____ One advantage of studying in a group is that students will encourage each other to do their best work.

III. Matching column section (10 points)

____ 1. Define

A. A type of formative assessment

____ 2. Study group

B. To describe pros and cons and compare them

____ 3. Weekly quiz

C. To describe the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept

____ 4. Discuss

D. Your own personalized study guide

____ 5. Class and assignment notes

E. Three or four students from a class who meet regularly to review class material and encourage each other

IV. Short answer section (15 points)

1. List three things you should do before a test to prepare your body to perform effectively.

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

2. Name at least three of the characteristics of successful study groups.

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3. List at least four steps you should take before you start writing the answer to an essay question.

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V. Essay section (Choose one; 55 points)

1. Compare and contrast effective studying and cramming.

2. Discuss academic dishonesty and its consequences.

Make an Action List

Two things I will do to…

Actions

By when I expect to take each action

How I will know I accomplished each action

Reduce my testing anxiety

1.

2.

Improve my study effectiveness

1.

2.

Improve my performance on exams

1.

2.

Figure 7.1
CAFNR – keith goyne_snr_eniv. sciences_0021 – CC BY-NC 2.0.

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

Often

Sometimes

Seldom

1. I talk with my university instructors outside of class.

2. I participate in class discussions, ask questions in class, and volunteer to answer questions posed by my instructors.

3. I go to all my classes except when prevented by illness or an emergency.

4. I prepare for classes and make an active effort to pay attention and get the most from class lectures.

5. In lecture classes, I read other materials, check for phone messages or e-mail, and talk with friends.

6. I don’t sign up for classes when I hear other students say the instructor is boring or difficult.

7. I talk to my instructors in their offices only if I have a problem with a specific assignment.

8. I write effective, professional e-mails to my instructors when appropriate.

9. I am comfortable giving presentations in class and know how to prepare successfully.

10. When assigned to work with a group to give a presentation, I take the lead and help ensure everyone works together well in his or her specific roles.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your interactions with your instructors and other students at this time?

Not very effective

Very successful

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

In the following list, circle the three most important areas in which you think you can improve:

- Attending classes

- Networking and studying with other students

- Going to classes fully prepared

- Interacting with instructors through e-mail and telephone calls

- Paying attention in lecture classes

- Resolving a problem with an instructor

- Asking questions in class

- Interacting with the instructor and students in an online course

- Answering questions in class

- Giving presentations in front of the class

- Participating in class discussions

- Creating and using visual aids in a presentation

- Speaking with instructors outside of class

- Working with a student group to give a presentation

Are there other areas also in which you can improve how you interact with instructors and other students to get the most out of your university education? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

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How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

- Understanding why it is so important to interact well with your instructors and participate in class

- Understanding why it is essential to attend classes and actively engage in the learning process

- Preparing for and being comfortable participating in class

- Discovering the best communication practices for asking and answering questions in class

- Staying active in lecture classes to increase your learning

- Adapting your learning style when an instructor has a different teaching style

- Building a relationship with an instructor outside of class and finding a mentor

- Writing professional e-mails to instructors and others

- Interacting with the instructor of an online course and coping with its difficult issues

- Preparing for and delivering a successful class presentation

- Working with other students on a group presentation

Interacting with the University Experience

Throughout this text you have been reading about how success in university depends on your active participation in the learning process. Much of what you get out of your education is what you yourself put into it. This chapter considers how to engage in the learning process through interactions with your instructors and other students. Students who actively interact with others in the educational experience are much more successful than passive students who do not.

Yet relatively few university students consistently interact with their instructors and other students in class. Typically only five to seven students in a class, regardless of the class’s size, do most of the participating. Why is that? If you’re just too shy, you can learn to feel comfortable participating.

Interacting with instructors and participating in class discussions with other students is among the most important steps you can take to make sure you’re successful in university. The real essence of a university education is not just absorption of knowledge and information but learning a way of thinking that involves actively responding to the ideas of others. Employers seek graduates who have learned how to think critically about situations and ideas, to solve new problems, and to apply traditional knowledge in new circumstances. And these characteristics come from active participation in the learning process.

Differences from High School

To understand why interaction is so important in university, let’s look again at some of the typical differences between high school and university instructors:

- Many university classes focus more on how one thinks about a subject than on information about the subject. While instructors in some large lecture classes may still present information to students, as you take more classes in your major and other smaller classes, you’ll find that simply giving back facts or information on tests or in assigned papers means much less. You really are expected to develop your own ideas and communicate them well. Doing that successfully usually requires talking with others, testing out your thoughts against those of others, responding to instructors’ questions, and other interactions.

- Instructors are usually very actively involved in their fields. While high school teachers often are most interested in teaching, university instructors are often more interested in their own fields. They may be passionate about their subject and want you to be as well. They can become excited when a student asks a question that shows some deeper understanding of something in the field.

- University instructors giveyouthe responsibility for learning. Many high school teachers monitor their students’ progress and reach out if they see a student not doing well. In university, however, students are considered adults in charge of their own learning. Miss some classes, turn in a paper late, do poorly on an exam—and you will get a low grade, but the instructor likely won’t come looking for you to offer help. But if you ask questions when you don’t understand and actively seek out your instructor during office hours to more fully discuss your ideas for a paper, then the instructor will likely give you the help you need.

- Academic freedom is very important in university. High school instructors generally are given a set curriculum and have little freedom to choose what—or how—to teach. University instructors have academic freedom, however, allowing them to teach controversial topics and express their own ideas—and they may expect you to partake in this freedom as well. They have more respect for students who engage in the subject and demonstrate their thinking skills through participation in the class.

34

7.1 Why Attend Classes at All?

Learning Objectives

1. Describe reasons why it is important to attend classes.

2. Know what to do if you must miss a class.

3. Explain the benefits of participating in class for both students and instructors.

Among the student freedoms in university is the choice not to attend classes. Most university instructors do not “grade” attendance, and some university students soon develop an attitude that if you can get class notes from someone else, or watch a podcast of a lecture, there’s no reason to go to every class at all. What’s wrong with that?

It is in fact true that you don’t have to attend every single class of every course to get a good grade. But thinking only in terms of grades and how much one can get away with is a dangerous attitude toward university education. The real issue is whether you’re trying to get the most out of your education. Let’s compare students with different attitudes toward their classes:

Carla wants to get through university, and she knows she needs the degree to get a decent job, but she’s just not that into it. She’s never thought of herself as a good student, and that hasn’t changed much in university. She has trouble paying attention in those big lecture classes, which mostly seem pretty boring. She’s pretty sure she can pass all her courses, however, as long as she takes the time to study before tests. It doesn’t bother her to skip classes when she’s studying for a test in a different class or finishing a reading assignment she didn’t get around to earlier. She does make it through her freshman year with a passing grade in every class, even those she didn’t go to very often. Then she fails the midterm exam in her first sophomore class. Depressed, she skips the next couple classes, then feels guilty and goes to the next. It’s even harder to stay awake because now she has no idea what they’re talking about. It’s too late to drop the course, and even a hard night of studying before the final isn’t enough to pass the course. In two other classes, she just barely passes. She has no idea what classes to take next term and is starting to think that maybe she’ll drop out for now.

Karen wants to have a good time in university and still do well enough to get a good job in business afterward. Her student group keeps a file of class notes for her big lecture classes, and from talking to others and reviewing these notes, she’s discovered she can skip almost half of those big classes and still get a B or C on the tests. She stays focused on her grades, and because she has a good memory, she’s able to maintain OK grades. She doesn’t worry about talking to her instructors outside of class because she can always find out what she needs from another student. In her sophomore year, she has a quick conversation with her academic advisor and chooses her major. Those classes are smaller, and she goes to most of them, but she feels she’s pretty much figured out how it works and can usually still get the grade. In her senior year, she starts working on her résumé and asks other students in her major which instructors write the best letters of recommendation. She’s sure her university degree will land her a good job.

Alicia enjoys her classes, even when she has to get up early after working or studying late the night before. She sometimes gets so excited by something she learns in class that she rushes up to the instructor after class to ask a question. In class discussions, she’s not usually the first to speak out, but by the time another student has given an opinion, she’s had time to organize her thoughts and enjoys arguing her ideas. Nearing the end of her sophomore year and unsure of what to major in given her many interests, she talks things over with one of her favorite instructors, whom she has gotten to know through office visits. The instructor gives her some insights into careers in that field and helps her explore her interests. She takes two more courses with this instructor over the next year, and she’s comfortable in her senior year going to him to ask for a job reference. When she does, she’s surprised and thrilled when he urges her to apply for a high-level paid internship with a company in the field—that happens to be run by a friend of his.

Think about the differences in the attitudes of these three students and how they approach their classes. One’s attitude toward learning, toward going to class, and toward the whole university experience is a huge factor in how successful a student will be. Make it your goal to attend every class—don’t even think about not going. Going to class is the first step in engaging in your education by interacting with the instructor and other students. Here are some reasons why it’s important to attend every class:

- Miss a class and you’ll miss something, even if you never know it. Even if a friend gives you notes for the class, they cannot contain everything said or shown by the instructor or written on the board for emphasis or questioned or commented on by other students. What you miss might affect your grade or your enthusiasm for the course. Why go to university at all if you’re not going to go to university?

- While some students may say that you don’t have to go to every class to do well on a test, that is very often a myth. Do you want to take that risk?

- Your final grade often reflects how you think about course concepts, and you will think more often and more clearly when engaged in class discussions and hearing the comments of other students. You can’t get this by borrowing class notes from a friend.

- Research shows there is a correlation between absences from class and lower grades. It may be that missing classes causes lower grades or that students with lower grades miss more classes. Either way, missing classes and lower grades can be intertwined in a downward spiral of achievement.

- Your instructor will note your absences—even in a large class. In addition to making a poor impression, you reduce your opportunities for future interactions. You might not ask a question the next class because of the potential embarrassment of the instructor saying that was covered in the last class, which you apparently missed. Nothing is more insulting to an instructor than when you skip a class and then show up to ask, “Did I miss anything important?”

- You might be tempted to skip a class because the instructor is “boring,” but it’s more likely that you found the class boring because you weren’t very attentive or didn’t appreciate how the instructor was teaching.

- You paid a lot of money for your tuition. Get your money’s worth!

Figure 7.2 – In a large class, your instructor will still notice if you are paying attention
teddy-rised – That Huge Lecture Theatre! – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Attending the first day of class is especially critical. There you’ll get the syllabus and other handouts, learn the instructor’s policies and preferences for how the class will function, and often take notes in an opening lecture.

If You Must Miss a Class…

- If you know that you will miss a class, take steps in advance. Tell your instructor and ask if he or she teaches another section of the course that you might attend instead. Ask about any handouts or special announcements.

- Ask another student whose judgment you trust if you can copy his or her notes. Then talk to them after you’ve read their notes to go over things that may be unclear to you.

- It may not be necessary to see your instructor after missing a lecture class, and no instructor wants to give you fifty minutes of office time to repeat what was said in class. But if you are having difficulty after the next class because of something you missed earlier, stop and see your instructor and ask what you can do to get caught up. But remember the worst thing you can say to an instructor: “I missed class—did you talk about anything important?”

The Value of Interaction in Class

As noted earlier, there are many good reasons to attend every class. But it’s not enough just to be there—you need to interact with the the instructor and other students to enjoy a full educational experience:

Figure 7.3 – In a small class, it’s easy to interact with the instructor
Susan Sermoneta – small group work at FIT- 2/2005 – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

- Participating in class discussions is a good way to start meeting other students with whom you share an interest. You may form a study group, borrow class notes if you miss a class, or team up with other students on a group project. You may meet students with whom you form a lasting relationship, developing your network of contacts for other benefits in the future, such as learning about internships or jobs.

- Asking the instructor questions, answering the instructor’s questions in class, and responding to other students’ comments is a good way to make an impression on your instructor. The instructor will remember you as an engaged student—and this matters if you later need extra help or even a potential mentor.

- Paying close attention and thinking critically about what an instructor is saying can dramatically improve your enjoyment of the class. You’ll notice things you’d miss if you’re feeling bored and may discover your instructor is much more interesting than you first thought.

- Students actively engaged in their class learn more and thus get better grades. When you speak out in class and answer the instructor’s questions, you are more likely to remember the discussion.

Are Podcasts and Recordings an Effective Alternative to Attending Class?

Why not just listen to a recording of the lecture—or a video podcast, if available—instead of going to class? After all, you hear and perhaps see the lecture just as if you were there, and you can sleep late and “go” to this class whenever it’s convenient for you. What could be wrong with that?

This issue has received considerable discussion in recent years because many universities and universities began videotaping class lectures and making them available for students online or in podcasts. There was a lot of debate about whether students would stop coming to class and simply watch the podcasts instead. In fact, some students do cut class, as some always have, but most students use podcasts and recordings as a way to review material they do not feel they grasp completely. A video podcast doesn’t offer the opportunity to ask questions or participate, and even if you pay close attention to watching a video, it’s still a passive experience from which you’re likely to learn much less.

Key Takeaways

- The benefits of attending every class include not missing important material, thinking more clearly about course topics, developing a better relationship with the instructor, and being better prepared for tests.

- When possible, prepare in advance for missing a class by speaking with your instructor and arranging to borrow and discuss someone’s notes.

- Students benefit in many ways from class interaction, including more actively engaging in learning, developing a network with other students, and forming a relationship with the instructor.

- Podcasts, lecture recordings, and similar learning methods can supplement lectures but cannot replace all the benefits of attending class in person.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Why is it more important to interact with your instructors in university than it was in high school?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. Give an example of something important you may miss in a class from which you are absent—even if you read a friend’s notes and hear a recording of the lecture.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. List at least three potential benefits of forming a network with other students.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. What can you do as a student to be more engaged during a lecture if you are finding it boring?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

35

7.2 Participating in Class

Learning Objectives

1. Understand how to set yourself up for successful participation in class.

2. List guidelines for effectively asking and answering questions in class.

3. Describe how to interact successfully with an instructor in a large lecture class.

4. Explain strategies for effective learning if your learning style is different from your instructor’s teaching style.

We’ve already discussed the many benefits of participating in class as a form of actively engaging in learning. Not everyone naturally feels comfortable participating. Following some general guidelines makes it easier.

Guidelines for Participating in Classes

Smaller classes generally favor discussion, but often instructors in large lecture classes also make some room for participation.

The concern or fear about speaking in public is one of the most common fears. If you feel afraid to speak out in class, take comfort from the fact that many others do as well—and that anyone can learn how to speak in class without much difficulty. Class participation is actually an impromptu, informal type of public speaking, and the same principles will get you through both: preparing and communicating.

- Set yourself up for success by coming to class fully prepared. Complete reading assignments. Review your notes on the reading and previous class to get yourself in the right mind-set. If there is something you don’t understand well, start formulating your question now.

- Sit in the front with a good view of the instructor, board or screen, and other visual aids. In a lecture hall, this will help you hear better, pay better attention, and make a good impression on the instructor. Don’t sit with friends—socializing isn’t what you’re there for.

- Remember that your body language communicates as much as anything you say. Sit up and look alert, with a pleasant expression on your face, and make good eye contact with the instructor. Show some enthusiasm.

- Pay attention to the instructor’s body language, which can communicate much more than just his or her words. How the instructor moves and gestures, and the looks on his or her face, will add meaning to the words—and will also cue you when it’s a good time to ask a question or stay silent.

- Take good notes, but don’t write obsessively—and never page through your textbook (or browse on a laptop). Don’t eat or play with your cell phone. Except when writing brief notes, keep your eyes on the instructor.

- Follow class protocol for making comments and asking questions. In a small class, the instructor may encourage students to ask questions at any time, while in some large lecture classes the instructor may ask for questions at the end of the lecture. In this case, jot your questions in your notes so that you don’t forget them later.

- Don’t say or ask anything just to try to impress your instructor. Most instructors have been teaching long enough to immediately recognize insincere flattery—and the impression this makes is just the opposite of what you want.

- Pay attention to the instructor’s thinking style. Does this instructor emphasize theory more than facts, wide perspectives over specific ideas, abstractions more than concrete experience? Take a cue from your instructor’s approach and try to think in similar terms when participating in class.

- It’s fine to disagree with your instructor when you ask or answer a question. Many instructors invite challenges. Before speaking up, however, be sure you can explain why you disagree and give supporting evidence or reasons. Be respectful.

- Pay attention to your communication style. Use standard English when you ask or answer a question, not slang. Avoid sarcasm and joking around. Be assertive when you participate in class, showing confidence in your ideas while being respectful of the ideas of others. But avoid an aggressive style that attacks the ideas of others or is strongly emotional.

- When your instructor asks a question to the class:

- Raise your hand and make eye contact, but don’t call out or wave your hand all around trying to catch his or her attention.

- Before speaking, take a moment to gather your thoughts and take a deep breath. Don’t just blurt it out—speak calmly and clearly.

- When your instructor asks you a question directly:

- Be honest and admit it if you don’t know the answer or are not sure. Don’t try to fake it or make excuses. With a question that involves a reasoned opinion more than a fact, it’s fine to explain why you haven’t decided yet, such as when weighing two opposing ideas or actions; your comment may stimulate further discussion.

- Organize your thoughts to give a sufficient answer. Instructors seldom want a yes or no answer. Give your answer and provide reasons or evidence in support.

- When you want to ask the instructor a question:

- Don’t ever feel a question is “stupid.” If you have been paying attention in class and have done the reading and you still don’t understand something, you have every right to ask.

- Ask at the appropriate time. Don’t interrupt the instructor or jump ahead and ask a question about something the instructor may be starting to explain. Wait for a natural pause and a good moment to ask. On the other hand, unless the instructor asks students to hold all question until the end of class, don’t let too much time go by, or you may forget the question or its relevance to the topic.

- Don’t ask just because you weren’t paying attention. If you drift off during the first half of class and then realize in the second half that you don’t really understand what the instructor is talking about now, don’t ask a question about something that was already covered.

- Don’t ask a question that is really a complaint. You may be thinking, “Why would so-and-so believe that? That’s just crazy!” Take a moment to think about what you might gain from asking the question. It’s better to say, “I’m having some difficulty understanding what so-and-so is saying here. What evidence did he use to argue for that position?”

- Avoid dominating a discussion. It may be appropriate in some cases to make a follow-up comment after the instructor answers your question, but don’t try to turn the class into a one-on-one conversation between you and the instructor.

Lecture Hall Classes

Figure 7.4 – Don’t use your cell phone during class time
Tom Woodward – Undercover – CC BY-NC 2.0.

While opportunities are fewer for student discussions in large lecture classes, participation is still important. The instructor almost always provides an opportunity to ask questions. Because time is limited, be ready with your question or comment when the opportunity arises—and don’t be shy about raising your hand first.

Being prepared is especially important in lecture classes. Have assigned readings done before class and review your notes. If you have a genuine question about something in the reading, ask about it. Jot down the question in your notes and be ready to ask if the lecture doesn’t clear it up for you.

Being prepared before asking a question also includes listening carefully to the lecture. You don’t want to ask a question whose answer was already given by the instructor in the lecture. Take a moment to organize your thoughts and choose your words carefully. Be as specific as you can. Don’t say something like, “I don’t understand the big deal about whether the earth revolves around the sun or the sun around the earth. So what?” Instead, you might ask, “When they discovered that the earth revolves around the sun, was that such a disturbing idea because people were upset to realize that maybe they weren’t the center of the universe?” The first question suggests you haven’t thought much about the topic, while the second shows that you are beginning to grasp the issue and want to understand it more fully.

Following are some additional guidelines for asking good questions:

- Ask a question or two early in the term, even on the first day of class. Once the instructor has “noticed” you as a class participant, you are more likely to be recognized again when you have a question. You won’t be lost in the crowd.

- Speak deliberately and professionally, not as you might when talking with a friend. Use standard English rather than slang.

- If you’re very shy about public speaking or worried you’ll say the wrong thing, write down your question before asking. Rehearse it in your mind.

- When you have the opportunity to ask questions in class, it’s better to ask right away rather than saving a question for after class. If you really find it difficult to speak up in a large class, this is an acceptable way to ask your question and participate. A private conversation with an instructor may also be more appropriate if the question involves a paper or other project you are working on for the course.

A note on technology in the lecture hall. Universities are increasingly incorporating new technology in lecture halls. For example, each student in the lecture hall may use an app or other electronic system (using your smart phone) to which the instructor can gain instant feedback on questions in class. Or the classroom may have wireless Internet and students are encouraged to use their laptops to communicate with the instructor in “real time” during the lecture. In these cases, the most important thing is to take it seriously, even if you have anonymity. Most students appreciate the ability to give feedback and ask questions through such technology, but some abuse their anonymity by sending irrelevant, disruptive, or insulting messages.

Teaching Style versus Learning Style

As you learned in Chapter 1 “You and Your University Experience”, students have many different learning styles. Understanding your learning style(s) can help you study more effectively. Most instructors tend to develop their own teaching style, however, and you will encounter different teaching styles in different courses.

When the instructor’s teaching style matches your learning style, you are usually more attentive in class and may seem to learn better. But what happens if your instructor has a style very different from your own? Let’s say, for example, that your instructor primarily lectures, speaks rapidly, and seldom uses visuals. This instructor also talks mostly on the level of large abstract ideas and almost never gives examples. Let’s say that you, in contrast, are more a visual learner, that you learn more effectively with visual aids and visualizing concrete examples of ideas. Therefore, perhaps you are having some difficulty paying attention in class and following the lectures. What can you do?

- Capitalize on your learning strengths, as you learned in Chapter 1 “You and Your University Experience”. In this example, you could use a visual style of note taking, such as concept maps, while listening to the lecture. If the instructor does not give examples for abstract ideas in the lecture, see if you can supply examples in your own thoughts as you listen.

- Form a study group with other students. A variety of students will likely involve a variety of learning styles, and when going over course material with other students, such as when studying for a test, you can gain what they have learned through their styles while you contribute what you have learned through yours.

- Use ancillary study materials. Many textbooks point students to online resource centers or include a computer CD that offers additional learning materials. Such ancillary materials usually offer an opportunity to review course material in ways that may better fit your learning style.

- Communicate with your instructor to bridge the gap between his or her teaching style and your learning style. If the instructor is speaking in abstractions and general ideas you don’t understand, ask the instructor for an example.

- You can also communicate with the instructor privately during office hours. For example, you can explain that you are having difficulty understanding lectures because so many things are said so fast.

Finally, take heart that a mismatch between a student’s learning style and an instructor’s teaching style is not correlated with lower grades.

Key Takeaways

- To prepare for class participation, come to class ready, sit in front, and pay attention to the instructor’s words and body language.

- Use good communication techniques when asking or answering questions in class.

- Take advantage of all opportunities to interact with your instructors, even in large lecture classes.

- If your learning style does not match the instructor’s teaching style, adapt your learning and study with other students to stay actively engaged.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. For each of the following statements about class participation, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

To avoid having to answer a question in class when you don’t know the answer, sit in the back row and avoid making eye contact with the instructor.

T

F

If you haven’t finished a reading assignment before coming to a lecture class, bring the book along and try to complete the reading during the lecture.

T

F

Although it is OK to disagree with something in your textbook, never disagree with something the instructor says in a lecture.

T

F

If you are asked a question but don’t know the answer, it’s best to be honest and admit it.

T

F

Before raising your hand to ask a question, take a moment to consider whether maybe it’s a stupid question.

T

F

Because you don’t want your instructor to form a poor impression of you, wait a week or two into the term before starting to ask questions in class.

T

F

If you’re shy, it’s best never to speak up in class at all.

T

F

If you are struggling with a class during the first two weeks of the term, it’s always best to drop the class immediately because the situation won’t improve.

2. List two things you can do if you are having difficulty understanding what your instructor is talking about.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

36

7.3 Communicating with Instructors

Learning Objectives

1. Describe additional benefits for interacting with your instructor beyond the value for that particular course.

2. List guidelines for successfully communicating individually with an instructor, such as doing so during office hours.

3. Write e-mail messages to instructors and others that are polite, professional, and effective.

4. Know how to graciously resolve a problem, such as a grade dispute, with an instructor.

5. Understand the value of having a mentor and how interactions with instructors, your academic advisor, and others may lead to a mentoring relationship.

6. Explain what is needed to succeed in an online course and how to interact with an online instructor.

So far we’ve been looking at class participation and general interaction with both instructors and other students in class. In addition to this, students gain very specific benefits from communicating directly with their instructors. Learn best practices for communicating with your instructors during office hours and through e-mail.

Additional Benefits of Talking with Your Instructors

University students are sometimes surprised to discover that instructors like students and enjoy getting to know them. After all, they want to feel they’re doing something more meaningful than talking to an empty room. The human dimension of university really matters, and as a student you are an important part of your instructor’s world. Most instructors are happy to see you during their office hours or to talk a few minutes after class.

This chapter has repeatedly emphasized how active participation in learning is a key to student success. In addition, talking with your instructors often leads to benefits beyond simply doing well in that class.

- Talking with instructors helps you feel more comfortable in university and more connected to the campus. Students who talk to their instructors are less likely to become disillusioned and drop out.

- Talking with instructors is a valuable way to learn about an academic field or a career. Don’t know for sure what you want to major in, or what people with a degree in your chosen major actually do after university? Most instructors will share information and insights with you.

- You may need a reference or letter of recommendation for a job or internship application. Getting to know some of your instructors puts you in an ideal position to ask for a letter of recommendation or a reference in the future when you need one.

- Because instructors are often well connected within their field, they may know of a job, internship, or research possibility you otherwise may not learn about. An instructor who knows you is a valuable part of your network. Networking is very important for future job searches and other opportunities. In fact, most jobs are found through networking, not through classified ads or online job postings.

- Think about what it truly means to be “educated”: how one thinks, understands society and the world, and responds to problems and new situations. Much of this learning occurs outside the classroom. Talking with your highly educated instructors can be among your most meaningful experiences in university.

Guidelines for Communicating with Instructors

Getting along with instructors and communicating well begins with attitude. As experts in their field, they deserve your respect. Remember that a university education is a collaborative process that works best when students and instructors communicate freely in an exchange of ideas, information, and perspectives. So while you should respect your instructors, you shouldn’t fear them. As you get to know them better, you’ll learn their personalities and find appropriate ways to communicate. Here are some guidelines for getting along with and communicating with your instructors:

Figure 7.5 – Your instructor can often help explain course topics
NJLA : New Jersey Library Association – Tutoring @ Long Branch Library – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

- Prepare before going to the instructor’s office. Go over your notes on readings and lectures and write down your specific questions. You’ll feel more comfortable, and the instructor will appreciate your being organized.

- Don’t forget to introduce yourself. Especially near the beginning of the term, don’t assume your instructor has learned everyone’s names yet and don’t make him or her have to ask you. Unless the instructor has already asked you to address him or her as “Dr. ____,” “Ms. _____” or Mr. _______,” or something similar, it’s appropriate to say “Professor _______.”

- Respect the instructor’s time. In addition to teaching, university instructors sit on committees, do research and other professional work, and have personal lives. Don’t show up two minutes before the end of an office hour and expect the instructor to stay late to talk with you.

- Realize that the instructor will recognize you from class—even in a large lecture hall. If you spent a lecture class joking around with friends in the back row, don’t think you can show up during office hours to find out what you missed while you weren’t paying attention.

- Don’t try to fool an instructor. Insincere praise or making excuses for not doing an assignment won’t make it in university. Nor is it a good idea to show you’re “too cool” to take all this seriously—another attitude sure to turn off an instructor. To earn your instructor’s respect, come to class prepared, do the work, participate genuinely in class, and show respect—and the instructor will be happy to see you when you come to office hours or need some extra help.

- Try to see things from the instructor’s point of view. Imagine that you spent a couple hours making PowerPoint slides and preparing a class lecture on something you find very stimulating and exciting. Standing in front of a full room, you are gratified to see faces smiling and heads nodding as people understand what you’re saying—they really get it! And then a student after class asks, “Is this going to be on the test?” How would you feel?

- Be professional when talking to an instructor. You can be cordial and friendly, but keep it professional and on an adult level. Come to office hours prepared with your questions—not just to chat or joke around. (Don’t wear sunglasses or earphones in the office or check your cell phone for messages.) Be prepared to accept criticism in a professional way, without taking it personally or complaining.

- Use your best communication skills. In Chapter 9 “The Social World of University”, you’ll learn the difference between assertive communication and passive or aggressive communication.

Part-Time and Returning Students

Students who are working and who have their own families and other responsibilities may have special issues interacting with instructors. Sometimes an older student feels a little out of place and may even feel “the system” is designed for younger students; this attitude can lead to a hesitation to participate in class or see an instructor during office hours.

But participation and communication with instructors is very important for all students—and may be even more important for “nontraditional” students. Getting to know your instructors is particularly crucial for feeling at home in university. Instructors enjoy talking with older and other nontraditional students—even when, as sometimes happens, a student is older than the instructor. Nontraditional students are often highly motivated and eager to learn. If you can’t make the instructor’s office hours because of your work schedule, ask for an appointment at a different time—your needs will be respected.

Part-time students, who may be taking evening courses, often have greater difficulty meeting with instructors. In addition, many part-time students taking evening and weekend classes are taught by part-time faculty who, like them, may be on campus only small amounts of time. Yet it is just as critical for part-time students to engage in the learning process and have a sense of belonging on campus. With effort, you can usually find a way to talk with your instructors. Don’t hesitate to ask for an appointment at another time or to meet with your instructor over a cup of coffee after class before driving home. Assert yourself: You are in university for reasons just as good as those of other students, and you have the same rights. Avoid the temptation to give up or feel defeated; talk with your instructor to arrange a time to meet, and make the most of your time interacting together. Use e-mail to communicate when you need to and contact your instructor when you have any question you can’t raise in person.

E-mail Best Practices

Just as e-mail has become a primary form of communication in business and society, e-mail has a growing role in education and has become an important and valuable means of communicating with instructors. Virtually all younger university students have grown up using e-mail and have a computer or computer access in university, although some have developed poor habits from using e-mail principally with friends in the past. Some older university students may not yet understand the importance of e-mail and other computer skills in university; if you are not now using e-mail, it’s time to learn how (see “Getting Started with E-mail”). Especially when it is difficult to see an instructor in person during office hours, e-mail can be an effective form of communication and interaction with instructors. E-mail is also an increasingly effective way to collaborate with other students on group projects or while studying with other students.

Getting Started with E-mail

- If you don’t have your own computer, find out where on-campus computers are available for student use, such as at the library or your local .

- Many students have a gmail or hotmail account they use for personal communications.  As a University student you will be provided with an email account hosted by the university.  This is the email you should use to communicate with your faculty.  Other email accounts may be blocked as SPAM.  You can go in and personalize your email account and forward items yo other accounts.

- If you don’t have enough computer experience to know how to do this, ask a friend for help getting started or check at your library or student services office for a publication explaining how e-mail works.

- Once you have your account set up, give your e-mail address to instructors who request it and to other students with whom you study or maintain contact. E-mail is a good way to contact another student if you miss a class.

- Once you begin using e-mail, remember to check it regularly for messages. Most people view e-mail like a telephone message and expect you to respond fairly soon.

- Be sure to use good e-mail etiquette when writing to instructors.

If your instructor gives you his or her e-mail addresses, use e-mail rather than the telephone for nonurgent matters. Using e-mail respects other people’s time, allowing them to answer at a time of their choosing, rather than being interrupted by a telephone call.

But e-mail is a written form of communication that is different from telephone voice messages and text messages. Students who text with friends have often adopted shortcuts, such as not spelling out full words, ignoring capitalization and punctuation, and not bothering with grammar or full sentence constructions. This is inappropriate in an e-mail message to an instructor, who expects a more professional quality of writing. Most instructors expect your communications to be in full sentences with correctly spelled words and reasonable grammar. Follow these guidelines:

- Use a professional e-mail name. If you have a funny name you use with friends, create a different account with a professional name you use with instructors, work supervisors, and others.

- Use the subject line to label your message effectively at a glance. “May I make an appointment?” says something; “In your office?” doesn’t.

- Address e-mail messages as you do a letter, beginning “Dear Professor ____.” Include your full name if it’s not easily recognizable in your e-mail account.

- Get to your point quickly and concisely. Don’t make the reader scroll down a long e-mail to see what it is you want to say.

- Because e-mail is a written communication, it does not express emotion the way a voice message does. Don’t attempt to be funny, ironic, or sarcastic, Write as you would in a paper for class. In a large lecture class or an online course, your e-mail voice may be the primary way your instructor knows you, and emotionally charged messages can be confusing or give a poor impression.

- Don’t use capital letters to emphasize. All caps look like SHOUTING.

- Avoid abbreviations, nonstandard spelling, slang, and emoticons like smiley faces. These do not convey a professional tone.

- Don’t make demands or state expectations such as “I’ll expect to hear from you soon” or “If I haven’t heard by 4 p.m., I’ll assume you’ll accept my paper late.”

- When you reply to a message, leave the original message within yours. Your reader may need to recall what he or she said in the original message.

- Be polite. End the message with a “Thank you” or something similar.

- Proofread your message before sending it.

- With any important message to a work supervisor or instructor, it’s a good idea to wait and review the message later before sending it. You may have expressed an emotion or thought that you will think better about later. Many problems have resulted when people sent messages too quickly without thinking.

Resolving a Problem with an Instructor

The most common issue students feel with an instructor involves receiving a grade lower than they think they deserve—especially new students not yet used to the higher standards of university. It’s depressing to get a low grade, but it’s not the end of the world. Don’t be too hard on yourself—or on the instructor. Take a good look at what happened on the test or paper and make sure you know what to do better next time. Review the earlier chapters on studying habits, time management, and taking tests.

If you genuinely believe you deserved a higher grade, you can talk with your instructor. How you communicate in that conversation, however, is very important. Instructors are used to hearing students complain about grades and patiently explaining their standards for grading. Most instructors seldom change grades. Yet it can still be worthwhile to talk with the instructor because of what you will learn from the experience.

Follow these guidelines to talk about a grade or resolve any other problem or disagreement with an instructor:

- First go over the requirements for the paper or test and the instructor’s comments. Be sure you actually have a reason for discussing the grade—not just that you didn’t do well. Be prepared with specific points you want to go over.

- Make an appointment with your instructor during office hours or another time. Don’t try to talk about this before or after class or with e-mail or the telephone.

- Begin by politely explaining that you thought you did better on the assignment or test (not simply that you think you deserve a better grade) and that you’d like to go over it to better understand the result.

- Allow the instructor to explain his or her comments on the assignment or grading of the test. Don’t complain or whine; instead, show your appreciation for the explanation. Raise any specific questions or make comments at this time. For example, you might say, “I really thought I was being clear here when I wrote.…”

- Use good listening skills. Whatever you do, don’t argue!

- Ask what you can do to improve your grade, if possible. Can you rewrite the paper or do any extra-credit work to help make up for a test score? While you are showing that you would like to earn a higher grade in the course, also make it clear that you’re willing to put in the effort and that you want to learn more, not just get the higher grade.

- If there is no opportunity to improve on this specific project, ask the instructor for advice on what you might do on the next assignment or when preparing for the next test. You may be offered some individual help or receive good study advice, and your instructor will respect your willingness to make the effort as long as it’s clear that you’re more interested in learning than simply getting the grade.

Figure 7.6 – Students Interact with their Professor
Mosborne01 – Wikipedia Commons – CC BY-SA 3.0

Tips for Success: Talking with Instructors

- When you have a question, ask it sooner rather than later.

- Be prepared and plan your questions and comments in advance.

- Be respectful but personable and communicate professionally.

- Be open minded and ready to learn. Avoid whining and complaining.

- There is no such thing as a “stupid question.”

Controlling Anger over Grades

If you’re going to talk with an instructor about your grade or any other problem, control any anger you may be feeling. Here are a few tips to help you control your anger before you do or say something that you might later regret:

- Being upset about a grade is good because it shows you care and that you have passion about your education. But anger prevents clear thinking, so rein it in first.

- Since anger involves bodily reactions, physical actions can help you control anger: try some deep breathing first.

- Try putting yourself in your instructor’s shoes and seeing the situation from their point of view. Try to understand how grading is not a personal issue of “liking” you—that they are really doing something for your educational benefit.

- It’s not your life that’s being graded. Things outside your control can result in not doing well on a test or assignment, but the instructor can grade only on what you actually did on that test or assignment—not what you could have done or are capable of doing. Understanding this can help you accept what happened and not take a grade personally.

Finding a Mentor

A mentor is someone who is usually older and more experienced than you who becomes your trusted guide, advisor, and role model. A mentor is someone you may want to be like in your future career or profession—someone you look up to and whose advice and guidance you respect.  Some universities have formal systems to help you find an appropriate mentor.  Ask at our student services office to see if there is a program available to you.

Finding a mentor can be one of the most fulfilling aspects of university. As a student, you think about many things and make many decisions, large and small, almost daily: What do you want to do in the future? How can you best balance your studies with your job? What should you major in? Should you take this course or that one? What should you do if you feel like you’re failing a course? Where should you put your priorities as you prepare for a future career? How can you be a better student? The questions go on and on. We talk about things like this with our friends and often family members, but often they don’t have the same experience or background to help us as a mentor can.

Most important, a mentor is someone who is willing to help you, to talk with you about decisions you face, to support you when things become difficult, and to guide you when you’re feeling lost. A mentor can become a valuable part of your future network but also can help you in the here and now.

Many different people can become mentors: other students, family members, people you know through work, your boss. As a university student, however, your best mentor likely is someone involved in education: your advisor, a more experienced student, or an instructor. Finding a mentor is another reason to develop good relationships with your instructors, starting with class participation and communication outside of class.

A mentor is not like a good friend, exactly—you’re not going to invite your instructor to a movie—but it does involve a form of friendship. Nor is a mentor a formal relationship: you don’t ask an instructor to become your mentor. The mentor relationship is more informal and develops slowly, often without actively looking for a mentor. Here’s an example of how one student “found” a mentor:

As a freshman taking several classes, Miguel particularly liked and admired one of his instructors, Professor Canton. Miguel spoke up more in Canton’s class and talked with him sometimes during office hours. When it was time to register for the next term, Miguel saw that Canton was teaching another course he was interested in, so he asked him about that course one day during office hours. Miguel was pleased when Professor Canton said he’d like to have him in his class next term.
By the end of his first year of university, Miguel seemed to know Canton better than any of his other instructors and felt very comfortable talking with him outside of class. One day after talking about a reading assignment, Miguel said he was enjoying this class so much that he was thinking about majoring in this subject and asked Professor Canton what he thought about it. Canton suggested that he take a few more classes before making a decision, and he invited Miguel to sit in on a seminar of upper-level students he was holding.
In his second year, Miguel’s interests turned in another direction as he began to think about his future job possibilities, but by then he felt comfortable enough talking with Canton that he occasionally he stopped by the professor’s office even though he was not taking a class with him. Sometimes he was surprised how much Professor Canton knew about other departments and other faculty, and Canton often shared insights about other courses he might be interested in that his advisor had not directed him to. When Miguel learned about a summer internship in his field and was considering applying, Canton not only volunteered to write him a letter of recommendation but even offered to help Miguel with the essay part of the application if he wanted.

Some universities have more formal mentoring programs, and you should become involved in one if you have this opportunity, but often a mentoring relationship occurs informally as you get to know an instructor or another person over time. In your first year, you don’t go searching frantically for a mentor, but you should begin interacting with your instructors and other students in ways that may lead, over time, to developing that kind of relationship.

Similarly, your academic advisor or a university counselor might become a mentor for you if you share interests and you look up to that person as a role model and trusted guide. Your advisor is so important for your university success that if you feel you are not getting along well, you should ask the advising department to switch you to a different advisor. Take the time to build a good relationship with your advisor, the same as with instructors—following the same guidelines in this chapter for communication and interaction.

Relating to an Instructor of an Online Course

Online courses have grown tremendously in recent years, and most universities now have at least some online courses. While online learning once focused on students at a distance from campus, now many students enrolled in regular classes also take some courses online. Online courses have a number of practical benefits but also pose special issues, primarily related to how students interact with other students and the instructor.

Some online courses do involve “face time” or live audio connections with the instructor and other students, via Webcasts or Webinars, but many are self-paced and asynchronous, meaning that you experience the course on your own time and communicate with others via messages back and forth rather than communicating in real time. All online courses include opportunities for interacting with the instructor, typically through e-mail or a bulletin board where you may see comments and questions from other students as well.

Figure 7.7 – Online courses let you study when you want, where you want.
UniversityDegrees360 – Girl Using Laptop in park – CC BY-SA 2.0.

Many educators argue that online courses can involve more interaction between students and the instructor than in a large lecture class, not less. But two important differences affect how that interaction occurs and how successful it is for engaging students in learning. Most communication is written, with no or limited opportunity to ask questions face to face or during office hours, and students must take the initiative to interact beyond the requirements of online assignments.

Many students enjoy online courses, in part for the practical benefit of scheduling your own time. Some students who are reluctant to speak in class communicate more easily in writing. But other students may have less confidence in their writing skills or may never initiate interaction at all and end up feeling lost. Depending on your learning style, an online course may feel natural to you (if you learn well independently and through language skills) or more difficult (if you are a more visual or kinesthetic learner). Online courses have higher drop-out and failure rates due to some students feeling isolated and unmotivated.

Success in an online course requires commitment and motivation. Follow these guidelines:

- Make sure you have the technology. If you’re not comfortable reading and writing on a computer, don’t rush into an online course. If you have limited access to a computer or high-speed Internet connection, or have to arrange your schedule to use a computer elsewhere, you may have difficulty with the course.

- Accept that you’ll have to motivate yourself and take responsibility for your learning. It’s actually harder for some people to sit down at the computer on their own than to show up at a set time. Be sure you have enough time in your week for all course activities and try to schedule regular times online and for assignments. Evaluate the course requirements carefully before signing up.

- Work on your writing skills. If you are not comfortable writing, you may want to defer taking online courses until you have had more experience with university-level writing. When communicating with the instructor of an online course, follow the guidelines for effective e-mail outlined earlier.

- Use critical thinking skills. Most online courses involve assignments requiring problem solving and critical thinking. It’s not as simple as watching video lectures and taking multiple-choice tests. You need to actively engage with the course material.

- Take the initiative to ask questions and seek help. Remember, your instructor can’t see you to know if you’re confused or feeling frustrated understanding a lecture or reading. You must take the first step to communicate your questions.

