Category Archives: College Writing

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Preparing for Final Exams: Lesson 6

With final exams just around the corner, nothing is more stressful than a week full of tests and like most college students you might be wondering how on Earth are you going to get all that studying done?  PANIC!

Gotcha!

Now that I have your attention let’s get down to business.  In all honesty, nothing is worse than the vast array of final exams, especially for college freshman, or any student for that matter.  What is worse is actually understanding the final exam schedule and how to study. So, I’ve come up with a few simple steps as a suggestion to get you going.

Step 1.  Look at final exam schedule posted on the campus website or your Blackboard account and find the times your classes meet.  Cross-reference that information with your syllabus. Now block those times out on your calendar writing in the class name and FINAL EXAM, in red preferably, or your exam color.

Step 2.  Find out what kind of exam you will be taking.  In many cases your exams will be traditional tests covering the entire semester, or covering the material from the mid-term to the end of the semester and is either written, multiple choice, or a combination of both and taken in the classroom.  In other cases you may have a take-home final, a presentation, or a paper to turn in either physically or online, or, if you’re lucky, no an exam at all.

Write on your calendar the specific type of exams and what they will cover.  Mark your calendar for the take-home exam with the exact day and time it is due and when presentations and papers are due.  Add in reminders. Add in reminders. Add in reminders. (That is not a typo. Add in reminders from your midterm day forward.)  If the professor gives an option of keeping the grade you already earned with no final required, ponder the option and do what you think is best for you.  Personally, I took the grade and RAN, especially if it was a B or an A and the test could potentially bring the grade down. But, that option is entirely up to you.

Step 3. Figure out which assignment is going to take longer to prepare.  Keep in mind take home-tests are not necessarily easier.  Professors expect that the information is spot on and answers is written thoughtfully and grammatically correct. Take-home exams are normally given at the last class meeting of the semester and are due at the time the professor states, or during the scheduled final exam time by either placing the test in the professor’s box or turning it in at her office or submitting it online. Read the instructions on the exam.

If you’re not new to the college scene, or you had a rough first few semesters, or quarters, don’t bundle your nerves. Simply reorganize for next semester/quarter and start fresh.  Being a college student is like a diet, it’s a work in progress that keeps changing with new information.

Stay focused and organized, because in all honesty there is no real need to PANIC!

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Lesson 5: Keep Your Cool! It’s Only a Discussion

Many college courses, whether in a physical or virtual classroom setting, have lectures and discussions, which is unfamiliar territory for many incoming freshmen. Therefore, when defending or opposing a comment it is important to remember to always keep your cool!

In a time when emotions and immediate instinct fuel anger, keeping calm and thinking about your response before exploding in class will always keep the conversation constructive.  A differing view is important, and adamantly disagreeing is equally important, however, launching anger and exploding into a discussion, changing the tone from friendly to hostile, is never a good idea.

Instead, gently bring in your view while keeping in mind your opposition feels just as passionately about her position. Angry isn’t going to solve anything.  Remaining calm and waiting to voice an opinion with composure is like receiving an infuriating email. The longer you wait to respond, the softer your tone becomes and your answer more gratifying.

Let’s face it. In your classes people will voice ideas you’re not going to like. Anger isn’t going to change anyone’s mind, but rational conversation might persuade someone to consider a different view.

Here’s a solid rule of thumb in my classes. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.  You may not agree, nor like what is said, and you may not even respect the opinion because it goes against your every ounce of existence, but at the same time there is no need to be disrespectful. After all, it’s a class discussion.

Keep it professional. Project the respect. Interject your opinion. Add facts or references to support your view.  Remember, tone is everything.

I’m reminded of a discussion that took place in one of my undergraduate history classes, the topic was the Holocaust.  At some point in the discussion a guy from the back of the room stated, “I don’t believe the Holocaust ever happened.”  Before the professor could react an even toned female voice interjected, “I’ll mention that to my neighbor while her grandson reads the numbers tattooed on her forearm. Maybe the guy back there can tell her it never happened.”

The woman’s calm demeanor commanded the room. The air shifted allowing someone else to interject and flip the conversation; and I have a memory to share with my reader.  Had the conversation gotten angry, the memory would have been quite different.

The moral of the story is to keep calm, stay professional, and know your facts, especially when disagreeing with others.  By doing so, you will not only gain respect of your peers, but also control of the discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lesson 2: 3 Things to Know about the Syllabus

  • Read It!
  • Know It!
  • Own It!

 Congratulations! It’s your first day of college. You’re excited, scared, and defiantly nervous as you walk into your first class, settling in just moments before the professor enters with a stack of papers known as the COURSE SYLLABUS.

Like a high school syllabus, a college syllabus is similar in terms of course description, materials required, types of assignments and how the grade is formulated. However, unlike high school, the college syllabus cannot be placed into your binder, the great abyss, to never be seen again or only on a rare occasion. It must be color coded, referenced often, and copied onto some form of a schedule calendar.

The college syllabus must be Read, Known, and Owned by the student!

 READ the syllabus for:

  • The office hours, location, telephone number and email address. This is how you find and get a hold of your professor.
  • The materials needed for the class. Textbooks are listed with mandatory readings as well as suggested reading. Keep in mind the readings are suggested for a reason.  If there is a section somewhere on the syllabus where your professor has put readings on RESERVE, then readings are in the library at the reserve desk where you may check it out for a specific period of time, normally two hours, but check with the reserve desk.
  • Know the requirements for the class and how many tests, papers and presentations make up the grade.

