Category: Academics

Final Exams: Finishing Strong

12/4/2016

Well, it is that time of the semester. Yes, it is time for Final Exams. For some, this is just another test to cement their A+ grade already obtained throughout the term. For others, this last examination can make or break the passing grade. Students feel pressured to do well. But instead of feeling pressured, maybe they can feel motivated. Here are a few suggestions:

Be realistic. If you weren't making an A throughout the semester, then don't look at the Final as a way to obtain one. You want to pass, period. If you were making a C, making a B is ideal, but you want to make a grade no lower than your average currently to maintain where you are.
Do not wait too late to begin studying. If your instructor gives a review guide, then you need to make a plan for studying. Your job, your children, your other activities, etc., cannot be excuses for why you lacked time to study. Chances are you have more than one final exam, so time management is a must.
Study in small increments. You cannot study too much for too long. If your final exam covers multiple chapters ot concepts, study one part at a time. Also, study in 15-20 blocks. Take a break after each block. This allows your mind to process the information studied effectively and you will be able to remember and apply information better.
Try not to study on the day of the exam. If you give yourself plenty of study time beforehand, then you should use the exam day as a moment to relax, remain calm, and have peace of mind. If you must look at something, then let it be a small outline ONLY. Studying too much information will only cause you to remember the last thing(s) studied. You should not be flipping chapter pages and several notes just hours before an exam. It creates pressure that will not help you.

I hope these tips help finish your semester in a strong fashion. If you do not obtain the grade you desire, feel encouraged by knowing you tried your best. Use this as a learning moment to do great in the next semester. Make changes where needed -- lighter course load, better study habits, less hours at work, etc. I wish you the best! You got this!!

-T. A.

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Sense of Self

11/18/2016

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"Adults with positive self-concept and high self-esteem are more responsive to learning and less threatened by learning environment." (Mackeracher, 2004)

     Consider this: a student has made two not-so-good grades on the first couple tests given for a class. The next test is coming soon, but this student has already told himself that will probably fail the next test. He believes his grade overall will suffer because of his pattern of less-than-satisfactory grades.

     Perhaps, many of you have experienced or you are currently experiencing this feeling. You may be approaching final exams and feel like there is so much pressure placed upon you to do well and pass the class. Maybe you had turn in a few essays that weren't too great and feel like this next paper will not be any different. You could be a clinical student trying to perform examinations in a new area and feel like you cannot grasp the equipment functioning. While the learning situation or learning environment can be overwhelming, it is important that you, the student, remain positive.

     Mackeracher (2004) points out that a positive self-esteem and self-concept can make adult learners more receptive to learning and feel less threatened by the learning environment. This means that students should look deeper into how they view themselves, feel about themselves, and/or value themselves. They have to know that the same attributes that granted them the opportunity to attend that college or university are still there. They may be more enhanced. The same ambition that led to the decision of a major or career field should be the same ambition that goes into studying, preparing for and attempting those learning situations.

Try these suggestions:

Treat each test/quiz as a new chance to get "it" right. If you go into each test or quiz with the weight and pressure of previous ones, you are bound to repeat those same results. Learn from them, but keep them in the past.
External affects internal. I used to wonder why some students dress in detailed fashion to attend class, but I get it. If you look good, you tend to feel good. This high self-esteem can give an emotional boost to complement the mental preparation for an assignment. So get your haircut or styled, iron your best shirt or blouse, etc. and look like the A+ you expect to earn. (Disclaimer: this is not permission to go spend money on clothes foolishly. Look good in what you already have.)
Expectations vs. Effort: Your expectations cannot exceed your best effort to achieve them. In other words, you cannot expect to make an A on a paper or test, if you gave C+ effort. I understand that sometimes your best attempt can come up short in the end, but other times, you know when you didn't study well enough or research enough to make a good grade.
Learn the environment: Become comfortable where you learn. A chemist needs to be comfortable in the laboratory. This laboratory could be extremely different from other ones with which the chemist was familiar. Being comfortable and becoming familiar with that new environment (and important tools within it), will lessen the threat associated with learning new skills there.

May you continue to view yourselves as capable, intelligent, worthy, valuable, and more. Know that you can do anything you wish to do as long as you remain positive. Keep negativity away from your goals, your plans, and your process. Keep pushing! Be blessed.

-T. A.

Quote obtained from: Mackeracher, D. (2004). Making Sense of Adult Learning. University of Toronto Press; Toronto.

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Prioritize (Know why you're there.)

10/29/2016

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     College is a place of higher learning, where students attend courses in the pursuit of a career. College is also the place where people meet and become friends, or build connections and networks that last years beyond completion. In the effort of enjoying the new atmosphere, students can easily lose sight of why they are there. So many events take place that can control a student’s time, leaving very little for the academics. I know that some students attend school for athletic reasons or because they were awarded scholarships for arts and music. Sometimes, their extracurricular activities are included in their curriculum. Nevertheless, students must establish priorities early and continue them throughout their time in college.
     I remember attending many social events on campus—movie nights, parties, cultural events, and there was even a Spades tournament where my friend and I won second place. I can also recall the numerous events I missed. Because I worked part-time and had a rigorous course schedule, I had to learn to balance my social life with my academics. With each year, I found myself more and more busy with school work. By the time I started attending clinical education for my major (Radiologic Sciences), my friends barely saw me. They knew that every semester for 7 weeks (either the first half or second half of the semester) I was unavailable. Between courses on campus, clinical education, and my job, spending time with friends on or off campus was impossible.
     My overall point: Remember why you are there. You chose to attend that college or university hopefully because of a combination of the following reasons:

it offers your major or career choice path;
you earned a scholarship there / you could afford to go there,
wanted to be there, or
it has some cultural, family, or historical significance (like Historically Black Colleges or Universities or HBCUs).

While joining organizations, running for student government, or attending parties and other social events will attract even the most dedicated students, be careful. The wrong distraction can disrupt and negate your purpose for being there.
Some key points to consider:

While it isn’t about how long it takes to finish, college is a temporary stage. You attend, you perform, and you graduate. Remember that.
Keep real friends in your corner. My friends respected my schedule, and never treated me differently for my decisions to not attend something or join something with them. Each person is different, and true friends wish you well. I did the same for them. If we were going bowling, and someone couldn’t attend because of school, work, etc., then we all understood.
Know what takes higher priority. To piggyback off the previous point, certain things hold lesser priority and setting your list of priorities will not favor everyone. If your priority flows from school/studying, work, and then family, then friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, organizations, etc. must accept the time you are willing to give or their place in your life can diminish or cease to exist. It’s not about disrespect, but about importance.
You can’t do it all. College wasn’t set up for you to do everything. It gives options. Pick what applies to your life.
Consider money. If you choose to join certain organizations, you’ll need money for some. If you have to take additional courses or attend an additional semester, you’ll need money too. You can have fun in your social life and have a great academic life, but it will require planning, budgeting, sacrifice and discipline to know when enough is enough.

I hope this week’s post has helped you in your endeavors. Share with someone you know! Thanks. God Bless.
-T. A.

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Final Exams: Finishing Strong

Sense of Self

Prioritize (Know why you're there.)

T. A. Acker

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