- Be patient. When you ask a question or seek help with an assignment, you have to wait for a reply from your instructor. You may need to continue with a reading or writing assignment before you receive a reply. If the instructor is online at scheduled times for direct contact, take advantage of those times for immediate feedback and answers.

- Use any opportunity to interact with other students in the course. If you can interact with other students online, do it. Ask questions of other students and monitor their communications. If you know another person taking the same course, try to synchronize your schedules so that you can study together and talk over assignments. Students who feel they are part of a learning community always do better than those who feel isolated and on their own.

Key Takeaways

- Additional benefits of getting to know and networking with instructors include receiving references and academic advice.

- Interacting with university instructors contributes to the growth and intellectual maturity that are part of what it means to be “educated.”

- Prepare in advance before meeting with an instructor and communicate respectfully, honestly, and sincerely. Your efforts will be repaid.

- It is especially important for part-time and nontraditional students to make the effort to interact with instructors.

- Follow accepted guidelines for professional use of e-mail with instructors.

- It is worthwhile speaking with an instructor when you disagree about a grade because of what you will learn in this interaction.

- Finding a mentor can be one of the most fulfilling experiences in university. Getting to know your instructors may be the first step toward find a mentor.

- Online courses involve special issues for effective learning, but you must make the effort to interact with the instructor and other students in a way that encourages your success.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Name three benefits you might gain from talking with an instructor weeks or months after the course has ended.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. What should you do before going to see your instructor during office hours?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. For each of the following statements, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

The instructor of a large lecture course will recognize you even if you sit in the back and try not to be noticed.

T

F

Instructors appreciate it when you talk to them in the kind of language you use with your best friends.

T

F

Whining and complaining is the best way to convince an instructor to change your grade.

T

F

It is acceptable to ask an instructor if you can rewrite a paper or do extra-credit work to help make up for a poor grade.

4. Write an appropriate opening for an e-mail to an instructor.

__________________________________________________________________

5. Think for a few minutes about all the past instructors you have had. Would you like to get to know any one of them better, perhaps as a mentor? What personality traits does this person have that would make him or her your ideal mentor? (If no instructor you have met so far is your idea of a perfect mentor, write down the traits you hope to find in an instructor in the future.)

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

37

7.4 Public Speaking and Class Presentations

Learning Objectives

1. Know how to overcome nervousness and anxiety associated with public speaking and giving class presentations.

2. Effectively use the six-step process to prepare for and deliver a class presentation.

3. Create effective visual aids for use in class presentations.

4. Work with a group to successfully plan and deliver a class presentation.

Public speaking—giving an oral presentation before a class or another group of people—is a special form of interaction common in education. You will likely be asked to give a presentation in one of your classes at some point, and your future career may also involve public speaking. It’s important to develop skills for this form of communication.

Public speaking is like participating in class—sharing your thoughts, ideas, and questions with others in the group. In other ways, however, public speaking is very different. You stand in front of the class to speak, rather than from your usual seat—and for most students, that changes the psychology of the situation. You also have time outside of class to prepare your presentation, allowing you to plan it carefully—and, for many, giving more time to worry about it and experience even more anxiety!

Overcoming Anxiety

Although a few people seem to be natural public speakers, most of us feel some stage fright or anxiety about having to speak to a group, at least at first. This is completely normal. We feel like everyone is staring at us and seeing our every flaw, and we’re sure we’ll forget what we want to say or mess up. Take comfort from knowing that almost everyone else is dreading giving class presentations the same as you are! But you can learn to overcome your anxiety and prepare in a way that not only safely gets you through the experience but also leads to success in your presentation. The following are proven strategies for overcoming anxiety when speaking in public:

- Understand anxiety. Since stage fright is normal, don’t try to deny that you’re feeling anxious. A little anxiety can help motivate you to prepare and do your best. Accept this aspect of the process and work to overcome it. Anxiety is usually worst just before you begin and but eases up once you’ve begun.

- Understand that your audience actually wants you to succeed. They’re not looking for faults or hoping you’ll fail. Other students and your instructors are on your side, not your enemy. They likely won’t even see your anxiety.

- Reduce anxiety by preparing and practicing. The next section discusses the preparation process in more detail. The more fully you prepare and the more often you have practice, the more your anxiety will go away.

- Focus on what you’re saying, not how you’re saying it. Keep in mind that you have ideas to share, and this is what your classmates and instructors are interested in. Don’t obsess about speaking, but focus on the content of your presentation. Think, for example, of how easily you share your ideas with a friend or family member, as you naturally speak your mind. The same can work with public speaking if you focus on the ideas themselves.

- Develop self-confidence. As you prepare, you will make notes you can refer to during the presentation. You’re not going to forget what you want to say. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become.

Guidelines for Presentations

Preparing and delivering a presentation in class (or in business or other settings) is a process very similar to the learning process discussed in Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering”, Chapter 5 “Reading to Learn”, and Chapter 6 “Preparing for and Taking Tests” and the writing process discussed in Chapter 8 “Writing for Classes”. The process breaks down into these six basic steps:

1. Analyze your audience and goals

2. Plan, research, and organize your content

3. Draft and revise the presentation

4. Prepare speaking notes

5. Practice the presentation

6. Deliver the presentation

Step 1: Analyze Your Audience and Goals

Who will see and hear your presentation—and why? Obviously, other students and the instructor. But you still need to think about what they already know, and don’t know, about your topic. If your topic relates to subject matter in class lectures and readings, consider what background information they already have and be careful not to give a boring recap of things they already know. It may be important, however, to show how your specific topic fits in with subjects that have been discussed already in class, especially in the beginning of your presentation, but be sure to focus on your new topic.

New terms and concepts may become familiar to you while doing your research and preparation, but remember to define and explain them to other students. Consider how much explanation or examples will be needed for your audience to grasp your points. If your topic involves anything controversial or may provoke emotion, consider your audience’s attitudes and choose your words carefully. Thinking about your audience will help you find ways to get their attention and keep them interested.

Be sure you are clear about the goals for the presentation. Are you primarily presenting new information or arguing for a position? Are you giving an overview or a detailed report? Review the assignment and talk with the instructor if you’re unsure. Your goals guide everything in the presentation: what you say, how much you say, what order you say it in, what visual aids you use, whether you use humor or personal examples, and so forth.

Step 2: Plan, Research, and Organize Your Content

Starting with the assignment and your goals, brainstorm your topic. Jot notes on specific topics that seem important. Often you’ll do reading or research to gather more information. Take notes as you would with any reading. As you research the topic at this stage, don’t worry at first about how much content you are gathering. It’s better to know too much and then pick out the most important things to say than to rush ahead to drafting the presentation and then realize you don’t have enough material.

Organizing a presentation is similar to organizing topics in a class paper and uses the same principles. Introduce your topic and state your main idea (thesis), go into more detail about specific ideas, and conclude your presentation. Look for a logical order for the specifics in the middle. Some topics work best in chronological (time) order or with a compare-and-contrast organization. If your goal is to persuade the audience, build up to the strongest reason. Put similar ideas together and add transitions between different ideas.

While researching your topic and outlining your main points, think about visual aids that may help the presentation.

Also start thinking about how much time you have for the presentation, but don’t limit yourself yet in the outline stage.

Step 3: Draft and Revise the Presentation

Unless required by the assignment, you don’t need to actually write out the presentation in full sentences and paragraphs. How much you write depends on your own learning and speaking style. Some students speak well from brief phrases written in an outline, while other students find it easier to write sentences out completely. There’s nothing wrong with writing the presentation out fully like a script if that helps you be sure you will say what you intend to—just so you don’t actually get up and read from the script.

You can’t know for sure how long a presentation will last until you rehearse it later, but you can estimate the time while drafting it. On the average, it takes two to three minutes to speak what can be written on a standard double-spaced page—but with visual aids, pauses, and audience interaction, it may take longer. While this is only a rough guide, you can start out thinking of a ten-minute presentation as the equivalent of a three to four-page paper.

Never wait until the last minute to draft your presentation. Arrange your time to prepare the first draft and then come back to it a day or two later to ask these questions:

- Am I going on too long about minor points? Could the audience get bored?

- Do I have good explanations and reasons for my main points? Do I need more data or better examples? Where would visual aids be most effective?

- Am I using the best words for this topic and this audience? Should I be more or less informal in the way I talk?

- Does it all hold together and flow well from one point to the next? Do I need a better introduction or transition when I shift from one idea to another?

Visual Aids in Presentations

Except for very short informal presentations, most presentations gain from visuals—and visual aids are often expected. If encouraged or allowed to include visuals in your presentation, plan to do so. Consider all possible types:

- Charts or graphs

- Maps

- Photos or other images

- Video clips

- Handouts (only when necessary—they can be distracting)

Use the available technology, whether it’s an overhead projector, PowerPoint slides, a flip chart, or posters. (Talk to your instructor about resources and software for designing your visuals.) Follow these guidelines:

- Design your visuals carefully. Here are some basic rules:

- Use a simple, neutral background. A light-colored background with text in a dark color works best for words; a dark background used like matting works best for photos.

- Minimize the amount of text in visuals—more than eight words per slide is usually too much. Avoid simply presenting word outlines of what you are saying. Make sure text is large enough for the audience to read.

- Don’t use more than two pictures in a slide, and use two only to make a direct comparison. Montages are hard to focus on and distract the viewer from what you’re saying. Use images only when they support your presentation; don’t use clip art just as decoration.

- Don’t put a table of numbers in a visual aid. If you need to illustrate numerical data, use a graph. (Microsoft Excel can make them for you easily.)

- Don’t use sound effects. Use a very brief recording only if directly related to your main points.

- Don’t use visual special effects such as dissolves, spins, box-outs, or other transitions. They are distracting. Use animation sparingly and only if it helps make a point.

- Don’t use so many visuals or move through them so quickly that the audience gives all its attention to them rather than to you.

- Practice your presentation using your visual aids, because they affect your timing.

- Explain visuals when needed but not when they’re obvious.

- Keep your eyes on your audience, only briefly glancing at visuals to stay in synch with them.

- Don’t hand out a printout of your visuals. Your audience should keep their eyes on you instead of fiddling around with paper.

Step 4: Prepare Speaking Notes

As mentioned earlier, it’s not a good idea to read your presentation from a written page rather than deliver it. To keep your audience’s attention, it’s important to make eye contact with them and to use a normal speaking voice—and you can’t do this if you keep your eyes on a written script.

Speaking notes are a brief outline for your presentation. You might write them on index cards or sheets of paper. Include important facts and data as well as keywords for your main ideas, but don’t write too much. (If you forget things later when you start practicing, you can always add more to your outline then.) Be sure to number your cards or pages to prevent a last-minute mix-up.

Think especially about how to open and close your presentation, because these two moments have the most impact of the whole presentation. Use the opening to capture the audience’s attention, but be sure it is appropriate for your audience and the goals. Here are some possibilities for your opening:

- A striking fact or example (illustrating an issue or a problem)

- A brief interesting or humorous anecdote (historical, personal, or current event)

- A question to the audience

- An interesting quotation

Then relate the opening to your topic and your main point and move into the body of the presentation.

Your closing mirrors the opening. Transition from your last point to a brief summary that pulls your ideas together. You might end with a challenge to the audience, a strong statement about your topic, or a personal reflection on what you have been saying. Just make sure you have a final sentence planned so that you don’t end up uncomfortably fumbling around at the end (“Well, I guess that ends my presentation”).

Step 5: Practice the Presentation

Practice may be the most important step. It is also the best way to get over stage fright and gain confidence.

Practice first in an empty room where you imagine people sitting, so that you can move your eyes around the room to this “audience.” The first time through, focus on putting your outlined notes into full sentences in your natural speaking voice. Don’t read your notes aloud. Glance down at your notes only briefly and then look up immediately around the room. Practice two or three times just to find the right words to explain your points and feel more comfortable working with your notes. Time yourself, but don’t obsess over your presentation being the exact length required. If your presentation is much too long, however, adjust it now in your notes so that you don’t start memorizing things that you might accidentally still say later on even though you cut them from your notes.

Once you feel good speaking from your notes, practice to add some more polish to your delivery. You might want to record or videotape your presentation or ask a friend or roommate to watch your presentation. Pay attention to these aspects of how you speak:

- Try to speak in your natural voice, not in a monotone as if you were just reading aloud. If you will be presenting in a large room without a microphone, you will need to speak louder than usual, but still try to use a natural voice.

- In usual conversation, we speed up and slow down and vary the intensity of our words to show how we feel about what we’re saying. Practice changes in your delivery style to emphasize key points.

- Don’t keep looking at your notes. It’s fine if you use words that are different from those you wrote down—the more you rehearse without looking at your notes, the more natural sounding you will be.

- Be sure you can pronounce all new words and technical terms correctly. Practice saying them slowly and clearly to yourself until you can say them naturally.

- Don’t forget transitions. Listeners need a cue when you’re moving to a new idea. Practice phrases such as “Another important reason for this is…” or “Now let’s move on to why this is so.…”

- Watch out for all those little “filler” words people use so often, such as “like,” “you know,” “well,” and “uh.” They’re very distracting to most audiences. Listen to or watch your tape to see if you are using these fillers or ask your friend to point it out.

- Pay attention to body language when practicing. Stand up straight and tall in every practice session so that you become used to it. Unless you have to stand at a podium to use a fixed microphone in your presentation, practice moving around while you speak; this helps keep the audience watching you. Use hand and arm gestures if they are natural for you, but don’t try to make up gestures for the presentation because they will look phony. Most important, keep your eyes moving over the audience. Practice smiling and pausing at key points.

- Finally, it’s a good idea to be ready in case of an accident. Most likely your presentation will go smoothly, you’ll stay on track with your notes, and your PowerPoint slides will work fine, but sometimes a mishap happens. Be ready to joke about it, rather than becoming flustered. If the computer fails and you lose your visuals, say something like, “Well, that’s a shame, I had some really great photos to show you!” If you drop your index cards or notes, or accidentally skip ahead in your presentation and then have to backtrack, make a joke: “Sorry about that, I was so excited to get to my next point that I’m afraid I lost control there for a moment!” Let your audience laugh with you—they’ll still be on your side, and you can defuse the incident and move on without becoming more nervous.

Step 6: Deliver the Presentation

Be sure to get enough sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. Don’t drink too much caffeine or else you’ll become hyper and nervous. Wear your favorite—and appropriate—clothing and comfortable shoes.

Figure 7.8 – You may use computerized visual aids when you give a presentation to a class
John Haynes Photography – OLPC – CC BY-ND 2.0.

Remember, your audience is on your side! If you’re still nervous before your turn, take a few deep breaths. Rehearse your opening lines in your mind. Smile as you move to the front of the room, looking at your audience. You’ll see some friendly faces smiling back encouragingly. As you start the presentation, move your eyes among those giving you a warm reception—and if you see some student looking bored or doing something else, just ignore them. But don’t focus on any one person in the audience for too long, which could make them nervous or cause them to look away.

Don’t keep looking at your watch or a clock: If your rehearsal times were close to your assigned time, your presentation will be also. If you do notice that you’re running behind schedule, it may be that you’re saying too much out of nervousness. Use your notes to get back on track and keep the pace moving. But it’s better to deliver your presentation naturally and fluidly and be a bit long or short than to try to change your words and end up sounding unnatural.

At the closing, deliver your last line with confidence, sweeping your eyes over the audience. If appropriate, ask if there are any questions. When you’re done, pause, smile, say “Thank you,” and walk back to your seat.

Later on, ask other students and your instructor for comments. Be open minded—don’t just ask for praise. If you hear a suggestion for improvement, file that in your memory for next time.

Group Presentations

You may be assigned to give a presentation in a small group. The six-step process discussed previously works for group presentations, too, although group dynamics often call for additional planning and shared responsibilities:

1. Schedule a group meeting as soon as possible to get started. Don’t let another student put things off. Explain that you’re too busy and won’t have time at the last minute.

2. Begin by analyzing your audience and your goals together as a group to make sure everyone understands the assignment the same. Discuss who should do what. While everyone should talk about what content to include, from here onward, you will take on specialized roles. One or more may begin research and gathering information. Others who are good writers may volunteer to draft the presentation, while one or more others may develop the visual aids. Those who have public speaking experience may volunteer to do all or most of the speaking (unless the assignment requires everyone to have a speaking role). You also need a team leader to keep everyone on schedule, organize meetings, and so on. The best team leader is an even-tempered student with good social skills, who can motivate everyone to cooperate.

3. Steps 2 and 3 can likely be carried out individually with assigned tasks, but group members should stay in touch. For example, the person developing the visuals should be talking to those doing the researching and drafting to see what visuals are needed and get started finding or creating them.

4. Before preparing notes in step 4, meet again to go over the content and plan for visuals. Everyone should be comfortable with the plan so far. Make final decisions about who will do each section of the presentation. Set the time for each segment. Then speakers should prepare their own speaking notes. Let someone with strong speaking skills open or close the presentation (or both), with others doing the other parts.

5. The whole group should be present for practice sessions in step 5, even if not everyone is speaking. Those not speaking should take notes and give feedback. If one student is doing most of the presenting, an alternate should be chosen in case the first choice is sick on the scheduled day. The alternate also needs to practice.

6. During the delivery, especially if using technology for visual aids, one student should manage the visuals while others do the presenting. If several students present different segments, plan the transition from one to another so that the presentation keeps flowing without pauses.

Additional Resources

For Class Presentations

Using PowerPoint. A step-by-step illustrated tutorial for learning how to create effective visual presentations with PowerPoint. https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/tutorials/powerpoint/

“How to Give a Bad Talk.” A humorous look (with some very good advice) on what not to do when preparing for and giving a class presentation. http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~pattrsn/talks/BadTalk.pdf

Video:Barack Obama’s 3 Best Public Speaking Tips (length 4:57)

Key Takeaways

- Public speaking skills are important because you will likely give presentations in class and perhaps in a future job.

- Overcome anxiety about public speaking by understanding your feelings, preparing well and practicing your delivery, and focusing on your subject.

- Follow a six-step process to prepare and deliver a presentation:

1. Analyze your audience and goals

2. Plan, research, and organize your content

3. Draft and revise the presentation

4. Prepare speaking notes

5. Practice the presentation

6. Deliver the presentation and seek feedback

- Use visual aids to support a presentation, creating visuals that are relevant, attractive, and powerful.

- The success of a group presentation depends on effective group meetings, successful division of roles, and repeated group practices.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. If you have given a class presentation in the past, what worked best for you? (If you have not given a presentation yet as a student, what aspect do you think will be most difficult for you?)

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. Name the two most important things you can do to reduce anxiety about a class presentation you will have to give.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. For each of the following statements about class presentations, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

Although you are delivering the presentation to the class, your real audience is your instructor, so you don’t need to waste time defining terms and concepts he or she already knows.

T

F

Organizing a presentation or speech is similar to organizing topics in a paper you write for class.

T

F

When creating visual aids, put as many photos as you can in each PowerPoint slide to have the strongest impact.

T

F

In case your memory goes blank while giving a presentation, write the full presentation out so that you can read it aloud.

4. Describe how best to use body language (facial expressions, eye movements, gestures, etc.) when giving a presentation.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

5. If you were assigned along with three other students to give a group presentation in the class using this textbook, what would be your preferred role in the preparation stages? Your least preferred role? If you had to take your least preferred role, what single thing would you want to work hardest on to make the presentation successful?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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7.5 Chapter Activities

Chapter Takeaways

- Actively engaging in your university education is essential for success, including attending classes, participating, and communicating with your instructors.

- Students benefit in several important ways when they participate in class and feel free to ask questions.

- Successful participation in class and interaction with your instructor begin with fully preparing for class and working on communication skills.

- Networking with instructors has additional benefits for your future and may lead to finding a helpful mentor.

- Both impromptu speaking in class and more formal class presentations help develop key skills.

- Learning to work well in a group is an element of university success.

Chapter Review

1. List as many benefits of participating in class as you can think of.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. Consider the instructors in your current classes. Which instructor have you spoken with the least (in or outside of class)?

__________________________________________________________________

Are you hesitant to speak up in this class—or to see the instructor outside of class? Why?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

When you have a question for this instructor about an assignment or reading, which form of communication would be most appropriate?

__________________________________________________________________

3. List ways to be prepared if you have a question to ask in a large lecture class.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. Think ahead through to the end of your university experience. If you were to develop a mentoring relationship with one of your present instructors, what sorts of things might you talk about in the future with that instructor after the current class has ended?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

5. Review the six stages for preparing and giving a class presentation. Which stage(s) do you feel you personally need to pay special attention to next time you are assigned a presentation?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

What specifically can you plan to do to ensure your success in those stages in your next presentation?

Outside the Book

Choose your current class with the largest enrollment and decide to ask the instructor a question in the next class or during office hours. Prepare by carefully reviewing your class and reading notes and select a subject area that you do not feel confident you fully understand. Focus in on a specific topic and write down a question whose answer would help you better understand the topic. Go to class prepared to ask that question if it is relevant to the day’s discussion or lecture; if it is not relevant, visit your instructor during office hours and ask the question. If this is your first time talking with this instructor, remember to introduce yourself and explain your interest in the topic as you ask the question. Remember that your second goal is to begin establishing a relationship with this instructor.

Make an Action List

Attending Class

I sometimes don’t go to class because

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I’ll keep myself motivated to go to every class by

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Participating in Class

I tend to participate most in this class:

__________________________________________________________________

I need to make an effort to participate more in this class:

__________________________________________________________________

I need to participate more because

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will take the following steps to be ready to ask a question:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Attending Lecture Classes

I tend to do these nonproductive things if I feel bored in a lecture:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will work on staying more actively engaged in lectures in these ways:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Talking with Instructors Outside of Class

I have not yet spoken to this instructor outside of class:

__________________________________________________________________

Within the next two weeks, I will stop by during office hours to talk about the following:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

This instructor’s office hours are

__________________________________________________________________

Using E-mail

The following are my worst e-mail habits:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

The following current instructors prefer student questions through e-mail:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will follow these professional e-mail practices:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Speaking Publicly

I am nervous about giving class presentations because

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I realize that the best way to overcome my anxiety about public speaking and succeed in class presentations is to

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Figure 8.1: You’d be surprised at how much writing you’ll do in university, and on the job. Learning to write quickly, and well, is a skill that can be developed over time.  Image: WOCinTechChat CC:BY 2.0

This chapter introduces you to the skills needed for post-secondary academic research and the fundamentals of post-secondary level writing. The skills needed for post-secondary level research and writing can differ quite a bit from secondary school. This chapter breaks down the basic steps for researching, drafting, editing, and proofreading a research essay, with plenty of examples and practice along the way.

Learning Objectives

1. Navigate the prewriting process, including interpreting assignment prompts, narrowing a topic, generating search terms, finding information, distinguishing between scholarly and popular sources, distinguishing between primary and secondary sources, and outlining.

2. Develop a drafting process, including composing a strong thesis statement; incorporating, contextualizing, and explaining evidence; and being persuasive.

3. Apply editing processes that are attentive to content, logic, tone, accuracy, coherence, conciseness, exact language, and clarity.

4. Navigate the proofreading process, attentive to typos, spelling, punctuation, grammar and format.

5. Identify examples of writing-related academic misconduct, including plagiarism.

6. List strategies for entering into a scholarly conversation, including the construction of reasonable arguments.

Many students come to the research and writing process with strong opinions and feelings about it. They tend to be divided on the topic of the writing process: either they find it a chore and dislike it or they find it satisfying and they enjoy it. Some enjoy parts of the process, but not other parts. For example, one person may dislike the drafting stage but love the research.

Many students dislike writing because the thought of a judgmental reader brings them anxiety.  “Writing Anxiety,” from the Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, contains helpful tips for confronting anxiety around writing.

Certainly, breaking into steps the complex task of writing an academic essay can reduce anxiety, as can understanding how you enter into a sometimes-intimidating scholarly “conversation” (George Mason University Library).

This chapter will detail the process of putting together your first post-secondary research essay, explaining the research, prewriting, drafting, editing, and proofreading activities involved. This chapter will also explain some of the context around why your professor wants to hear what you have to say on a subject, in essay form.

Read this chapter with your own essays in mind.

39

8.1 Steps in the Research and Writing Process

There have been many scholarly works published on the research and writing process, and while no two writing studies experts explain this process in the same way, there are some common themes and approaches. The truth is that good researchers and writers have their own variations on a good writing process: some will prefer to talk out their ideas with another person before outlining while others like to work alone; some will print out their drafts before proofreading while others prefer to do it on the screen; and some will work for hours at a time drafting while others will draft in short bursts.

Despite this variation, the research and writing process can be broken down in to a few essential steps. For this course, we’ll define them as the following: prewriting, drafting, editing,and proofreading. Important note: in reality, the research and writing process is iterative (i.e., it involves repeating steps and processes), and does not divide neatly into three, so please take these categories as a general guide.

In scheduling this process, devote roughly a third of your time to prewriting activities, a third to drafting, and a third to editing and proofreading (see Figure 8.2). Don’t leave the editing and proofreading to the day before you hand something in. It usually takes longer than you think it will.

Figure 8.2: Basic Steps in the Writing Process. Permission: Granted by Liv Marken.

In moving from one stage to the next, remember that the research and writing process is also iterative; you will sometimes have to go back to repeat parts of certain stages before moving ahead again. For example, you may be halfway through the drafting stage only to find that you need another article from the library, so you’re back doing a “prewriting” activity. Or you may finish your editing process only to realize that you need to draft a bit more to meet the length requirement.

This moving back and forth is typical; don’t become frustrated when it happens. Have you heard the catchphrase, “Two steps forward, one step backis still progress”? Keep it in mind as you head back to the library databases for another article!

The Research Paper Planner

The University of Saskatchewan Library created this handy online assignment planner for organizing your time. It contains many useful resources, some of which are identified throughout this chapter.

The planner breaks the research and writing process down into steps and provides a goal date for completion of each stage of the process. Each step includes links to advice and tips.

40

8.2 Stage One: Prewriting Activities

Your work on an essay begins the moment you receive the essay prompt or assignment. Get started on your paper early.

First, it’s critical to understand what the assignment is asking by reading it closely, listening to what the professor says about it, and then choosing a topic.

After choosing a topic, you likely will need to narrow it, think about your audience, and begin a list of search terms for your research. You can start to research it, talk to a librarian, make an outline, do some close reading, and draft a working thesis statement.

As you know, before you’ve even started writing your essay, there are many details to attend to, some more time-consuming than others.

This chapter explains several strategies and activities for the first chunk of time you spend on your paper: the prewriting stage.

Step 1: Reading your assignment

Interpreting Assignment Prompts

If you rush through reading an assignment prompt right into research and writing, you can make mistakes with big consequences. While you ultimately may write a great essay, if it doesn’t respond to the assignment prompt and follow directions, it can receive a failing mark.

Professor’s assignment directions can vary quite a bit. While one professor will write a five-page list of instructions, another will simply ask you to hand in ten pages on a topic of your choosing. It can never hurt to ask your professor some well-thought-out questions to clarify the assignment directions, but do a good job of reading the assignment carefully before asking questions. Don’t ask him or her a question that is answered in the assignment directions.

Tips for Understanding Assignments

Review the document “Following the Instructions.” It has a handy decoder for assignment verbs. What does it mean when your professor asks you to analyze a controversy? Discuss a case?  Another helpful resource on understanding assignments can be found here.

At this stage, you may be wondering how to enter the scholarly conversation.

Figure 8.3: Joining the Scholarly Conversation, from CLIP. Image attribution: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
http://www.clipinfolit.org/writing-tutorial/1-getting-started-with-your-research/2-research-as-a-scholarly-conversation/1-joining-the-scholarly-conversation

Step 2: Identifying a topic

Your first step toward getting started on a research paper is to identify a topic. Your professor may have given you a specific topic, but often in post-secondary study, as in this class, your professors will give you a general guide and you will need to narrow it down to a specific topic on your own. This is sometimes easier said than done, especially when the course material is unfamiliar to you.

To make it easier, try to find a topic that’s interesting to you so that you’re more motivated; was there a lecture topic that was fascinating to you? Have you found something in your readings that caught your eye?  For example, are you interested in the research on handwritten notes versus notes taken on a computer?  Do you think “first generation” students are more likely to drop out of University?

Your next step is to conduct background research on the topic that you’ve identified. This step is where you may find out that the topic you identified earlier is more complex than you’d thought, or you may want to go in a new direction based on learning new information.  In fact, the topic you identify and develop usually will not be the topic you finish with.

Here are some tips for conducting background research:

- Get a general overview of a topic to see where it stands in the big picture. You can use your textbook, encyclopedias, general books on the topic, and even Wikipedia (see “Using Wikipedia for Academic Research”).

- Once you have a sense of the scope of your topic, and how that topic connects to other topics, you can determine ways to approach it. See the animated video “Mapping Your Research Ideas,” from UCLA Library.

Once you’ve done background research, you will need to determine an approach to the topic, and maybe even narrow it down. Angie Gerrard, University of Saskatchewan librarian, says, “Consider asking yourself the five W’s about your topic: who, what, when, why, where.  For example, is there a specific population or group (who), time period (when) or geographical location (where) you would like to focus your research on?”[1].

In high school, your teachers may have given you a topic to write about for a research essay or paper, and you could include a lot of information about that topic from a few sources. In post-secondary writing, your professor will likely want you to narrow a broad topic to dig more deeply into the research to find information on that now-specific topic.

For example, imagine writing a high school essay on Queen Elizabeth I of England. You research and write about where she was from, her parents, England’s place in the world, what she was like as a leader, her relationships, what wars she was leader during, and her influence on the arts. Your teacher wants to know how much you know about Queen Elizabeth I.

However, for a university-level history essay, you may just be writing a ten-page paper on one of those list items, such as her leadership during times of war, or her connection to the theatre. Your professor doesn’t want to know how much you know about Queen Elizabeth I; he or she wants to see if you can research and analyze one aspect of her rule. Most university research topics focus on depth, not breadth, of knowledge and understanding.

Think of it this way: at higher levels of interest and knowledge about a subject, we are more interested in the details and specifics, not the broad picture. For example, if someone is passionate about hockey, he or she doesn’t want to talk about how many players are on a team, and how many teams are in the NHL; rather, he or she wants to talk about a specific player, or a specific game, or a specific set of player statistics.

Your professors are the same: they know that you can memorize information, or produce a paper comprised of basic information about Queen Elizabeth, or water security in the 21st century, but that’s not as interesting to them. A political studies professor might rather you wrote an analytical comparison of Canadian water security policy to Canadian water security policy twenty years ago, rather than a description of what Canadian water security policy is. A description of that policy is just as uninteresting to this professor as a monotonous description of the basic rules of hockey is to a person who loves hockey.

For more information and guidance, watch the animated video “Picking Your Topic IS Research” from Eastern Kentucky University Libaries.

Brainstorming keywords

You’ve done some research on your topic and considered an approach to it. Now really dig into your topic by brainstorming keywords to use as search terms. U of S Librarian Angie Gerrard advises,

Let’s say you are writing a psychology research paper and you have decided to investigate the potential gender differences in the use of social media sites by adolescence.

Your next step is to identify the main concepts in this research question; these terms are gender differences, social networking sites, and adolescence.  These concepts will be the keywords and phrases you will use to search for information on your topic.

While you are undertaking some preliminary research, begin to note some of the other keywords or synonyms that have been used to describe your topic. Think of additional keywords or synonyms you could use to describe your topic to find further information; this is a great way to broaden or narrow your topic. For example, in the sample research question, if you were not finding enough information using the concept adolescence, you could also try searching teens or teenagers. Alternatively, if you found too much information on the concept social media sites, you may want to narrow-down your search to a specific site such as Facebook or Twitter. It is helpful to keep a list of various potential search terms for the main concepts of your research topic. This ensures you have plenty of search terms to assist in your search for information.

Additional Help:

- Watch the following video to help you get started with selecting and narrowing your topic:

“Picking your Topic Is Research” video: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/tutorials/picking_topic/

- The University Library’s website’s “How Do I?” page provides detailed information on navigating the University Library. This site includes everything from finding articles, to printing, and booking group study rooms.

Step 3: Finding Information Sources

Conducting research can be overwhelming. A study that examined post-secondary students’ research habits showed that students used the words “angst, tired, dread, fear, anxious, annoyed, stressed, disgusted, intrigued, excited, confused, and overwhelmed” [2] to describe their emotions around research.

Finding information sources can be fun, though, too. A student once described to me why she liked so much: “it’s detective work!”  Good researchers, like good detectives, do not have a preconceived idea about what the answers are going to be; they ask a lot of questions, observe closely, seek the truth, and look for details that others miss.

The University of Saskatchewan Library’s U-Search tool makes sources easy to find when you start a search. Watch the University of Saskatchewan Library’s 2-minute video, “How to Find a Few Good Articles.”  For more help with developing a good list of search terms, view the short slide show “Generating Search Terms” (Cooperative Library Instruction Project).

Scholarly vs. Popular Sources

Scholarly books and journal articles differ from popular books and magazine articles in a number of ways. Scholarly sources introduce new ideas and knowledge taken from original research or experiments. Most scholarly articles undergo something called peer review, where other experts in the author’s field assess the articles to recommend rejection, revision, or acceptance for publication. They include citations, and usually are longer. Popular sources differ from scholarly sources: they are not peer reviewed, rarely include citations, usually are not written by experts, and tend to be shorter. Professors will not want to see popular sources such as Wikipedia or Sparknotes used as references in your essays.

Primary and Secondary Sources

When you start researching, you will encounter different sources of information. It’s good to know the difference between a primary source and a secondary source. Professors will sometimes request that you use one or the other, or a combination. A primary source is an original source, such as a letter, diary, poem, speech, novel, artifact, photograph, interview, newspaper articles from the time, email messages, and survey data. A secondary source interprets or analyzes primary sources. Examples of secondary sources include bibliographies, critiques, essays, journal articles, textbooks, magazine articles, and histories. Often, first year classes, such as English literature, will have you focusing solely on analysis of primary sources, with a little bit of dictionary work thrown in!

Reading and Evaluating Information Sources

Finding articles is one thing, but understanding them and assessing whether they are worthy for a post-secondary academic essay is another.

Not only will your professors want a variety of sources in your papers, but also they will want you to use peer-reviewed, scholarly, up-to-date sources. Obviously, your sources should be related to your topic, and at the appropriate level for your assignment. Even if your sources meet these criteria, you still need to assess the authors’ objectivity, coverage, argument, authoritativeness, and accuracy.

When it comes time to assess your sources for your essay assignments, it’s worth the time to answer the “Critical Questions for Evaluating Websites and Print Sources.” If you prefer to watch a video, NCSU’s Evaluating Sources for Credibility is a clear and helpful introduction.

You may be searching for that one perfect article, but chances are that one perfect article does not exist. Rather, you will need to find a variety of sources that contribute to your research, and then present this synthesized evidence in your paper.  View the NCSU Libraries video “One Perfect Source?”

View CLIP’s short, helpful slide show on knowing the difference between popular or scholarly sources.

Step 4 Composing a Strong Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the central argument, in a sentence or two, placed near the beginning of your essay. Most professors would expect to see it at the end of your introductory paragraph. It should be concise, clear, and specific.

When faced with writing their first paper, many students think that because the thesis statement is emphasized as being the most important element of their essay, it had to say something BIG. Unfortunately, that meant that many first thesis statements are much too broad and vague, sounding more like announcements of a topic rather than arguments.

To get started with writing a thesis, try to come to a tentative main point. Answer the question, “What is the main point of this paper?” Think back to your research question. Your working thesis statement will be revised and tweaked as you write and discover new complexities. See Table 8.1 “Example Process: Narrowing Your Thesis Statement” for a walk-through of the process of coming up with a strong, specific thesis statement. Remember: your thesis should be something that someone can disagree or agree with; it’s not just an observation or statement of fact.

Table 8.1: Example Process: Narrowing Your Thesis Statement

Example Process: Narrowing Your Thesis Statement

Your professor asks you to write a 10-page essay on the subject of homeschooling. You have a lot of flexibility in where to go with it.

You know that you won’t be able to cover everything there is to do with homeschooling, so it’s safe to assume that you’ll narrow this topic.

After some preliminary reading about homeschooling, you narrow your topic to write about elementary-aged schoolchildren in Canada.

The research question you decide to answer is “will these children benefit more from homeschooling than from public schooling?”

Once you start researching the population of Canadian elementary-aged schoolchildren, you realize that such a diverse group is hard to say any one thing about. You narrow your topic further by concentrating on a group on which you find a lot of research has been done: children with ADHD.

Your working thesis might be “ADHD elementary schoolchildren would benefit from homeschooling more than from public schooling.”

This is a start: you are stating a position, and you’ve narrowed your topic. While your opinion may even be based on your gut at this point, you may go on to do reading and writing that changes your mind.

To further improve this working thesis, you might ask questions. Interrogate!

Here are the sorts of questions you might ask of your working thesis “ADHD elementary schoolchildren would benefit from homeschooling more than from public schooling”:

·         Really? All ADHD children? What about gender differences? What about class differences? What about children with other challenges in addition to ADHD, such as a learning disability or a physical disability? Should I narrow this further to concentrate on gender or class?

·         What kind of homeschooling? There are many kinds of homeschooling.

·         What if the home is unstable or the parents can’t afford to homeschool?

·         All public schooling? Why am I focusing on public schooling as a contrast?

Some of these questions are hard to answer, and may require further research. Let’s say that you did some research to begin to answer some questions, including some basic definitions of and types of homeschooling, some basic information on ADHD children in middle school and the challenges they face.

You wouldn’t do too much reading yet – you could get lost in it. You would be reasonably ready to start to answer, for yourself, some of those questions.

After trying to find answers to your own questions, let’s say that you came to this more precise, focused thesis statement, an improvement from the still-too-broad working thesis:

Middle school children with ADHD, with stable homes and financially capable parents, would benefit from the classical, Socratic method of homeschooling (Wise and Wise Bauer, 1999). The classical method focuses on a child’s cognitive development and three phases of learning and thinking, and that, in combination with a more physical, temporal, and environmental freedom, would be fertile ground for an ADHD child to learn.

This is much more specific, and will give your paper a focus, which will allow you to dig more deeply. The good thing about a specific thesis statement is that it is more reasonable and believable; if you limit your claims, you don’t have to do cartwheels to prove them.

For further assistance on crafting a strong thesis statement, please view additional resources here:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/

and here:

https://sass.uottawa.ca/sites/sass.uottawa.ca/files/awhc-planning-the-paper-establishing-the-thesis.pdf

Step 5: Outlining your paper

Outlining is an important step before starting to draft. An outline is a general plan for the order of topics in an essay. An outline also shows the relative importance of the topics. Finally, an outline is informed by a specific, narrowed-down topic and main argument or thesis statement. A working thesis statement, or preliminary draft of your main point and argument should inform the scope of your outline.

Make sure you’re flexible about your outline. Being too “married” to it can make you blind to problems with it; you may find that the act of writing a draft can complicate and change how you think the paper should be organized.

Read the Purdue Online Writing Lab’s “Four Main Components for Effective Outlines.” Here:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/01/

Putting some energy into creating a good outline will make your drafting process much more smooth and efficient.

And here:

https://sass.uottawa.ca/sites/sass.uottawa.ca/files/awhc-planning-the-paper-making-an-outline.pdf

While there are many ways to write an essay, figure 8.4 provides an explanatory template for a basic, five-paragraph argumentative essay.

Figure 8.4: Basic Essay Structure CC:BY Liv Marken

1. Personal communication, 2016. ↵

2. Head, A. J., & Eisenberg, M. B. (2009). Finding Context: What Today's College Students Say about Conducting Research in the Digital Age. Project Information Literacy Progress Report. Project Information Literacy, p. 8. ↵

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8.3 Stage Two: Drafting Activities

Figure 8.5: Don’t worry about proofreading as you go; save that for after you draft your paper.  Image Credit: WOCinTechChat CC:BY 2.0

After your prewriting activities, including topic selection, research, reading, and outlining, and writing a working thesis statement, you’re ready to start drafting your paper. As you draft, you will be using your sources, and will need to know how to incorporate and cite them to maintain academic integrity. This chapter will explain how to craft a thesis statement, use evidence, and organize your essay. The act of translating your thoughts and ideas about a complex topic on to a page is challenging, especially because you can’t use non-verbal communication cues such as facial expressions, body movements and posture, gestures, touch, or vocal volume and tone. So, don’t be hard on yourself about your first efforts; all good writers, including your professor, write numerous drafts before they get it right.

Basic Essay Structure

You will notice that from discipline to discipline, there are different ways to structure an essay.  For Comm 119 you will be writing an essay and a basic structure of: introduction, body, and conclusion should be followed.  You will be using the APA citation style.

At this stage in the essay-writing process, you may have done some bits of drafting already, which is a wise thing to do; for example, writing responses to what you read while researching, for example, can help you to think more clearly about it and to understand it.

When you write, you will tend to think more slowly and carefully about a topic than you do when you brainstorm or think about the topic. You may find that through writing, your initial understanding of something is changed or complicated in some way. If you have given yourself time for each stage in the writing process, encountering these new ideas, contradictions, or insights will not pose a problem. In fact, wrestling with those likely will make your final essay stronger. Professors mark many essays that start with one argument, but then begin to argue something different by the end, showing that the student didn’t allocate enough time to revise.

Staying organized while drafting can help to make it a more efficient process. Use an outline and working thesis created in the prewriting stage to stay on track. Remember to avoid imagining a critical professor reading what you write! After all, you will have planned a third of your time for editing and proofreading. Write your first draft for your own understanding; don’t try to sound impressive or erudite. That’s not to say that you forget the point of the paper or that you go off topic; rather, just write down what you mean as clearly, directly, and plainly as you can.

Using Evidence and Being Persuasive

It’s fine to have an essay with a strong thesis statement, but in order to persuade your reader, you must have strong evidence. That means finding good evidence, explaining how that evidence relates to your argument, and making logical claims based on that evidence. Here are a few types of evidence that you will use in your essays and research papers:

1. Facts: Facts are indisputable forms of evidence, verified to be true and logical by a scientist, scholar, or another credible person in a position of authority. Many people also checked them by experiments, research, or examination of logic. Fact is not the same as “truth,” which is more like a belief that cannot be proven. Personal opinions, such as “cilantro tastes awful,” are not facts. Fact: “Today it is 12 degrees outside in Saskatoon.” Opinion: “Today it’s too warm.”