KNOW the listed assignments on the syllabus and the requirements such as:

  • The dates of expected readings, when papers are due, when presentations are given and dates of exams. (FYI: If the syllabus says 9/22 pages 99-151, have those pages read by September 22.)
  • Exam requirements regarding scan-tron and bluebook size, or take home exams.
  • Requirements for presentations.
  • When and how papers are turned in. Are they due at the beginning of class, in the professor’s mailbox by a specific time stamped (a time stamp machine is in the box area), is it preferred papers are slipped under the office door, or emailed?
  • Documentation preferences. Does the professor require MLA, Chicago, or APA documentation? It makes a big difference and each academic discipline and professor requires something different. (See Resources).

OWN the syllabus by:               

  • Protecting it. You only get one. (Plastic sleeve covers are a great idea and place the pages back-to-back in the front of each course section.)
  • Use different color highlighters. For example, use orange for exam days, blue for essays, yellow for readings, purple for presentations.
  • Make notes on it so you remember certain items announced in class.
  • Cross off dates and assignments that have passed.

Keep in mind, the syllabus is the course agenda for organization, expectation, and assignments so always remember to: Read It!  Know It!  Own It!

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College Preparation

Lesson 1: Adjust

How exciting! You’ve graduated from high school and now you’re off to college. Whether still living at home, or dorming it, the adventure is about to begin and you have no idea what to expect. The anxiety mounts with each passing day as you wonder if you’ll make new friends and if you’re ready to start life as an independent adult.  There is no turning back. Your tuition is paid and you’ve registered for classes, but you’re really not sure what to expect.

Simply put, expect to adjust.

Remember your grammar, middle and high school years?  With each grade level promotion your teachers warned about the next level and what to expect. Throughout your senior year your teachers may have explained college life in terms of exams, papers, organizing, and documenting, and they may have shared fun stories about their college days. However, I was recently reminded that many teachers forget to mention the constant learning curve of adjusting.

For some people change is easy.  For others change shocks the system.  Because change is different for everyone, I came up with a short list of adjustments to help you prepare.

Adjustment 1: The Syllabus

  • Read It!
  • Know It!
  • Own It!

Adjustment 2: Your Roommate is not your sibling. (Not applicable unless you are in a dorm or apartment.)

  • Figure out the living arrangements, together.
  • What are the rules for overnight guests?
  • Ignore A LOT.

Adjustment 3: You’re on your own.

  • Take care of your financial situation.
  • Take care of yourself by making sure you eat right and exercise.
  • Know your schedule.

Adjustment 4: Make New Friends

  • My friend met his wife at their freshman orientation at UC Santa Barbara, that was over thirty years ago… (Lesson: You never know who you’re going to meet.)
  • You will make tons of friends, some may become life-long!
  • Some of your classmates will be your parents’ age, or your grandparents’ age, learn from them.

Adjustment 5: Get a Calendar (paper, computer, or phone) and Schedule Everything

Block out

  • Class Meetings and mark readings, papers, and tests on the schedule in different colors
  • Studying, researching and writing.
  • Meals and Social events
  • Housekeeping/Laundry
  • Workout
  • Employment (if applicable)

This is such an exciting time for you!

I remember it so well. Excited, nervous, unsure and alone I went to my first class, sitting next to young woman my age. We began talking and quickly became friends. Together we learned to adjust to our environment.

You’ll learn to adjust accordingly. Just keep in mind, school is a learning environment and adjusting is a learned skill.

By the way, if you’re wondering what happened to that young woman I met so long ago, we’re still friends. In fact, I know she’s reading this post!

(It is my hope that a dialogue is started. Please feel free to leave only positive comments.  I know there are a lot of other adjustments one must figure out and your suggestions are welcome! They may even become a blog topic. Oh, wouldn’t that be neat?!)

Please stay tuned for future topic: Reading the Syllabus, Your Schedule, Organization, Assignments and Documentation (See resources). Continue reading →

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Plan It!

Eventually my goal is to separate creative writing posts from college preparation posts. However, from time to time I’ll combine entries as they relate to one another, and I get comfortable with the entire blog idea.

That’s right; I said I need to get comfortable with the blog idea. My old school ways simply weren’t working any longer and like any true professional I evolved.

As I started to change an epiphany hit me over the head and then came back kicking my butt! Developing and writing a blog, essay, story, novel, or even a business plan requires planning, brainstorming, researching and trial and error before publishing.

Wait a minute! Stop everything! I just explained the writing process.

Yup!

As I created my website I discovered everything from thought to creation required the exact same premise as the writing process.  Simply put, one needs a plan.

It’s like going to the grocery store. First comes the list of needed items from the top of my head and then I look through the cabinets and refrigerator– the brainstorm. Sometimes I go even further and lump items together according to isles—the outline. Then it’s time to look through the ads, checking for the best prices—the research. Without a plan I waste time and money—the disaster.

Start early and plan it. Whether you’re writing creative for creative audience, or an expository audience, give yourself a deadline for a final copy and plan accordingly. Remember to sketch out your ideas—the brainstorm. Lump them together and know where you want to go—the outline. Don’t forget to research, research, research and document, document, document accordingly. (I will address that at a later time). Start drafting. I mean that word as a gerund; a verb and a plural noun, there should be more than one draft. Remember what happens without a good plan—disaster.

The bottom line is that everything must start with a process and a plan before trial and error, which is your drafting. Write a first draft. Get those thoughts on paper. Let it get cold. Wait a few days. Then, look at it. Yes, you wrote that, so now fix it! It wouldn’t hurt to let it get cold again and then fix it, again.

Keep in mind; everything starts with a plan.  Just plan it!