2. Statistics: Statistics can be manipulated, and the methods to reach certain statistics can be dodgy, even in peer-reviewed academic work. According to the Statistics Glossary, “A statistic is a quantity that is calculated from a sample of data. It is used to give information about unknown values in the corresponding population. For example, the average of the data in a sample is used to give information about the overall average in the population from which that sample was drawn.”

3. Quotations and Paraphrasing: A quotation is a direct, word-for-word reproduction from your source, flanked, of course, by quotation marks: “ ”. They are used in disciplines where close readings and textual analysis are valued. Usually, quotations will be short, and you may add to them by using brackets [ ] or take words out by using ellipses …”

4. Examples: Use examples from personal experience, but only in courses that allow it. Personal examples can be subjective, but many assignments will stress conscious subjectivity. Examples must be applicable to the assignment (for example, don’t use a personal example of getting into a car accident to discuss a novel where a character gets into a car accident, especially if your professor wants you to analyze the novel using evidence from the text). They must also consider the reader’s level of background understanding, and must be related to the thesis.

Many disciplines, especially in the sciences, do not use direct quotations. Instead, they use paraphrasing. No matter what discipline you’re writing in, though, it’s crucial that each paraphrased passage is cited carefully, and worded in such a way that doesn’t manipulate the meaning of the original text, but also doesn’t plagiarize the original text.

Learning Highlight

When you’re trying to persuade someone, use the ancient Greek rhetorical principles of ethos, pathos, and logos. These are still used by advertisers, scholars, and politicians to convince people to believe them. You can use ethos, pathos, and logos in your essays, job interviews, arguments, and presentations.

- Ethos: With ethos you are appealing to the audience’s ethics via your own authority, credibility, honesty, and character. Since you are a first-year student, you don’t have a lot of inherent ethos to work with. The gray-haired, well published, articulate professor down the hall might, though. Yours will have to be earned: 1) if you aren’t an expert in the topic, you must rely on strong sources; 2) give the reader a reason to believe you by using evidence; 3) present yourself well by writing grammatically and clearly. If you are presenting, dress appropriately for the occasion, and attend to all other non-verbal cues, such as voice intonation, facial expression, posture and gestures.

- Pathos: With pathos, you appeal to emotions, needs, and values. Sometimes advertisers use fear (e.g., a deodorant company warning people that they won’t have any friends if they don’t wear that deodorant), which isn’t exactly ethical, especially if it’s used in a scholarly context. Appeal to pathos with care. It can backfire if people feel manipulated. It can be tremendously powerful if you understand your audience enough to know what will appeal to them. Other strategies for appealing to emotion: use of metaphors, imagery, personal anecdotes, and facts that evoke feelings (startling statistics or comparisons, for example).

- Logos: With logos, you appeal to logic and reason. Arguably, this is the most powerful of the three when used in an academic setting. Avoid logical fallacies by attending to small details and holes that can be poked in your arguments. Use low-connotation language that isn’t poetic or metaphorical. Support your points with statistics, facts, examples, and quotations from reliable, up-to-date sources. Anticipate counter-arguments.

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8.4: Stage Three: Editing and Proofreading

A draft that exceeds the page requirements for your essay is just fine; the wordy, repetitive nature of first drafts means that when you edit, you will end up with fewer pages anyhow.  If you have fewer pages than required for an essay, think about improving and expanding explanation and examples to what you’ve already drafted.

Once you’ve written a draft, you can start editing. After editing, you will be proofreading.

What’s the difference between editing and proofreading?  For now, think of it this way: editing is the large-scale work of moving paragraphs, reorganizing sentences, reading for meaning and clarity, cutting repetition, and adding information. Proofreading is the smaller-scale work of fixing punctuation, spelling, grammar, and typos.

Editing

Editing consists of many tasks, including checking whether sentences are clear and precise, whether the purpose of the assignment has been fulfilled, and whether the essay is clearly organized. You will check paragraphs for cohesiveness, and for whether they connect clearly to your thesis statement. Does your essay need some transitions to make connections between sentences and paragraphs clearer? Is the language in your essay clear? Precise? Is the tone formal enough? Does your conclusion re-emphasize your main argument and convey a sense of completeness?

Principles of Good Writing to Keep in Mind While Editing

When you read something “good,” chances are that it’s clear, concise, has a variety of sentence structures, and uses exact language.

1. Clarity: Clear writing is nearly invisible in the sense that you aren’t thinking about the fact that it’s clear; it’s just easy to read. You’ll notice that with unclear writing, you will have to re-read certain passages or paragraphs, struggling to understand it. However, this can happen with clear, good writing in academic journals because the journal articles are written for experts in the field, not for undergraduate student readers. Textbooks should be clearer because they’re written to you as their audience. If they aren’t clear, they are probably poorly written! Clarity is more difficult to achieve in one’s writing than in speech since so many non-verbal cues are missing on the static page (such as facial expression, tone of voice, gestures, body language, and so on). Clear writing might seem easy to do because it’s so plain, but it requires planning and revision. Here are a few pieces of advice: a) in the drafting stage, don’t write for your professor or for a similarly intimidating reader. Instead, write the first draft for yourself (one student told me that he writes his first draft so that his grandmother could understand him!). This is so that you understand what it is you’re trying to say rather than trying to sound impressive (which usually leads to incomprehensible prose); b) in your revisions, ask yourself whether you’re using plain language, a much-respected style of writing that favors clarity through the use of audience awareness, logical organization, active voice, short sentences (fewer than 20 words), strong verbs, and familiar language.

2. Conciseness: Concise writing strongly affects clarity. Imagine a weedy vegetable garden: there are the plants that are needed for eating, and there are the weeds that are choking out those plants. Think of your prose in the same way: there are words that have a job, and words that are unnecessary and in the way. Your reader will have to pick through those words to find the good stuff.

Read your drafts aloud to find the following:

- Long, repetitive, awkward sentences: break longer sentences into smaller ones. Cut out repetition. Play with word order and the order of phrases to reduce awkwardness.

- Unnecessary words: shave off all of those “word whiskers” such as “very” “perhaps,” “really,” and unnecessary inclusions of “that.”

- Weak verbs, such as “is,” “was,” “were,” “to be,” “have,” “has,” and “had”: Prefer stronger verbs, or look for nouns in your sentences that you can promote to verbs. For example, “The crime rate was on the rise” can be revised to “The crime rate rose.” The noun “rise” is promoted to a verb and now replaces the weak verb “was.”

- Combine sentences: when you start a new sentence, you must repeat information from the previous sentence to maintain context. For example, the paragraph, “The poem has a normative line that is clearly iambic pentameter. Iambic pentameter is used in sonnets. Because this poem has fourteen lines ending with a rhyming couplet, and because its normative line is iambic pentameter, it is a sonnet.” This can be revised to “With iambic pentameter and fourteen lines ending with a couplet, this poem is a sonnet.”

- Finally, the best piece of advice I received from an old professor: press “Control” and the “F” on your keyboard to find these words in your drafts: IS, TO BE, OF, BY, WHICH, THAT, WHO, and WHOM.

Wordy: His intention was not to ruin the flowerbed.

Better: He did not intend to ruin the flowerbed.

Wordy: The voice of the speaker is sounding angry.

Better: The speaker’s voice sounds angry.

Wordy: The French king who is known for his rich taste is Louis the VIII.

Better: France’s Louis the VIII is known for his rich tastes.

Wordy: Due to the fact that he was invited to run for president of the group, Murray became more confident.

Better: Because* the group invited Murray to run for president, he became more confident.

- Sentence Variety: Did you know that there are only four types of sentences in the English language? Good writing includes all four: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. Simple sentences tend to be shorter, and the rest of the sentence types are a little longer. That’s not the only difference between them. They also can show connections between things in different ways. Good writers don’t necessarily know that they’re including a variation of sentence structures, but you can make your writing less choppy and more fluent (think of making your writing “flow”) by varying sentence structures.

- Exact Language: Choose your words with care. When we read unclear writing, sometimes it’s because it contains vague language. Can you defend every word that is chosen? Are you being specific? Are you misusing words (e.g., “uninterested” means something very different than “disinterested”)? Are you relying on clichés (e.g., “since the dawn of time,” “give it 110%”)? Watch out for the following words:  “I feel that”; “Society”; “thing”; “nice”; “many”; “really” and “very.”

Proofreading

After you’ve done some work on editing, and you’re satisfied with your draft in terms of organization and content (try to read it aloud to catch any incoherencies or repetition), start the process of proofreading. Before you begin proofreading, I would strongly recommend putting away your draft for several hours so that you approach it with fresh eyes.

Learning Highlight

Check with your campus whether you can download and use Read and Write software for free. Read and Write helps students with reading (e.g., text to speech, pronunciation), writing (e.g., word prediction, audio maker), studying (e.g., highlighter tool), and research. If you are an English language learner, Read and Write can be particularly helpful.

Chapter Summary

This chapter focused on the process of writing more than the products of writing (such as essays, reports, and reviews) because there is great diversity in the types of writing you will do in post-secondary education. Having a process that works, and which spaces many required tasks over time, will be the key to approaching any kind of writing challenge. Adapt the approaches outlined in this chapter with your preferred approaches to learning.

A final piece of advice: Remember to find your own academic voice. You can do this by relying on good evidence and by using your imagination and creativity to question and to connect the ideas and facts you encounter. Making imaginative and logical connections between different sources, and thinking critically about what you read and learn is how you go from good work to excellent work.

Good writing, then, is not only about correct spelling and sentence structure. Higher-order concerns also should be a strong thesis, clear focus, attention to audience and purpose, logical organization, and full development of ideas and arguments (OWL Purdue “Higher Order and Lower Order Concerns”).

Figure 9.1
NicMcPhee – Four heads are better than one – CC BY-SA 2.0.

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

Yes

Unsure

No

1. My interactions with students and others on campus will contribute to my academic success.

2. I feel I would like to make more or different friends in university.

3. I am sometimes shy about interacting with others in social settings or feel lonely when by myself.

4. I make an effort to communicate well in social interactions, especially to listen actively when others are speaking.

5. I use social networking Web sites to actively enhance social relationships.

6. When I get in an argument with someone, I work to calm the situation and try to reach a compromise solution we can both live with.

7. I am comfortable in situations interacting with people who are different from me in age, race, ethnicity, or cultural background.

8. I make an effort to meet and learn about others different from me and to accept and respect their differences.

9. When I see someone making a racist or sexist joke or comment, I speak out against prejudice.

11. I am participating in some clubs and activities on campus that interest me.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your university relationships and interactions with people from different backgrounds at this time?

Not very healthy

Very strong

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

In the following list, circle the three most important areas of social interaction in which you think you can improve:

- Variety of friends and relationships

- Ability to interact comfortably with strangers

- Speaking skills

- Listening skills

- Assertive communication skills

- Online social networking use

- Conflict resolution

- Comfort level around people of different race or ethnicity

- Interacting with people of different cultural backgrounds

- Understanding of different cultural groups

- Ability to speak out against prejudice

- Knowledge of campus clubs and activities

- Participation in campus groups

Are there other areas in which you can improve your social relationships and interactions with others to improve your university experience? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

- Understanding why social interaction is such an important part of the university experience

- Developing new friendships on campus

- Improving communication skills for social interactions at all levels

- Knowing why and how to use online social networking

- Balancing your schoolwork and social life

- Resolving conflicts that may occur in social interactions

- Knowing what to do if you experience harassment

- Understanding the many kinds of diversity found on university campuses

- Celebrating the benefits of diversity for all students

- Dealing with prejudice and discrimination

- Discovering the value of participating in organized campus groups and activities

Social Life, University Life

New university students may not immediately realize that they’ve entered a whole new world at university, including a world of other people possibly very different from those they have known before. This is a very important dimension of university—almost as important as the learning that goes on inside the classroom. How you deal with the social aspects and diversity of university world has a large impact on your academic success.

All the topics covered in this chapter relate to the social world of university. Here you will gain some insight into the value of making new friends and getting along with the wide variety of people you will encounter on campus. You will learn why and how a broad diversity of people enriches the university experience and better prepare you for the world after university.

Enter this new world with an open mind and you’ll gain many benefits. Even if you are taking a course or two at night and do not spend much of your day on campus, try to make the most of this experience. You’ll meet others who will challenge and stimulate you and broaden your thinking and emotional experiences.

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9.1 Getting Along with Others

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the benefits of social interactions with a variety of people in the university environment.

2. List personal characteristics and skills that contribute to one’s ability to get along well with others.

3. Improve your communication skills.

4. Use online social networking beneficially.

5. Balance your social life with your schoolwork.

6. Describe how to successfully resolve a conflict with another person.

Interdependence

Humans are social creatures—it’s simply in our nature. We continually interact with other students and instructors, and we can learn a great deal from these interactions that heighten the learning process. This frequent interaction with others forms a state of interdependence. University students depend on their instructors, but just as importantly, they depend on other students in many ways.

As important as our interactions with others are, we do not automatically possess the skills that help us form good relationships and make the most of our experiences. Consider how these two university students are different:

John often arrives just as class is beginning and leaves immediately afterward. He makes little effort to talk with other students in the classroom, and after class he goes off to study alone or to his part-time job, where he spends most of his time at a computer screen. He is diligent in his studies and generally does well. After two months, he has not gotten to know his roommate very well, and he generally eats alone with a book in hand. He stops by to see his instructors in their offices only if he missed a class due to illness, and on weekends and holidays he often hangs out at his parents’ house or sees old friends.

Kim likes to get to class early and sits near others so they can talk about the reading for class or compare notes about assignments. She enjoys running into other students she knows from her classes and usually stops to chat. Although she is an older working student who lives alone off campus, she often dines in a campus café and asks students she meets in her classes to join her. After two months, with the approach of midterms, she formed a study group with a couple other students. If she feels she doesn’t understand an important lecture topic very well, she gets to her instructor’s office a few minutes ahead of office hours to avoid missing out by having to wait in line. A few weeks into the term, she spent a weekend with a student from another country and learned much about a culture about which she had previously known little.

These students are very different. Which do you think is more fully enjoying the university experience? Which do you think is more likely to do well academically? Most of us fall somewhere between these two extremes, but we can learn to be more like Kim and more actively engage with others.

Recognize the Value of Social Interaction

Building good relationships is important for happiness and a successful university experience. University offers the opportunity to meet many people you would likely not meet otherwise in life. Make the most of this opportunity to gain a number of benefits:

- A growing understanding of diverse other people, how they think, and what they feel that will serve you well throughout your life and in your future career

- A heightened sense of your own identity, especially as you interact with others with different personalities and from different backgrounds

- Emotional comfort from friendship with someone who understands you and with whom you can talk about your problems, joys, hopes, and fears

- An opportunity to grow with wider intellectual and emotional horizons

University often offers an opportunity to be stimulated and excited by new relationships and interactions with people who will challenge your thinking and help you become your best. Still, it can be difficult to get started with new relationships in university.

Making New Friends

Some people just make friends naturally, but many first-year university students are more shy or quiet and may need to actively seek new friends. Here are some starting points:

1. Keep all doors open for meeting new people. If you live in residence, literally keep the door open. Try to sit with different people at meals so you can get to know them better. Study in a common area or lounge where you’ll be among others.

2. Be open in your interests. Don’t limit yourself to people who share only certain interests. Meeting people by studying together is an excellent way to get to know people with different interests.

3. Don’t try to get involved in everything going on around you. Committing to too many activities or joining too many social groups will spread your time too thin, and you may not spend enough time with anyone to get to know them.

4. Let others see who you really are. Let people get to know the things you’re interested in, your real passions. People who really know you are more likely to become good friends.

5. Make an effort to get to know others, too. Show some interest. Don’t talk just about your interests—ask them about theirs. Show others that you’re interested, that you think they’re worth spending time with, and that you really do want to get to know them.

6. Once a friendship has started, be a good friend. Respect your friends for what they are and don’t criticize them or talk about them behind their back. Give emotional support when your friends need it and accept their support as well when you need it.

Are You Shy?

If you’re shy, try meeting and talking to people in situations where you can interact one-to-one, such as talking with another student after class. Start with what you have in common—“How’d you do on the test?”—and let the conversation grow from there. Avoid the emotional trap of thinking everyone but you is making new friends and start some conversations with others who look interesting to you. You’ll soon find other “shy” or quiet people eager to interact with you as well and get to know you.

Shy people may be more likely to feel lonely at times, especially while still feeling new at university. Loneliness is usually a temporary emotional state, however. For tips for how to overcome feelings of loneliness, see the section on loneliness in Chapter 10 “Taking Control of Your Health”, Section 10.6 “Emotional Health and Happiness”.

Communication Skills

Communication is at the core of almost all social interactions, including those involved in friendships and relationships with your instructors. Communication with others has a huge effect on our lives, what we think and feel, and what and how we learn. Communication is, many would say, what makes us human.

Oral communication involves not only speech and listening, of course, but also nonverbal communication: facial expressions, tone of voice, and many other body language signals that affect the messages sent and received. Many experts think that people pay more attention, often unconsciously, to how people say something than to what they are saying. When the nonverbal message is inconsistent with the verbal (spoken) message, just as when the verbal message itself is unclear because of poorly chosen words or vague explanations, then miscommunication may occur.

Miscommunication is at the root of many misunderstandings among people and makes it difficult to build relationships.

Figure 9.2 – Miscommunication is at the root of many misunderstandings
smile_kerry – argument. – CC BY-NC 2.0.

Chapter 7 “Interacting with Instructors and Classes” discusses oral communication skills in general and guidelines for communicating well with your instructors. The same communication skills are important for building and maintaining significant relationships.

Remember that communication is a two-way process. Listening skills are critical for most university students simply because many of us may not have learned how to really listen to another person. Here are some guidelines for how to listen effectively:

- Talk less to listen more. Most people naturally like to share their thoughts and feelings, and some people almost seem unable to stop talking long enough to ever listen to another person. Try this: next time you’re in a conversation with another student, deliberately try not to speak very much but give the other person a chance to speak fully. You may notice a big difference in how much you gain from the conversation.

- Ask questions. To keep the conversational ball rolling, show your interest in the other person by asking them about things they are saying. This helps the other person feel that you are interested in them and helps build the relationship.

- Watch and respond to the other person’s body language. You’ll learn much more about their feelings for what they’re saying than if you listen only to their words.

- Show the other person that you’re really listening and that you care. Make eye contact and respond appropriately with nods and brief comments like “That’s interesting!” or “I know what you mean” or “Really?” Be friendly, smile when appropriate, and encourage the person to keep speaking.

- Give the other personfeedback. Show you understand by saying things like “So you’re saying that…” or asking a question that demonstrates you’ve been following what they’re saying and want to know more.

As you learn to improve your listening skills, think also about what you are saying yourself and how. Here are additional guidelines for effective speaking:

- Be honest, but don’t be critical. Strongly disagreeing may only put the other person on the defensive—an emotion sure to disrupt the hope for good communication. You can disagree, but be respectful to keep the conversation from becoming emotional. Say “I don’t know, I think that maybe it’s…” instead of “That’s crazy! What’s really going on is.…”

- Look for common ground. Make sure that your side of a conversation relates to what the other person is saying and that it focuses on what you have in common. There’s almost no better way to stop a conversation dead in its tracks than to ignore everything the other person has just said and launch into an unrelated story or idea of your own.

- Avoid sarcasm and irony unless you know the person well. Sarcasm is easily misunderstood and may be interpreted as an attack on the other person’s ideas or statements.

- Don’t try to talk like the other person, especially if the person is from a different ethnic or cultural background or speaks with an accent or heavy slang. The other person will feel that you are imitating them and maybe even making fun of them. Be yourself and speak naturally.

- While not imitating the other person, relate to his or her personality and style of thinking. We do not speak to our parents or instructors the exact same way we speak to our closest friends, nor should we speak to someone we’ve just met the same way. Show your respect for the other person by keeping the conversation on an appropriate level.

- Remember thatassertive communicationis better than passive or aggressive communication. “Assertive” in this context means you are honest and direct in stating your ideas and thoughts; you are confident and clear and willing to discuss your ideas while still respecting the thoughts and ideas of others. A passive communicator is reluctant to speak up, seems to agree with everything others say, hesitates to say anything that others might disagree with, and therefore seldom communicates much at all. Passive communication simply is not a real exchange in communication. Aggressive communication, at the other extreme, is often highly critical of the thoughts and ideas of others. This communication style may be sarcastic, emotional, and even insulting. Real communication is not occurring because others are not prompted to respond honestly and openly.

- Choose your conversations wisely. Recognize that you don’t have to engage in all conversations. Make it your goal to form relationships and engage in interactions that help you learn and grow as a person. University life offers plenty of opportunities for making relationships and interacting with others if you keep open to them, so you needn’t try to participate in every social situation around you.

Some students may have difficulty in the opposite direction: their social lives may become so rich or so time consuming that they have problems balancing their social lives with their schoolwork. Online social media, for example, may eat up a lot of time.

Online Social Networking

Most university students know all about Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social networking sites. Current studies reveal that over 80 percent of all university students use Instagram regularly though older students are less likely to be on the ‘latest’ social networking site. The media have often emphasized negative stories involving safety concerns, obsessive behavior, a perceived superficiality of social interaction online, and so on. But more recently, online social networking has been found to have several benefits. Many of those who once criticized social networking platforms are now regularly networking among themselves via LinkedIn and other “professional” networking sites.

Following are some of the benefits of Facebook—some clear to those using it, others revealed only recently by research in the social sciences:

- Facebook and other forms of online networking makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family at a geographical distance. University students who have moved away from former friends seem to make the transition more easily when they stay in touch. Maintaining past relationships does not prevent most people from making new friends at university.

- Facebook provides users with increased “social capital,” which is a sum of resources gained through one’s relationships with people. Facebook users gain information, opportunities for participation in activities and groups, greater knowledge about others, some interaction skills, and so forth. Social capital is also associated with self-esteem, success in some endeavors, and general happiness.

- Facebook makes it easier for people who are shy or otherwise slow to initiate or respond to interactions with others to participate socially in a group. Online network sites also offer an outlet for self-expression and sharing.

- For many university students, interactions on Facebook strengthen personal relationships rather than detracting from them.

- Acknowledging that online social networking is a reality for most university students, many university administrators and instructors also use it to stay in better touch with students, to provide information and encouragement, and to help students experience the full richness of the university experience. The University of Saskatchewan has a Facebook page where you can learn about things happening around campus, and you may even receive information about important announcements.

Figure 9.3 – University of Saskatchewan’s Facebook Page – August 3rd, 2016

Still, online social networking is not 100 percent beneficial for all university students. Someone who becomes obsessed with constantly updating their profile or attracting a huge number of friends can spend so much time at their computer that they miss out on other important aspects of university life. Hopefully by now everyone knows why you should never post compromising or inappropriate photos or information about yourself anywhere online, even as a joke: many employers, university admissions offices, and others may find this compromising material in the future and deny you the job, internship, graduate program, or other position that you want. It’s important also to protect your identity and privacy on online sites.

Overall, online networking in moderation can help enrich one’s life. When used to build relationships, gain information, and stay in touch with a larger community, it can contribute to success in university. Most university students use Facebook ten to thirty minutes a day. If you’re spending more than that, you might ask yourself if you’re missing out on something else.

Balancing Schoolwork and Social Life

If there’s one thing true of virtually all university students, it’s that you don’t have enough time to do everything you want. Once you’ve developed friendships within the university community and have an active social life, you may feel you don’t have enough time for your studies and other activities such as work. For many students, the numerous social opportunities of university become a distraction, and with less attention to one’s studies, academic performance can drop. Here are some tips for balancing your social life with your studies:

- Keep working on your time management skills, as you learned in Chapter 2 “Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track”. You can’t just “go with the flow” and hope that, after spending time with friends, you have enough time (and energy) left over for studying. Make a study schedule that provides enough time for what you need to do. Study first; socialize after.

- Keep working on your study skills, as you learned in Chapter 3 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering”, Chapter 5 “Reading to Learn”, and Chapter 6 “Preparing for and Taking Tests”. When you have only a limited amount of time for studying, be sure you’re using that time as effectively as possible as you read assignments and prepare for class, organize your notes after class, and prepare for tests.

- If you can’t resist temptations, reduce them. If you are easily distracted by the opportunity to talk with your roommate, spouse, or family members because you study where you live, then go to the library to study.

- Make studying a social experience. If your studying keeps you so busy that you feel like you don’t have much of a social life, form a study group. You will learn more than you would alone by gaining from the thoughts of others, and you can enjoy interacting with others without falling behind.

- Keep your social life from affecting your studying. Simply scheduling study time doesn’t mean you’ll use it well. If you stayed up late the night before, you may not today be able to concentrate well as you study for that big test. This is another reason for good time management and scheduling your time well, looking ahead.

- Get help if you need it. If you’re still having difficulty balancing your study time with other activities, talk with your academic advisor or a counselor. Maybe something else is keeping you from doing your best. Maybe you need some additional study skills or you need to get some extra help from a tutor or campus study center. Remember, your university wants you to succeed and will try to help those who seek help.

Overcoming Difficulties and Resolving Conflicts

Conflicts among people who are interacting are natural. People have many differences in opinions, ideas, emotions, and behaviors, and these differences sometimes cause conflicts. Here are just a few examples of conflicts that may occur among university students:

- Your roommate is playing loud music in your room, and you need some quiet to study for a test.

- You want to have a nice dinner out, but your spouse wants to save the money to buy new furniture.

- Your instructor gave you a C on a paper because it lacks some of the required elements, but you feel it deserves a better grade because you think it accomplished more important goals.

- Your partner wants to have sex with you, but you want to wait until you get protection.

So how can such conflicts be resolved? Two things are necessary for conflict resolution that does not leave one or more of the people involved feeling negative about the outcome: attitude and communication.

A conflict cannot be resolved satisfactorily unless all people involved have the right attitude:

- Respect the options and behaviors of others. Accept that people are not all alike and learn to celebrate your differences. Most situations do not involve a single right or wrong answer.

- Be open minded. Just because at first you are sure that that you are right, do not close the door to other possibilities. Look at the other’s point of view. Be open to change—even when that means accepting constructive criticism.

- Calm down. You can’t work together to resolve a conflict while you’re still feeling strong emotions. Agree with the other to wait until you’re both able to discuss it without strong emotions.

- Recognize the value of compromise. Even if you disagree after calmly talking over an issue, accept that as a human reality and understand that a compromise may be necessary in order to get along with others.

With the right attitude, you can then work together to resolve the issue. This process depends on good communication:

- Listen. Don’t simply argue for your position, but listen carefully to what the other says. Pay attention to their body language as you try to understand their point of view and ask questions to ensure that you do. Paraphrase what you think you hear to give the other a chance to correct any misunderstanding.

- Use “I statements” rather than “you statements.” Explain your point of view about the situation in a way that does not put the other person on the defensive and evoke emotions that make resolution more difficult. Don’t say, “You’re always playing loud music when I’m trying to study.” Instead, say, “I have difficulty studying when you play loud music, and that makes me frustrated and irritable.” Don’t blame the other for the problem—that would just get emotions flowing again.

- Brainstorm together to find a solution that satisfies both of you. Some compromise is usually needed, but that is usually not difficult to reach when you’re calm and have the right attitude about working together on a solution. In some cases, you may simply have to accept a result that you still do not agree with, simply in order to move on.

The process of conflict resolution is discussed more fully in Chapter 10 “Taking Control of Your Health”. In most cases, when the people involved have a good attitude and are open to compromise, conflicts can be resolved successfully.

Yet sometimes there seems to be no resolution. Sometimes the other person may simply be difficult and refuse to even try to work out a solution. Regrettably, not everyone on or off campus is mature enough to be open to other perspectives. With some interpersonal conflicts, you may simply have to decide not to see that person anymore or find other ways to avoid the conflict in the future. But remember, most conflicts can be solved among adults, and it’s seldom a good solution to run away from a problem that will continue to surface and keep you from being happy with your life.

Roommate Issues

At many universities students just out of high school must live in a campus residence hall. Other students may live in a shared apartment with new roommates. This is the first time many students have had to share a room, suite, or apartment with others who were not family members, and this situation may lead to conflicts and strong feelings that can even affect your academic success.

As in other interactions, the keys to forming a good relationship with a roommate are communication and attitude. From the beginning, you should talk about everyone’s expectations of the other(s) and what matters most to you about where you live. Don’t wait until problems happen before talking. It’s often good to begin with the key practical issues: agreeing on quiet hours for study (limiting not only loud music but also visits from others), time for lights out, neatness and cleaning up, things shared and private things not to touch.

Show respect for the other’s ideas and possessions, respect their privacy, and try to listen more than you talk. Even if your roommate does not become a close friend, you can have a harmonious, successful relationship that makes your residence a good home for both of you. Millions of university students before you have learned to work this out, and if both (or all) of you respect each other and keep communication open and nonconfrontational, you will easily get through the small bumps in the road ahead, too. Follow these guidelines to help ensure you get along well:

- Anticipate problems before they happen. Think about things that you consider essential in your living environment and talk with a new roommate about these essentials now.

- Deal with any problem promptly. Don’t wait until a behavior is well established before speaking up, as if the other person will somehow catch on that it aggravates you. It may be as simple as a roommate using your coffee cup or borrowing your toothpaste without asking, but if you say nothing, trying to be polite, the habit may expand to other things.

- Be patient, flexible, and willing to compromise. It may take a while for each of you to get used to each other and to establish a communication pattern of openness so that you can be honest with each other about what really matters.

- Be warm, use humor, and be sensitive. Telling someone that they’re doing something bothersome can be very difficult for many people. Think before speaking, looking for the best way to communicate what you feel. Remember, you’ll be spending a lot of time around this person, so do you really want them to think of you as bossy or obsessive-compulsive?

- Get out more. Sometimes it helps to spend more time elsewhere on campus, studying in the library or another quiet place. You just might need a certain amount of time a day alone. That’s fine, but don’t expect your roommate to have to leave just to give you that time alone!

But What If You Really Have a Roommate Problem?

In some situations and with some people who will not compromise and do not respect you and your needs, a roommate can be a serious problem. In some circumstances, you may able to move to a different room. Room changes usually are not granted simply because you “don’t get along,” but certain circumstances may justify a change. The following are some examples:

- Your roommate smokes in the room.

- Your roommate uses illegal drugs, drinks alcohol underage, or conducts other illegal activities in the room.

- Your roommate repeatedly refuses to limit activities at any hour to allow you to sleep.

- Your roommate does anything that threatens your physical well-being or safety.

- Your roommate denies you your rights to practice your religion or other basic rights.

If you have a problem like this, first talk with your resident advisor (RA) or other residence hall authority. They will explain the process for a room change, if warranted, or other ways for managing the problem,

Dealing with Harassment

Although university campuses are for the most part safe, secure, and friendly places where social and intellectual interaction is generally mature and responsible, harassment can occur in any setting. Harassment is a general term referring to behavior that is intended to disturb or threaten another person in some way, often psychologically. Typically the person or people doing the harassment may target their victim because of a difference in race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

Acts of harassment may be verbal, physical, psychological, or any other behavior intended to disturb another person. Bullying behavior, name-calling, belittling, gesturing obscenely, stalking, mobbing—any action intended to torment or deliberately make another person uncomfortable or feel humiliated is harassment. Harassment may also be intended to manipulate a targeted person to act in some specific way.

Sexual harassment is a special term referring to persistent, unwanted sexual behaviors or advances. Sexual harassment may begin with words but progress to unwanted touching and potentially even rape. Sexual harassment is discussed in more detail in Chapter 10 “Taking Control of Your Health”.

Many types of harassment are illegal. In the workplace, a supervisor who tells off-color sexual jokes around an employee of the opposite gender may be guilty of sexual harassment. Students who deliberately malign members of another race may be guilty of committing a hate crime. Physically tormenting another student in a hazing may be judged assault and battery. Any discrimination in the workplace based on race, religion, age, sex, and so on is illegal. On a university campus, any harassment of a student by a faculty member or university employee is expressly forbidden, unethical, and also possibly illegal.

Harassment of any type, at any time, of any person, is wrong and unacceptable. You will know it if you are harassed, and you should know also that it is your basic right to be free of harassment and that your university has strict policies against all forms of harassment. Here’s what you should do if you are being harassed:

1. Tell the person to stop the behavior—or if you feel at any risk of harm, get out of the situation immediately.

2. Document the incident, particularly with ongoing harassment. Keep notes of the details. Tell someone you trust about the situation.

3. Report the harassment to the appropriate university authority. If you are unsure which to go to, go to the dean of students first.

Changing Family Relationships

The university years are a time of many changes, including one’s relationships with parents, siblings, and one’s own children and partners. Any time there is change, issues may arise.

Figure 9.4 – A video communication program like Skype makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family
theunquietlibrarian – Skyping with Cherished Friends Elisabeth and Michelle! – CC BY-NC 2.0.

As in other relationships, try to understand the other’s perspective. Honesty is particularly important—but with tact and understanding. Here are some tips for getting along:

- Understand that your parents may not change their attitudes toward you as quickly as you yourself may be changing. They may still think of you as a younger person in need of their continued guidance. They will worry about you and fear that you might fall in with the wrong crowd or engage in risky behavior. Be patient. Take the time to communicate, and don’t close yourself off. Let them gradually accept you as a more mature person who can make your own decisions wisely.

- Stay in touch. You may be busier than ever and feel you haven’t time for a phone call or e-mail, but communication is very important for parents—especially if they are now empty nesters without other children at home. Even if they seem to want too much involvement in your life and to make decisions for you, realize that this at least in part is simply a desire to stay in touch with you—and to feel they still matter in your life.

- Use your best listening skills. Understanding what they’re really feeling, which is often simply a concern for you born of their love for you, will usually help you know best to respond.

- Be assured that over time your parents and other family members will get used to your being on your own and will accept your ability to make your own decisions. Time itself often solves issues.

- With your own family, now that you are busier than ever with classes and work, you may need to pay special attention to ensuring you stay active in family relationships. Schedule times for family outings and make room in your days for casual interactions. But remember, it’s not how much time you spend together but the quality of that time, so give your family your full attention when you are together.

Key Takeaways

- A rich, diverse social life is an important dimension of the university experience that contributes also to academic success.

- Getting along with others involves communication skills and a willingness to interact with different people in a number of different ways.

- Effective listening skills are as important as expressing yourself well verbally and nonverbally.

- Online social networking used in moderation can be beneficial.

- Balancing one’s social life with schoolwork requires time management skills as well as good study skills.

- Because social interactions frequently involve conflicting values, behaviors, or ideas, it’s important to respect others, stay open minded, be open to compromise, and understand how to resolve conflicts.

- Acknowledge that family relationships will likely change after you enter university and work to ease the transition for everyone.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. List three or four guidelines for interacting successfully with others.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. You are talking after class with another student with whom you’d like to be friends, but you’re distracted by a test you have to study for. If you’re not careful, what nonverbal communication signals might you accidentally send that could make the other person feel you are not friendly? Describe two or three nonverbal signals that could give the wrong impression.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. What are the best things to say when you’re actively engaged in listening to another?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. For each of the following statements about effective communication, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

Avoid eye contact until you’ve gotten to know the person well enough to be sure they will not misinterpret your interest.

T

F

Using the same slang or accent as other people will make them see you respect them as they are.

T

F

Communicating your ideas with honesty and confidence is usually more effective than just agreeing with what others are saying.

T

F

Communicating with people online is seldom as effective as calling them on the telephone or seeing them in person.

T

F

It’s usually best to accept spontaneous opportunities for social interaction, because you’ll always have time later for your studies.

5. You are upset because your roommate (or a family member) always seems to have several friends over just when you need to study most. Write in the space below what you might say to this person to explain the problem, using “I statements” rather than “you statements.”

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

6. If another person is acting very emotionally and is harassing you, what should you not do at that moment?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

44

9.2 Living with Diversity

Learning Objectives

1. Define diversity and explain the benefits of a diverse university campus for all students.

2. List ten or more ways in which different groups of people can have significant differences, experiences, and perspectives.

3. Explain why all university students are more successful academically in a diverse environment and list several additional benefits of diversity for all students.

4. Describe the valuable characteristics of “nontraditional” older university students.

5. Explain what students can do to foster multiculturalism and celebrate diversity on campus. For students who have few experiences with diversity in the past, outline steps that can be taken to gain cultural sensitivity and a multicultural outlook.

6. Describe how instructors help create a positive, inclusive learning environment in the classroom.

Ours is a very diverse society—and increasingly so. In 2011, 19.1% of Canadians identified themselves as visible minorities, with the three largest visible minority groups being South-Asians, Chinese and African Americans[1]. Canada’s diverse society also includes Aboriginal Peoples, made up of First Nations’, Metis, and Inuit, comprising 4.1% of the total Canadian population[2]. But “diversity” means much more than a variety of racial and ethnic differences. As we’ll use the term here, diversity refers to the great variety of human characteristics—ways that we are different even as we are all human and share more similarities than differences. These differences are an essential part of what enriches humanity.

We’ll look first at some of the ways that people differ and explore the benefits of diversity for our society generally and for the university experience. While we should all celebrate diversity, at the same time we need to acknowledge past issues that grew from misunderstandings of such differences and work together to bring change where needed.

What Diversity Really Means

Differences among people may involve where a person was born and raised, the person’s family and cultural group, factual differences in personal identity, and chosen differences in significant beliefs. Some diversity is primarily cultural (involving shared beliefs and behaviors), other diversity may be biological (race, age, gender), and some diversity is defined in personal terms (sexual orientation, religion). Diversity generally involves things that may significantly affect some people’s perceptions of others—not just any way people happen to be different. For example, having different tastes in music, movies, or books is not what we usually refer to as diversity.

When discussing diversity, it is often difficult to avoid seeming to generalize about different types of people—and such generalizations can seem similar to dangerous stereotypes. The following descriptions are meant only to suggest that individuals are different from other individuals in many possible ways and that we can all learn things from people whose ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, backgrounds, experiences, and behaviors are different from our own. This is a primary reason university admissions departments frequently seek diversity in the student body. Following are various aspects of diversity:

- Diversity of race.Race refers to what we generally think of as biological differences and is often defined by what some think of as skin color. Such perceptions are often at least as much social as they are biological.

- Diversity of ethnicity.Ethnicity is a cultural distinction that is different from race. An ethnic group is a group of people who share a common identity and a perceived cultural heritage that often involves shared ways of speaking and behaving, religion, traditions, and other traits. The term “ethnic” also refers to such a group that is a minority within the larger society. Race and ethnicity are sometimes interrelated but not automatically so.

- Diversity of cultural background.Culture, like ethnicity, refers to shared characteristics, language, beliefs, behaviors, and identity. We are all influenced by our culture to some extent. While ethnic groups are typically smaller groups within a larger society, the larger society itself is often called the “dominant culture.” The term is often used rather loosely to refer to any group with identifiable shared characteristics.

- Diversity of educational background. Universities do not use a cookie-cutter approach to admit only students with identical academic skills. Diversity of educational background helps ensure a free flow of ideas and challenges those who might become set in their ways.

- Diversity of geography. People from different places within Canada or the world often have a range of differences in ideas, attitudes, and behaviors.

- Diversity of socioeconomic background. People’s identities are influenced by how they grow up, and part of that background often involves socioeconomic factors. Socioeconomic diversity can contribute a wide variety of ideas and attitudes.

- Diversity ofgender roles. Women have virtually all professional and social roles, including those once dominated by men, and men have taken on many roles, such as raising a child, that were formerly occupied mostly by women. These changing roles have brought diverse new ideas and attitudes to university campuses.

- Diversity of age. While younger students attending university immediately after high school are generally within the same age range, older students returning to school bring a diversity of age. Because they often have broader life experiences, many older students bring different ideas and attitudes to the campus.

- Diversity of sexual orientation. Gays and lesbians make up a significant percentage of people in Canadian society and students on university campuses. Exposure to this diversity helps others overcome stereotypes and become more accepting of human differences.

- Diversity of religion. For many people, religion is not just a Sunday morning practice but a larger spiritual force that infuses their lives. Religion helps shape different ways of thinking and behaving, and thus diversity of religion brings a wider benefit of diversity to university.

- Diversity of political views. A diversity of political views helps broaden the level of discourse on campuses concerning current events and the roles of government and leadership at all levels. University students are frequently concerned about issues such as environmentalism and civil rights and can help bring about change.

- Diversity of physical ability. Some students have athletic talents. Some students have physical disabilities. Physical differences among students brings yet another kind of diversity to universities—a diversity that both widens opportunities for a university education and also helps all students better understand how people relate to the world in physical as well as intellectual ways.

- Diversity of extracurricular abilities. As you remember from your university applications, universities ask about what you do outside of class—clubs, activities, abilities in music and the arts, and so on. A student body with diverse interests and skills benefits all students by helping make the university experience full and enriching at all levels.

These are just some of the types of diversity you are likely to encounter on university campuses and in our society generally.

The Benefits of Diversity

Figure 9.5 Diversity in the classroom is a goal of university admissions offices
US Embassy – Late February – The Year 12 History class at Pakuranga University and Ambassador Huebner – CC BY-ND 2.0.

The goal of many university admissions departments is to attract diverse students from a broad range of backgrounds involving different cultural, socioeconomic, age, and other factors—everything in the preceding list. But why is diversity so important? There are many reasons:

- Experiencing diversity at university prepares students for the diversity they will encounter the rest of their lives. Learning to understand and accept people different from ourselves is very important in our world. While many high school students may not have met or gotten to know well many people with different backgrounds, this often changes in university. Success in one’s career and future social life also requires understanding people in new ways and interacting with new skills. Experiencing diversity in university assists in this process.

- Students learn better in a diverse educational setting. Encountering new concepts, values, and behaviors leads to thinking in deeper, more complex, and more creative ways, rather than furthering past ideas and attitudes. Students who experience the most racial and ethnic diversity in their classes are more engaged in active thinking processes and develop more intellectual and academic skills (and have higher grade point averages) than others with limited experience of diversity.

- Attention to diversity leads to a broader range of teaching methods, which benefits the learning process for all students. Just as people are different in diverse ways, people from different backgrounds and experiences learn in different ways. University teaching has expanded to include many new teaching techniques. All students gain when instructors make the effort to address the diverse learning needs of all students.

- Experiencing diversity on campus is beneficial for both minority and majority students. Students have more fulfilling social relationships and report more satisfaction and involvement with their university experience. Studies show all students on campus gain from diversity programs. All the social and intellectual benefits of diversity cited in this list hold true for all students.

- Diversity experiences help break the patterns of segregation and prejudice that have characterized North American history.Discrimination against others—whether by race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or anything else—is rooted in ignorance and sometimes fear of people who are different. Getting to know people who are different is the first step in accepting those differences, furthering the goal of a society free of all forms of prejudice and the unfair treatment of people.

- Students of a traditional university age are in an ideal stage of development for forming healthy attitudes about diversity. Younger students may not yet have reached a point at which they can fully understand and accept very different ideas and behaviors in others. The university years are a time of growth and maturation intellectually, socially, and emotionally, and a sustained experience of diversity is an opportunity to heighten this process.

- Experiencing diversity makes us all better citizens in our democracy. When people can better understand and consider the ideas and perspectives of others, they are better equipped to participate meaningfully in our society. Democratic government depends on shared values of equality and the public good. An attitude of “us versus them,” in contrast, does not further the public good or advance democratic government. Studies have shown that university graduates with a good experience of diversity generally maintain patterns of openness and inclusivity in their future lives.

- Diversity enhances self-awareness. We gain insights into our own thought processes, life experiences, and values as we learn from people whose backgrounds and experiences are different from our own.

While all the benefits described have been demonstrated repeatedly on campuses all across the country in study after study, and while admissions and retention programs on virtually all campuses promote and celebrate diversity, some problems still remain. Society changes only slowly, and sadly, many students in some areas—including gay and lesbian students, students with disabilities, and many minority students—still feel marginalized in the dominant culture of their campuses. Even in a country that prides itself on tolerance and acceptance, racism exists in many places. Gays and lesbians are still fighting for equal rights under the law and acceptance everywhere. Women still earn less than men in the same jobs. Thus society as a whole, and universities in particular, need to continue to work to destroy old stereotypes and achieve a full acceptance of our human differences.

Multiculturalism is not political correctness. We’ve all heard jokes about “political correctness,” which suggests that we do or say certain things not because they are right but because we’re expected to pay lip service to them. Unfortunately, some people think of universities’ diversity programs as just the politically correct thing to do. Use your critical thinking skills if you hear such statements. In the world of higher education, truth is discovered through investigation and research—and research has shown the value of diversity for all university participants[3].

Older “Nontraditional” Students and Diversity

Sometimes overlooked among the types of diversity on most university campuses are older students, often called nontraditional students, who are returning to education usually after working a number of years. While many university students are younger and enroll in university immediately after high school, these older students help bring a wider range of diversity to campuses and deserve special attention for the benefits they bring for all students. As a group, older students often share certain characteristics that bring unique value to the university experience overall. Older students often

- have well-established identities and broader roles and responsibilities on which to base their thinking;

- more fully represent the local community and its values;

- have greater emotional independence and self-reliance;

- have well-developed problem-solving, self-directing, and decision-making skills;

- can share important life lessons and insights not found in textbooks;

- have relationships and experience with a greater variety of people;

- can be positive role models for younger students with less experience and maturity.

In many ways, these “nontraditional” students benefit the campus as a whole and contribute in meaningful ways to the educational process. Both instructors and “traditional” students gain when older students share their ideas and feelings in class discussions, study groups, and all forms of social interaction.

Accepting and Celebrating Diversity and Working for Change

More than anything, multiculturalism is an attitude. Multiculturalism involves accepting and respecting the ideas, feelings, behaviors, and experiences of people different from oneself—all the forms of diversity described earlier. Canada is not actually a “melting pot” in the sense that people from diverse backgrounds somehow all become the same. Canada has always included a great diversity of ideas, attitudes, and behaviors. People of diverse religious backgrounds are not expected to “melt” together into one religion. Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the equal rights of all people regardless of skin color, gender, age, and other differences—including, equality under the law for those with diverse sexual orientation[4].

Universities similarly make commitments to ensure they respect and value differences among people and promote a wide understanding of such differences. Many universities now have formal diversity programs to help all students not only accept and understand differences among students of varied backgrounds, but also celebrate the benefits for all.

What Students Can Do

While diversity exists in most places, not everyone automatically understands differences among people and celebrates the value of those differences. Students who never think about diversity and who make no conscious effort to experience and understand others gain less than others who do. There are many ways you can experience the benefits of diversity on your university campus, however, beginning with your own attitudes and by taking steps to increase your experiences with diverse individuals.

Acknowledge your own uniqueness, for you are diverse, too. Diversity doesn’t involve just other people. Consider that you may be just as different to other people as they are to you. Don’t think of the other person as being the one who is different, that you are somehow the “norm.” Your religion may seem just as odd to them as theirs does to you, and your clothing may seem just as strange looking to them as theirs is to you—until you accept there is no one “normal” or right way to be. Look at yourself in a mirror and consider why you look as you do. Why do you use the slang you do with your friends? Why did you just have that type of food for breakfast? How is it that you prefer certain types of music? Read certain books? Talk about certain things? Much of this has to do with your cultural background—so it makes sense that someone from another cultural or ethnic background is different in some ways. But both of you are also individuals with your own tastes, preferences, ideas, and attitudes—making you unique. It’s only when you realize your own uniqueness that you can begin to understand and respect the uniqueness of others, too.

Consider your own (possibly unconscious) stereotypes. A stereotype is a fixed, simplistic view of what people in a certain group are like. It is often the basis for prejudice and discrimination: behaving differently toward someone because you stereotype them in some way. Stereotypes are generally learned and emerge in the dominant culture’s attitudes toward those from outside that dominant group. A stereotype may be explicitly racist and destructive, and it may also be a simplistic generalization applied to any group of people, even if intended to be flattering rather than negative. As you have read this chapter so far, did you find yourself thinking about any group of people, based on any kind of difference, and perhaps thinking in terms of stereotypes? If you walked into a party and saw many different kinds of people standing about, would you naturally avoid some and move toward others? Remember, we learn stereotypes from our cultural background—so it’s not a terrible thing to admit you have inherited some stereotypes. Thinking about them is a first step in breaking out of these irrational thought patterns.

Examples of Cultural Differences in Body Language

While we should be careful not to stereotype individuals or whole cultures, it is important to be aware of potential differences among cultures when interacting with other people. For example, body language often has different meanings in different cultures. Understanding such differences can help you better understand your interaction with others. Here are a few examples:

- Some Canadians clap their hands together to emphasize a point, while some French clap to end a conversation.

- Many Canadians cross their legs when seated and thus may point the bottom of their shoe toward another person; many Japanese find this gesture offensive.

- Many Canadians may wave their index fingers at someone else to make a point, but this gesture is often offensive to Mexicans and Somali, who may use that gesture only for dogs.

- In Canada, men and women may shake hands with each other, but in some other cultures, handshakes across genders are not acceptable.

- In Canada, eye contact is generally considered polite and a sign of interest, whereas in many Asian cultures, people show their respect for others by bowing their head slightly and consider steady eye contact aggressive.

Activity: Challenge Your Thinking

Read each of the following scenarios quickly and respond immediately without stopping to think. There are no right or wrong answers.

Scenario 1. You are walking home down a dark sidewalk when ahead you see three people standing around. Something about the way they are hanging out makes you a little frightened to walk past them.

Be honest with yourself: what did you just imagine these people looked like?

____________________________________________________________________________

Why do think you might have associated this particular mental picture with the emotion of feeling frightened?

____________________________________________________________________________

Scenario 2. In a café on campus, you see a student from another country sitting alone—someone you know casually from a class—and you walk over and are just about to ask if you can join him, when two other students also from his country appear and sit down with him. You hesitate.

Would you have hesitated if this person had the same cultural background as you? What makes this situation different?

____________________________________________________________________________

As you hesitate, you overhear them conversing in a language other than English.

Be honest with yourself: how does that make you feel now?

____________________________________________________________________________

Scenario 3. A couple you know invites you to join them and one of their friends, whom you have not met, on a “double date”—a movie and dinner after. When you meet them outside the theater, you see that their friend, your date, is of a race different from your own.

Are you surprised or shocked? What is your first reaction?

____________________________________________________________________________

Do you anticipate any more difficulty making conversation with your date than with anyone else whom you have just met?

____________________________________________________________________________

Should your friends have told you in advance? Why or why not?

____________________________________________________________________________

If they had told you, would that have made any difference? Explain.

____________________________________________________________________________

Now think for a minute about how you responded in these scenarios. Did your mental image in the first scenario involve a negative stereotype? What images in the media or society might have contributed to that response? The second and third scenarios involve simple situations in which you couldn’t help but note some difference between you and another person. What might you feel in such situations in real life? Again, there is no “right” answer, and an awareness of differences is normal and natural even if it may cause some discomfort at first. On the other hand, if you have had significant experiences with diverse others, you might have read these scenarios and simply wondered, “So what? What’s the big deal?” It’s worthwhile thinking about what that means.

Do not try to ignore differences among people. Some people try so hard to avoid stereotyping that they go to the other extreme and try to avoid seeing any differences at all among people. But as we have seen throughout this chapter, people are different in many ways, and we should accept that if we are to experience the benefits of diversity.

Don’t apply any group generalizations to individuals. As an extension of not stereotyping any group, also don’t think of any individual person in terms of group characteristics. People are individuals first, members of a group second, and any given generalization simply may not apply to an individual. Be open minded and treat everyone with respect as an individual with his or her own ideas, attitudes, and preferences.

Develop cultural sensitivity for communication. Realize that your words may not mean quite the same thing in different cultural contexts or to individuals from different backgrounds. This is particularly true of slang words, which you should generally avoid until you are sure the other person will know what you mean. Never try to use slang or expressions you think are common in the cultural group of the person you are speaking with. Similarly, since body language often varies among different cultures, avoid strong gestures and expressions until the responses of the other person signify he or she will not misinterpret the messages sent by your body language.

Take advantage of campus opportunities to increase your cultural awareness. Your university likely has multiculturalism courses or workshops you can sign up for. Special events, cultural fairs and celebrations, concerts, and other programs are held frequently on most campuses. There may also be opportunities to participate in group travel to other countries or regions of cultural diversity.

Take the initiative in social interactions. Many students just naturally hang out with other students they are most like—that almost seems to be part of human nature. Even when we’re open minded and want to learn about others different from ourselves, it often seems easier and more comfortable to interact with others of the same age, cultural group, and so on. If we don’t make a small effort to meet others, however, we miss a great opportunity to learn and broaden our horizons. Next time you’re looking around the classroom or dorm for someone to ask about a class you missed or to study together for a test or group project, choose someone different from you in some way. Making friends with others of different backgrounds is often one of the most fulfilling experiences of university students.

Work through conflicts as in any other interaction. Conflicts simply occur among people, whether of the same or different background. If you are afraid of making a mistake when interacting with someone from a different background, you might avoid interaction altogether—and thus miss the benefits of diversity. Nothing risked, nothing gained. If you are sincere and respect the other, there is less risk of a misunderstanding occurring. If conflict does occur, work to resolve it as you would any other tension with another person, as described earlier.

Take a Stand against Prejudice and Hate

Unfortunately prejudice and hate still exist in Canada, even on university campuses. In addition to racial prejudice, some people are also prejudiced against women, people with disabilities, older adults, gays and lesbians—virtually all groups that can be characterized as “different.” All campuses have policies against all forms of prejudice and discriminatory behaviors. But it is not enough for only university administrators to fight prejudice and hate—this is a responsibility for all good citizens who take seriously the shared Canadian value of equality for all people. So what can you as a university student do?

- Decide that it does matter. Prejudice threatens us all, not just the particular group being discriminated against in a specific incident. Don’t stand on the sidelines or think it’s up to the people who may be victimized by prejudice or hate to do something about it. We can all do something.

- Talk with others. Communication has great value on campuses. Let others know how you feel about any acts of prejudice or hatred that you witness. The more everyone openly condemns such behavior, the less likely it is to reappear in the future. This applies even if you hear another student telling a racist joke or putting down the opposite sex—speak up and tell the person you find such statements offensive. You don’t want that person to think you agree with them. Speaking up can be difficult to do, but it can be done tactfully. People can and do learn what is acceptable in a diverse environment.

- Report incidents you observe. If you happen to see someone spray-painting a hateful slogan, for example, be a good citizen and report it to the appropriate campus office or the police.

- Support student groups working for change. Canada has a great tradition of university students banding together to help solve social problems. Show your support for groups and activities that celebrate diversity and condemn prejudice. Even if you are a shy, quiet person, your attendance at a parade or gathering lends support. Or you can write a letter to the editor in a student newspaper, help hand out leaflets for an upcoming rally, or put up posters on campus. Once you become aware of such student activities on campus, you’ll find many ways you can help take a stand.

- Celebrate diversity. In many ways, you can learn more about diversity through campus programs and activities. The more all students participate, the closer the campus will come to being free of prejudice and hate. Be a role model in how you act and what you say in relation to diversity, and you may have more effect on others than you realize.

Dealing with Prejudice

If you yourself experience prejudice or discrimination related to your race or ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or any other aspect of diversity, don’t just try to ignore it or accept it as something that cannot be changed. As discussed earlier, university students can do much to minimize intolerance on campus. Many overt forms of discrimination are frankly illegal and against university policies. You owe it to yourself, first and foremost, to report it to the appropriate university authority.

You can also attack prejudice in other ways. Join a campus organization that works to reduce prejudice or start a new group and discuss ways you can confront the problem and work for a solution. Seek solidarity with other groups. Organize positive celebrations and events to promote understanding. Write an article for a campus publication explaining the values of diversity and condemning intolerance.

What if you are directly confronted by an individual or group making racist or other discriminatory remarks? In an emotionally charged situation, rational dialogue may be difficult or impossible, and a shouting match or name-calling seldom is productive. If the person may have made an offensive remark inadvertently or because of a misunderstanding, then you may be able to calmly explain the problem with what they said or did. Hopefully the person will apologize and learn from the experience. But if the person made the remark or acted that way intentionally, confronting this negative person directly may be difficult and not have a positive outcome. Most important, take care that the situation does not escalate in the direction of violence. Reporting the incident instead to university authorities may better serve the larger purpose of working toward harmony and tolerance.

Journal Entry

If you are in the dominant cultural group on your campus, write a paragraph describing values you share with your cultural group. Then list things that students with a different background may have difficulty understanding about your group. If your racial, ethnic, or cultural background is different from the dominant cultural group on your campus, write a paragraph describing how students in the dominant culture seem to differ from your own culture.

Look back at what you just wrote. Did you focus on characteristics that seem either positive or negative? Might there be any stereotypes creeping into your thinking?

Write a second paragraph focusing on yourself as a unique individual, not a part of a group. How would others benefit from getting to know you better?

Key Takeaways

- Diversity refers to a great variety of human characteristics, and ways in which people differ.

- Diversity in the university environment has many benefits for all students, faculty, and others. Students learn more in a diverse setting, are better prepared for the future, and contribute more fully in positive ways to society.

- Nontraditional students bring many unique characteristics to the university environment that help enrich all students’ social and educational experiences.

- Multiculturalism involves respecting the ideas, feelings, behaviors, and experiences different from oneself in any way. Universities promote both diversity in the student body and multiculturalism among all students.

- As an individual, each of us can gain the benefits of diversity as we challenge our own stereotypes, understand and celebrate differences in others, and learn to interact well with others different from ourselves. Take advantage of campus opportunities to increase your cultural awareness and to form social relationships with diverse others.

- Although we would hope that all university campuses would be free of hate and discrimination, it can become necessary to take a stand against prejudice.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. List as many types of diversity as you can think of.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. Write a description of someone who is of a different race from yourself but who may not be different ethnically.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. List several characteristics of your own cultural background that may be different from the cultural background of some others on your campus.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. For each of the following statements about diversity, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

A diverse educational environment is primarily good for students from minority groups.

T

F

Students of traditional university age are usually already too old to be open to new ideas and attitudes learned from others with diverse backgrounds.

T

F

We gain insights into ourselves when we learn from others who are different from ourselves.

T

F

You can better understand an individual from a cultural group other than your own if you apply generalizations about that other culture to the person.

T

F

The best way to avoid a conflict that may arise from cultural differences is to interact only politely and in superficial ways with people who seem different from yourself.

5. Is it a cultural observation or a stereotype to say, for example, that Mexicans are more relaxed about time commitments than North Americans? (Think a minute before answering. How would you justify and explain your answer if challenged? Could both answers be right in some way?)

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

6. List at least three ways you may be able to increase your cultural awareness and understanding of diversity on your campus.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

1. Statistics Canada. (2015). Immigration and Ethnocultural Diversity in Canada. Retrieved from: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-010-x/99-010-x2011001-eng.cfm↵

2. Statistics Canada. (2015). Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: First Nations People, Metis and Inuit. Retrieved from: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-011-x/99-011-x2011001-eng.cfm↵

3. Maruyama, G. & Moreno, J.F. (1999). University Faculty Views About the Value of Diversity on Campus and in the Classroom. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved from: http://web.mit.edu/cortiz/www/Diversity/PDFs/MaruyamaandMoreno2000.pdf↵

4. Government of Canada. (1982). Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Retrieved from: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-15.html↵

45

9.3 Campus Groups

Learning Objectives

1. Describe several benefits of participating in campus life by joining organized groups and participating in campus activities.

2. Identify how participation in organized activities can promote multiculturalism and a better understanding of diversity.

3. List several ways you can learn about groups and activities on your own campus.

The university social experience also includes organized campus groups and activities. Participating in organized activities requires taking some initiative—you can’t be passive and expect these opportunities to come knocking on your door—but is well worthwhile for fully enriching university interactions. The active pursuit of a stimulating life on campus offers many benefits:

- Organized groups and activities speed your transition into your new life. New students can be overwhelmed by their studies and every aspect of a new life, and they may be slow to build a new life. Rather than waiting for it to come along on its own, you can immediately begin broadening your social contacts and experiences by joining groups that share your interests.

- Organized groups and activities help you experience a much greater variety of social life than you might otherwise. New students often tend to interact more with other students their own age and with similar backgrounds—this is just natural. But if you simply go with the flow and don’t actively reach out, you are much less likely to meet and interact with others from the broader campus, such as students who are older and may have a perspective you may otherwise miss, upper-level students who have much to share from their years on campus, and students of diverse heritage or culture with whom you might otherwise be slow to interact.

- Organized groups and activities help you gain new skills, whether technical, physical, intellectual, or social. Such skills may find their way into your résumé when you next seek a job or your application for a scholarship or other future educational opportunity. Employers and others like to see well-rounded students with a range of proficiencies and experiences.

- Organized groups and activities are fun and a great way to stay healthy and relieve stress. As Chapter 10 “Taking Control of Your Health” discusses, exercise and physical activity are essential for health and well-being, and many organized activities offer a good way to keep moving.

Participating in Groups and Activities

University campuses offer a wide range of clubs, organizations, and other activities open to all students. University administrators view this as a significant benefit and work to promote student involvement in such groups. When you made your decision to attend your university, you likely received printed materials or studied the university’s Web site and saw many opportunities. But you may have been so busy attending to academic matters that you haven’t thought of these groups since. It’s a good time now to check out the possibilities:

Figure 9.6 – Check bulletin boards on campus to learn about cultural events
Jeffrey Beall – University Campus Bulletin Board – CC BY-ND 2.0

- Browse the University of Saskatchewan website, where you’re likely to find links to pages for student clubs and organizations.

- Watch for club fairs, open houses, and similar activities on campus. Especially near the beginning of the year, an activity fair may include tables set up by many groups to provide students with information. Talk with the representatives from any group in which you may be interested.

- Look for notices on bulletin boards around campus. Student groups really do want new students to join, so they usually try to post information where you can find it.

- Stop by the appropriate university office, such as the student affairs or student activities office or cultural center.

- If you are looking for a group with very specialized interests, check with the academic offices of departments where many students with that interest may be majoring.

- Consider a wide variety of organizations. Some are primarily social; some are political or activist; some are based on hobbies (photography, chess, equestrianism, bird watching, video-gaming, computer programming); some involve the arts (instrumental music, choral singing, painting, poetry writing, drama club); some are forms of physical recreation (rock-climbing, ballroom dancing, archery, yoga, table tennis, tai chi, team sports); some focus on volunteerism (tutoring other students, community service projects, food drives); and others are related to academic or intellectual pursuits (nursing club, math club, chess club, engineering club, debate club, student literary magazine). For a full list of available student groups at the University of Saskatchewan, visit the Student Groups page.

- Consider other forms of involvement and roles beyond clubs. Gain leadership experience by running for office in student government or applying for a residence hall support position. If you are looking for a job, consider what kinds of people you’ll have the opportunity to interact with. Chapter 11 “Taking Control of Your Finances” will give you more tips for finding a job.

- If the University of Saskatchewan doesn’t have a group focused on a particular activity you enjoy yourself, think about starting a new club. Visit the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union to get started.

Whatever your interests, don’t be shy about checking out a club or organization. Take chances and explore. Attending a meeting or gathering is not a commitment—you’re just going the first time to see what it’s like, and you have no obligation to join. Keep an open mind as you meet and observe other students in the group, especially if you don’t feel at first like you fit in: remember that part of the benefit of the experience is to meet others who are not necessarily just like everyone you already know.

Exercise: Explore Your Interests for University Clubs and Organizations

Write things you may be interested in doing with others in each of these categories.

Clubs Related to Hobbies and Personal Interests

Sports, Exercise, Physical Fitness

Interests Related to Your Major Area of Study

Purely for Fun

Bridging the Generation Gap

Is there still a “generation gap” in our society? Maybe not in the same sense as when that phrase came into being in the 1960s, but it remains generally true that most people naturally gravitate toward others of similar age. Even in the open, accepting environment of most universities, many students interact primarily with others of similar age—which, sadly, misses a great opportunity for both older and younger students to learn from each other.

Younger, “traditional” students just out of high school usually live in residence halls and immediately meet other students of the same age. New students who are just a few years older, who usually have spent some time in the workforce before returning to their education, are more likely to live in a house or apartment and probably spend less time on campus interacting with other students. Some students may be decades older than both traditional and most non-traditional students, returning to university sometimes with the desire to change careers or simply to take classes of special interest; their lives may be so well settled in other respects that they have little interest at all in the social world of university. Students in all of these groups may be slow to initiate interactions with each other.

This is one of the great benefits of organized campus groups and activities, however. Regardless of your age or background, you can attend a meeting of those with similar interests and have the opportunity to meet people you simply would not have crossed paths with otherwise. Age barriers rapidly break down when people share the same interests.

When and How to Say No

For all the benefits of an active social and campus life, too much of any good thing can also cause trouble. If you join too many groups, or if you have limited time because of work and family commitments, you may spend less time with your studies—with negative results. Here are some guidelines for finding a good balance between social life and everything else you need to do:

- Don’t join too many organizations or clubs. Most advisors suggest that two or three regular activities are the maximum that most students can handle.

- Work on your time management skills, as described in Chapter 2 “Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track”. Plan ahead for study time when you don’t have schedule conflicts. If you have a rich social life, study in the library or places where you won’t be tempted by additional social interaction with a roommate, family member, or others passing by.

- Don’t be afraid to say no. You may be active in a club and have plenty of time for routine activities, but someone may ask you to spend extra time organizing an upcoming event just when you have a major paper deadline coming up. Sometimes you have to remember the main reason you’re in university and just say you can’t do it because you have to get your work done.

- If you really can’t resolve your time conflicts, seek help. Talk with your advisor or a university counselor. They’ll help you get back on track.

Key Takeaways

- University students with an active social life and who interact with the campus community are generally more successful academically as well.

- Organized groups and activities promote a more varied and diverse social experience.

- Students participating in organized groups and activities gain skills that may become important for job and other professional applications.

- Most campuses offer a large variety of opportunities for involvement in clubs, associations, and other activities.

- Take the initiative to find organizations and activities you will most enjoy.

- To balance your social life and academic studies, avoid joining too many organizations and use your time management skills.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. List two specific skills (technical, intellectual, or social) that you personally may gain or improve by participating in a campus club or organization.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. What events or campus groups have you noticed on a campus bulletin board or poster recently that caught your eye?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. What academic subject might you major in? Imagine yourself joining a club formed by students in that major. What kinds of things might you do or talk about in such a club? (Use your imagination as you consider how you can have fun with others in such a club.)

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

46

9.4 Chapter Activities

Chapter Takeaways

- An active social life and social interaction with a variety of people on campus contribute to university students’ well-being and overall academic success.

- Successfully interacting with diverse others requires effective communication skills, including both listening skills and assertive communication rather than passive or aggressive communication.

- Social interaction can be heightened by productive and moderate online networking.

- Time management and study skills help one avoid problems when balancing social life and academic studies.

- To prevent or resolve conflicts that may occur in any social interaction, maintain an attitude of respect for others, be open minded and willing to compromise, and know how to work together calmly to resolve conflicts.

- Diversity on campus is beneficial for all students, not just those from ethnic or minority groups. The wider perspectives of students from different backgrounds and the greater variety of teaching methods help everyone gain more fully in educational experiences. Socially, students develop a more mature worldview and are better prepared for interacting with a diverse world in the future.

- Multiculturalism involves an attitude of respect for the ideas, feelings, behaviors, and experiences of others who differ from oneself in any way. Universities promote both diversity in the student body and multiculturalism among all students.

- To gain a multicultural perspective, challenge your own learned stereotypes while you learn more about other cultural groups. Understanding what can be learned from others leads to celebrating the diversity found on most campuses.

- Take a personal responsibility both for broadening your own social world and for speaking out against prejudice and discrimination wherever encountered.

- Take advantage of campus opportunities to increase your cultural awareness and to form social relationships with diverse others. Organized campus groups and events can help you broaden your horizons in many beneficial ways.

- Participation in campus clubs and other organizations is not only fun and a good way to reduce stress but also helps develop social, intellectual, and technical skills that may serve you well in your future career or other endeavors.

Chapter Review

1. List at least three benefits of social interaction with a variety of different people on your university campus.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. Describe what is involved in being a “good friend” to someone you have just recently met.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. What can you do to demonstrate that you are really listening to the other person in a conversation?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. Mark each of the following communication strategies as passive, assertive, or aggressive:

- Showing your very critical reaction to another’s ideas: _________________

- Agreeing with everything another person says: _________________

- Hesitating to say something the other may disagree with: _________________

- Being honest and confident when expressing your ideas: _________________

- Joking sarcastically about something the other says: _________________

- Offering your opinion while respecting other opinions: _________________

5. True or false: Interactions on Facebook can strengthen one’s personal relationships with others and make it easier to participate socially in a group.

6. Give two examples of how you can use time management skills to ensure you get your studies done while still maintaining an active social life.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

7. Write an “I statement” sentence you might say to prevent a heated argument with another student who has just told a sexist joke.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

8. Imagine this scenario: eight white university students between the ages of eighteen and twenty from a large U.S. city are spending a summer in a poverty-stricken rural Indonesian village in a volunteer project. Describe several behavioral characteristics of these students as an ethnic minority group that may not be understood by the villagers.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

9. Imagine yourself working in your chosen career five years from now. Describe two experiences you may have in that career for which your current experience with diverse people on campus may help prepare you.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

10. What insights into your own attitudes, behaviors, or values have you gained through interactions with others different from yourself? Think of specific aspects of yourself that you have come to view in a new light.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

11. What’s wrong with the following statement? “People are what they are and you can’t change them. The best thing you can do when someone’s showing their prejudice is just walk away and don’t let it bother you.”

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

12. As you read the chapter section on clubs and organizations and all the possibilities that are likely on your campus, what thoughts did you have about your own interests? What kind of club would be ideal for you? If your university campus happens not to have that club at present, would you get together with others with similar interests to start one?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

13. Read this case study and answer the following questions:

The International Student Office is sponsoring South Asian Night, a celebration in which students from this region will be showcasing their cultures and ethnic foods. Two groups of students, from India and Pakistan, have had disagreements during the planning and rehearsals. They have argued about how much time each group is allotted for their performances and how high on the evening’s agenda their performances are scheduled. The conflict escalates and threatens cancellation of the whole celebration, which the school and the campus community have been looking forward to.

1. If you were the director of the International Student Office, how would you handle this situation?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. What would you say to these two groups of students? What process would you use?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Outside the Book

1. Visit your university’s Web site and look for a section on student activities and organizations. Try to identify two or three groups you might be interested to learn more about.

2. Next time you walk across campus or through the student center, stop to look at bulletin boards and posters. Look for upcoming events that celebrate cultural diversity in some way. Read the information in detail and imagine how much fun the event might be while you also learn something new. Then ask a friend to go with you.

3. Go to http://www.understandingrace.org/lived/sports/index.html—a Web site of the American Anthropological Association—and take the short online sports quiz. Many things have been said about why certain races or people from certain geographic areas excel at certain sports. People often talk about differences in biology and other differences among ethnic groups as related to sports. How much is true, partly true, or blatantly false? How much do you know about what are real or not real differences?

Make an Action List

Friendships

Sometimes I’m not as good a friend as I could be because I

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will work on the following things to be a better friend:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Social Interaction

Sometimes I have difficulty interacting well with these people:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will use these communication techniques for more successful interactions in the future:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Communication Style

Sometimes I am too passive when talking with these people:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I can do these things to be more assertive in my communication:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Balance of Studies and Social Life

I sometimes don’t get enough studying done because I am busy doing the following:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will ensure I have enough time for studying by taking these steps:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Family Life

Since I am so busy with university now, I may have ignored my relationship(s) with

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will do better to stay in touch by

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Diversity on Campus

I admit to knowing very little about these groups of people I often see on campus:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

By this time next year, I hope to be more culturally aware as a result of doing these things more often:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Campus Activities

I would really enjoy doing the following one thing more often with other people:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

To participate in this activity with a variety of people, I will look on campus for a club or group such as the following:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I can do these things to learn more about this club:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Figure 10.1
Jasmine Kaloudis – weight-loss-yoa=synergybyjasmine.com – CC BY-ND 2.0.

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

Yes

Unsure

No

1. I usually eat well and maintain my weight at an appropriate level.

2. I get enough regular exercise to consider myself healthy.

3. I get enough restful sleep and feel alert throughout the day.

4. My attitudes and habits involving smoking, alcohol, and drugs are beneficial to my health.

5. I am coping in a healthy way with the everyday stresses of being a student.

6. I am generally a happy person.

7. I understand how all of these different health factors interrelate and affect my academic success as a student.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your level of personal health at this time?

Not very healthy

Very healthy

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

In the following list, circle the three most important areas of health in which you think you can improve:

- Nutrition

- Weight control

- Exercise

- Sleep

- Smoking

- Alcohol use

- Drug use

- Stress reduction

- Emotional health

- Romantic relationships

Are there other areas in which you can improve your physical, emotional, and mental health and become happier? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

- Eating well to stay healthy and at a weight you feel good about

- Finding regular physical activities you enjoy that will make you healthier and cope better with the stresses of being a student

- Determine how much sleep your body and mind really need—and how to get it

- Developing an appropriate and healthy attitude toward smoking, alcohol, and drugs and learning how to change your habits if needed

- Understanding why everyone feels stressed at times and what you can do about it

- Knowing what to do if you’re feeling lonely or anxious about school or your personal life and how to stay balanced emotionally

Introduction

Health and wellness are important for everyone—students included. Not only will you do better in school when your health is good, but you’ll be happier as a person. And the habits you develop now will likely persist for years to come. That means that what you’re doing now in terms of personal health will have a huge influence on your health throughout life and can help you avoid many serious diseases.

Considerable research has demonstrated that the basic elements of good health—nutrition, exercise, not abusing substances, stress reduction—are important for preventing disease. You’ll live much longer and happier than someone without good habits. Here are a few of the health problems whose risks can be lowered by healthful habits:

- Cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks and strokes

- Some cancers

- Diabetes (currently reaching epidemic proportions)

- Lung diseases related to smoking

- Injuries related to substance abuse

Wellness is more than just avoiding disease. Wellness involves feeling good in every respect, in mind and spirit as well as in body. Good health habits also offer these benefits for your university career:

- More energy

- Better ability to focus on your studies

- Less stress, feeling more resilient and able to handle day-to-day stress

- Less time lost to colds, flu, infections, and other illnesses

- More restful sleep

This chapter examines a wide range of topics, including nutrition, exercise and sleep. All of these involve personal attitudes and behaviors. And they are all linked together to one of the biggest problems students face: stress.

Everyone knows about stress, but not everyone knows how to control it. Stress is the great enemy of university success. But once you’ve learned how to reduce it where you can and cope with unavoidable stress, you’ll be well on the road to becoming the best student you can be.

47

10.1 Nutrition and Weight Control

Learning Objectives

1. Explain why good nutrition is important.

2. List health problems related to being overweight and obesity.

3. Explain the general principles of good nutrition.

4. Make good choices about foods to emphasize in meals and snacks.

Most Canadians have a real problem with food. Overeating causes health problems, but what and how you eat can also affect how well you do as a student.

Why Are So Many Canadians Overweight?

Canadians are eating too much—much more so than in the past. in 2014, 20% of Canadians self-reported their height and weight, such that they were classified as obese. Another 40% self-reported as overweight[1]. That means that 60% of us are not eating well or getting enough exercise. There are many intertwined causes of this problem in Canadian culture.

Why are being overweight and obese a problem? Obesity is associated with many medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers[2]. Although some health problems may not appear until later in life, diabetes is expected to become increasingly prevalent in Canada [3]. Worse yet, the habits young adults may already have or may form during their university years generally continue into later years.

But it’s not just about body weight. Good nutrition is still important even if you don’t have a health problem. What you eat affects how you feel and how well you function mentally and physically. Food affects how well you study and how you do on tests. Doughnuts for breakfast can lower your grades!

Why Do Students Find It So Tough to Eat Healthily?

If Canadians have trouble eating well in an environment that encourages overeating, university students often have it even worse. It seems like food is everywhere, and students are always snacking between classes. Fast food restaurants abound. There may not be time to get back to your dorm or apartment for lunch, and it’s just so easy to grab a quick pastry at the coffee spot as you pass by between classes.

It’s the eating by habit, or mindlessly, that usually gets us in trouble. If we’re mindful instead, however, it’s easy to develop better habits. Take the Nutrition Self-Assessment to evaluate your present eating habits.

Nutrition Self-Assessment

Check the appropriate boxes.

Usually

Sometimes

Seldom

1. I take the time to eat breakfast before starting my day.

2. I eat lunch rather than snack throughout the day.

3. When I’m hungry between meals, I eat fruit rather than chips or cookies.

4. I consciously try to include fruit and vegetables with lunch and dinner.

5. There is food left on my plate at the end of a meal.

6. I try to avoid overeating snacks at night and while studying.

7. Over the last year, my eating habits have kept me at an appropriate weight.

8. Overall, my eating habits are healthy.

Eating Well: It’s Not So Difficult

The key to a good diet is to eat a varied diet with lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and to minimize fats, sugar, and salt. The exact amounts depend on your calorie requirements and activity levels, but you don’t have to count calories or measure and weigh your food to eat well. The following is Health Canada’s Food Guide[4].

Figure 10.2 – Canada’s Food Guide

If You Need to Lose Weight

If you need to lose weight, don’t try to starve yourself. Gradual steady weight loss is healthier and easier. Try these guidelines:

1. Check your body mass index (BMI) to see the normal weight range for your height (see “Additional Resources” below for more information).

2. Set your goals and make a plan you can live with. Start by avoiding snacks and fast foods. Try to choose foods that meet the guidelines listed above.

3. Stay active and try to exercise frequently.

4. Keep a daily food journal and write down what you eat. Simply writing it down helps people be more aware of their habits, as well as motivated to eat better.

5. Visit the University of Saskatchewan Student Health Services on campus and ask for more information about weight loss programs.

6. Remember, no single plan works for everyone. Visit the online resources listed later for a variety of approaches for weight loss.

Avoiding the Freshman Fifteen

The “freshman fifteen” refers to the weight gain many students experience in their first year of university. Even those whose weight was at an appropriate level often gained unwanted pounds because of changes in their eating habits.

Start by looking back at the boxes you checked in the Nutrition Self-Assessment. Be honest with yourself. If your first choice for a snack is cookies, ice cream, or chips, think about that. If your first choice for lunch is a burger and fries, have you considered other choices?

Tips for Success: Nutrition

- Eat a variety of foods every day.

- Take a multivitamin every day.

- Take an apple or banana with you for a snack in case you get hungry between meals.

- Avoid fried foods.

- Avoid high-sugar foods. After the rush comes a crash that can make you drowsy, and you’ll have trouble paying attention in class. Watch out for sugary cereals—try other types with less sugar and more fiber.

- If you have a soft drink habit, experiment with flavored seltzer and other zero- or low-calorie drinks.

- Eat when you’re hungry, not when you’re bored or just because others are eating.

- If you find yourself in a fast food restaurant, try a salad.

- Watch portion sizes and never “supersize it”!

Eating Disorders

The most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. Please visit the National Eating Disorder Information Centre for more detailed clinical definitions of the following eating disorders.

Anorexia is characterized by excessive weight loss and self-starvation. The individual usually feels “fat” regardless of how thin she or he becomes and may continue to eat less and less. If your BMI is lower than the bottom of the normal range, you may be developing anorexia.

Bulimia is characterized by frequent binge eating followed by an attempt to compensate for or “undo” the overeating with a behavior such as self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse.

Binge eating disorder is characterized by frequent binge eating without compensatory behavior to “undo” the overeating. Binge eating usually leads to weight gain and eventual obesity.

It is estimated that between 600,000 to 990,000 individuals suffer from an eating disorder in Canada[5]. The causes are complex, and the individual usually needs help to overcome their obsession. Eating disorders hurt one’s health in a variety of ways and can become life threatening. The signs of a possible eating disorder include the following:

- Eating secretly when others can’t see

- Having a strong fear of being overweight or gaining weight

- Only eating a limited number of foods

- Exercising obsessively

- Lacking a monthly menstrual period

Getting Help for Eating Disorders

Don’t feel ashamed if you obsess over food or your weight. If your eating habits are affecting your life, it’s time to seek help. As with any other health problem, professionals can provide help and treatment. Talk to your doctor or visit your campus student health center.

Additional Resources

BMI calculator. Find out how your weight compares with normal ranges at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi.

Meal planning. Visit Health Canada’s ‘How to Make a Plan‘ webpage for more information on how to make healthy choices when choosing meals.

Calorie counter, nutritional database, and personal diet log. If you’re really serious about losing weight and want to keep a daily log of your progress, try this online tool: http://www.caloriecount.com/.

Eating disorders. For information about causes and treatment of eating disorders, as well as additional resources, visit the National Eating Disorder Information Centre.

Key Takeaways

- Good nutrition and an appropriate body weight are important for health and wellness. You’re also be more successful academically.

- Eating well does not require counting calories or obsessing over everything you eat. Focus on whole grains, lots of fruits and vegetables, and low-fat meats and dairy products. Minimize processed snacks and foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, and sugar.

- If you need to control your weight, a variety of healthful plans are available to help you eat foods you like and still lose weight without suffering unduly.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. What health problems may result from obesity?

__________________________________________________________________

2. List three or more snacks that are healthier than cookies, chips, ice cream, and doughnuts.

__________________________________________________________________

3. How many cups of fruit and vegetables should you eat every day?

__________________________________________________________________

1. Statistics Canada. (2015). Overweight and Obese Adults (self-reported) 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-625-x/2015001/article/14185-eng.htm↵

2. Tjepkema, M. (2006). Adult Obesity. Statistics Canada Health Reports. Retrieved from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2005003/article/9276-eng.pdf↵

3. Canadian Diabetes Association. (2015). Diabetes Statistics in Canada. Retrieved from: http://www.diabetes.ca/how-you-can-help/advocate/why-federal-leadership-is-essential/diabetes-statistics-in-canada#_ftn1↵

4. Health Canada. (2011). Canada's Food Guide. Retrieved from: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/food-guide-aliment/view_eatwell_vue_bienmang-eng.pdf↵

5. Government of Canada. (2014). Eating Disorders Among Girls and Women in Canada. Retrieved from: http://www.parl.gc.ca/content/hoc/Committee/412/FEWO/Reports/RP6772133/feworp04/feworp04-e.pdf↵

48

10.2 Activity and Exercise

Learning Objectives

1. List the physical and mental health benefits of regular exercise.

2. Plan a program of regular exercise that you enjoy and can maintain.

Does Exercise Really Matter?

Exercise is good for both your body and mind. Indeed, physical activity is almost essential for good health and university success. The physical benefits of regular exercise include the following[1]:

- Improved fitness for the whole body

- Greater cardiovascular fitness and reduced disease risk

- Increased physical endurance

- Stronger immune system, providing more resistance to disease

- Lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease

- Lowered risk of developing diabetes

- Weight maintenance or loss

Perhaps more important to students are the mental and psychological benefits[2]:

- Stress reduction

- Improved mood, with less anxiety and depression

- Improved ability to focus mentally

- Better sleep

- Feeling better about oneself

For all of these reasons, it’s important for university students to regularly exercise or engage in physical activity. Like good nutrition and getting enough sleep, exercise is a key habit that contributes to overall wellness that promotes university success. First, use the Exercise and Activity Self-Assessment to consider your current habits and attitudes.

Exercise and Activity Self-Assessment

Check the appropriate boxes.

Usually

Sometimes

Seldom

1. I enjoy physical activity.

2. Exercise is a regular part of my life.

3. I get my heart rate up for twenty to thirty minutes several times a week.

4. I enjoy exercising or engaging in physical activities or sports with others.

Write your answers.

5. What physical activities do you enjoy?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

6. How often each week do you engage in a physical activity?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

7. If you feel you’re not getting much exercise, what stands in your way?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

8. Overall, do you think you get enough exercise to be healthy?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

9. Do you feel a lot of stress in your life?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

10. Do you frequently have trouble getting to sleep?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How Much Exercise and What Kind?

With aerobic exercise, your heart and lungs are working hard enough to improve your cardiovascular fitness. This generally means moving fast enough to increase your heart rate and breathing. To realize health benefits of physical activity, try to achieve at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous levels of aerobic physical activity in a week[3]. If you really enjoy exercise and are motivated, you may exercise as often as six days a week, but take at least one day of rest. When you’re first starting out, or if you’ve been inactive for a while, take it gradually, and let your body adjust between sessions. But the old expression “No pain, no gain” is not true, regardless of what some past gym teacher may have said! If you feel pain in any activity, stop or cut back. The way to build up strength and endurance is through a plan that is consistent and gradual.

For exercise to have aerobic benefits, try to keep your heart rate in the target heart rate zone for at least twenty to thirty minutes. The target heart rate is 60 percent to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate, which can be calculated as 220 minus your age. For example, if you are 24 years old, your maximum heart rate is calculated as 196, and your target heart rate is 118 to 166 beats per minute. If you are just starting an exercise program, stay at the lower end of this range and gradually work up over a few weeks. “Additional Resources” below includes an online calculator that estimates your target heart rate depending on your present level of fitness.

Enjoy It!

Most important, find a type of exercise or activity that you enjoy—or else you won’t stick with it. This can be as simple and easy as a brisk walk or slow jog through a park or across campus. Swimming is excellent exercise, but so is dancing. Think about what you like to do and explore activities that provide exercise while you’re having fun.

Do whatever you need to make your chosen activity enjoyable. Many people listen to music and some even read when using workout equipment. Try different activities to prevent boredom. You also gain by taking the stairs instead of elevators, walking farther across campus instead of parking as close to your destination as you can get, and so on.

Exercising with a friend can be more enjoyable, including jogging or biking together. Some campuses have installed equipment for students to play Dance Dance Revolution. Many Nintendo Wii games can also get your heart rate up!

You can also learn to stay motivated using exercise equipment. ‘fitbit‘, and other wearable activity trackers are increasingly a popular way to track your progress to help stay active throughout the week.

Often the biggest obstacle to getting enough exercise, many students would likely agree, is a lack of time. Actually, we all have the time, if we manage it well. Build exercise into your weekly schedule on selected days. Eventually you’ll find that regular exercise actually saves you time because you’re sleeping better and concentrating better. Time you used to fritter away is now used for activity that provides many benefits.

Campus Activities Can Help

The University of Saskatchewan has resources to make exercise easier and more enjoyable for their students. Take a look around and think about what you might enjoy. The Physical Activity Center on campus offers exercise equipment, and regularly schedules aerobic or spin classes. You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy casual sports such as playing tennis or shooting hoops with a friend. If you like more organized team sports, try intramural sports, organized through Campus Rec.

Additional Resources

Exercise guidelines. See http://www.csep.ca/CMFIles/Guidelines/CSEP_PAGuidelines_adults_en.pdf

Target heart rate calculator. Find your target heart rate to experience the benefits of aerobic exercise (based on age only) at http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/fitness/in-depth/exercise-intensity/art-20046887?pg=2.

Target heart rate calculator based on age and current fitness level. See http://exercise.about.com/cs/fitnesstools/l/bl_THR.htm.

Key Takeaways

- Regular exercise has many benefits for your body and mind. You’ll also be a better student.

- It is easier to make exercise a regular part of your life if you explore your interests and join activities with others. The time you spend exercising will be made up for with increased ability to concentrate when it’s time to study.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. It is recommended that university students get _________ minutes of aerobic exercise in a week.

2. List at least two ways to make exercise more fun.

___________________________________________________

1. Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.). Canada's Physical Activity Guide. Retrieved from: http://www.physicalactivityplan.org/resources/CPAG.pdf↵

2. Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Benefits of Good Mental Health. Retrieved from: http://toronto.cmha.ca/mental_health/benefits-of-good-mental-health/↵

3. Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. (n.d.). Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. Retrieved from: http://csep.ca/CMFiles/Guidelines/CSEP_PAGuidelines_adults_en.pdf↵

49

10.3 Sleep

Learning Objectives

1. Explain why students need adequate sleep to succeed in university.

2. Determine how much sleep you need.

3. Change your habits and routines in ways to ensure you get the sleep you need.

Like good nutrition and exercise, adequate sleep is crucial for wellness and success. Sleep is particularly important for students because there seem to be so many time pressures—to attend class, study, maintain a social life, and perhaps work—that most university students have difficulty getting enough. Yet sleep is critical in order to focus effectively at school. First, use the Sleep Self-Assessment to consider your current habits and attitudes.

Sleep Self-Assessment

Check the appropriate boxes.

Usually

Sometimes

Seldom

1. I usually get enough sleep.

2. I feel drowsy or unfocused during the day.

3. I take a nap when I need more sleep.

4. I have fallen asleep in class or had trouble staying awake.

5. I have fallen asleep while studying.

6. I have pulled an “all-nighter” when studying for a test or writing a class paper.

Write your answers.

7. How many hours of sleep do you usually get on weeknights?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

8. How many hours of sleep do you usually get on weekends?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

9. How would you rank the importance of sleep in relation to studying, working, spending time with friends, and other activities?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

10. How many hours of sleep do you think you ideally need?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

11. Generally, do you believe you are getting as much sleep as you think you need?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep

You may not realize the benefits of sleep, or the problems associated with being sleep deprived, because most likely you’ve had the same sleep habits for a long time. Or maybe you know you’re getting less sleep now, but with all the changes in your life, how can you tell if some of your stress or problems studying are related to not enough sleep?

On the positive side, a healthy amount of sleep has the following benefits[1]:

- Improves your mood during the day

- Improves your memory and learning abilities

- Gives you more energy

- Strengthens your immune system

In contrast, not getting enough sleep over time can lead to a wide range of health issues and student problems. Sleep deprivation can have the following consequences:

- Affects mental health and contributes to stress and feelings of anxiety, depression, and general unhappiness

- Causes sleepiness, difficulty paying attention in class, and ineffective studying

- Weakens the immune system, making it more likely to catch colds and other infections

- Increases the risk of accidents (such as while driving)

- Contributes to weight gain

How Much Sleep Is Enough?

Most adults need around eight hours of sleep per night[2]. Some say they need much less than that, but often their behavior during the day shows they are actually sleep deprived. Some genuinely need only about six hours a night. New research indicates there may be a “sleep gene” that determines how much sleep a person needs [3]. So how much sleep do you actually need?

There is no simple answer, in part because the quality of sleep is just as important as the number of hours a person sleeps. Sleeping fitfully for nine hours and waking during the night is usually worse than seven or eight hours of good sleep, so you can’t simply count the hours. Do you usually feel rested and alert all day long? Do you rise from bed easily in the morning without struggling with the alarm clock? Do you have no trouble paying attention to your instructors and never feel sleepy in a lecture class? Are you not continually driven to drink more coffee or caffeine-heavy “power drinks” to stay attentive? Are you able to get through work without feeling exhausted? If you answered yes to all of these, you likely are in that 10 percent to 15 percent of university students who consistently get enough sleep.

How to Get More and Better Sleep

You have to allow yourself enough time for a good night’s sleep. Using the time management strategies discussed in Chapter 2 “Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track”, schedule at least eight hours for sleeping every night. If you still don’t feel alert and energetic during the day, try increasing this to nine hours. Keep a sleep journal, and within a couple weeks you’ll know how much sleep you need and will be on the road to making new habits to ensure you get it.

Myths about Sleep

- Having a drink or two helps me get to sleep better.False: Although you may seem to fall asleep more quickly, alcohol makes sleep less restful, and you’re more likely to awake in the night.

- Exercise before bedtime is good for sleeping.False: Exercise wakes up your body, and it may be some time before you unwind and relax. Exercise earlier in the day, however, is beneficial for sleep.

- It helps to fall asleep after watching television or surfing the Web in bed.False: Rather than helping you unwind, these activities can engage your mind and make it more difficult to get to sleep.

Tips for Success: Sleep

- Avoid nicotine, which can keep you awake—yet another reason to stop smoking.

- Avoid caffeine for six to eight hours before bed. Caffeine remains in the body for three to five hours on the average, much longer for some people. Remember that many soft drinks contain caffeine.

- Don’t eat in the two to three hours before bed. Avoid alcohol before bedtime.

- Don’t nap during the day. Napping is the least productive form of rest and often makes you less alert. It may also prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep.

- Exercise earlier in the day (at least several hours before bedtime).

- Try to get to bed and wake about the same time every day—your body likes a routine.

- Make sure the environment is conducive to sleep: dark, quiet, comfortable, and cool.

- Use your bed only for sleeping, not for studying, watching television, or other activities. Going to bed will become associated with going to sleep.

- Establish a presleep winding-down routine, such as taking a hot bath, listening to soothing music, or reading (not a textbook). Try one of the relaxation techniques described in Chapter 10 “Taking Control of Your Health”, Section 10.5 “Stress”.

If you can’t fall asleep after ten to fifteen minutes in bed, it’s better to get up and do something else rather than lie there fitfully for hours. Do something you find restful (or boring). Read, or listen to a recorded book. Go back to bed when you’re sleepy.

If you frequently cannot get to sleep or are often awake for a long time during the night, you may be suffering from insomnia, a medical condition. Resist the temptation to try over-the-counter sleep aids. If you have tried the tips listed here and still cannot sleep, talk with your health-care provider or visit the student health clinic. Many remedies are available for those with a true sleep problem.

Key Takeaways

- Getting enough sleep is very important for wellness and success in university. It’s easy to determine if you’re getting enough sleep.

- Don’t fall for popular myths about sleep. It’s worthwhile to get enough sleep, which gives you an improved ability to focus and apply yourself more efficiently in your studies and work.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. List at least three things you should not do before going to bed in order to get a good night’s sleep.

__________________________________________________________________

2. Identify one or two things you can do as a regular pre-sleep routine to help you relax and wind down.

__________________________________________________________________

1. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. (2012). Why is Sleep Important? Retrieved from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sdd/why↵

2. University of Saskatchewan Student Health Services. (2016). Sleep. Retrieved from: https://students.usask.ca/articles/sleep.php↵

3. Weise, E. (n.d.). Gene found that lets people get by on 6 hours of sleep. USA Today. Retrieved from: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=8322077&page=1↵

50

10.4 Substance Use and Abuse

Learning Objectives

1. Define the terms “substance,” “abuse,” and “addictive.”

2. Describe physical and mental effects associated with smoking and frequent or heavy drinking.

3. List the risks of using drugs.

4. Know how to get help if you have a substance use habit to break.

Substance is the word health professionals use for most things you might take into your body besides food. When people talk about substances, they often mean drugs—but alcohol and nicotine are also drugs and are considered substances.

Substances—any kind of drug—have effects on the body and mind. People use these substances for their effects. But many substances have negative effects, including being physically or psychologically addictive. What is important with any substance is to be aware of its effects on your health and on your life as a student, and to make smart choices. Use of any substance to the extent that it has negative effects is generally considered abuse.

First, consider your own habits and attitudes with the Substance Use Self-Assessment.

Substance Use Self-Assessment

Check the appropriate boxes.

Daily

Sometimes

Never

1. I smoke cigarettes or use smokeless tobacco.

2. I drink beer or other alcohol.

3. I have missed a class because I was hung over from drinking the night before.

4. I have taken a medication that was not prescribed for me.

5. I have used an illegal drug.

Write your answers.

6. If you smoke cigarettes, how many a day do you usually smoke?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

7. If you drink alcohol (including beer), on how many days in a typical week do you have at least one drink?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

8. If you drink at parties or when out with friends, how many drinks (or beers) do you typically have at one time?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

9. If you use a pharmaceutical or illegal drug, how often do you take it?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

10. Are your habits of smoking, drinking, or using other drugs affecting your studies or grades?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Smoking and Tobacco: Why Start, and Why Is It So Hard to Stop?

Everyone knows smoking is harmful to one’s health, and that smoking causes cancer and lung and heart disease. Most adult smokers continue smoking not because they really think it won’t harm them but because it’s very difficult to stop.

If you have never smoked or used smokeless tobacco, feel good about your choices. But read this section anyway because you may have friends now or in the future who smoke, and it’s important to understand this behavior. If you do smoke, even only rarely as a “social smoker,” be honest with yourself—wouldn’t you like to stop if you thought you could without suffering? Simply by being in university now, you’ve shown that you care about your future and your life. You likely care about your health, too.

Many young smokers think there is plenty of time to quit later. Social smokers, who may have a cigarette only occasionally with a friend, usually think they won’t develop a habit. But smokers are fooling themselves. Nicotine is a very addictive drug. Admitting this to yourself is the first step toward becoming smoke free.

First, the good news. Stopping smoking brings immediate health benefits, and the benefits get better over time. Just twenty minutes after quitting, your heart rate drops. After two weeks to three months, your heart attack risk begins to drop and your lung function begins to improve. After one year, your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s. And every year your health continues to improve[1].

Tips for Stopping Smoking

Stopping isn’t easy. Many ex-smokers say it was the hardest thing they ever did.

However, you know it’s worth the effort. And it’s easier if you think it through and make a good plan. There’s lots of help available. Before you quit, the National Cancer Institute suggests you START with these five important steps[2]:

1. S = Set a quit date.

2. T = Tell family, friends, and coworkers that you plan to quit.

3. A = Anticipate and plan for the challenges you’ll face while quitting.

4. R = Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, and work.

5. T = Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit.

To get ready, download this booklet to help you quit smoking; “On the road to Quitting‘, published by Health Canada.

When You Really Crave a Cigarette

Remember that the urge to smoke will come and go. Try to wait it out. Use these tips:

- Keep other things around instead of cigarettes. Try carrots, pickles, sunflower seeds, apples, celery, raisins, or sugar-free gum.

- Wash your hands or the dishes when you want a cigarette very badly. Or take a shower.

- Learn to relax quickly by taking deep breaths.

- Take ten slow, deep breaths and hold the last one.

- Then breathe out slowly.

- Relax all of your muscles.

- Picture a soothing, pleasant scene.

- Just get away from it all for a moment.

- Think only about that peaceful image and nothing else.

- Light incense or a candle instead of a cigarette.

- Where you are and what is going on can make you crave a cigarette. A change of scene can really help. Go outside or go to a different room. You can also try changing what you are doing.

- No matter what, don’t think, “Just one won’t hurt.” It will hurt. It will undo your work so far.

- Remember that trying something to beat the urge is always better than trying nothing.

Get Help to Stop Smoking

A lot of people are not able to stop smoking by themselves, so don’t feel bad if you aren’t successful the first try. Ask your doctor about other ways to stop. Maybe nicotine-replacement therapy is what you need. Maybe you need prescription medication. Stop by the Student Health Services at the University of Saskatchewan and learn about smoking cessation programs. Your doctor and other health professionals at your school have a lot of experience helping people—they can help you find what works for you.

What’s the Big Deal about Alcohol?

Of all the issues that can affect a student’s health and success in university, drinking causes more problems than anything else. Everyone knows what happens when you drink too much. Your judgment is impaired and you may behave in risky ways. Your health and studies are likely to be affected.

Most university students report drinking at least some alcohol at some point in time—and even those who do not drink are often affected by others who do. Here are a few facts about alcohol use among university students[3].

- Assault. 10% of surveyed undergraduate students indicated that had experienced alcohol-related violence.

- Sexual abuse. Over 14% of those surveyed indicated that they had unplanned sexual relations due to alcohol.

- Alcohol abuse and dependence. 32% of undergraduates aged 18-24, reported drinking at a dangerous level in the past year.

- Academic problems. Negative consequences were reported by the students who drank: 31.6% reported being unable to perform daily activities, 18.8% reported missing class, and 32.9% reported study interruptions.

So why is drinking so popular if it causes so many problems? You probably already know the answer to that: most university students would say they have more fun when drinking. It is unlikely that they’re going to stop drinking just because someone lectures them about it.

Like everything else that affects your health and happiness—eating, exercise, use of other substances—drinking is a matter of personal choice. Like most decisions we all face, there are trade-offs. The most that anyone can reasonably ask of you is to be smart in your decisions. That means understanding the effects of alcohol and deciding to take control.

Myths about Alcohol[4]

Myth: I can drink and still be in control.

Fact: Drinking impairs your judgment, which increases the likelihood that you will do something you’ll later regret such as having unprotected sex, being involved in date rape, damaging property, or being victimized by others.

Myth: I can sober up quickly if I have to.

Fact: It takes about two hours to eliminate the alcohol content of one drink, depending on your weight. Nothing can speed up this process—not even coffee or cold showers.

Myth: I can manage to drive well enough after a few drinks.

Fact: The effects of alcohol start sooner than people realize, with mild impairment (up to .05 Blood Alcohol Content) starting to affect speech, memory, attention, coordination, and balance.

Myth: Beer doesn’t have as much alcohol as hard liquor.

Fact: A 12-ounce bottle of beer has the same amount of alcohol as a standard shot of 80-proof liquor (either straight or in a mixed drink) or 5 ounces of wine.

University Alcohol Awareness Programs

The University of Saskatchewan has recognized the problems resulting from underage and excessive alcohol use, and in recent years they have supported resources to help students become more aware of the problems of binge drinking as a student. What’s Your Cap? is one such resource that seeks to “raise awareness and knowledge of the risks involved with the over consumption of alcohol and promote a culture of moderation on the University of Saskatchewan campus.” Visit the website at whatsurcap.ca for a host of resources and information.

The goal of these resources is not to preach against drinking. You’ll be able to learn more about the effects of alcohol on the body and mind. You’ll learn about responsible drinking versus high-risk drinking. You’ll be able to access resources that will help you think about your own attitudes and learn coping strategies to help prevent or manage a problem.

Video – Understanding Addiction as a Disease (length 3:40)

How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?

There’s no magic number for how many drinks a person can have and how often. If you’re of legal drinking age, you may not experience any problems if you have one or two drinks from time to time. According to Health Canada, ‘heavy drinking’ occurs when a male consumes 5 or more drinks (4 for females) per occasion, at least once a month during the past year[5].

As with most things that can affect your health and your well-being as a student, what’s important is being honest with yourself. You’re likely drinking too much or too often if

- you have missed classes or work because you were hung over or overslept after drinking;

- your friends or family members have hinted that you drink too much, or you’ve hidden your drinking from others;

- your drinking is causing trouble in a relationship;

- you can’t remember what you did or said while drinking;

- you need to drink to have a good time at a party or with friends;

- you’ve driven a car when you know you shouldn’t have after drinking;

- you binge drink (consume five or more drinks at a time).

Pressures to Party

Most of us can remember times when we were influenced by our friends and others around us to behave in some way we might not have otherwise. Say, for example, I have a big test tomorrow, and I’ve been studying for hours, and just when I knock off to relax for a while, a friend stops by with a six-pack of beer. I’d planned to get to bed early, but my friend pops open a beer and sticks it in my hand, saying it will help me relax. So I tell myself just one, or maybe two—after all, that’s not really drinking. And let’s say I stop after two (or three) and get to bed. Maybe I don’t sleep quite as well, but I still pass the test in the morning. So—was that peer pressure or my decision?

There are no easy answers! What matters is that you think about your own habits and choices and how to take control of your own life.

Read this case study about a student who joins a university club and feels pressured to drink. You may be very different from him—maybe you’re older and work full time and are taking night courses—but you still should be able to relate to his issues. As you answer the questions about his situation, think about how the same questions might also apply to someone in your own situation.

Case Study

Pressured to Drink

When John decided to stay at the university residences’, he knew there would likely be drinking in his hall. He had had a few beers at parties through high school but had never binged and felt there was nothing wrong with that as long as he kept it under control. But he was surprised how much alcohol flowed through the residence, and not just at parties—and the house advisor just seemed to look the other way. He wanted to fit in, so he usually had a few whenever his roommate or others called him away from studying. One night he definitely drank too much. He slept late, missed his first two classes, and felt rotten most of the day. He told himself he’d drink only on weekends and only in moderation. Being underage didn’t bother him, but his grades hadn’t been all that great in high school, and he didn’t want to screw up his first year in university. But it was only one day before some of the older students from his residence interrupted his studying again and stuck a beer in his hand. He didn’t know what to do.

1. Is John at risk for developing any problems if he tries to fit in with the drinkers while promising himself he would drink only moderately? Why or why not?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. If John decides to hold firm and drink only on weekends when he didn’t have to study, is he still at any risk for developing a problem? Why or why not, depending on what circumstances?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. If John decides to tell his friends he does not want to drink, what should he say or do if they continue to pressure him?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

What to Do

If you think you may be drinking too much, then you probably are. Can you stop—or drink moderately if you are of age—and still have fun with your friends? Of course. Here are some tips for enjoying yourself in social situations when others are drinking:

- Drink only moderately (if above legal age) and slowly. Your body processes alcohol at a rate of about one drink an hour—drinking faster than that leads to problems. Sip slowly. Set yourself a limit and stick to it.

- Drink a mixer without the alcohol. It tastes just as good or better. Alternate alcoholic drinks with nonalcoholic ones to slow down the pace.

- Rather than just standing around with others who are drinking, stay active: move about and mingle with different people, dance, and so on.

- If someone tries to make you uncomfortable for not drinking, go talk to someone else.

Because drinking is a serious issue in many places, it’s a good idea to know what to do if you find yourself with a friend who has had too much to drink:

- Stay with the person if there is any risk of him hurting himself (driving, biking) or passing out. Take away his keys if necessary.

- If he passes out after drinking a great deal of alcohol fast and cannot be awakened, get medical help.

- An intoxicated person who falls asleep or passes out on his back is at risk of choking on vomit—roll him on his side or face down.

- Do not try to give him food or other substances in an effort to sober him up.

- Don’t put him in a cold shower, which could cause unconsciousness.

If You Feel You Need Help

Visit Student Health Services or talk with your university counselor. They understand how you feel and have a lot of experience with students feeling the same way. They can help.

Prescription and Illegal Drugs

People use drugs for the same reasons people use alcohol. They say they enjoy getting high. They may say a drug helps them relax or unwind, have fun, enjoy the company of others, or escape the pressures of being a student. While alcohol is a legal drug for those above the drinking age, most other drugs—including the use of many prescription drugs not prescribed for the person taking them—are illegal. They usually involve more serious legal consequences if the user is caught. Some people may feel there’s safety in numbers: if a lot of people are using a drug, or drinking, then how can it be too bad? But other drugs carry the same risks as alcohol for health problems, a risk of death or injury, and a serious impact on your ability to do well as a student.

As with alcohol, the choice is yours. What’s important is to understand what you’re doing and make smart choices. What’s the gain, and what are the risks and costs?

While society may seem to condone drinking, and the laws regarding underage drinking or being drunk in public may not seem too harsh, the legal reality of being caught with an illegal drug can impact the rest of your life. Arrest and conviction may result in being expelled from university—even with a first offense. A conviction is a permanent legal record that can keep you from getting the job you may be going to university for.

Although the effects of different drugs vary widely, a single use of a drug can have serious effects and consequences. Even if you’re told that a pill is a prescription medication whose effects are mild or safe, can you really be sure of the exact ingredients and strength of that pill? Do you fully understand how it can affect you with repeated use? Can it be addictive? Could it show up on an unexpected random drug test at work?

Table 10.1 “Common Prescription and Illegal Drugs on Campuses” lists some of the possible effects of drugs used by university students. Good decisions also involve being honest with oneself. Why do I use (or am thinking about using) this drug? Am I trying to escape some aspect of my life (stress, a bad job, a boring class)? Could the effects of using this drug be worse than what I’m trying to escape?

Table 10.1 Common Prescription and Illegal Drugs on Campuses[6]

Drug and Common Names

Intended Effects

Adverse Effects

Common Overdose Effects

Anabolic Steroids

Muscle development

Liver cancer, sterility, masculine traits in women and feminine traits in men, aggression, depression, mood swings

—

Barbiturates

Reduced anxiety, feelings of well-being, lowered inhibitions

Addiction; slowed pulse and breathing; lowered blood pressure; poor concentration; fatigue; confusion; impaired coordination, memory, and judgment

Coma, respiratory arrest, death

Prescription Opioids: OxyContin, Vicodin, Demerol

Pain relief, euphoria

Addiction, nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, respiratory depression

Respiratory arrest, unconsciousness, coma, death

Heroin

Pain relief, anxiety reduction

Addiction, slurred speech, impaired vision, respiratory depression

Respiratory failure, coma, death

Morphine

Pain relief, euphoria

Addiction, drowsiness, nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, respiratory depression

Respiratory arrest, unconsciousness, coma, death

Ritalin

Stimulant: mood elevation, increased feelings of energy

Fever, severe headaches, paranoia, excessive repetition of movements and meaningless tasks, tremors, muscle twitching

Confusion, seizures, aggressiveness, hallucinations

Amphetamines: Dexedrine, Benzedrine, methamphetamine

Stimulant: mood elevation, increased feelings of energy

Addiction, irritability, anxiety, increased blood pressure, paranoia, psychosis, depression, aggression, convulsions, dizziness, sleeplessness

Convulsions, death

Cocaine, Crack

Stimulant: mood elevation, increased feelings of energy

Addiction, paranoia, hallucinations, aggression, insomnia, and depression, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, increased respiratory rate, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, irritability

Seizures, heart attack, death

Ecstasy

Stimulant: mood elevation

Panic, anxiety, depression, paranoia, nausea, blurred vision, increased heart rate, hallucinations, fainting, chills, sleep problems

Seizures, vomiting, heart attack, death

Marijuana, Hash

Euphoria

Impaired or reduced comprehension, altered sense of time; reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination; paranoia; intense anxiety attacks; impairments in learning, memory, perception, and judgment; difficulty speaking, listening effectively, thinking, retaining knowledge, problem solving

—

LSD

Hallucinogen: altered states of perception and feeling

Elevated blood pressure, sleeplessness, tremors, chronic recurring hallucinations (flashbacks)

—

Resources for Help

If you have questions or concerns related to drug use, your doctor or Student Health Services can help. Check these Web sites for additional information:

- Drug Information Online: http://www.drugs.com/drug_information.html

- Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse: http://www.ccsa.ca/Eng/Pages/default.aspx

- Drug and Alcohol Helpline: 1-800-565-8603

Key Takeaways

- Excessive drinking or substance abuse is a common—but unhealthy—response to the stresses of university life. While the decisions are yours, it’s important to understand the effects of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs and how they impact your life.

- Quitting smoking is hard, but it’s clearly worth it—and lots of help is available. If you’re a smoker, make this the year you become proud of yourself for quitting.

- If you like to drink, be honest with yourself. How much does drinking enrich your life, and how much do the effects of drinking interfere with your life? Make smart decisions so that you live your life to its fullest without regrets about losing control.

- Avoiding drugs can be a complicated issue, certainly not as simple as simply deciding to say no. But you’ve already made the decision to attend university, and that’s a smart decision. Make smart choices in other areas of your life as well.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. “Social smoking”—having a cigarette just every now and then with a friend—may not have significant health effects, but why is this still a problem?

__________________________________________________________________

2. For each of the following statements about drinking, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

After a few drinks, you can sober up more quickly by eating or drinking coffee.

T

F

A fourth of university students experience academic consequences from their drinking.

T

F

A 12-ounce beer has about half the alcohol of a standard shot of 80-proof liquor.

T

F

Moderate drinking is defined as no more than four drinks a day for men or two drinks a day for women.

T

F

A night of heavy drinking affects your thinking ability for up to two weeks afterward.

3. If smoking marijuana relaxes you, can it minimize the stress you may feel over time in your life? Why or why not?

__________________________________________________________________

1. Health Canada. (2012). On the road to Quitting - Guide to becoming a non-smoker. Retrieved from: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/publications/healthy-living-vie-saine/non-smoker-adult-non-fumeur-adulte/index-eng.php↵

2. National Cancer Institute. (2008). Clearing the Air: Quit Smoking Today. Retrieved from: https://smokefree.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/clearing-the-air-accessible.pdf↵

3. Adlaf, E.M., Demers, A. & Gliksman, L. (2004). Canadian Campus Survey 2004. Toronto, ON: Centre for Addiction & Mental Health. Retrieved from: http://www.camh.ca/en/research/research_areas/institute-mh-policy-research/Documents/CCS_2004_report.pdf↵

4. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Alcohol Myths. Retrieved from: http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/SpecialFeatures/alcoholMyths.aspx↵

5. Statistics Canada. (2015). Heavy Drinking, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-625-x/2014001/article/14019-eng.htm#n1↵

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Common Prescription and Illegal Drugs on Campuses. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/DataStatistics/↵

51

10.5 Stress

Learning Objectives

1. List common causes of stress for university students.

2. Describe the physical, mental, and emotional effects of persistent stress.

3. List healthy ways university students can manage or cope with stress.

4. Develop your personal plan for managing stress in your life.

We all live with occasional stress. Since university students often feel even more stress than most people, it’s important to understand it and learn ways to deal with it so that it doesn’t disrupt your life.

Stress is a natural response of the body and mind to a demand or challenge. The thing that causes stress, called a stressor[1], captures our attention and causes a physical and emotional reaction. Stressors include physical threats, such as a car we suddenly see coming at us too fast, and the stress reaction likely includes jumping out of the way—with our heart beating fast and other physical changes. Most of our stressors are not physical threats but situations or events like an upcoming test or an emotional break-up. Stressors also include long-lasting emotional and mental concerns such as worries about money or finding a job. Take the Stress Self-Assessment.

Stress Self-Assessment

Check the appropriate boxes.

Daily

Sometimes

Never

1. I feel mild stress that does not disrupt my everyday life.

2. I am sometimes so stressed out that I have trouble with my routine activities.

3. I find myself eating or drinking just because I’m feeling stressed.

4. I have lain awake at night unable to sleep because I was feeling stressed.

5. Stress has affected my relationships with other people.

Write your answers.

6. What is the number one cause of stress in your life?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

7. What else causes you stress?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

8. What effect does stress have on your studies and academic performance?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

9. Regardless of the sources of your own stress, what do you think you can do to better cope with the stress you can’t avoid?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

What Causes Stress?

Not all stressors are bad things. Exciting, positive things also cause a type of stress, called eustress[2]. Falling in love, getting an unexpected sum of money, acing an exam you’d worried about—all of these are positive things that affect the body and mind in ways similar to negative stress: you can’t help thinking about it, you may lose your appetite and lie awake at night, and your routine life may be momentarily disrupted.

But the kind of stress that causes most trouble results from negative stressors. Life events that usually cause significant stress include the following:

- Serious illness or injury

- Serious illness, injury, or death of a family member or loved one

- Losing a job or sudden financial catastrophe

- Unwanted pregnancy

- Divorce or ending a long-term relationship (including parents’ divorce)

- Being arrested or convicted of a crime

- Being put on academic probation or suspended

Life events like these usually cause a lot of stress that may begin suddenly and disrupt one’s life in many ways. Fortunately, these stressors do not occur every day and eventually end—though they can be very severe and disruptive when experienced. Some major life stresses, such as having a parent or family member with a serious illness, can last a long time and may require professional help to cope with them.

Everyday kinds of stressors are far more common but can add up and produce as much stress as a major life event:

- Anxiety about not having enough time for classes, job, studies, and social life

- Worries about grades, an upcoming test, or an assignment

- Money concerns

- Conflict with a roommate, someone at work, or family member

- Anxiety or doubts about one’s future or difficulty choosing a major or career

- Frequent colds, allergy attacks, other continuing health issues

- Concerns about one’s appearance, weight, eating habits, and so on.

- Relationship tensions, poor social life, loneliness

- Time-consuming hassles such as a broken-down car or the need to find a new apartment

- _______________________________________

- _______________________________________

- _______________________________________

Take a moment and reflect on the list above. How many of these stressors have you experienced in the last month? The last year? Circle all the ones that you have experienced. Now go back to your Stress Self-Assessment and look at what you wrote there for causes of your stress. Write any additional things that cause you stress on the blank lines above.

How many stressors have you circled and written in? There is no magic number of stressors that an “average” or “normal” university student experiences—because everyone is unique. In addition, stressors come and go: the stress caused by a midterm exam tomorrow morning may be gone by noon, replaced by feeling good about how you did. Still, most university students are likely to circle about half the items on this list.

But it’s not the number of stressors that counts. You might have circled only one item on that list—but it could produce so much stress for you that you’re just as stressed out as someone else who circled all of them. The point of this exercise is to start by understanding what causes your own stress as a base for learning what to do about it.

What’s Wrong with Stress?

Physically, stress prepares us for action: the classic “fight-or-flight” reaction when confronted with a danger. Our heart is pumping fast, and we’re breathing faster to supply the muscles with energy to fight or flee. Many physical effects in the body prepare us for whatever actions we may need to take to survive a threat.

But what about nonphysical stressors, like worrying about grades? Are there any positive effects there? Imagine what life would feel like if you never had worries, never felt any stress at all. If you never worried about grades or doing well on a test, how much studying would you do for it? If you never thought at all about money, would you make any effort to save it or make it? Obviously, stress can be a good thing when it motivates us to do something, whether it’s study, work, resolving a conflict with another, and so on. So it’s not stress itself that’s negative—it’s unresolved or persistent stress that starts to have unhealthy effects. Chronic (long-term) stress is associated with many physical changes and illnesses, including the following[3]:

- Weakened immune system, making you more likely to catch a cold and to suffer from any illness longer

- More frequent digestive system problems, including constipation or diarrhea, ulcers, and indigestion

- Elevated blood pressure

- Increased risk of diabetes

- Muscle and back pain

- More frequent headaches, fatigue, and insomnia

- Greater risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems over the long term

Chronic or acute (intense short-term) stress also affects our minds and emotions in many ways[4]:

- Difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating

- More frequent negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, frustration, powerlessness, resentment, or nervousness—and a general negative outlook on life

- Greater difficulty dealing with others because of irritability, anger, or avoidance

No wonder we view stress as such a negative thing! As much as we’d like to eliminate all stressors, however, it just can’t happen. Too many things in the real world cause stress and always will.

Unhealthy Responses to Stress

Since many stressors are unavoidable, the question is what to do about the resulting stress. A person can try to ignore or deny stress for a while, but then it keeps building and starts causing all those problems. So we have to do something.

Consider first what you have typically done in the past when you felt most stressed; use the Past Stress-Reduction Habits Self-Assessment.

Past Stress-Reduction Habits Self-Assessment

On a scale of 1 to 5, rate each of the following behaviors for how often you have experienced it because of high stress levels.

Stress Response

Never

Seldom

Sometimes

Often

Usually

Always

1. Drinking alcohol

0

1

2

3

4

5

2. Drinking lots of coffee

0

1

2

3

4

5

3. Sleeping a lot

0

1

2

3

4

5

4. Eating too much

0

1

2

3

4

5

5. Eating too little

0

1

2

3

4

5

6. Smoking or drugs

0

1

2

3

4

5

7. Having arguments

0

1

2

3

4

5

8. Sitting around depressed

0

1

2

3

4

5

9. Watching television or surfing the Web

0

1

2

3

4

5

10. Complaining to friends

0

1

2

3

4

5

11. Exercising, jogging, biking

0

1

2

3

4

5

12. Practicing yoga or tai chi

0

1

2

3

4

5

13. Meditating

0

1

2

3

4

5

14. Using relaxation techniques

0

1

2

3

4

5

15. Talking with an instructor or counselor

0

1

2

3

4

5

Total your scores for questions 1–10: _______________

Total your scores for questions 11–15: _______________

Subtract the second number from the first: _______________

Interpretation: If the subtraction of the score for questions 11 to 15 from the first score is a positive number, then your past coping methods for dealing with stress have not been as healthy and productive as they could be. Items 1 to 10 are generally not effective ways of dealing with stress, while items 11 to 15 usually are. If you final score is over 20, you’re probably like most beginning university students—feeling a lot of stress and not yet sure how best to deal with it.

What’s wrong with those stress-reduction behaviors listed first? Why not watch television or get a lot of sleep when you’re feeling stressed, if that makes you feel better? While it may feel better temporarily to escape feelings of stress in those ways, ultimately they may cause more stress themselves. If you’re worried about grades and being too busy to study as much as you need to, then letting an hour or two slip by watching television will make you even more worried later because then you have even less time. Eating too much may make you sluggish and less able to focus, and if you’re trying to lose weight, you’ll now feel just that much more stressed by what you’ve done. Alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and drugs all generally increase one’s stress over time. Complaining to friends? Over time, your friends will tire of hearing it or tire of arguing with you because a complaining person isn’t much fun to be around. So eventually you may find yourself even more alone and stressed.

Yet there is a bright side: there are lots of very positive ways to cope with stress that will also improve your health, make it easier to concentrate on your studies, and make you a happier person overall.

Coping with Stress

Look back at your list of stressors that you circled earlier. For each, consider whether it is external (like bad job hours or not having enough money) or internal, originating in your attitudes and thoughts. Mark each item with an E (external) or an I (internal).

You may be able to eliminate many external stressors. Talk to your boss about changing your work hours. If you have money problems, work on a budget you can live with (see Chapter 11 “Taking Control of Your Finances”), look for a new job, or reduce your expenses by finding a cheaper apartment, selling your car, and using public transportation.

What about other external stressors? Taking so many classes that you don’t have the time to study for all of them? Keep working on your time management skills (Chapter 2 “Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track”). Schedule your days carefully and stick to the schedule. Take fewer classes next term if necessary. What else can you do to eliminate external stressors? Change apartments, get a new roommate, find better child care—consider all your options. And don’t hesitate to talk things over with a university counselor, who may offer other solutions.

Internal stressors, however, are often not easily resolved. We can’t make all stressors go away, but we can learn how to cope so that we don’t feel so stressed out most of the time. We can take control of our lives. We can find healthy coping strategies.

All the topics in this chapter involve stress one way or another. Many of the healthy habits that contribute to our wellness and happiness also reduce stress and minimize its effects.

Get Some Exercise

Exercise, especially aerobic exercise, is a great way to help reduce stress. Exercise increases the production of certain hormones, which leads to a better mood and helps counter depression and anxiety. Exercise helps you feel more energetic and focused so that you are more productive in your work and studies and thus less likely to feel stressed. Regular exercise also helps you sleep better, which further reduces stress.

Get More Sleep

When sleep deprived, you feel more stress and are less able to concentrate on your work or studies. Many people drink more coffee or other caffeinated beverages when feeling sleepy, and caffeine contributes further to stress-related emotions such as anxiety and nervousness.

Manage Your Money

Worrying about money is one of the leading causes of stress. Try the financial management skills in Chapter 11 “Taking Control of Your Finances” to reduce this stress.

Adjust Your Attitude

You know the saying about the optimist who sees the glass as half full and the pessimist who sees the same glass as half empty. Guess which one feels more stress?

Much of the stress you feel may be rooted in your attitudes toward school, your work—your whole life. If you don’t feel good about these things, how do you change? To begin with, you really need to think about yourself. What makes you happy? Are you expecting your university career to be perfect and always exciting, with never a dull class or reading assignment? Or can you be happy that you are in fact succeeding in university and foresee a great life and career ahead?

Maybe you just need to take a fun elective course to balance that “serious” course that you’re not enjoying so much. Maybe you just need to play an intramural sport to feel as good as you did playing in high school. Maybe you just need to take a brisk walk every morning to feel more alert and stimulated. Maybe listening to some great music on the way to work will brighten your day. Maybe calling up a friend to study together for that big test will make studying more fun.

No one answer works for everyone—you have to look at your life, be honest with yourself about what affects your daily attitude, and then look for ways to make changes. The good news is that although old negative habits can be hard to break, once you’ve turned positive changes into new habits, they will last into a brighter future.

Video: Obama Reveals What Helps Him Manage the Stress of His Job (length 3:14)

Learn a Relaxation Technique

Different relaxation techniques can be used to help minimize stress. Following are a few tried-and-tested ways to relax when stress seems overwhelming. You can learn most of these through books, online exercises, CDs or MP3s, and DVDs available at your public or university library . Practicing one of them can have dramatic effects.

- Deep breathing. Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose, filling your lungs completely. Exhale slowly and smoothly through your mouth. Concentrate on your breathing and feel your chest expanding and relaxing. After five to ten minutes, you will feel more relaxed and focused.

- Progressive muscle relaxation. With this technique, you slowly tense and then relax the body’s major muscle groups. The sensations and mental concentration produce a calming state.

- Meditation. Taking many forms, meditation may involve focusing on your breathing, a specific visual image, or a certain thought, while clearing the mind of negative energy. Many podcasts are available to help you find a form of meditation that works best for you.

- Yoga or tai chi. Yoga, tai chi, and other exercises that focus on body position and slow, gradual movements are popular techniques for relaxation and stress reduction. You can learn these techniques through a class or from a DVD.

- Music and relaxation. Many different relaxation techniques have been developed for audio training. Simply play the recording and relax as you are guided through the techniques.

- Massage. Regular massages are a way to relax both body and mind. If you can’t afford a weekly massage but enjoy its effects, a local massage therapy school may offer more affordable massage from students and beginning practitioners.

Get Counseling

If stress is seriously disrupting your studies or your life regardless of what you do to try to reduce it, you may need help. There’s no shame in admitting that you need help, and university counselors and health professionals are there to help.

Tips for Success: Stress

- Pay attention to, rather than ignore, things that cause you stress and change what you can.

- Accept what you can’t change and resolve to make new habits that will help you cope.

- Get regular exercise and enough sleep.

- Evaluate your priorities, work on managing your time, and schedule restful activities in your daily life. Students who feel in control of their lives report feeling much less stress than those who feel that circumstances control them.

- Slow down and focus on one thing at a time—don’t check for e-mail or text messages every few minutes! Know when to say no to distractions.

- Break old habits involving caffeine, alcohol, and other substances.

- Remember your long-range goals and don’t obsess over short-term difficulties.

- Make time to enjoy being with friends.

- Explore new activities and hobbies that you enjoy.

- Find a relaxation technique that works for you and practice regularly.

- Get help if you’re having a hard time coping with emotional stress.

Journal Entry

All university students feel some stress. The amount of stress you feel depends on many factors, including your sleeping habits, your exercise and activity levels, your use of substances, your time management and study skills, your attitude, and other factors. As you look at your present life and how much stress you may be feeling, what short-term changes can you start making in the next week or two to feel less stressed and more in control? By the end of the semester or term, how would you ideally like your life to be different—and how can you best accomplish that? Write your thoughts here.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Key Takeaways

- Everyone feels stress, and many of the things that cause stress won’t go away regardless of what we do. But we can examine our lives, figure out what causes most of our stress, and learn to do something about it.

- Stress leads to a lot of different unhealthy responses that actually increase our stress over the long term. But once we understand how stress affects us, we can begin to take steps to cope in healthier ways.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Why should it not be your goal to try to eliminate stress from your life completely?

__________________________________________________________________

2. List three or more unhealthful effects of stress.

__________________________________________________________________

3. Name at least two common external stressors you may be able to eliminate from your life.

__________________________________________________________________

4. Name at least two common internal stressors you may feel that you need to learn to cope with because you can’t eliminate them.

__________________________________________________________________

5. List at least three ways you can minimize the stress you feel.

__________________________________________________________________

1. Centre for Studies on Human Stress. (2016). What is Stress?: Stressors. Retrieved from: http://www.humanstress.ca/stress/what-is-stress/stressors.html↵

2. Wiktionary. (2016). Eustress. Retrieved from: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/eustress↵

3. American Psychological Association. (2016). Stress Effects on the Body. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx↵

4. American Psychological Association. (2016). Stress: The different kinds of stress. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-kinds.aspx↵

52

10.6 Emotional Health and Happiness

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the common causes of anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions in university-age people.

2. Describe changes you can make in your life to achieve or maintain emotional balance.

3. List characteristics of healthy relationships.

4. Describe the steps of conflict resolution.

Your emotional health is just as important as your physical health—and maybe more so. If you’re unhappy much of the time, you will not do as well as in university—or life—as you can if you’re happy. You will feel more stress, and your health will suffer.

Still, most of us are neither happy nor unhappy all the time. Life is constantly changing, and our emotions change with it. But sometimes we experience more negative emotions than normally, and our emotional health may suffer. Use the Emotional Self-Assessment to evaluate your emotional health.

Emotional Self-Assessment

Check the appropriate boxes.

Daily

Sometimes

Never

1. I sometimes feel anxious or depressed—without disruption of my everyday life.

2. I sometimes feel so anxious or depressed that I have trouble with routine activities.

3. I sometimes feel lonely.

4. I sometimes feel that I have little control over my life.

5. I have sometimes just wanted to give up.

6. Negative emotions have sometimes kept me from studying or getting my work done.

7. Negative emotions have affected my relationships with others.

Write your answers.

8. Describe your emotional mood on most days.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

9. Describe what you’d ideally like to feel like all the time.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

10. What specific things are keeping you from feeling what you’d ideally like to feel like most of the time?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

11. Are you happy with your relationships with others?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

12. What do you think you can do to be a happier person?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Problematic Emotions

When is an emotion problematic? Is it bad to feel anxious about a big test coming up or to feel sad after breaking up a romantic relationship?

It is normal to experience negative emotions. University students face so many demands and stressful situations that many naturally report often feeling anxious, depressed, or lonely. These emotions become problematic only when they persist and begin to affect your life in negative ways. That’s when it’s time to work on your emotional health—just as you’d work on your physical health when illness strikes.

Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common emotions university students experience, often as a result of the demands of university, work, and family and friends. It’s difficult to juggle everything, and you may end up feeling not in control, stressed, and anxious.

Anxiety typically results from stress. Some anxiety is often a good thing if it leads to studying for a test, focusing on a problem that needs to be resolved, better management your time and money, and so on. But if anxiety disrupts your focus and makes you freeze up rather than take action, then it may become problematic. Using stress-reduction techniques often helps reduce anxiety to a manageable level.

Anxiety is easier to deal with when you know its cause. Then you can take steps to gain control over the part of your life causing the anxiety. But anxiety can become excessive and lead to a dread of everyday situations. There are five types of more serious anxiety[1][2]:

1. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it. The person may have physical symptoms, especially fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, and hot flashes.

2. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions), repetitive behaviors (compulsions), or both. Repetitive behaviors such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away.

3. Panic disorder is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress.

4. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.

5. Social phobia (or social anxiety disorder) is a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and being embarrassed or humiliated by one’s own actions. Their fear may be so severe that it interferes with work or school, and other ordinary activities. Physical symptoms often accompany the intense anxiety of social phobia and include blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea, and difficulty talking.

These five types of anxiety go beyond the normal anxiety everyone feels at some times. If you feel your anxiety is like any of these, see your health-care provider. Effective treatments are available to help you regain control.

Loneliness

Loneliness is a normal feeling that most people experience at some time. University students away from home for the first time are likely to feel lonely at first. Older students may also feel lonely if they no longer see their old friends. Loneliness involves not feeling connected with others. One person may need only one friend to not feel lonely; others need to feel more connected with a group. There’s no set pattern for feeling lonely.

If you are feeling lonely, there are many things you can do to meet others and feel connected. Don’t sit alone in your room bemoaning the absence of friends. That will only cause more stress and emotional distress. You will likely start making new friends through going to classes, working, studying, and living in the community. But you can jump-start that process by taking active steps such as these:

- Realize you don’t have to be physically with friends in order to stay connected. Many students use social Web sites to stay connected with friends at other universities or in other locations. Telephone calls, instant messaging, and e-mail work for many.

- Understand that you’re not alone in feeling lonely. Many others like you are just waiting for the opportunity to connect, and you will meet them and form new friendships fast once you start reaching out.

- Become involved in campus opportunities to meet others. Every university has a wide range of clubs for students with different interests. If you’re not the “joiner” type, look for individuals in your classes with whom you think you may have something in common and ask them if they’d like to study for a test together or work together on a class project.

- Remember that loneliness is a temporary thing—it’s only a matter of time until you make new friends.

If your loneliness persists and you seem unable to make friends, then it’s a good idea to talk with your counselor or someone at the student health center. They can help.

Depression

Depression, like anxiety and loneliness, is commonly experienced by university students. It may be a mild sadness resulting from specific circumstances or be intense feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Many people feel depressed from time to time because of common situations:

- Feeling overwhelmed by pressures to study, work, and meet other obligations

- Not having enough time (or money) to do the things you want to do

- Experiencing problems in a relationship, friendship, or work situation

- Feeling overweight, unhealthy, or not in control of oneself

- Feeling that your new life as a student lacks some of the positive dimensions of your former life

- Not having enough excitement in your life

Depression, like stress, can lead to unhealthy consequences such as poor sleep, overeating or loss of appetite, substance abuse, relationship problems, or withdrawal from activities that formerly brought joy. For most people, depression is a temporary state. But severe depression can have crippling effects. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, but the following are most common[3]:

- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings

- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

- Irritability or restlessness

- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex

- Fatigue and decreased energy

- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions

- Insomnia, early morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping

- Overeating or appetite loss

- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts

- Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems

If you have feelings like this that last for weeks at a time and affect your daily life, your depression is more severe than “normal,” temporary depression. It’s time to see your health-care provider and get treatment as you would for any other illness.

Suicidal Feelings

Severe depression often makes a person feel there is no hope—and therefore many people with depression do not seek help. In reality, depression can be successfully treated, but only if the person seeks help.

Suicidal feelings, which can result from severe depression, are more common in university students than in the past. In most cases, the person had severe depression and was not receiving treatment. Recognizing severe depression and seeking treatment is crucial.

Depression can strike almost anyone at any age at any kind of university. It is a myth that high-pressure universities have higher suicide rates or that students who feel compelled to excel because of university pressures are more likely to commit suicide. In reality, anyone can be ill with severe depression and, if not treated, become suicidal.

Following are a few of the known risk factors for suicide. For a full list, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

- Depression and other mental disorders or a substance-abuse disorder (more than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have these risk factors)

- Prior suicide attempt

- Family history of mental disorder, substance abuse, or suicide

- Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse

- Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as family members, peers, or media figures

Warning Signs for Suicide

- Being depressed or sad most of the time

- Having feelings of worthlessness, shame, or hopelessness about the future

- Withdrawing from friends and family members

- Talking about suicide or death

- Being unable to get over a recent loss (broken relationship, loss of job, etc.)

- Experiencing changes in behavior, sleep patterns, or eating habits

If you or a friend is in a crisis and needs help at any time, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Call for yourself or for someone you care about. All calls are confidential.

If you think someone is suicidal, do not leave him or her alone. Try to get the person to seek immediate help by calling the hotline number. Many campuses also have twenty-four-hour resources. In an emergency, call 911. Try to ensure that the person does not have access to a firearm or other potential tool for suicide, including medications.

Achieving Emotional Balance

Emotional balance is an essential element of wellness—and for succeeding in university. Emotional balance doesn’t mean that you never experience a negative emotion, because these emotions are usually natural and normal. Emotional balance means we balance the negative with the positive, that we can be generally happy even if we’re saddened by some things.

Emotional balance starts with being aware of our emotions and understanding them. If you’re feeling angry, stop and think about the real cause of your anger. Are you really angry because your friend said something about one of your bad habits, or are you angry because you haven’t been able to break that habit? Are you feeling anxiety because you’re worried you might not be cut out for university, or are you just anxious about that test tomorrow?

See the “Tips for Success” for other ways you can achieve and maintain a healthy emotional balance.

Tips for Success: Emotional Health

- Accept that most emotions can’t be directly controlled. But the things you do—such as getting exercise, using a relaxation technique, trying the various stress-reduction methods discussed in this chapter—do improve your emotional state.

- Connect with others. Your emotional state is less likely to change when you keep to yourself and “stew over” the feeling.

- Develop your empathy for others. Empathy involves recognizing the emotions that others are feeling. You’ll find yourself in better emotional balance as a result, and your relationships will improve.

- Be honest in your relationships. If you try to hide your feelings, the other person will know something is wrong and may react the wrong way.

- Understand that negative emotions are temporary. You may be feeling bad now, but it will pass in time. But if a negative feeling does last a long time, recognize that you likely need help resolving it—and that help is available.

- If you’ve just become a university student, know that the first term is usually the hardest. Hang in there. Once you’ve developed effective study habits and time management skills, each term will be easier and happier than the one before.

Relationships

Romantic relationships are often as much a part of a rich emotional life for university students as for anyone else. But the added challenges of university, especially while also working and maintaining a family life, often stress these relationships. You may have to give extra attention to a relationship to keep it healthy and avoid conflicts that lead to unhappiness and other problems.

Building Relationships

Ideally, a healthy relationship should have these characteristics:

- Both partners should respect each other as individuals with unique interests and personality traits. Don’t expect your partner to be just like you; embrace rather than reject differences. Both partners should be supportive of each other.

- Both partners should trust each other and be honest with each other. You must feel that you can open up emotionally to the other without fear of rejection. Starting out with deceptions is certain to cause eventual problems.

- Both partners should be understanding and have empathy for each other. Good communication is essential. Many relationship problems are rooted in misunderstandings, such as when one partner doesn’t make the effort to understand what the other wants or needs.

These positive characteristics of a good relationship don’t happen overnight. The relationship may begin with romantic attraction and only slowly develop into a trusting, mutually supportive friendship as well. The following signs may indicate that a dating relationship is not developing well:

- Your partner is pressuring you for sex when you’re not ready

- Your partner seems angry or abusive when you disagree about something

- Your partner seems possessive when others want to spend time with you

- Your partner treats you unequally in any way

- Your partner is emotionally or physically abusive (whether it happens once or many times)

If you recognize that any of these things are happening with someone you’re dating, it may be time to reconsider, even if you still feel attraction towards them. Any relationship that begins this way is not likely to end well.

Resolving Conflicts

In any friendship or relationship, conflict will eventually happen. This is just natural because people are different. If a conflict is ignored, or the partners just argue without resolving it, it may simmer and continue to cause tension, eventually weakening the relationship. It’s better to take steps to resolve it.

Conflict resolution is a process of understanding what’s really going on and then finding a solution. The same general steps of conflict resolution can work to solve a relationship conflict or a conflict between any people or groups because of a disagreement about anything. Following are the general principles of conflict resolution:

1. Allow things to cool off. It’s difficult to resolve a conflict while either party is still emotional. Wait a few minutes or agree to talk about it later.

2. Using “I statements” rather than “you statements,” each party explains what bothers him or her about the cause of the conflict. For example, don’t say, “You’re always playing loud music when I’m trying to study.” Instead, say, “I have difficulty studying when you play loud music, and that makes me frustrated and irritable.” “You statements” put the other person on the defensive and evoke emotions that make resolution more difficult.

3. Listen carefully to what the other person says. Then restate the message in your own words to give the other a chance to clarify their thoughts and feelings. Each party should listen to the other and restate the other’s message to ensure the real issue is out on the table for discussion.

4. Accept responsibility for your role in the conflict, instead of blaming the other. A good example of accepting responsibility is to say, “I know I’m always studying and need the quiet. I guess that makes it hard for you to listen to your music.”

5. Brainstorm together to find a solution that satisfies both of you. Some compromise is usually needed, but that is usually not difficult to reach when you’re calm and are working together on a solution. In this example, you might compromise by going elsewhere to study at selected times when the other has friends over and wants to listen to music, and the other may compromise by agreeing to use headphones at other times and never to play music aloud after 10 p.m.

6. Apologize, thank, and forgive. After reaching a resolution, emotional closure is needed to restore your relationship and end on a positive, affirming note. When appropriate, apologize for your past anger or arguing. Thank the other for being willing to compromise to resolve the conflict. In your mind, forgive the person for past misunderstandings and actions so that you do not carry any grudge into the future.

Online and Long-Distance Relationships

Can your relationship survive if you and your partner are living at a distance? This is a common issue for young people going off to university at different schools—and for older university students, too, who may move because of work or school. Sometimes the relationship survives, and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s important, if you’re making an effort to stay together, for both partners to accept that being apart will add new pressures on the relationship. Accept also that both of you will be changing in many ways. You may naturally grow apart and decide to break up.

Yet often long-distance relationships do survive successfully. If you do decide to work to keep your relationship alive and vibrant, there are things you can do:

- Acknowledge that you are both changing, and accept and celebrate your new lives.

- Don’t feel guilty about being excited by your new life, and don’t try to pretend to your partner that you’re always miserable because you’re separated.

- Don’t be upset or jealous when your partner tells you about new friends and activities—be happy that he or she seems happy. Talk about these changes and be happy for each other.

- If your relationship is solid, it is already based on trust and mutual support, which should continue to give you strength when apart.

Key Takeaways

- Emotional health is just as important as physical health. We can take steps to reduce the negative emotions that plague us from time to time and gain control over our emotional health.

- Emotional balance results from a variety of things in our lives. We need to connect with others, to be honest and empathetic in our relationships, and to resolve conflicts that can cause bad feelings and threaten our daily happiness. We can learn skills in these areas just as in other areas of our lives.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. For each of the following statements about emotional health, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

Anxiety is always a mental health disorder.

T

F

It’s normal to feel depressed sometimes about the pressures of studying, working, and other obligations in your life.

T

F

When you’re feeling depressed or anxious, it’s best to keep to yourself and not try to connect with others until after these feelings pass.

T

F

If someone says he is feeling suicidal, he is only seeking attention and is unlikely to actually try to kill himself.

2. List at least two things you can do to make new friends at university.

___________________________________________________

3. Describe three characteristics of a good relationship.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. List the six steps for effective conflict resolution.

1. ________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________

1. Smith, M., Robinson, L. & Segal, J. (2016). Anxiety Disorders and Anxiety Attacks. Retrieved from: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/anxiety-attacks-and-anxiety-disorders.htm↵

2. National Institute of Mental Health. (2016). Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml↵

3. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Diseases and Conditions: Depression. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/symptoms/con-20032977↵

53

10.7 Chapter Activities

Chapter Takeaways

- Good health helps you be more successful in university.

- For good nutrition, eat a varied diet with lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and minimize fats, sugar, and salt.

- Regular exercise is not only important for good health but is a great way to reduce stress in your life.

- Sleep is one of the first areas where university students cut back when they find themselves too busy with classes, work, and other activities. Taking the time to get enough sleep, however, makes you so much more efficient when studying that it can actually save you time.

- Substance use and abuse not only takes its toll on the body but also contributes to problems in university, at work, and in the future. You may need to make a smart decision between short-term pleasures and long-term success.

- Since many stressors are unavoidable in life, we all need to find good ways to minimize their effects. The best stress-reducers over time become good habits that will increase our wellness and help us succeed in university and careers.

- If you are having an emotional or relationship problem that persists and affects your life, don’t hesitate to seek help. Most universities have counselors and health professionals trained to help you get through any crisis.

Chapter Review

1. Whose fault is it if I’m overweight now? ______________________

2. Whose fault is it if I’m overweight two years from now? __________________

3. Whom can I talk to if I want to find a weight loss program that will work best for me?

______________________________

4. Complete these sentences:

1. What I think most needs change in my diet is

______________________________________________________

2. The main reason I don’t get enough exercise is

______________________________________________________

3. When I feel stressed, I often _____________________________________ (How healthy is that? Should you choose healthier activities instead?)

4. The first step in resolving a conflict you are having with someone else is to ______________________________________________________

5. How do you know if you’re drinking too much or too often?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

6. As a university student, why should you care about how much stress you feel and what you do about it?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

7. If you have a friend who has seemed very depressed lately, what signs should you look for that might indicate he or she is becoming suicidal?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

8. If you do see signs of suicide in your friend, what should you do?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Outside the Book

1. Choose a friend you enjoy spending time with and see if he or she will help you with an “experiment.” Together, make a list of fun things to do together in the next week that will help minimize your stress. Choose activities that are different from your usual habits. Following are some ideas, but be creative and try to include your own healthy ideas:

- Cook a healthy meal together (if you have a kitchen) or shop together for snacks you can carry with you for when you’re hungry between classes.

- Go for a jog, bike ride, or long walk at least three times during the week.

- Study together early in the evening, with snacks and drinks that won’t slow you down or keep you up, and then get to bed on time.

At the end of the week, talk about the experiment and how you felt during and afterward. Did you have fun? Did you get some ideas for other or better things to do? Plan to keep doing some of these activities.

2. Spend twenty to thirty minutes online getting more ideas about healthy ways to minimize the stress you feel as a student. Start by typing the phrase “stress reduction” into your search engine. Look for specific ideas and activities not already covered in this chapter. Write them down here to share with other students and your instructor.

1. _______________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________

3. Go to http://www.englishclub.com/health/stress-quiz.htm and take the ten-question stress quiz to see how much you now understand about stress-related topics. (The EnglishClub.com Web site also has a lot of good information for students who speak English as a second language.)

Make an Action List

Nutrition

My worst eating habits are

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

My action plan to eat better includes the following:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Exercise

I don’t get enough exercise because

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I’ll try to do these things to become more active:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Sleep

I sometimes/often don’t get enough sleep because

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I can better manage my time to get enough sleep in the following ways:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Substances

I tend to overuse or abuse these substances:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

My action plan to avoid substance problems includes the following:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Stress

These things cause me the most stress:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will take these steps to better cope with these stresses:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Emotional Health

I am happiest when I

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I’ll be happier if I make these changes:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Figure 11.1
CollegeDegrees360 – Computer Problems – CC BY-SA 2.0.

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

Yes

Unsure

No

1. I am confident I will make it through university without any financial hardships.

2. I realize that while in university I won’t have as much money to spend on things as in the past.

3. I plan to avoid debt as much as possible while in university so I don’t have large loans to pay back after university.

4. I am willing to make sacrifices and spend less on some things while in university.

5. I keep track of all my expenditures and maintain a budget so that I know when I am spending too much.

6. I believe I can have a happy and fulfilling life while a student without having a lot of money.

7. I know the best kinds of jobs to seek while in university.

8. I always pay off the full balance on my credit cards when the statement arrives.

9. I have applied for every possible form of financial aid to help pay for university.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your financial health at this time?

In financial trouble

Very financially secure

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

In the following list, circle the three most important financial areas in which you think you may need to improve:

- Making more money

- Finding the best job

- Spending less money

- Living more cheaply

- Paying bills on time

- Avoiding overdraft and late-payment fees

- Making a budget

- Sticking to a budget

- Controlling credit card spending

- Getting help with personal finances

- Saving money

- Keeping good financial records

- Building a good credit history

- Applying for financial aid

Are there other areas in which you can improve your financial well-being and avoid potential money problems while in university? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

- Setting realistic financial goals for your university years

- Choosing between making more money and spending less money

- Accepting the financial realities of university and being happy with your financial choices

- Discovering what kinds of jobs are more fulfilling while in university and how to find them

- Tracking spending using a budget and managing your budget to stay on track

- Spending less while still having fun, eating well, and having a social life

- Using a credit card without getting into debt

- Avoiding future financial problems while building a good credit history now

- Getting all the financial aid you can

Introduction

What is a chapter on personal finances doing in a book on student success? If you’re a new university student you may not yet have money problems or issues—but most university students soon do. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a “traditional” university student enrolled in university just after high school or a “nontraditional” student returning to school.

Younger students are likely to confront money issues for several reasons:

- If you are living away from home for the first time, you may have less experience setting and sticking to a budget and handling money in general.

- Because you need more time for studying and other aspects of university life, you may have less time to work and make money.

- Even if you receive financial support from your family, your funds are not unlimited, and you’ll need to learn to live within a budget.

- You will have many new expenses including tuition and fees, room and board or housing and food bills, books and supplies, and so on.

Nontraditional students who have worked or started a family before attending university may have already learned to manage their money well but usually still confront some financial issues:

- Because you need more time for studying and university, you likely have less time to work and make money.

- You will have many new expenses including tuition and fees, books and supplies, and so on.

- You are more likely to have to juggle a budget that may include a family, mortgage, and other established expenses.

Almost everyone eventually has money issues at university, and they can impact your academic success. Money problems are stressful and can keep you from concentrating on your studies. Spending too much may lead you to work more hours than you might otherwise, giving you less time to study. Or you might take fewer classes and thus spend more years in university than needed. Worse yet, money problems cause many students to drop out of university entirely.

But it doesn’t have to be this hard. Like other skills, financial skills can be learned, and they have lifelong value. This chapter will help you

- set financial goals,

- consider jobs and making money,

- learn how to spend less and manage a budget,

- avoid credit card debt,

- determine how best to finance your university expenses.

54

11.1 Financial Goals and Realities

Learning Objectives

1. Set your financial goals to match your realities.

2. Establish financial priorities appropriate for your university years.

3. Make choices between spending less and making more.

It’s expensive to go to university. University tuition has risen for decades at virtually all schools, and very few students are fortunate enough to not have to be concerned with this reality. Still, there are things you can do to help control costs and manage your finances while in university. Begin by thinking about your financial goals.

What Are Your Financial Goals?

Whatever it is you plan to do in your future, whether work or other activities, your financial goals in the present should be realistic to enable you to fulfill your plan. Consider these scenarios:

Keri entered university planning to eventually major in business. Her family was not able to give her much financial support, but she chose to attend university because she thought it would help her get into a good graduate business school. She had to take large loans to pay her tuition, but she wasn’t concerned about a budget because she assumed she’d make a lot later on and be able to easily pay off the loans. Yet when she graduated and had to begin making payments on her private bank loans, she discovered she couldn’t afford to go straight to graduate business school after all. She put her dream on hold for a few years and took a job she didn’t much like.

John had worked a few years after high school but finally decided that he needed a university degree to get the kind of job he wanted. He was happy with his life otherwise and kept his nice apartment and car and enrolled in a couple night classes while continuing to work full time during the day. He was surprised how much he had to study, however, and after a couple months he felt he was struggling. He just didn’t have enough time to do it all—so he dropped first one class and then, a couple weeks later, the other. He told himself that he’d try it again in a year or two, but part of him wondered how anyone could ever get through university while working.

What Keri and John have in common is a conflict between their financial goals and realities. Both were motivated to succeed in university, and both had a vision for their future. But both were unsuccessful in finding ways to make their dreams come true—because of money issues.

Could they have done things differently? Maybe Keri could have avoided such heavy student loans by working summers and part time during the school year. Maybe John could have reduced his living expenses and cut back his work hours to ensure he could balance school and work better. Maybe both were spending thousands of dollars a year on things they could have done without if only they’d thought through their goals and learned to live within a budget.

Taking control of your personal finances begins with thinking about your goals and deciding what really matters to you. Here are some things to think about:

- Is it important for you to graduate from university without debt? Is it acceptable to you, or necessary, to take some student loans?

- What are your priorities for summers and other “free time”? Working to earn money? Taking nonpaying internships or volunteering to gain experience in your field? Enjoying social activities and time with friends?

- How important is it to take a full load of classes so that your university education does not take longer than necessary?

- How important is it to you to live in a nice place, or drive a nice car, or wear nice clothes, or eat in nice restaurants? How important in comparison to your educational goals?

There are no easy answers to such questions. Most people would like enough money to have and do what they want, low enough expenses that they don’t have to work too much to stay on budget, and enough financial freedom to choose activities without being swayed by financial concerns. Few university students live in that world, however. Since you will have to make choices, it’s important first to think about what really matters to you—and what you’re willing to sacrifice for a while in order to reach your goals.

Make More or Spend Less?

That often becomes an issue for university students. You begin by setting up a realistic budget and sticking to it. A budget is simply the best way to balance the money that comes in with the money that goes out.

For most university students, the only way to increase the “money coming in” side of the budget is to work. Even with financial support from your family, your savings from past jobs, student loans and the like, you will still need to work if all your resources do not equal the “money going out” side of the budget. The major theme of this chapter is avoiding debt except when absolutely necessary to finance your education. Why is that so important? Simply because money problems and financial barriers are a prominent factor in causing students to drop out of university[1].

This chapter includes discussion of how students can earn money while in university and the benefits of working. But working too much can have a negative impact by taking up time you might need for studying. It’s crucial, therefore, whenever you think about your own financial situation and the need to work, to also think about how much you need to work—and consider whether you would be happier spending less if that meant you could work less and enjoy your university life and studies more. As we’ll see later, students often spend more than they actually need to and are often happier once they learn to spend less.

Key Takeaways

- Almost every university student faces money issues, but you can learn to take control of your finances.

- Being able to complete your university career should be a key priority when setting financial goals.

- Since university students need time for classes and studying, it is generally more important to spend less money rather than work more hours.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. What is the leading reason some students have to drop out of university?

__________________________________________________________________

2. List three or more things you would be willing to give up or cut back on in order to be able to finance your university education.

__________________________________________________________________

1. Millar, E. (November 30, 2007). More students go to post-secondary, but one in seven drop out. Macleans. Retrieved from: http://www.macleans.ca/education/uniandcollege/more-students-go-to-post-secondary-but-one-in-seven-drop-out/ ↵

55

11.2 Making Money

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the value of different kinds of jobs while you’re in university.

2. List questions to consider when considering a particular job possibility.

3. Be able to perform an effective job search.

Most university students work while in school. Whether you work summers only or part time or full time all year, work can have both benefits and drawbacks. The difference may result as much from the type of job you work as from the number of hours you work.

A Job Can Help or Hurt

Figure 11.2 – Working part-time to afford living expenses
Copy Editor – Wikipedia Commons – Public Domain

In addition to helping pay the bills, a job or internship while in school has other benefits:

- Experience for your résumé

- Contacts for your later job search network

- Employment references for your résumé

Work or internship experience related to your future career has significant value. Not all students can find such opportunities in their community, however. But even a job or volunteering outside your field can have value and say something about you to future employers. Your job may demonstrate that you have initiative, are responsible, are a team player or can work independently, and can take on financial responsibility. Potential future employers will check your work references. Having an employer from your university years say you did a good job, were always on time to work, and were honest and responsible in doing your job definitely gives you an advantage over students who graduate without having worked at all.

At the same time, some jobs contribute more to your overall university experience. Remember, you’re in university for an education and to gain a wide range of skills—not just for the degree. The best student jobs help you engage more deeply in the university experience, while the wrong kind of job gets in the way of that experience. Here are some factors to consider as you look for a job:

- What kinds of people will you be interacting with? Other students, instructors, researchers? Interacting with others in the world of university can broaden your university experience, help motivate you to study, and help you feel part of a shared experience. You may work with or meet people who in the future can refer you to employers in your field. On the other hand, working in a business far from campus, for example, may offer a steady paycheck but can separate you from the academic community and detract from a positive university experience.

- Is the job flexible enough to meet a university student’s needs? Will you be able to change your work hours during final exam week or when a special project is due? A rigid work schedule may cause difficulty at times when you really need to focus on your classes.

- What will you be able to say about your work in your future résumé? Does it involve any skills—including people skills or financial or managerial responsibilities—that your employer can someday praise you for? Will working this job help you get a different, better job next year?

These factors can make a job ideal for university students, but in the real world many students will have to work less-than-ideal jobs. Working at a fast food restaurant or overnight shipping company may not seem very glamorous or offer the benefits described previously, but it may be the only job available at present. Don’t despair—things can always change. Make the money you need to get by in university but don’t become complacent and stop looking for more meaningful work. Keep your eyes and ears open for other possibilities. Visit the campus student employment office frequently (or check online) for new postings. Talk to other students.

At the same time, even with a dull job, do your best and keep a good attitude. Remember that your boss or supervisor may someday be a work reference who can help (or hurt) your chances of getting a job you really want.

Student Jobs

The number of hours university students work per week varies considerably, from five to ten hours a week to full time and everywhere in between. Before deciding how much you need to work, first make a detailed budget as described later. Your goal should be to make as much as you need, and hopefully a little more to save, but first you need to know your true need. Remember your goals in university and stay focused on your education. Cut back on your optional spending so that you don’t have to work so many hours that your studies are impacted.

Where to Find a Job

Start at your campus financial aid office or student employment office. If they don’t have anything right for you at first, check back frequently for new job postings.

For off-campus jobs, check the classified ads in your local newspaper and Kijiji. Many jobs are never advertised, however, so ask friends, family members, and other students. Visit appropriate companies in your area and ask if they have openings.

Many government agencies also have summer jobs or internships for university students. This work may be an ideal way to gain experience related to your chosen field. (See “Additional Resources” below for more information.)

Go to Work for Yourself

If you have energy and initiative, you can create your own work. While it may take some time to get started, flexibility and being your own boss can make up for this drawback. Students often make money in ways like these:

- Tutor classmates in a subject you are good in.

- Sell your technical skills to help others set up new computer hardware, teach software skills such as PowerPoint or Excel, or design Web sites.

- Sell things you no longer need (video games, DVDs, textbooks) on eBay or Kijiji. Earn a commission by helping others sell their stuff online.

- Provide services to faculty members and residents in the nearby community: lawn mowing, snow shoveling, housecleaning, babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, and so on.

Additional Resources

Student Employment and Career Centre at the University of Saskatchewan.

Broad listing of links for federal government jobs and internships for students. See http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/audiences/youth/employment.shtml

Balancing the Job You Have with Your Ideal Job

A growing percentage of students are working full time when they return to school, and many continue in the same jobs. If you’re in this situation, you know that balancing work and university is one of the most difficult things you’ve ever done. You’re used to working—but not used to finding time for class and studying at the same time. You likely feel harried and frustrated at times, and you may even start to wonder if you’re cut out for university. The time may come when you start thinking about dropping classes or leaving university altogether. It may be hard to stay motivated.

If you start feeling this way, focus on your big goals and don’t let the day-to-day time stresses get you down. As difficult as it may be, try to keep your priorities, and remember that while you face temporary difficulties now, a university degree is forever.

- Acknowledge that sacrifice and compromise may be needed.

- Reduce your expenses, if you can, so you can cut back on the number of hours you work. This may mean temporarily giving up some things you enjoy in order to reach your goals.

- If you cannot cut your expenses and work hours and simply do not have the time to do well in your classes, you may have to cut back on how many classes you take per term. Try everything else first, but know that it’s better to succeed a little at a time than to push too hard and risk not succeeding. If you do have to cut back, keep a positive attitude: you’re still working toward your future ideal.

If you ever feel the temptation to quit, see your university counselor to explore all your options. Resources may be available that you don’t know about.

Key Takeaways

- The best student jobs have value for your university experience and future résumé and network, while the wrong kinds of jobs may detract from your university experience.

- How much you work should be based on a realistic budget and your financial goals and needs.

- To find the best job for you, use all the resources available.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. What are the primary benefits of a student job on campus? (List as many as you can.)

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. Considering your abilities and interests, what would be your ideal job while a university student?

__________________________________________________________________

56

11.3 Spending Less

Learning Objectives

1. Identify how you are spending your money and what optional expenditures you can cut back on.

2. Develop a positive attitude for spending less while still enjoying a full university experience.

3. Create and manage a workable budget by tracking expenditures to reach your financial goals.

4. Recognize if you are getting in financial trouble and know what to do about it.

5. List the benefits of saving money even while in university.

Where Does the Money Go?

Most people aren’t really sure where a lot of their money goes. Take this survey to see how much you remember about how you have spent money recently.

Do your best to remember how much you have spent in the last thirty days in each of the following categories:

Category

Amount in Dollars (Per Month)

Coffee, soft drinks, bottled water

Newspapers, magazines

Movies, music concerts, sports events, night life

Fast food lunches, snacks, gum, candy, cookies, and so on

Social dining out with friends (lunch, dinner)

Music, DVDs, other personal entertainment

Ringtones and mobile phone applications

Bank account fees, ATM withdrawal fees

Credit card finance charges

Lottery tickets

Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco

Beer, wine, liquor purchased in stores

Beer, wine, liquor purchased in restaurants and bars

Gadgets, video or computer games, and so on

Gifts

Hobbies

Travel, day trips

Total:

Now be honest with yourself: is this really all you spent on these items? Most of us forget small, daily kinds of purchases or underestimate how much we spend on them—especially when we pay with cash.

You’ll notice also that this list does not include essential spending for things like room and board or an apartment and groceries, utilities, university tuition and books, and so on. The greatest potential for cutting back on spending is in the area of optional things.

Spending on Essentials, Spending on Optionals

More people get into financial trouble because they’re spending too much, rather than that they’re making too little. While spending may seem a simple matter—“I need to buy this, I’d like to buy that”—it’s actually very complex. Canada is a consumer society, and we’re deluged by advertisements promising that we’ll be happier, more successful, better liked by more people, sexier, and everything else if only we buy this. Companies have spent billions of dollars researching how to manipulate our buying behavior. No wonder it’s so tough to resist these pressures!

Why does a person feel compelled to buy fast food for lunch, or a new CD with a song they just heard on the radio, or a new video game a friend says is so good, or a new article of clothing? We owe it to ourselves to try to understand our own attitudes about money and spending. Here’s a good place to start:

- Having money or not having money doesn’t define who you are. Your real friends will think no less of you if you make your own lunch and eat it between classes or take the bus to campus rather than drive a new car. You are valued more by others for who you are as a person, not for what things you have.

- You don’t have to spend as much as your friends to be one of the group. Some people always have more money than others and spend more. Resist any feeling that your friends who are big spenders are the norm. Don’t feel you have to go along with whatever expensive activities they propose just so you fit in.

- A positive attitude leads to success. Learn to relax and not get stressed out about money. If you need to make changes in how you spend money, view this as an exciting accomplishment, not a depressing fact. Feel good about staying on a budget and being smart about how you spend your money.

- Be realistic about what you can accomplish. Most students have financial problems, and they don’t just go away by waving a magic wand of good intentions. If your budget reveals you don’t have enough money even while working and carefully controlling your spending, you may still need a student loan or larger changes in your lifestyle to get by. That’s OK—there are ways to deal with that. But if you unrealistically set your sights so high about spending less and saving a lot, you may become depressed or discouraged if you don’t meet your goals.

Before you can make an effective budget, you need to look at what you’re spending money on now and consider what’s essential and what’s optional. Essential costs are the big things:

- Room and board or rent/mortgage, utilities, and groceries

- University tuition, fees, textbooks, supplies

- Transportation

- Insurance (health insurance, car insurance, etc.)

- Dependent care if needed

- Essential personal items (some clothing, hygiene items, etc.)

These things are sometimes called fixed costs, but that term can be misleading. If you have the option to move to a less expensive apartment that is smaller or a few blocks farther away, you can partly control that cost, so it’s not really “fixed.” Still, for most people, the real savings come from spending less on optional things.

Look back at the amounts you wrote in the earlier exercise “Where Does the Money Go?” These things are “optional” expenses—you can spend more or less on them as you choose. Most people spend by habit, not really thinking about where their money goes or how quickly their spending adds up. If you knew you were spending more than a thousand dollars a year on coffee you buy every day between classes, would that make you think twice? Or another thousand on fast food lunches rather than taking a couple minutes in the morning to make your lunch? When people actually start paying attention to where their money goes, most are shocked to see how the totals grow. If you can save a few thousand dollars a year by cutting back on just the little things, how far would that go to making you feel much better about your finances?

Following are some general principles for learning to spend less. The “Tips for Success” then lists specific ways you can try to follow these principles in your daily life. Remember, spending money doesn’t define who you are!

- Be aware of what you’re spending. Carry a small notebook and write down everything—everything—you spend for a month. You’ll see your habits and be able to make a better budget to take control.

- Look for alternatives. If you buy a lot of bottled water, for example, you may feel healthier than people who drink soft drinks or coffee, but you may be spending hundreds of dollars a year on something that is virtually free! Carry your own refillable water bottle and save the money.

- Plan ahead to avoid impulse spending. If you have a healthy snack in your backpack, it’s much easier to not put a dollar in a vending machine when you’re hungry on the way to class. Make a list before going grocery shopping and stick to it. Shopping without a list usually results in buying all sorts of unneeded (and expensive) things that catch your eye in the store.

- Be smart. Shop around, compare prices, and buy in bulk. Stopping to think a minute before spending is often all it takes.

Tips for Success: Spending Less

- Make your own lunches and snacks.

- Read newspapers and magazines online or in the library.

- Cancel cable television and watch programs online for free.

- Use free campus and local Wi-Fi spots and cancel your home high-speed Internet connection.

- Buy generic products instead of name brands.

- Shop at thrift stores and yard sales.

- Pay with cash instead of a credit card.

- Cancel your health club membership and use a free facility on campus.

- Compare prices online.

- Avoid ATM fees by finding a machine on your card’s network (or change banks); avoid checking account monthly fees by finding a bank with free checking.

- Get cash from an ATM in small amounts so you never feel “rich.”

- With larger purchases, postpone buying for a couple days (you may find you don’t “need” it after all).

- Look for free fun instead of movies and concerts—most universities have frequent free events.

- If you pay your own utility bills, make it a habit to conserve: don’t leave lights burning or your computer on all night.

- Use good study skills to avoid failing a class—paying to retake a course is one of the quickest ways to get in financial trouble!

Figure 11.3 – Paying with cash rather than a credit card helps you stay aware of your spending habits
thinkpanama – ATM Machines in Panama – CC BY-NC 2.0.

Managing a Budget

Budgeting involves analyzing your income and expenses so you can see where your money is going and making adjustments when needed to avoid debt. At first budgeting can seem complex or time consuming, but once you’ve gone through the basics, you’ll find it easy and a very valuable tool for controlling your personal finances.

Why create and manage a budget? Going to university changes your financial situation. There are many new expenses, and you likely don’t know yet how your spending needs and habits will work out over the long term. Without a budget, it’s just human nature to spend more than you have coming in, as evidenced by the fact that most Canadians today are in debt. Debt is a major reason many students drop out of university. So it’s worth it to go to the trouble to create and manage a budget.

Managing a budget involves three steps:

1. Listing all your sources of income on a monthly basis.

2. Calculating all your expenditures on a monthly basis.

3. Making adjustments in your budget (and lifestyle if needed) to ensure the money isn’t going out faster than it’s coming in.

Tracking Income

Many university students receive money or financial assistance from a number of sources. To track income in a monthly budget, consider all your sources of funds and convert them to a monthly number. For example, you may receive a student loan once during the year or you may work more in the summer and save up money then. To calculate your monthly projected income, add up your income sources and divide that number by the number of months you will be using the income. For example, if you have saved $4,800 that you can spend over two years of university, divide the $4,800 by twenty-four months to arrive at a monthly income of $200 from those savings. Do the same with scholarship grants, student loans, monetary gifts, and so on.

If some of your university costs are being paid directly by parents or others, do not include that money in your budget as either income or an expense. Base your monthly budget on just those funds and expenses that involve you directly.

Use Table 11.1 “Monthly Income and Funds” to record and total all your income on a monthly basis. If you must estimate some sources, estimate low rather than high; it’s a bad trap to assume you’ll have more money coming in than you actually do—that’s a real budget buster.

Table 11.1 Monthly Income and Funds

Source of Income/Funds

Amount in Dollars

Job income/salary (take-home amount)

Funds from parents/family/others

Monthly draw from savings

Monthly draw from financial aid

Monthly draw from student/other loans

Other income source: ________________

Other income source: ________________

Other income source: ________________

Total Monthly Incoming:

Tracking Expenses

Tracking expenditures is more difficult than tracking income. Some fixed expenses (tuition, rent, etc.) you should already know, but until you’ve actually written down everything you spend in a typical month, it’s hard to estimate how much you’re really spending on cups of coffee or smoothies between class, groceries, entertainment, and the like. The best way to itemize this side of your budget is to write down everything you spend—everything, every bottle of water and cookie, coins into parking meters, and so forth—for a full month. Then you can total up the different categories of expenses more realistically. We urge you to immediately start writing everything down in a small notebook you carry with you. You may be astonished how small purchases add up.

While you’re writing this down for a month, go ahead and work through the expenditure half of your budget, using Table 11.2 “Monthly Expenditures”. Set aside an hour or two to look through your past financial records, checkbook register and debit card transactions, past utility bills, credit card statements, and so on to get the numbers to put in your expenses budget. Make estimates when you have to, but be honest with yourself and don’t underestimate your usual spending. There will be plenty of time down the road to adjust your budget—but don’t start out with an unrealistic plan. Write “est” (for estimated”) next to numbers in your budget that you’re guessing at.

Once you have listed your routine expenditures using Table 11.2 “Monthly Expenditures”, write out your own budget categories that fit how you actually spend money. Everyone is unique, and you want your budget to be easy to use for your own life and habits.

As noted previously with income, if some of your expenses are paid directly by others, do not include them here. Base your monthly budget on just those funds and expenses that involve you directly.

Table 11.2 Monthly Expenditures

Expenditures

Amount in Dollars

Tuition and fees (1/12 of annual)

Textbooks and supplies (1/12 of annual)

Housing: monthly mortgage, rent, or room and board

Home repairs

Renter’s insurance

Property tax

Average monthly utilities (electricity, water, gas, oil)

Optional utilities (cell phone, Internet service, cable television)

Dependent care, babysitting

Child support, alimony

Groceries

Meals and snacks out (including coffee, water, etc.)

Personal expenses (toiletries, cosmetics, haircuts, etc.)

Auto expenses (payments, gas, tolls) plus 1/12 of annual insurance premium—or public transportation costs

Loan repayments, credit card pay-off payments

Health insurance (1/12 of annual)

Prescriptions, medical expenses

Entertainment (movies, concerts, nightlife, sporting events, purchases of CDs, DVDs, video games, etc.)

Bank account fees, ATM withdrawal fees, credit card finance charges

Newspapers, magazines, subscriptions

Travel, day trips

Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco

Beer, wine, liquor

Gifts

Hobbies

Major purchases (computer, home furnishings) (1/12 of annual)

Clothing, dry cleaning

Memberships (health clubs, etc.)

Pet food, veterinary bills, and so on

Other expenditure:

Other expenditure:

Other expenditure:

Other expenditure:

Other expenditure:

Total Monthly Outgoing:

Balancing Your Budget

Now comes the moment of truth: compare your total monthly incoming with your total monthly outgoing. How balanced is your budget at this point? Remember that you estimated some of your expenditures. You can’t know for sure until you actually track your expenses for at least a month and have real numbers to work with.

What if your spending total is higher than your income total? The first step is to make your budget work on paper. Go back through your expenditure list and see where you can cut. Remember, university students shouldn’t try to live like working professionals. Maybe you are used to a nice haircut every month or two—but maybe you can go to a cheaper place or cut it yourself. There are dozens of ways to spend less, as suggested earlier. The essential first step is to make your budget balance on paper.

Then your job is to live within the budget. It’s normal to have to make adjustments at first. Just be sure to keep the overall budget balanced as you make adjustments. For example, if you find you must spend more for textbooks, you may decide you can spend less on eating out—and subtract the amount from that category that you add to the textbook category. Get in the habit of thinking this way instead of reaching for a credit card when you don’t have enough in your budget for something you want or need.

Don’t be surprised if it takes several months to make the budget process work. Be flexible, but stay committed to the process and don’t give up because it feels like to too much work to keep track of your money. Without a budget, you may have difficulty reaching your larger goal: taking control of your life while in university.

Budgeting on Your Computer

If you are good at Excel or another spreadsheet program, you can create your own budget in a spreadsheet that allows you to monitor your income and expenditures month to month, with the calculations done for you. Other budget calculators can be found online. Figure 11.3 “Simple Online Budget Calculator” shows a simple online budget calculator. The categories are general, but you can add up your numbers from Table 11.2 “Monthly Expenditures” in these categories and enter them in the online budget form, which then does the calculations for you.

Figure 11.4 – Simple Online Budget Calculator

Most university students can do well with a simple budget that helps you track monthly income and expenditures so that you can make adjustments as needed. If your financial life is more complicated or you would enjoy full financial tracking and control using your computer, a software program like Quicken has all the power you need and can download your banking and credit card records to easily track categories of expenses over time. A free online budget and tracking system is available at Mint.com.

What If Your Budget Doesn’t Work?

Your budget may be unbalanced by a small amount that you can correct by reducing spending, or it may have a serious imbalance. If your best efforts fail to cut your expenditures to match your income, you may have a more serious problem, unless you plan in advance to manage this with student loans or other funds.

First, think about how this situation occurred. When you decided to go to university, how did you plan to finance it? Were you off in your calculations of what it would cost, or did you just hope for the best? Are you still committed to finding a way to continue in university?

If you are motivated to reach your university goal, good! Now look closely at your budget to determine what’s needed. If you can’t solve the budget shortfall by cutting back on “optional” expenses, then you need more dramatic changes. Are you paying a high rent because your apartment is spacious or near campus? Can you move a little farther away and get by temporarily in a smaller place, if the difference in rent makes a big difference in your overall finances? If you’re spending a lot on your car, can you sell it and get by with public transportation for a year or two? Play with the numbers for such items in your budget and see how you can cut expenses to stay in university without getting deeply in debt. If you worry you won’t be as happy if you change your lifestyle, remember that money problems are a key source of stress for many university students and that stress affects your happiness as well as how well you do in university. It’s worth the effort to work on your budget and prevent this stress.

If all else fails, see a financial aid counselor at your university. Don’t wait until you’re in real financial trouble before talking to someone who may be able to offer help.

Why People Spend Too Much, Even on a Budget

- Old habits die hard. Keep monitoring your spending habits and watch for things you’re spending money on without really thinking about it.

- Credit cards. Never use them if at all possible. They make it easy to spend too much or not see how much you’re spending. Save them for emergencies.

- Easy access to cash. Just put your card in an ATM and get some cash! It’s so easy to do, and an automatic habit for so many, that it’s easy to bust your budget with small amounts daily.

- Temptations are everywhere. Even when we’re careful, we’re often easily influenced by friends to go out or spend in other ways. Remember why you made your budget in the first place and keep your priorities in mind. The guilt you’ll feel tomorrow about spending a whole week’s food budget on one expensive dinner out probably isn’t worth the pleasure of it!

- We buy things to feel good. If that’s been a longtime habit for you, it will be hard to break. Often it’s better to find small things that make you feel good rather than trying to go without everything. Rewarding yourself with an ice cream treat for a week’s budgeting success won’t break your budget.

What If You Get in Financial Trouble?

People often don’t admit to themselves that they have a problem until it becomes unmanageable. We human beings are very good at rationalizing and making excuses to ourselves! Here are some warning signs of sliding into financial trouble:

- For two or three months in a row, your budget is unbalanced because you’re spending more than you are bringing in.

- You’ve begun using your savings for routine expenses you should be able to handle with your regular budget.

- You’ve missed a deadline for a bill or are taking credit card cash advances or overdrawing your checking account.

- You have a big balance on your credit card and have paid only the required minimum payment for the last two months.

- You have nothing in the bank in case of an emergency need.

- You don’t even know how much total debt you have.

- You’re trying to cut expenses by eliminating something important, such as dropping health insurance or not buying required textbooks.

If you are experiencing any of these warning signs, first acknowledge the problem. It’s not going to solve itself—you need to take active steps before it gets worse and affects your university career.

Second, if you just cannot budget your balance, admit that you need help. There’s no shame in that. Start with your university counselor or the financial aid office; if they can’t help you directly, they can refer you to someone who can. Take your budget and other financial records with you so that they can see what’s really involved. Remember that they’re there to help—their goal is to ensure you succeed in university.

Balance Your Checkbook!

Lots of people don’t balance their checkbook every month, thinking it’s just too much trouble. But it’s important to keep your checkbook balanced for several reasons:

- Banks sometimes make errors, and you can’t catch one without checking your record against your monthly bank statement.

- If you make a math error or forget to record a check or ATM withdrawal, you may have to pay overdraft fees.

- If you balance your checkbook only every few months, it can take many hours to examine records and find a problem.

If you’re not sure how exactly to balance your checkbook, ask a teller at your bank or get instructions online. This takes only a few minutes each month and is well worth it to avoid the stress and lost hours caused by an inevitable problem.

Saving for the Future

If you’re having problems just getting by on your budget, it may seem pointless to even think about saving for the future. Still, if you can possibly put aside some money every month into a savings plan, it’s worth the effort:

- An emergency or unexpected situation may occur suddenly. Having the savings to cope with it is much less stressful than having to find a loan or run up your credit cards.

- Saving is a good habit to develop. Saving for the future will prepare you well for the increasing financial complexities of life after graduation.

- You may need your savings to help launch your career after graduation. If you’re broke when you graduate, you may feel you have to take the first job that comes along, but with some savings you may have time to find the job that’s perfect for you.

- You may change your mind about future plans. Maybe you now think that you’ll go to work at a good job right after graduation, so you’re not concerned about saving—but maybe in a couple years you’ll decide to go to graduate school, law school, or business school—or to start your own business, or to join a volunteer program. Your savings may allow you to pursue a new goal.

Start by saving in a savings account at your bank or credit union. You can have a certain amount transferred from your checking account every month into a savings account—that makes it easier and more routine. A savings account allows withdrawal anytime but pays lower interest than other accounts. Ask at your bank about money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs), which generally pay higher interest but have restrictions on minimum balances and withdrawals. Savings bonds are another option. All of these options are federally insured, so your money stays safe. Risky investments like the stock market are generally not appropriate for university students on a budget.

Key Takeaways

- Financial success while in university depends on understanding and controlling your expenditures.

- There are many ways you can spend less on optional expenses, and even essentials, and still have a full life and enjoy your university experience.

- A detailed monthly budget that lists all income sources and expenditures makes it easier to track expenses and avoid sliding into financial trouble.

- Spending too much can quickly lead to financial problems. If you see the signs that you’re starting to have money problems, take steps quickly to prevent trouble before it snowballs out of control.

- While it may seem difficult just to make ends meet, make it a goal also to attempt to save something for future needs.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. List the top three optional expenditures you usually make every week.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. List three tips for spending less that you feel you will be able to use routinely to avoid running out of money while in university.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. For each of the following statements, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

It’s OK to miss a deadline for paying your phone bill as long as you pay on time at least half of the time.

T

F

There’s really nothing wrong with not having any money in the bank as long as you have a credit card for emergencies and major purchases.

T

F

You should balance your checkbook every month when you receive your bank statement.

T

F

A good way to save money is to try to get by without buying expensive textbooks.

T

F

You only need to write up a budget if you’ve gotten deeply into debt and need to see a financial advisor to get out of debt.

57

11.4 Credit Cards

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the benefits of having a credit card and choosing one wisely.

2. Set personal limits for your credit card use to minimize your debt.

3. Describe steps to take to avoid overusing a credit card.

4. Understand the importance of a good credit history and how to obtain and review your credit report.

Credit cards are such a big issue because they are easy to get, easy to use—and for many people, addictive.

Credit cards do have legitimate purposes:

- In an emergency, you may need funds you cannot obtain otherwise.

- You generally need a credit card for travel, for hotels, and other needs.

- Often it’s less expensive to make significant purchases online, and to do that you usually need a credit card. (Many ATM debit cards also function like a credit card for online purchases.)

- If you are young, responsible use of a credit card is a good way to start building a credit rating—but only if you use the credit card responsibly and always make sufficient payments on time.

Even though federal regulations require banks to disclose all fees and make it more difficult to increase fees or rates without warning credit card holders in advance, many people overuse credit cards and pay high interest rates and fees for making late payments. Currently, 46% of Canadian credit card holders are carrying credit card debt[1]. The proportion is almost certainly higher among university students with credit cards.

Your first goal with a credit card is to understand what you’re getting into and how you are charged. Read the fine print on your monthly statements. You should understand about rate increases and know what happens if you miss a payment, pay less than the minimum, or pay late. It also pays to shop around. Check out MoneySenses’ ‘Canada’s Best Credit Cards of 2015‘, to compare rates of many credit cards and provide more information about how credit cards work.

Setting Limits

All credit cards come with a limit, the maximum total amount you can charge, but this is not the same as the limit you should set for how you use the card based on your budget. If you bought something that cost $400, for example, would your monthly budget let you pay it off when the bill comes? If it will take you two or three months to have that much available in your budget, are you also including the interest you’ll be paying? What if an unexpected need then arises and you need to charge more?

Set your personal use limit by calculating how much your budget allows you to charge. If you are using the card just for convenience, such as to pay for meals or regular purchases, be sure you have enough in those categories in your budget left at the end of the month to make the payment. If tempted to buy a significant item with your credit card, do the calculations in advance.

Avoiding Debt

If your credit card debt is not limited by your age, that balance can rapidly rise. Following are tips that will help you avoid slipping into credit card debt:

- Pay with cash when you can. Use your budget as a guide for how much cash to carry with you. A good way is to plan how much you’ll need for a week (lunches, parking meters, snacks or drinks between classes) and start the week with that amount from an ATM. Carrying that exact amount helps you stay informed of how you’re doing on your budget and keeps you from “accidentally” spending too much on a whim.

- When possible, use a debit card instead of a credit card. A debit card is taken just like a credit card in most places, so you can use it instead of cash, but remember that a purchase is subtracted immediately from your account. Don’t risk overdraft fees by using a debit card when you don’t have the balance to back it up. Record a debit card purchase in your checkbook register as soon as possible.

- Make it a priority to pay your balance in full every month. If you can’t pay it all, pay as much as you can—and then remember that balance will still be there, so try not to use the card at all during the next month.

- Don’t get cash advances on your credit card. With most cards, you begin paying interest from that moment forward—so there will still be an interest charge even if you pay the bill in full at the end of the month. Cash advance interest rates are often considerably higher than purchase rates.

- Don’t use more than one credit card. Multiple cards make it too easy to misuse them and lose track of your total debt.

- Get and keep receipts for all credit card purchases. Don’t throw them away because you’ll see the charges on your monthly statement. Write the amounts down in your spending budget. You also need the receipts in case your monthly statement has an error.

- Stop carrying your credit card. If you don’t have enough willpower to avoid spontaneous purchases, be honest with yourself. Don’t carry the card at all—after all, the chances of having an emergency need for it are likely to be very small. Having to go home to get the card also gives you a chance to consider whether you really need whatever it is that you were about to buy.

Credit History and Reports

Many younger university students are just beginning to develop a credit history. Older students likely have had credit cards for years, as well as automobile and other types of loans, possibly a mortgage, and other financial transactions that add up to a credit history. But everyone needs to understand what a credit history is and how your monetary habits now can affect your future financial well-being and your future options. For example, frequent overdrafts on a debit card can prevent you from being approved for a credit card, or late credit card payments can prevent you in the future from obtaining a car loan.

Credit bureaus collect financial data on everyone. The credit report they issue is a detailed history of many years of your financial habits. It includes the following:

- Current and past credit accounts (credit cards and store charge cards)

- History of balances and credit payments

- History of late or missed payments

- Inquiries into your credit status (e.g., if you’ve applied for a number of credit cards, this is recorded even if you did not receive the cards)

- Bankruptcy or mortgage foreclosure proceedings

All this information remains in your credit report for up to seven to ten years. What you do today can really come back to haunt you!

Reviewing Your Credit History

If you have ever had a loan or credit card, you already have a credit history. It can be important to know what is in your report. Errors are common in credit histories and, if not corrected, can hurt you in the future.

You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report every year, and ideally you should check it every year for possible errors. To obtain a copy, visit the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada for a full list of instructions.

Once you receive your credit report, go over it carefully to make sure its information is accurate. If you have paid off and closed an account, for example, it should not be listed as still open. Make sure all accounts listed actually belong to you and that the balances listed are correct. If you do find an error, report it promptly, following the procedure on the credit bureau’s Web site.

It’s also important to keep good financial records. Don’t immediately throw away your credit card statements or loan papers. You may need these to prove an error in your credit history.

Your FICO Credit Score

To sum up your creditworthiness, credit bureaus analyze all your data to come up with a single number, called your credit score or FICO score. (FICO is short for the Fair Isaac Credit Organization, which created this method of analyzing data.) The calculations of each credit bureau differ somewhat. The score may be anywhere between 250 and 336 (poor credit risk) and 843 and 900 (excellent credit risk). The score is based on the following:

- The length of your credit history

- The total amount you owe

- Your payment history

- The types of credit you have

Credit bureaus are not required to tell you the FICO score that they report to a lender who inquires about your credit history. Check with any of the individual credit bureaus listed earlier, if you need to know your score. Or you may be able to get this information from a lender with whom you have a loan. Most students have no need to know their credit score, except to understand how banks and other lenders make their decisions if you are applying for any type of loan.

Protecting Your Financial Identity

Identity theft is a serious and growing problem. Identity theft is someone else’s use of your personal information—usually financial information—to make an illegal gain. A criminal who has your credit card number or bank account information may be able to make purchases or transfer funds from your accounts. Someone with the right information about you, such as your social security number along with birth date and other data, can even pretend to be you and open new credit accounts that you don’t know about—until the bank or collection agency tries to recover amounts from you. Although innocent, you would spend a lot of time and effort dealing with the problem.

Follow these guidelines to prevent identity theft:

- Never put in the trash any document with personal or financial information (e.g., your social security number, credit card number). Shred it first.

- Carefully review bank statements, credit card bills, and the like when you receive them. If the balance seems incorrect or you do not recognize charges, contact the bank or credit card company immediately.

- Never give your social security number, credit card number, or other sensitive data when requested by telephone or e-mail. Many schemes are used to try to trick people to reveal this information, but legitimate companies do not make such requests.

- Do not use online banking or make online purchases with a credit card using a public computer or an unsecured Wi-Fi connection. Your data can be picked up by others lurking within the Wi-Fi signal range.

Case Study

Maria’s Financial Dilemma

When Maria decided to attend university after working full time a few years, she was confident she could afford it. She had saved enough money to pay tuition for two years, and she cut back to part-time work that paid enough, she calculated, to live on. With great enthusiasm she registered for the fall term.

Her money problems began in November when her car broke down on the way to her job. The mechanic said her transmission had to be rebuilt and her car also really needed new rear shocks The bill was well over a thousand dollars. She paid with her Visa card. At the end of the month, she didn’t have enough in her checking account to pay the credit card bill in full. She almost decided just to pay the minimum, but then she checked her statement and saw the 18 percent interest rate and decided to pay the full balance from her savings. She wouldn’t need that money for tuition until next year anyway, and that gave her a long time to save it up.

The first week in December, she slipped on an icy sidewalk and sprained her ankle. Unfortunately, she couldn’t do her job on crutches and had no sick time built up, so she lost two weeks’ pay.

Still, “that’s life,” she thought, although she was so worried about money now that she almost decided to register for just two courses the next term. But university was her priority, so she took a full load and increased her work hours for a couple months to help her get caught up financially. But then as midterm exams grew closer, she felt unprepared because she hadn’t had enough time for studying. Because of the stress she wasn’t sleeping well, and one day she fell asleep in class. Always rushing around, she was eating more junk food than ever and feeling too guilty to even get on the scale to see if she was gaining weight, too. She found herself daydreaming about the coming summer and being free of classes. To feel better, she took long drives in her car on the weekends.

She did pass her midterms, though she did not do as well as she’d hoped. She still hadn’t been able to save enough for next year’s tuition but felt that she had the summer to work full time and make up for it.

In April, her boss told her that business was too slow to be able to increase her hours to full time for the summer. He was very sorry, but she could keep working part time if she wanted.

Now Maria really doubted if she’d be able to make it. Her family could spare no money to help her out. She had enough for rent, food, and her car, but that was about it. If she didn’t figure something out, she couldn’t afford tuition in the fall. Even with an installment plan to break up tuition payments, she just wasn’t making enough to cover it. She didn’t know what to do.

1. What is the first step Maria should take to start sorting out her financial situation and learn about her options?

__________________________________________________________________

2. Maria’s financial planning was based on making enough to cover what she spends and using her savings for tuition. If she were to make a monthly budget and analyze every expenditure, might she be able to cut back and save more for unexpected expenses that come up? List areas in which she would likely be able to spend less if she used a budget.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. Maria’s attitude toward her credit card is a healthy indicator that she wants to avoid debt. If this proved to be the only solution, however, should she consider a student loan to cover the tuition for her second year? Why or why not?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. If Maria was considering not attending university the second year but instead looking for a new full-time job that would allow her to save up tuition money again, what advice might you give her?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Key Takeaways

- Credit cards have several important benefits when used carefully, including building a credit history and having emergency funds available.

- Don’t charge purchases up to the credit card’s limit but set your own personal limit that allows you to pay the balance in full every month.

- Avoid high credit card balances by using the card minimally, paying cash when you can, and avoiding cash advances.

- How you manage your credit and finances now affects your credit history and creditworthiness in the future.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. What is the best number of credit cards to have and carry with you?

___________________________________________________

2. For each of the following statements, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

The more credit cards you have, and the larger the balances you keep, the better is your credit rating as long as you make the minimum payments every month on time.

T

F

Most credit cards charge the same interest rate.

T

F

An overdraft on an ATM cash advance won’t cost you anything as long as you pay it off at the end of the month.

T

F

Your credit history begins only after graduation from university, so it doesn’t matter much how you manage money while still in school.

T

F

Identity theft happens only to senior citizens.

3. How often can one obtain a free credit report?

___________________________________________________

1. BMO Financial Group. (2015). BMO Poll: Nearly Half of Canadian Credit Card Holders Currently Hold Credit Card Debt. Retrieved from: https://newsroom.bmo.com/press-releases/bmo-poll-nearly-half-of-canadian-credit-card-hold-tsx-bmo-201502100991483001 ↵

58

11.5 Financing University and Looking Ahead

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the importance of researching and applying for financial aid every year even if you don’t think you qualify for assistance.

2. Identify key differences among scholarships and grants, student loans, and work study programs.

3. Avoid excessive student loans and setting yourself up for future financial difficulties.

You may already be receiving financial aid or understand what types of financial aid are available. Even if you are not receiving financial aid, however, you should understand the basics because your financial situation may change and you may need help paying for university. You owe it to yourself to learn about potential types of aid you might receive. The University of Saskatchewan has a Student Finance and Awards unit, that can give you information about awards, scholarships, and student loan programs. Certain kinds of financial aid, however, such as private scholarships, may not be administered by the university, so you may need to do some research. There are three main categories of financial aid:

1. Scholarships and grants (money or tuition waivers that do not need to be repaid)

2. Student loans (money that does need to be repaid, usually starting after graduation)

3. Co-operative education programs (money that is earned for tuition or other expenses)

These three types of aid are described in the following sections. Remember that this section only introduces these types of financial aid—be sure to get more information from your university’s financial aid office and the online sources listed here.

Applying for Financial Aid

The Canadian Federal Government works with most territorial and provincial governments to deliver provincial and federal student loan programs. Visit the National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC) for more information and for application instructions, or visit the Student Finance and Awards unit at the University of Saskatchewan for more help in this regard. Outside loans and scholarships are generally applied for separately. Follow these general rules to ensure you receive any aid for which you are qualified:

1. Apply to your university for financial aid every year, even if you do not qualify in your first year or term. Your situation may change, and you want to remain eligible depending the awards or loans that may become available.

2. Talk to the financial office immediately if you (or your family) have any change in your circumstances.

3. Complete applications accurately, fully, and honestly. Financial records are required to verify your data. Pay attention to the deadlines for all applications.

4. Research possible outside financial aid based on other criteria. Many private scholarships or grants are available, for example, for the dependents of employees of certain companies, students pursuing a degree in a certain field, or students of a certain ethnic status or from a certain religious or geographical background, and the like.

5. Do not pay for financial aid resource information. Some online companies try to profit from the anxieties of students about financial aid by promising to find financial aid for you for a fee. Legitimate sources of financial aid information are free.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants are “free” money—you do not have to pay them back, unlike student loans. A scholarship is generally based on merit rather than demonstrated financial need—based on past grades, test scores, achievements, or experiences, including personal qualifications such as athletic ability, skills in the arts, community or volunteer experiences, and so on. Don’t make the mistake of thinking scholarships go only to students with high grades. Many scholarships, for example, honor those with past leadership or community experience or the promise of future activities. Even the grades and test scores needed for academic scholarships are relative: a grade that does not qualify for a scholarship at one university may earn a scholarship at another. Never assume that you’re not qualified for any kind of scholarship or grant.

A grant also does not need to be paid back. Most grants are based on demonstrated financial need. A grant may be offered by the university, a federal or provincial program, or a private organization or civic group. Often times, grants are provided with student loans to those with demonstrable financial needs.

Student Loans

The most common student loan program in Canada is administered by the federal government. Because many universities do not have sufficient funds to offer full grants to students with financial need, financial aid packages often include a combination of grant and loan money. Ideally, one would like to graduate without having loan balances to repay later on. However, many full-time university students will need student loans to pay for university.

Unfortunately this is a necessary reality for many students. For most, graduating from university owing some money is preferable to not going to university at all. With smart choices about the type of loan and a structured repayment program for your working years after graduation, there’s no reason to fear a loan. Just remember that the money eventually has to be repaid—it’s not “free” money even though it may feel that way while you’re in school.

Student loans provided through the government do not begin accruing interest until after graduation. If you borrowed $20,000 over four years and interest accrued during this time, you could owe as much as $25,000 upon graduation, so this can be a substantial saving over the course of your degree.

How Much Should You Borrow?

Many financial analysts urge university students not to borrow more than about $6,000 per year or about $24,000 for four years. Even if you qualify for more, that doesn’t mean you should take it, and in fact, you may want to borrow much less. Think about this seriously before jumping to any conclusions about your future earning potential and how much you may have to struggle then to pay off your student loans. During an economic downturn, for example, many students have difficulty finding a job that pays well enough to cover their loan payments without hardship.

First learn the repayment rate for a loan amount. Then research the starting salary you can realistically expect after graduation. Assume the starting salary will be at the low end of the salary range for any given career. Finally, make sure that your loan payments do not total more than 10 percent of your starting salary. If the payment amount is more than 10 percent, you are setting yourself up for future financial problems. Try to find ways to cut back on expenses instead. Many experts advise attending a less expensive university, if necessary, rather than risking your future well-being.

Co-operative Education Programs

Co-operative education programs are the third type of financial aid. They are administered by universities and are becoming increasingly common in the areas of business, economics and engineering. They allow students to earn money while gaining valuable work experience prior to graduation. Because they are run by university staff, students receive recognition of program completion on their transcripts and they have access to additional support and preparatory services prior to, during and after their co-op placements.

Resources

Start with your  Student Finance and Awards   unit to gather information about financial aid. Do additional research to make sure you’re considering all available options. Even though this takes some effort, it will prove worthwhile if you find other sources of funds for your university years. Start with the online resources listed here.

Additional Resources

Federal government information about student loans. See https://csnpe-nslsc.cibletudes-canlearn.ca/eng/Default.aspx

Federal government scholarship information. http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/student_financial_aid/scholarships.page

ScholarshipsCanada.com. See this private information Web site on scholarships available for Canadian students. http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/

Salary Wizard. To estimate future earning potential, use this tool available at http://www.salary.com/category/salary/.

Key Takeaways

- Many forms of financial aid are available for university students. Apply every year and notify the university financial aid office if you have a significant change in circumstances.

- Consider all forms of financial aid—not just the aid managed by your university. Look into private scholarships and grants.

- Carefully consider how much to borrow in student loans.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. What is the best kind of university financial aid to seek?

___________________________________________________

2. For each of the following statements, circle T for true or F for false:

T

F

You don’t need to complete the FAFSA if you are applying only for a federal student loan.

T

F

If you apply to your university’s financial aid office, they will tell you about all possible scholarships for which you may be qualified.

T

F

After graduation, you have to begin repaying the money you received in a grant.

T

F

A work study program job often has advantages over a job you find on your own.

3. As a general rule, your future payments on a student loan should not be more than _____ percent of what you expect to make with your starting salary.

59

11.6 Chapter Activities

Chapter Takeaways

- Controlling your finances while in university is important both for your future well-being and for eliminating stress that can impede your academic success.

- Meeting your financial goals while in university may require some financial sacrifice but need not result in hardship.

- The best student jobs offer benefits beyond just the money.

- There are many ways to reduce expenditures while in university. Tracking your spending with an effective budget is the first step toward taking control of your finances.

- Understanding your own spending habits and practicing a few simple principles for spending less help prevent unnecessary debt. Make and use a budget to take control of your financial life.

- Credit card spending can lead to out-of-control debt. Use credit cards minimally and wisely.

- Protect your financial identity by maintaining good records and preventing criminals from obtaining your personal or financial information.

- Look into all forms of financial aid and apply for all aid for which you may be qualified. Do not take more in student loans than you really need.

Chapter Review

1. Why is it necessary to track all your expenditures if your goal is to spend less to avoid financial problems while in university?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. Imagine several situations in which a friend asks you to join some activity that would break your budget. Write down positive, upbeat things you can say in these situations instead of glumly saying “I can’t afford it.”

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. List as many ways as you can think of to locate job openings for which you might apply.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

4. Who should you talk to if you are having difficulty paying for university or meeting your expenses?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Outside the Book

1. Although you may not need a résumé until you seek full-time employment after graduation, go online to learn what kinds of experience are typically listed in a résumé. Make a list of your experiences, qualifications, and references that you will put on your future résumé. What areas seem weak to you? What kind of job, internship, or other experience could you potentially have now in your university years that will strengthen your résumé?

2. Choose a friend you enjoy spending time with and see if he or she will help you with an “experiment.” Together, make a list of fun free things to do over the next two weeks. For example, look for free concerts and other campus activities. Make it your goal to spend as little as possible for two weeks, cooking meals together if practical, taking lunches and snacks to classes, and finding new ways to enjoy your free time inexpensively. At the end of this experiment, compare what you spent with your past habits. How successful were you? Think about how you can continue saving in the future.

3. Make a budget as described in this chapter, based on realistic estimates of your daily and monthly expenditures. Choose two or three categories of expenses and pay special attention to these for a month. For every $10 less that you spend in these categories during the month, put $3 in a new category to reward yourself. Then at the end of the month, use this new fund to celebrate your success with something special.

4. It’s never too early to think about summer jobs. Go online to check out summer jobs and internships you might find interesting. Check out the application process and deadlines and write these on your calendar for the winter or spring to remind yourself to apply early.

Make an Action List

Spending

I spend too much money every week on

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

My action plan to spend less includes the following:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Lifestyle

The area of my lifestyle where I know I spend more than most other university students is

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I can make these adjustments in my lifestyle to reduce this expenditure:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Job in University

Ideally, I’d like to work no more than _______ hours a week.

What I’d most enjoy doing is

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I can learn more about possible jobs close to my ideal by

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Saving Money

I believe I can realistically save this amount of money a month if I watch my spending:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

This is where I will put my savings:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I will allow myself to spend this money only for something major like:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Budgeting and Tracking Spending

Here’s how I have kept track of what I spent in the past:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

So that I can maintain a budget now and in the future, I know I need to record every expenditure. I will do this by

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Credit Card Use

In the past, I usually used my credit card to buy things like

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

If you have not always been able to pay off your balance every month: I will try to avoid using my credit card as much by taking these steps:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Figure 12.1
WSWC Shoot City Year – Tutoring – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Where Are You Now?

Assess your present knowledge and attitudes.

Yes

Unsure

No

1. I have a good understanding of my career options.

2. I have a good understanding of the work-related skills I will need in my chosen career and a plan to get them.

3. I know where I can get useful information about careers.

4. I have created a transferable skills inventory.

5. I have a written up-to-date résumé.

6. I know how to prepare an effective cover letter.

7. I have both professional and social networks.

8. I have discussed my career objectives with my academic advisor.

9. I am comfortable in interviews.

10. I have chosen my major based on the job market.

11. I have chosen my major based on my personal interests.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your preparation for your future at this time?

I’m adrift (no idea)

I have a clear direction

and plan to get there

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

In the following list, circle the three most important areas in which you think you can improve:

- Following my dreams to successful employment

- Networking for employment

- Completing informational interviews

- Completing employment interviews

- Writing résumés

- Researching potential employers

- Writing effective cover letters

- Researching and choosing a university major

- Researching potential careers

- Understanding the financial implications of career choices

- Defining short-, medium-, and long-term plans for career development

- Discovering my transferable skills

- Addressing required work-based skills

Are there other areas in which you can improve your career planning? Write down other things you feel you need to work on.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How to Get There

Here’s what we’ll work on in this chapter:

- Learning how the employment market has changed over the past ten years and what that means to you

- Discovering your roles and your dreams

- Choosing a major

- Working with your faculty advisor

- Learning the difference between jobs and careers (there is a difference)

- Exploring career options

- Learning what work-based skills and transferable skills you really need

- Transferring to a four-year university

- Building your experience base

- Writing résumés

- Writing cover letters

- Completing informational interviews

- Interviewing for a job

- Networking for employment

- Preparing your life-work plan

A Journey Begins…

If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.

Yogi Berra

This popular saying attributed to Yogi Berra suggests that we should have a pretty clear picture of where we are headed. And university, for most of us, is the last step toward a fulfilling and exciting career. But the fact is that the employment market and job-seeking techniques have changed significantly over the past ten years and will continue to change; it is not as easy as it once was to map out a clear career path. However, a clear direction can still provide enough flexibility to respond to the changing needs of today’s job market. In fact, building flexibility into your career plans is a requirement for achieving a successful career.

Consider the ways in which the job market has changed—and what it may mean to your planning:

- You will likely be employed by many organizations in your lifetime. The idea of working for a single employer is no longer the rule but rather the exception. In fact, it was found that two-thirds of all Canadian Baby Boomers had worked for the same employer for the last 12 years[1]. However, individuals who graduated university in 2002 were expected to have held 3.9 different jobs in their first 12 years of employment. This trend means today’s graduates need to be very flexible in their career plans and that they should make an effort to identify and develop transferable skills in order to navigate the changing employment market.

- Five years from now, you may be working in a job that doesn’t even exist in the present. As new technology accelerates and national and global priorities (such as going green or national security) take on a new sense of urgency, new needs are identified and new jobs will be created to fill those needs. Think about this: ten years ago, a search engine optimization (SEO) specialist was a job in only a handful of Web-centric companies. With the meteoric growth of Google, SEO is now a common role in just about any marketing department—and a job in relatively high demand. In the same way, the aging population has created new opportunities in elder care, the events of 9/11 has created a whole new category of jobs in Canada focused on national security, and new discoveries and approaches in science have created fields like biotechnology and nanotechnology. Today’s students and job hunters must become lifetime learners to keep up with new trends.

- The physical location of a job is no longer as important as it once was. Other than jobs that require you to serve customers in a specific location or region or jobs that require specialized equipment (as in manufacturing facilities), companies increasingly have off-site employees who stay connected via the Internet. This means that students and job hunters should be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently and produce results without consistent, direct personal supervision.

- The growth of job posting sites online has created a glut of applicants for most posted positions. You have access to tens of thousands of job opportunities via the Web, but so do hundreds or thousands of other job seekers. Each employer must cull through hundreds of résumés received for each job posted on the Web. Strategies for standing out in this crowded field become very important.

These factors combine to create a job environment that is different from what most people might expect. The way you prepare for a career needs to be more flexible and more personalized. Technology will play an important role in your career development. Linking your demonstrable skills to the needs of a job will be a key to your success. This chapter will help set you up for this challenging environment.

1. Harris, P. (2014). How many jobs do Canadians hold in a lifetime? Retrieved from: https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/how-many-jobs-do-canadians-hold-in-a-lifetime/↵

60

12.1 The Dream of a Lifetime

Learning Objectives

1. Use your life mission to inform career decisions.

2. Understand how you are already on your way to fulfilling your dream.

3. Work with changing life objectives and goals.

Throughout this book, we have covered many techniques for how to get things done effectively: how to study, how to read, how to take notes, how to manage your personal finances or your social life. This last chapter challenges you to really think about the why. Why did you decide to attend university? Why is it important to you?

We all have life goals or objectives—some are clearer than others, but they are there. You may think of your objectives in terms of finances (to hold a job that allows you to be financially independent, for example), or perhaps your goals are more personal (to be married and have a family). They might be specific (pay off my student loans within three years of leaving university) or very general (to do good). Regardless of what they may be, they are all important because they influence the decisions you are making today about your future.

Understanding what motivates your goals and aspirations is essential because you are then better able to prioritize your thoughts about the future and identify new options that you may not have thought of before that will bring you fulfillment. Beware of accepting dreams others may have for you as your own (“I want to finish university to make my parents proud” or “I want to complete my associate’s degree because my boyfriend says I can get a better job”). These are not necessarily bad dreams to pursue, but they will lead to genuine fulfillment only if they are your dreams.

Exercise 1: My Dream Machine

In the table that follows, list the four or five most important dreams you have for your future. Include your personal, professional, and economic goals. Now take some time to think about why these dreams are important to you. Revisit your answers frequently over the next week or two and fine-tune them. What do they tell you about what is important to you? How are they linked to each other?

My dreams for the future

Why they are important to me

Since you were a child and first definitively stated, “When I grow up I want to be a ____________,” you have been making decisions in order to fulfill your dreams. Most likely you are in university today as a step toward fulfilling a lifetime goal. But very few of us are still passionate about our childhood dream. As we grew up, we discovered new options; were influenced by people we met; or perhaps even learned that being a fireman, nurse, circus clown, pro baseball player, or princess is not all we thought it might be. Your evolving life dreams may continue even today and should be embraced. But for most people, the motivators behind the dreams—the answers to “Why they are important to me” in Exercise 1—change very little over time. If as a child you wanted to be a princess so your kingdom would have a kind ruler, today you may want to be a teacher to help children learn—and both of these dreams, at their core, are motivated by the desire to help others.

Take a close look at your “importance” statements in Exercise 1. What do they tell you about the direction you want to take in your life? What are your priorities? Will some dreams need to be put on the back burner while you pursue others? Using your dream statements as a guide, write a two- or three-sentence mission for yourself. You don’t need to share it with anyone, but you should refer to it a few times a year and ask yourself, “Am I living up to my mission?” and “Am I taking the right steps toward this mission?” You may also want to fine-tune it as you progress.

Key Takeaways

- The world is changing quickly around you, but your dreams and aspirations may provide a sense of direction in unknown territory.

- The reasons dreams or aspirations are important to you are as important as the dreams themselves and are likely to be more consistent than your literal dreams.

- A mission statement can be very useful in helping you to make important personal decisions, but it needs to be considered often and fine-tuned as needed.

61

12.2 Career Exploration

Learning Objectives

1. Define the difference between a job and a career.

2. Identify the primary types of work and which you are best suited for.

3. Learn how to explore work options.

A job: yes, it’s something you would like to have, especially if you want to pay your bills. A job lets you enjoy a minimal level of financial security. A job requires you to show up and do what is required of you; in exchange, you get paid. A career involves holding jobs, but it is more a means of achieving personal fulfillment. In a career, your jobs follow a sequence that leads to increasing mastery, professional development, and personal and financial satisfaction. A career requires planning, knowledge, and skills. If it is to be a fulfilling career, it requires that you bring into play your full set of analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills to make informed decisions that will affect your life in both the short term and the long term.

What Do You Want to Do When You “Grow Up”?

The Government of Canada defines over 500 occupations in its National Occupation Classification system[1]—and new occupations are being created at an ever-faster rate. Just ten years ago, would anyone have imagined the job of a social media marketing specialist? How about the concept of a competitive chef? As new careers develop and old careers morph into almost unrecognizable versions of their original, it’s OK if you aren’t able to pinpoint exactly what occupation or career will be your lifetime passion. However, it is important to define as best you can what field you will want to develop your career in, because that will help dictate your major and your course selections.

The process of career exploration can be a lot of fun, as it allows you to discover a world of possibilities. Even those students who have a pretty clear idea of what they want to do should go through this process because they will discover new options as backups and occasionally a new direction even more attractive than their original choice. The career exploration process involves four phases.

Phase A: Who Am I?

Getting to know who you are—who you really are—is the first step. As in Exercise 1, be careful to base your self-discovery on what you think, not what Auntie Ethel always said about you or the hopes that Dad had for you to join in the family business. This is all about you.

You are a unique individual with a distinct combination of likes, dislikes, personality traits, and skills. But you are not so different that you can’t be identified with certain personality types, and those types may help you narrow your career choices. Visit the Student Employment and Career Centre on campus. They will likely be able to offer you a variety of tests to define your personality type.

Many of these tests are based on the career theory developed by Dr. John Holland. Holland defined six categories of people based on personality, interests, and skills[2]:

1. Realistic. These people describe themselves as honest, loyal, and practical. They are doers more than thinkers. They have strong mechanical, motor, and athletic abilities; like the outdoors; and prefer working with machines, tools, plants, and animals.

2. Investigative. These people love problem solving and analytical skills. They are intellectually stimulated and often mathematically or scientifically inclined; like to observe, learn, and evaluate; prefer working alone; and are reserved.

3. Artistic. These people are the “free spirits.” They are creative, emotional, intuitive, and idealistic; have a flair for communicating ideas; dislike structure and prefer working independently; and like to sing, write, act, paint, and think creatively. They are similar to the investigative type but are interested in the artistic and aesthetic aspects of things more than the scientific.

4. Social. These are “people” people. They are friendly and outgoing; love to help others, make a difference, or both; have strong verbal and personal skills and teaching abilities; and are less likely to engage in intellectual or physical activity.

5. Enterprising. These people are confident, assertive risk takers. They are sociable; enjoy speaking and leadership; like to persuade rather than guide; like to use their influence; have strong interpersonal skills; and are status conscious.

6. Conventional. These people are dependable, detail oriented, disciplined, precise, persistent, and practical; value order; and are good at clerical and numerical tasks. They work well with people and data, so they are good organizers, schedulers, and project managers.

Exercise 2: What’s My Type?

Using the descriptions above, choose the three types that most closely describe you and list them in order in the following table. Most people are combinations of two or sometimes three types. Then list the specific words or attributes that made you think you fit in that type description.

Occupational type

Words and attributes that closely describe me

Primary type (the one I identify with most closely)

Secondary type

Tertiary type

Note: Your Holland occupational code is made up of the initials of the three personality types you selected, in order.

Phase B: What’s Out There?

Once you have determined your occupational type, you can begin to explore what types of careers might be best suited to you. Exercise 2 is a rough beginning to find your occupational type, but you should still seek out more detailed results through the Student Employment and Career Centre.

Many of the career guidance tests are based on Holland’s work. Holland studied people who were successful and happy in many occupations and matched their occupations to their occupational type, creating a description of the types of occupations that are best suited to each personality type. Just as many individuals are more than one personality type, many jobs show a strong correlation to more than one occupational type.

Table 12.1 Occupational Options by Type

Ideal Environments

Sample Occupations

Realistic

- Structured

- Clear lines of authority

- Work with things and tools

- Casual dress

- Focus on tangible results or well-thought-out goals

- Contractor

- Emergency medical technician (EMT)

- Mechanic

- Military career

- Packaging engineer

Investigative

- Nonstructured

- Research oriented

- Intellectual

- Work with ideas and data

- Pharmacist

- Lab technician

- Nanotechnologist

- Geologist

- University professor

Artistic

- Nonstructured

- Creative

- Rewards unconventional and aesthetic approaches

- Creation of products and ideas

- Advertising career

- Architect

- Animator

- Musician

- Journalist

Social

- Collaborative

- Collegial

- Work with people and on people-related problems/issues

- Work as a team or community

- Teacher

- Geriatric counselor

- Correctional officer

- Coach

- Nurse

Enterprising

- Typical business environment

- Results oriented

- Driven

- Work with people and data

- Entrepreneurial

- Power focused

- Sales manager

- Banker

- Lawyer

- Business owner

- Restaurant manager

Conventional

- Orderly

- Clear rules and policies

- Consistent processes

- Work with systems to manipulate and organize data

- Control and handling of money

- Auditor

- Insurance underwriter

- Bank teller

- Office manager

- Database manager

Use the occupational code you defined in Exercise 2 to identify careers you might want to consider. Your career guidance or placement office should be a good resource for this activity, or you can check out Gottfredson and Holland’s Dictionary of Holland Occupational Codes in the reference section of your library.

Phase C: What Factors Might Affect My Choice?

You may now have a list of careers you want to explore. But there are other factors you will need to take into consideration as well. It is important to use your creative thinking skills to come up with alternative “right” answers to factors that may present an obstacle to pursuing the right career.

- Timing. How much time must I invest before I actually start making money in this career? Will I need to spend additional time in school? Is there a certification process that requires a specific amount of experience? If so, can I afford to wait?

- Finances. Will this career provide me with the kind of income I need in the short term and the security I’ll want in the longer term? What investment will I need to make to be successful in this field (education, tools, franchise fees, etc.)?

- Location. Does this career require me to relocate? Is the ideal location for this career somewhere I would like to live? Is it somewhere my family would like to live?

- Family/personal. How will this career affect my personal and family life? Do friends and family members who know me well feel strongly (for or against) about this career choice? How important is their input?

Phase D: Where Do I Go from Here?

It may seem odd to be thinking about life after school if you are just getting started. But you will soon be making decisions about your future, and regardless of the direction you may choose, there is a lot you can do while still in university. You will need to focus your studies by choosing a major. You should find opportunities to explore the careers that interest you. You can ensure that you are building the right kind of experience on which to base a successful career. These steps will make your dreams come to life and make them achievable.

Start by developing a relationship with the counselors in the career guidance or placement office. All too often students engage these counselors only near the end of their university days, when the pressure is just on getting a job—any job—after having completed a degree. But these counselors can be of great help in matching your interests to a career and in ensuring you are gathering the right kind of experience to put you at the top of the recruiting heap.

Keep in mind that deciding on and pursuing a career is an ongoing process. The more you learn about yourself and the career options that best suit you, the more you will need to fine-tune your career plan. Don’t be afraid to consider new ideas, but don’t make changes without careful consideration. Career planning is exciting: learning about yourself and about career opportunities, and considering the factors that can affect your decision, should be a core part of your thoughts while in university.

Key Takeaways

- The right career for you depends on your interests, your personality, and your skills.

- Defining your occupational type may confirm career choices you have already made and open entirely new options for you.

- Career planning is an ongoing process involving knowing yourself, knowing about career options, and understanding the context in which your decisions will be made.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Using your occupational type, identify a career opportunity you might be suited for that you have not yet considered. Now write a paragraph on what life might be like if you were to pursue that career.

2. Name the six Holland occupational types, and then circle what each type likes to work with:

1.

data

ideas

people

process

tools

2.

data

ideas

people

process

tools

3.

data

ideas

people

process

tools

4.

data

ideas

people

process

tools

5.

data

ideas

people

process

tools

6.

data

ideas

people

process

tools

1. Government of Canada. (2015). Find your National Occupational Classification. Retrieved from: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/noc.asp#find ↵

2. Nauta, M.N. (2010). The Development, Evolution, and Status of Holland’s Theory of Vocational Personalities: Reflections and Future Directions for Counseling Psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 57 (1),  11–22. Retrieved from:  http://www.counseling.org/docs/david-kaplan's-files/nauta.pdf?sfvrsn=2 ↵

62

12.3 Choosing Your Major

Learning Objectives

1. Understand how your major is important to your career.

2. Understand why majors are not important to a career.

3. Practice skills for selecting a good major.

Choosing a university major can have a big impact on your career choices.  Most direct entry Colleges will structure their programs so that students take a variety of foundational courses in their first and second years.  The selection of a  major or area of focus will come after that.  Be sure to follow up with your individual College to understand your program of studies and when you need to make your choice.   Although the selection of a major is important try not to get too anxious about choosing a major or program of studies.  Working with a career counselor or student advisor can help you select your studies to be as flexible as possible.  Consider the following:

- Your choice of major or program will be important only for your first job after university; most people change careers (not just jobs, but careers) several times throughout their lifetime, so there is no possible major that will cover that level of flexibility.

- Many majors and programs share foundation courses with other majors, so you can usually change your major without having wasted your time in courses that will be unrelated to your new major. Chances are that if you change your major, it will be to something similar, especially if you have completed an occupational interest survey as recommended earlier in this chapter.

- If a change in major does cause a delay in completing your degree, it may be a good investment of time to follow a career path you are truly happy with. Before making a decision, consider the factors outlined in phase C of Chapter 10 “Taking Control of Your Health”, Section 10.2 “Activity and Exercise“. Use your creative thinking skills to find a second right answer to any dilemmas a delay like this may cause.

While these thoughts might remove some of the stress of making the choice, there is no doubt that it is not always easy to make your choice. The following tips may make it a little easier…and perhaps fun!

- Follow your dreams. Your first instinct in choosing a field of study is probably based on your dreams and life experience. Make sure you base your choice on your own dreams and interests and not those of a parent, spouse, or friend.

- Make it fun. What do you like to do for fun? What kinds of magazines do you read? What Web sites are bookmarked on your computer? What kinds of volunteer work have you done? What do the answers to these questions tell you about the kind of career you would enjoy?

- Build on your skills. A good choice of a program of study is not based exclusively on your likes; it should also consider your skills. What courses did you “ace” in high school? Consider also courses that you found challenging in which you learned a lot (it’s hard to keep a level of determination to tackle a tough subject if you don’t enjoy it). What do these courses tell you about what you are skilled at studying?

- Ask around. Find people who are following the courses of studies you are considering. Ask them what they like and dislike about their majors. If you can find recent graduates with that major, ask them about the value of their major.

- Two is better than one. Talk to your student advisor about a double major or a combined program; that is an effective way of preparing yourself for the uncertainties and options of future employment. Think about declaring a minor if your university allows it.

- What makes you unique? If you have a major that you’d like to pursue that is not offered at your university, find out if you can plan your own major. This option is especially attractive if you want to combine two seemingly different disciplines into a major (Dance and athletics? Sociology and film? Women’s studies and economics?).

- Be open to change. Once you have selected a major, don’t panic if it turns out to be the wrong choice; consider it a step toward finding the right program for you. Repeat the major selection process, but carefully consider what you learned from your original major choice. Why was it not the right major? (Did it not match your interests? Was the workload too heavy? Were the courses too tough?) What do you know now that you didn’t know when you made your first selection that you should consider in making a new choice?

Key Takeaways

- There is no need to panic over the choice of a major or program of studies.

- Most students will change their major during their university years.

- Many people work and have successful careers in disciplines they did not major in.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. How is your choice of major important? Why do you want to be sure you do a good job selecting one?

__________________________________________________________________

2. What are some of the reasons you should not panic over the choice of major?

__________________________________________________________________

63

12.4 Getting the Right Stuff

Learning Objectives

1. Explore the benefits of a four-year university education.

2. Understand the difference between work-based skills and transferable skills.

3. Learn how to use jobs, internships, and volunteering.

What do you need to launch a good career? Employers will look at your education, skills, and experience. You can use resources at the university to develop your resumé and cover letter: https://careerlink.usask.ca/home.htm

Skilled Labour

A critical requirement for employment is skills. Many of the skills you will need are career specific: we call those work-based skills. These include knowing how to use equipment that is specific to your career and mastering processes that are used in your field. While some of these skills are learned and perfected on the job, you may be in a vocational track program (such as for homeland security officers, nurses aides, or paralegals) where you are learning your work-based skills.

These are not the only skills you will need to be successful. The second set of skills you must have are called transferable skills because they can be used in almost all occupations. These include thinking skills, communication skills, listening skills—in fact, most of the skills for university success we have been stressing throughout this book are transferable skills because they are also key to success in life. This skill set is very broad, and your extent of mastery will vary from skill to skill; therefore, you should identify those skills that are most important to your career objective and develop and master them.

Exercise 3: Transferable Skills Inventory

In the list of forty transferable skills that follows, underline five skills you believe you have mastered and then describe specific ways in which you have used each skill successfully. Then circle five skills you think are important to your career that you have not mastered yet. Describe specific steps you plan to take to master those skills.

Active listening

Decision making

Negotiating

Researching

Active learning

Editing

Observing

Selling

Analyzing

Evaluating

Organizing

Speaking a second language

Budgeting

Forecasting

Perceiving Feelings

Supervising

Coaching

Goal setting

Persuading

Teaching

Communicating

Handling a crisis

Planning

Teamwork

Consulting

Handling details

Problem solving

Time management

Creative thinking

Manipulating numbers

Public speaking

Training

Critical thinking

Mentoring

Reading

Visualizing

Customer service

Motivating

Reporting

Writing

Skills I have mastered

Examples of how I used them

Skills I still need to master

How I will master them

Going over the list in Exercise 3, you will find that you have at least some experience in many of them, but you probably haven’t thought that much about them because you use them in so many ways that you take them for granted. It is important to think about all your activities and consider the skills you have applied successfully; your transferable skills inventory is larger than you may think. For example, if you volunteer as a big brother or big sister, you have skills in active listening, mentoring, time management, and probably coaching. If you have written a university paper, you have skills in visualizing, researching, communicating, and writing.

Be aware of the ways you develop and master transferable skills. Keep a list of them, and update it every month or two. That will be a valuable tool for you as you work with your career development and ultimately with job applications.

Are You Ready for a Test Drive?

Are you frustrated by the fact that even entry-level jobs require some experience? Experience is the third set of qualifications employers look for, and it’s the one that often stumps students. Relevant experience is not only important as a job qualification; it can also provide you with a means to explore or test out occupational options and build a contact list that will be valuable when networking for your career.

But how can you gain relevant experience without experience to begin with? You should consider three options: volunteering, internships, and part-time employment.

Volunteering is especially good for students looking to work in social and artistic occupations, but students looking for work in other occupation types should not shy away from this option. You can master many transferable skills through volunteering! Certainly it is easy to understand that if you want to be in an artistic field, volunteering at a museum or performance center can provide you with relevant experience. But what if you want to work in an engineering field? Volunteering for an organization promoting green energy would be helpful. Looking for a career in National Security? Do volunteer work with the Red Cross or the Canadian Coast Guard. With a little brainstorming and an understanding of your career field, you should be able to come up with relevant volunteer experiences for just about any career.

Internships and Cooperative Education placements focus on gaining practical experience related to a course or program of study. Interns work for an organization or company for a set period of time and gain practical experience. A successful internship program should create a win-win situation: the intern should add value to the company’s efforts, and the company should provide a structured program in which the student can learn or practice work-related skills. Internships are typically held during summers or school vacation periods, though on occasion they can be scheduled for a set block of time each week during the course of a regular school term.

Once you secure an internship (usually through a normal job application process aided by the career services), it is important to have a written agreement with the employer in which the following is stated:

1. The learning objective for the internship

2. The time commitment you will invest (including work hours)

3. The work the company expects you to do

4. The work your supervisor will do for the university and for the student (internship progress reports, evaluations, etc.)

This written agreement may seem like overkill, but it is critical to ensure that the internship experience doesn’t degrade into unsatisfying tasks such as photocopying and filing.

Remember that a key objective of your internship is to develop relationships you can use for mentoring and networking during your career. Befriend people, ask questions, go the extra mile in terms of what is expected of you, and generally participate in the enterprise. The extra effort will pay dividends in the future.

Part-time employment may be an option if your study schedule provides enough free time. If so, be sure to investigate opportunities in your field of study. Ask your instructors and the career guidance or placement office to help you generate job leads, even if they are not specifically in the area you want to be working in. It is valuable and relevant to hold a job designing Web sites for an advertising agency, for example, if your specific job objective is to produce event marketing. The understanding of how an advertising agency works and the contacts you make will make the experience worthwhile.

If you are lucky enough to have a job in your field of study already and are using your university experience to enhance your career opportunities, be sure to link what you are learning to what you do on the job—and what you do on the job to what you are learning. Ask your supervisor and employer about ideas you have picked up in class, and ask your instructors about the practices you apply at work. This cross-linking will make you a much stronger candidate for future opportunities and a much better student in the short term.

Key Takeaways

- Employers look at candidates who have the right education, the right skills, and the right experience.

- Progress in many career opportunities is enhanced by more advanced education; you should work, however, to make sure the education you are already getting counts.

- Be sure you can identify and show mastery in transferable skills as well as work-related skills.

- Experience through volunteering, internships, and part-time jobs will illustrate to potential employers that you can work in your chosen field, but it is also instrumental to help create a network of colleagues to enhance your career development.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Read the famous “fence whitewashing” story in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (http://www.inspirational-short-stories.com/tom-sawyer-fence.html). What transferable skills does Tom demonstrate? What work-related skills does he demonstrate?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. Why is having a written internship agreement important?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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12.5 Career Development Starts Now

Learning Objectives

1. Understand that career development is not a process that occurs only when you are searching for a job.

2. Know how to get organized for career development.

3. Use resources for career development.

Think of developing your career as if you were working in a start-up venture, because in a sense, you are. The product you are developing is yourself as a professional. While you are focused primarily on product development during your university years, you need to “seed” the market during this period as well so that when the product is ready (when you get your degree), the market will be ready to accept you. If launching a career means getting your first postuniversity job, the time to start preparing is now, not six months (or six weeks) before you graduate.

Start by organizing yourself. Set aside some physical space dedicated exclusively to career development and job hunt work. It can be as small as a corner on your desk or an accordion file, but it should be a place where you can keep and access your records whenever you need them. Organize some digital space as well. Create a file for all your career-related documents on your computer. Make sure you have a backup using an online service or at least a thumb drive or other external storage device.

Get and keep two notebooks to use during your career exploration. One is for recording and tracking phone calls, and the other is for general notes. Similarly, on your computer, create a folder in your browser’s bookmark menu to use exclusively for keeping track of Web sites of good resources, interesting companies, and leading ideas from your targeted occupation. In your contact management system or personal directory, flag those individuals who may be of use to you in your exploration and search. Create group folders for them in your social networking sites. There may not be many people in those groups and directories now, but as you go through the processes described in the rest of the chapter, those numbers will multiply, so it will pay to have a system in place to identify your key professional contacts starting now.

A second step in getting organized is understanding your financial picture. If you think of yourself as a business, you are investing both time and money in your university degree, and you should have a clear picture of how and when your investment will begin to pay off. Project your cash flow and prepare a personal budget and live within it (see Chapter 11 “Taking Control of Your Finances”). Paying off student loans on an entry-level salary can be a challenge without the discipline of following a budget.

Start identifying resources that you can use to explore and select an occupation and to help land that first (or next) job in your career. Every student will have his or her own list of favored resources. Others may want to include a counselor at the university career guidance or placement office or their faculty advisor. You may want to add an alumnus who has been helpful or a relative who already practices in your target occupation. Most important, identify these resources and record them in your “notes” notebook, creating your own personalized reference guide.

Set goals for yourself to guide you in your process. Especially since career planning is an ongoing, long-term process, it is important to set short-term, attainable goals to keep making progress toward a fulfilling occupation. The goals should be simple, everyday steps that keep you moving in the right direction, such as “investigate metallic arts sculpture as a business by Friday” or “make an appointment to see a counselor at the guidance office by Tuesday.” As you proceed through the process of investigation, decision making, networking, selection, and application, these goals will become even more important.

Key Takeaways

- Career exploration and job hunting are not short-term projects but processes that continue over time.

- Organization is key to an effective process and sets you up for success.

- Setting goals will keep your actions organized and keep you moving forward in a long-term process.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. What are three things you should do to get organized for the process of career development?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. Why is it valuable to have two notebooks to work with instead of just one?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3. Why is setting a goal important in this process?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

65

12.6 The Power of Networking

Learning Objectives

1. Learn how to develop a network.

2. Keep track of your contacts.

3. Attend conferences and trade shows.

There is some wisdom in the saying that it’s who you know that brings success in getting a job. Consider the following:

- It is estimated that approximately 36% of new jobs and vacancies are hidden from the public[1].

- A Web posting for a job may yield over 150 applicants for a position.

- Sixty to eighty percent of jobs are found through personal contact and networking[2].

What exactly is networking? In its simplest terms, it is the process of engaging others in helping you reach an objective. Three words in this definition deserve a closer look:

1. Process. Networking is something that doesn’t happen casually but requires thought, planning, and deliberate activity.

2. Engaging. You are looking to have others do something for you—give you information, guidance, other contacts, or perhaps a recommendation.

3. Objective. You need to be clear about your purpose for networking—it is not merely to collect people’s contact information but to further your career development.

The process of networking involves three basic phases: prospect identification and management, making contact, and follow-up.

Student FAQs

- I won’t graduate and be in the job market for a couple years. Do I need to work on résumés and networking now? Yes, absolutely! Even though you aren’t yet graduating from university, there are many benefits to starting now. As a student, you are likely to be applying for part-time jobs, internships, and even volunteer positions. Networking is a process of building relationships, and the strongest relationships are built over time. Having a good network will help identify interesting and relevant opportunities. Having a résumé that summarizes your strengths and skills will give you an advantage over other candidates who apply without a résumé, because job application forms rarely give the opportunity to highlight your strengths. Furthermore, a résumé is an updated record of your skills and experience; it makes sense to capture your accomplishments as they happen and will save you a lot of time in the future.

- I don’t have any work experience. How can I write a résumé? You may not have any work experience, but you do have experience and skills. Focus on your transferable skills, and list examples of how you have used them. Think of organizations you have been involved in and volunteer work you have done. It is OK to include high school accomplishments; you can replace them with university accomplishments as you gain them. It is also OK to include your university average, particularly if it got you on the honor roll, because that helps show you are disciplined and organized.

All Contacts Are Equal, but Some Are More So Than Others

The first phase involves identifying whom you should be speaking to and pinpointing the people who can introduce you to them. This is like the game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon applied to your own life. Whom do you need to speak to? That really depends on your objectives. If you are trying to learn about an occupation, it can be just about anyone involved with that field. If you are in the process of trying to land an internship or a job, you want to reach the person who will make the hiring decision.

Your objective also defines how you get started with your networking. In the first case, you might want to start with people you met at an industry conference; in the job-specific case, you’ll want to think about whom you know in that company or who might know someone in that company. If you don’t have any contacts who fit that description, whom do you know who lives in the town in which the company is based or in a nearby town?

Your success in this phase of networking will be driven by the quality of the candidates (those who can directly influence your ability to reach your objectives) as well as the quantity (those who will lead you to the most contacts). This is why there is no such thing as a bad contact.

As important as having contacts is your ability to access those contacts when you need to. That is where contact management comes into play. Don’t be caught wishing you could call someone you met three weeks ago…if you could only remember what you did with their business card! There are countless ways to keep track of contacts, from writing names in an address book, to keeping a Rolodex, to using a computer-based contact management system. Choose a system you feel comfortable with—comfortable enough to use regularly. A sophisticated system that has all the bells and whistles is no good to you if you can’t use it.

Let technology help you in this endeavor. Your computer, PDA, or smartphone probably has features for capturing contact information and retrieving it based on keywords, and most will even connect with your calendar for scheduling and reminders. Consider Web-based applications and networking sites focused on professional networking, such as LinkedIn. Whatever your choices, invest the time to learn to use them well; you’ll be very glad you did.

Building a network requires consistent work, and a strong network will take time to achieve. That is why we recommend you start building your professional network now—even early in your university career. Your network should include anyone who might have a connection that will help: family, friends, neighbors, past and present coworkers, bosses, people you met through associations and clubs (especially business associations), alumni from your university, and acquaintances you have met via online networking.

When you capture your contact data, use relevant keywords to help you search your database and shape your contact activity. One of the most overlooked pieces of information that you should be sure to capture is the source of the contact. That’s what turns a “cold call” into a “warm call”—and it helps engage the prospect. If a friend introduced you, be sure to note that friend’s name; if you met at a party, note the name of the host and the occasion; if you met at a conference, note the conference and date. You should also use other keywords so that you can quickly find the contacts that will be most effective for each of your objectives; keywords might describe the area of specialization, organization membership, or type of contact (family, friend, colleague, etc.).

Figure 12.2 – Networking can help with career prospects
reynermedia – businessmen shaking hands – CC BY 2.0

Personal Contact

Being in the right place at the right time has much less to do with luck than with the art of personal contact. Contacts are everywhere, and you don’t know when you might turn one to your advantage. You may feel a little awkward following these tips at first, but with practice you will become quite adept at meeting new people and adding them to your network.

- Be prepared. If you are going to a conference, a party, or even a class, know ahead of time which people or kinds of people you want to meet. Be prepared with topics you can steer your contact toward so you don’t spend two minutes awkwardly talking about the weather and then slink away.

- Be confident. Prepare and learn a short introduction for yourself. Be factual, don’t brag, and give enough information about yourself to prompt your contact to ask questions.

- Be curious. The best way to get contacts to want to know you is to show you want to know them. Observe them before you step up to them. Is there something unique about them, the way they are dressed, or perhaps what you may have overheard that you can ask about? “I couldn’t help but notice that lovely necklace; is that from a local designer?” or “You have such an interesting accent; do you mind if I ask where you’re from?” After you ask the question, listen actively to keep the conversation going.

- Be prepared (part 2). Have a good supply of personal cards to give out to contacts; that will prompt them to give you their contact information, too. You don’t have to be in business to have “business cards.”

- Be courteous. If someone you know comes up to you while you are speaking with a contact, introduce them; if you see that the contact is getting antsy, tell them you enjoyed meeting them and then move on. Don’t trap them!

- Be prepared (part 3). Set yourself up for networking success by discreetly writing a word or two on the back of their card to jog your memory in the future. “World-class rodeo clown” will certainly help you remember who Jack Smith at Triangle Financial was.

Make the Call

What you say in your networking calls or e-mails will depend largely on the objective of your networking effort. (Is it to learn about an occupation or industry? Seek a job-shadowing opportunity? Ask for a job?) But some networking basics and elements of etiquette apply to all contacts:

- Be mindful of your contact’s time. Keep your calls and e-mails courteous but brief. If you are calling, ask if it is a good time to talk.

- If this is a first contact, tell the contact where you got his or her name. “I was referred to you by our friend Janet Smith” or “My colleague Richard Stewart suggested I call you” or “I heard you speak at the International Genius Conference” (remember the contact source information in your contact database?). This turns an interrupting cold call into a warm call with an interested individual.

- Be specific about how the contact can help you. Know what you are asking for and do so directly. Don’t be shy.

- Use your network for more than just asking for jobs. It is a great vehicle for learning about new trends in the industry, for launching “trial balloons” for ideas or concepts you are developing, and for seeking advice on practical aspects of your occupation.

- Help others in your network. Networking is not a one-way endeavor. Be willing to offer your assistance whenever you can; the fact that you are still in university doesn’t mean you can’t be of value. You may be able to get an introduction to an instructor for a person in the industry or help that person’s daughter learn about your university.

Care and Feeding of Your Network

Much of the success of your networking efforts depends on what you do after you’ve hung up after a call or received an e-mail reply. The first step is to thank your contact for his or her help. Do this right away; any thank-you after twenty-four hours of your contact can be considered late. Find a reason (not just an excuse) to keep in touch with people in your network. If you read an article people in your network would be interested in, send them the link. If you run across a problem one of your contacts might help you with, don’t be shy—give him or her a call to ask for help. If you meet someone you think a contact would like, make introductions. Send a follow-up note of thanks to a person who gave you a particularly productive lead. Let him or her know what you were able to accomplish. People like to know they are on a successful team. Finally, if a person in your network asks you for help, do what you say you will do.

Key Takeaways

- Networking is an ongoing process that involves identifying and managing prospects, making contact, and following up.

- All contacts are good contacts.

- Common courtesy and follow-through are the catalysts of good networking.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Give yourself twenty minutes to list one hundred people you know. (Remember the idea of grouping items to commit them to memory in Chapter 4 “Listening, Taking Notes, and Remembering”? You may want to think of groups first and then see how quickly you can draw up the list.) Now give yourself another twenty minutes to write one or two words next to each name to describe how he or she could help you network.

2. List three things you should do whenever you contact someone for the first time.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3. Describe two things you can do to overcome shyness and network effectively in a person-to-person setting.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

1. Blaine, J. (2012). Busting the "80% of All Jobs Are Hidden" Myth. Retrieved from:  http://jonathanblaine.com/wpress/2012/11/80-percent-of-all-jobs-are-hidden-myth/ ↵

2. Driscoll, E. (2011). It's All About Who You Know: Networking To Get a Job. Retrieved from: http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2011/04/25/know-networking-job.html↵

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12.7 Résumés and Cover Letters

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the purpose of a résumé.

2. Describe the elements of successful résumés.

3. Know how to prepare a good cover letter.

A résumé is basically a summary of your experience. Just as an advertiser will invest a lot of resources to condense the essence of his or her product into a thirty-second ad for the Super Bowl, condensing the essence of your experience onto one or two pages can be a challenging task. Fine-tuning, updating, and rewriting your résumé will become an ongoing process as you move through your career, and it is not too early to prepare one now. The purpose of a résumé is to get you invited for an interview. Unfortunately, too often a résumé is a reason to exclude a candidate. Poor grammar, misspelled words, lengthy listings of irrelevant experience, and messy formatting motivate hiring managers to move quickly to the next candidate.

There is no such thing as a perfect format for a résumé, though hiring managers and recruiters generally agree on the following principles:

- A short résumé is generally better than a long one. One page should usually be enough—two pages if you have a lot of experience.

- Focus on your accomplishments, not just the positions you held. Your résumé should point out your strengths. Use dynamic verbs (see “101 Action Verbs” below).

- Include numbers. Be sure to include dollar amounts and percentages that support achievements. For example, you might write “Reduced costs by 20 percent.” Keep track of your accomplishments in your “notes” notebook so that you don’t have to go back and recreate history when you are revising your résumé.

- Use keywords. Most recruiters and hiring managers look for résumés online and review submitted résumés with software that looks for keywords.

- Keep information easy to find. Use the standard convention of a reverse chronological listing of experience, starting with your current or most recent job and moving backward in time, unless there is a valid reason for following a different format (a function-based résumé might be appropriate if you need to cover two or more long periods of unemployment).

Deciding what to include in your résumé is where most of the work comes in, because it is in the careful wording of the body of your résumé that you can really sell yourself for a position. Ideally, you should review your résumé for each position you are applying for, particularly to include any accomplishments that you would not include in your “general résumé” but that are relevant to that particular job. Your résumé should include these elements:

- Header. Include your full name and complete contact information. Be sure that you use personal (home) phone number and e-mail address, not your work contact information.

- Objective. Include a short one- or two-sentence summary of the kind of position you are looking for. Some résumé writers now recommend replacing or following the objective with a listing of skills, particularly when you are going to post the résumé online, because that provides a great opportunity to include keywords. Look to your list of transferable skills to populate this kind of list.

- Résumé body. Starting with your current or most recent job, internship, or volunteer position, list your experience in reverse chronological order. Each entry should include the title, the name and location of the company, and the dates you held the position. This should be followed by your major achievements in that position. Use strong action verbs and a quantitative measure for achievements. Look for things that will show that you are a better candidate than others. Consider accomplishments such as the following:

- Being promoted

- Gaining expanded responsibilities

- Being recruited by a former employer or boss, or being asked to follow him or her to another company

- Having your accomplishment copied by other departments or, even better, by other companies

- Recruiting and training others

- Receiving awards and recognitions, including speaking at conferences, writing, or being written about (if these are easily found online and you are short on space, omit these types of accomplishments, because you will be googled)

101 Action Verbs

Here are the kinds of verbs that help “sell” you to potential employers. Expand on this list to find good verbs specific to your accomplishments by doing an Internet search for “action verbs for résumés.”

acted

delegated

implemented

persuaded

adapted

demonstrated

improved

planned

advised

designed

increased

prepared

analyzed

developed

influenced

prioritized

arranged

devised

informed

produced

assembled

diagnosed

initiated

promoted

assessed

directed

inspected

publicized

assigned

edited

instituted

recruited

attained

educated

instructed

rehabilitated

authored

enabled

integrated

represented

balanced

encouraged

introduced

researched

budgeted

engineered

invented

reviewed

built

enlisted

investigated

revitalized

calculated

established

lectured

scheduled

chaired

evaluated

managed

set goals

coached

executed

marketed

shaped

collected

fabricated

mediated

solved

communicated

facilitated

moderated

spoke

compiled

forecasted

motivated

stimulated

computed

formulated

negotiated

strengthened

conceptualized

founded

organized

supervised

consolidated

generated

originated

trained

contracted

guided

overhauled

translated

coordinated

identified

oversaw

upgraded

counseled

illustrated

performed

wrote

created

The Finishing Touches

Once you have written the body of your résumé, review and discuss it with people you respect. Ask them what stands out, what puts them to sleep, what turns them off, and whether anything is missing. Make sure your résumé is “short and sweet” and that it demonstrates your strengths. Be sure you can support every point you make on your résumé during an interview.

Great résumés are a combination of a business document, marketing piece, and personal preferences. Expect conflicting opinions from others and don’t get hung up on them; the final decision is yours.

Finally, here are some tips on format. Name your résumé file clearly. Don’t give the file the name “résumé” or “My Résumé.” Include your name, abbreviated job title, and company name in the file name. For example, if Victor Smith applies for a marketing project manager job at XYZ Company, his résumé file might be named VictorSmith-MktPM-XYZ.doc.

Choose your document formatting wisely. Use a readable font! You have approximately thirty seconds to make an impact on the person reading your résumé, and nothing turns off a reader faster than a résumé that is difficult to read.

- Serif fonts, such as Times New Roman, should be no smaller than eleven points, and sans-serif fonts, like Arial, should be no smaller than ten points.

- Try to keep margins at one inch all the way around.

- Print your résumé on a high-grade, bright white paper. Do not use cream-colored paper or paper with visible fibers, as these papers can confuse scanners and optical character recognition software that employers may use to digitally store and search résumés.

Cover Letters

The purpose of a cover letter is to entice the recipient to read your résumé. There is no better way to entice someone to read further than to demonstrate that you fit his or her needs. A successful cover letter should emphasize how your knowledge, skills, or experiences make you an ideal candidate.

When writing a cover letter, look over the job posting carefully. What are the keywords in the posting? Underline or highlight them. Think about how your experience and skills are related to those keywords. What examples can you give in short sentences? Now you can begin to write.

Be sure to state what job you are applying for and why in your opening paragraph. If you don’t hook the reader here, you will not be considered for the job. This is where you begin to show that you are a unique and qualified candidate. This, in marketing terms, is your selling proposition. Write this paragraph two or three different ways and then choose the best. When you are happy with your opening paragraph, add one or two paragraphs that illustrate your proposition from the opening paragraph.

Remember that your cover letter also demonstrates your communication skills. Be clear, be concise, and be careful. You won’t have another opportunity to make a first impression. Be sure your spelling and grammar are correct. Did you double-check the spelling of the company name? Read the document; look for mistakes your spellchecker won’t catch (like the word “you” instead of “your”). Put it down for a while and then reread it again.

Keep your formatting simple. Often you will have to copy and paste your letter and résumé into a predetermined form on a company’s Web site. You are likely to lose formatting conventions such as tabbing, tables, and bulleted lists.

Key Takeaways

- The purpose of a résumé is to secure an interview.

- A good résumé is action based and focused on accomplishments.

- The purpose of a cover letter is to entice the recipient to read your résumé.

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Explain some of the ways a résumé could block consideration of a candidate. What are some strategies for ensuring this doesn’t happen?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2. List your top three accomplishments to date. What were the key transferable skills you used in achieving them? Do both the accomplishments and the skills play a prominent role in your résumé?

Accomplishments

Transferable skills

3. Write your résumé. Everyone should have one. They are useful not only to apply for jobs, but also to secure internships and to explain who you are to your network. If you are a student who has no work experience, what kinds of accomplishments can you use to illustrate your skills?

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12.8 Interviewing for Success

Learning Objectives

1. Learn the types of interviews.

2. Know how to prepare for an interview.

3. Be successful in an interview.

In a job search, nothing is more exciting or more intimidating than an interview. Reaching the interview stage means that you are in serious consideration for the position, and the pressure feels cranked up. In this section, you will learn how to prepare yourself to “ace” this process.

Types of Interviews

In the process of exploring occupations and landing a job, you will likely participate in a variety of interviews. They are defined by their objective:

- Informational or networking interviews. Informational interviewing is particularly useful in helping you explore career options. This is an interview that you have requested to learn about a particular job, company, or industry and how best to present yourself to potential hiring managers. An informational interview also gives you an opportunity to create a positive impression. Be sure to get referrals, leads, and recommendations for other networking contacts.

- Screening interviews. Generally conducted by a representative of the company’s human resources department or a recruiter, a screening interview is used to determine whether you are qualified or overqualified to do the job. This initial interview is often conducted via telephone. As the name implies, the objective of this interview is to find reasons to remove, not include, people in a candidate pool. Do not consider it lightly just because someone other than the hiring manager is conducting it.

- One-on-one interviews. In a one-on-one interview, the interviewer asks a set of questions to learn if you have the knowledge and skills to handle the job for which you have applied. The hiring manager conducting the one-on-one interview also wants to get a sense of what it would be like working with you and how you would fit in the organization. It is also used to learn how you behaved in past situations as a predictor of how you are likely to behave in the future. Expect to be asked “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give me an example…” questions. This interview is the one a hiring decision is based on.

Preparing for Interviews

Just as preparation is important for exams in university, preparation is key to success in interviews. Many of the principles are the same, but in an employment interview, the subject is you. Just as in an exam, the first step in preparation is to know your material.

Learn about the organization. In almost every interview situation, you’ll be asked, “What can you do for this company?” Practice your answer. Research press releases, annual reports, blogs, Web sites, the news, and so on. Know the company’s philosophies, goals, plans, new products, targeted customers, new executives, and major directional changes.

Use your network. Do you know anyone who works for or has worked for this company or organization? Call or have lunch with him or her before your interview to learn more. Your competition likely won’t have done their homework as well as you have. Your prospective employer will notice.

Review the job description. Be prepared to explain how your background qualifies you for the job. Did you find the job posting online? Be sure to have printed a copy, and bring it with you to the interview. Some companies take weeks to start calling people in for interviews, and by then the job description may have been removed from the site where you saw it.

Review your résumé. Think of examples that describe or illustrate your accomplishments. You will be asked about items on your résumé, and you need to be able to support them and go into more detail.

Use your study guide. Employment interviews, especially screening interviews, do not stray far from a standard list of questions. Find a quiet one to two hours to review the interview study guide provided here, prepare your answers, and actually practice them. Your answers should be short but complete.

Interview Study Guide

The following questions are typical in many employment interviews. If you prepare answers for them ahead of time, you will not be caught off guard during an interview.

- Tell me about yourself. Remember that one-minute elevator introduction you worked on for networking? Here’s your starting place.

- What can you offer us? Why should we hire you? Make a list of your qualifications for the job. Include years of experience, education, special training, technical skills, inside knowledge of a product or market, and so on. Are you a customer of this product or service?

Use your list of transferable skills like communication, leadership, organization, attention to detail, and work ethic. Review the list objectively. Which items are most valuable to the employer? Use this information to write a brief “sales pitch” that describes your qualifications for the job. Structure the information in a logical fashion and then practice saying it aloud until your delivery is smooth, natural, and confident.

- What are your strengths? Provide context and scope when answering this question. By elaborating on your strengths, it’s easier for the employer to see where and how you excel.

Think about your noteworthy and unusual achievements or experiences. What did you do to accomplish them? What kind of preparation did they require? Why are they unique?

Think about performance reviews you have received in a job. Have you won awards or received positive feedback from others in the organization or from a happy customer? What were the reasons for the positive attention?

If you are a student or recent graduate with limited professional experience, think about your papers, reports, projects, or group assignments. Think about the assignment and what you did to complete it. The same strengths that helped you academically will also help you succeed professionally.

- What are your weaknesses? Remember that employers are human and appreciate honesty. It’s OK to acknowledge your weaknesses and explain steps you’ve taken to address them. It’s also fair to point out how you’ve turned a weakness into a strength.

- Where do you see yourself three to five years from now? Think about your personal goals and answer as genuinely as possible. This is a good opportunity to ask the interviewer about the opportunities available to a person who succeeds in this job.

- What attracted you to our company? Draw from your research and personal knowledge of the company to answer this question. Keep in mind that this interview is about what you can do for them, so answering that you’re attracted to the free snacks in the break room won’t score any points.

- Tell me about a time you were under pressure to meet a deadline and what you did. When did you find pressure at school or work because something was due? Describe the problem, the actions you took, and the outcome. Choose examples in which you received positive feedback.

- What will former employers say about you? Be honest. Think about the positive things they will say about you.

- What salary are you expecting? This is a land-mine question and one you’ll almost certainly face. Typically a company has budgeted a certain salary range for a position and will do their best to stay within it. A general rule for salary discussions is that he or she who says the first number loses. Ask what the salary range is and where the interviewer sees you fitting into that range.

You owe it to yourself to find out before the interview what the salary range is for a comparable position in the geographical region. You can learn this through your network or an online salary search.

- What questions do you have for me? Before the interview, think of questions you would like answered about the company, the job, or the industry. Having good questions will tell the interviewer a lot about your listening skills and your degree of preparation. If you can, tie your questions back to something the interviewer said earlier. Remember, an interview is not just the company checking you out, it’s also you checking out the company.

Trick Questions in Interviews

These happen to the best of interviewees. The only wrong answer to an impossible question is “I don’t know.” Hiring managers are looking for employees who think through tough challenges. They want to know if you keep your cool under pressure, if you can think on your feet, whether you BS or maintain your credibility, and how you respond to the unfamiliar. So show them: think aloud.

Talk about what you know about the problem; work out the process in front of them. You are being judged not only on your ability to solve problems but also on your intelligence and potential. There is no potential in “I don’t know.”

Prepare yourself physically. Like a final exam, an interview can cause anxiety, and too much anxiety can result in a poor interview. Make sure you eat well and get a good night’s sleep before the interview. Hunger, use of energy drinks, and lack of sleep all contribute to interview anxiety.

Dress to impress. Research indicates many job applicants have unsuccessful interviews because they didn’t dress professionally. If you’re not sure, ask the person who schedules you for an interview what the dress code is. A suit or jacket, dress slacks, dress shirt, and a tie are usually fine for men. A suit or blouse and a skirt or slacks are fine for women. The rule of thumb is to dress one notch above that group’s normal attire. If in doubt, a suit is never inappropriate for men or women. Remember, you’re going to a job interview, not a casual event.

Punctuality counts. Confirm the date and time of the interview a day or two before. Make sure you know how to get there and how long it takes. Arrive at least ten to fifteen minutes before your interview. You may be asked to complete an application or other form when you arrive. If not, it’s a good time to do some relaxation exercises.

Tips for Success during the Interview

Now is the time to demonstrate your listening, thinking, and communication skills. Avoid unexpected distractions, and turn off your cell phone before you even enter the building. Know whom you will be interviewing with and what his or her role is in the company; if possible, get something in writing from the interview coordinator so you can get the names spelled correctly (for follow-up purposes). Once you are face-to-face with the interviewer, do the following:

- Relax, take a deep breath, and smile. You should be genuinely pleased to be there, as you were selected from a pool of many other candidates.

- Be yourself. That’s whom you want them to hire, not someone you’re trying to act like.

- Keep your tone conversational but not too informal. Avoid slang and expletives.

- Make eye contact but don’t stare.

- When answering questions, keep your answers focused on your skills and knowledge.

- Avoid one-word answers, but be succinct and direct; don’t ramble.

- Be truthful. Any statements discovered to be untrue are grounds for not hiring you.

- If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification.

- If you don’t have the exact fact an interviewer is asking for, offer to find out and get back to them.

- At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer and tell him or her you enjoyed your conversation. If the interviewer hasn’t already told you, it is appropriate to ask about the next steps.

After the Interview

Be sure to send a thank-you note to each person you interviewed with. It is also courteous to send a short note of thanks to the person who coordinated your schedule with the company, even if he or she didn’t interview you. This person is often asked for his or her impressions of you. Keep your notes short but personal; refer to a comment or question from the interview that you found significant. An e-mail is usually acceptable, especially if the employer required you to submit an electronic application or résumé. Be sure to send it within twenty-four hours.

Key Takeaways

- Successful interviewing depends on careful preparation.

- Most interview questions can be anticipated and prepared for.

- An interview is as important for you to evaluate the company and its working environment as it is for the company to evaluate your skills and “fit.”

Checkpoint Exercises

1. Practice, even with phone interviews, will make you more comfortable in any interview situation. Set up and complete three informational interviews about a field or industry you are interested in. Write about what you learned about yourself and your approach to interviews.

2. Practice, even with mock interviews, will make you more comfortable in any interview situation. Invite a friend to conduct a mock employment interview with you for a job you select from an Internet posting. Then switch roles. Write about what you learned about yourself and your approach to interviews.

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12.9 Chapter Activities

Chapter Review

1. Explain the difference between a job and a career.

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2. List three ways in which the employment environment is changing. What does this mean to you?

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3. What is your life’s mission?

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4. What is your Holland occupational type? What kinds of occupations should you explore based on your results?

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5. List two work-related skills and five transferable skills you have.

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6. What are some ways you can gain experience and explore career options before you get your degree?

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7. What are some of the factors you should consider when choosing a major or field of study?

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8. Why is networking so important?

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9. List four or five qualities of successful networking.

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10. Many people are shy about networking. How would you recommend they overcome this?

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11. What is the primary purpose of a résumé?

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12. What should the body of a résumé focus on?

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13. What is the purpose of a cover letter?

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14. What are the three types of interviews and what are their objectives?

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15. List three things you should do to prepare for an interview.

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Make an Action List

Two things I will do to further

my career exploration in…

Actions

How I will know I accomplished each action

The next two weeks

1.

2.

The next two months

1.

2.

The next two years

1.

2.