Educational Support Programs & Services

OLDER WISER LEARNERS EDUCATIONAL TIPS

• RESOURCES
  
• TIME MANAGEMENT
  
• PAPERS
  
• TEST
  
• TEXTBOOKS
  
• DECORUM
  

RESOURCES

College Catalog, every college has one. Carefully read the first quarter of your catalog to find ways to save money, avoid accidental grades, improve your schedule, and get help.

Your best resource is your fellow students, network in your classes. Form study groups, trade phone numbers so you can check on that cloudy data or get a ride. Don't be surprised if most people are trying to make it through a state of isolation.

For many, a difficult resource is word processing. You can learn the basics of word processing in two hours. It is good time management because you'll be able to edit your papers quickly.

TIME MANAGEMENT

This is a misnomer you cannot "manage" time you must manage yourself. Making a to-do list each day is a tried and true method. Be sure to prioritize your to-do list so that you know what is on your "A" list. Most of us get into trouble by whittling away our time on "C" list items. The best way to feel less pressure is to ask yourself; what "What is the best use of my time now?" Often you can take projects and put them on a paper on Sunday morning, you can get it off your mind for 72 hours. It's O.K. to take a respite from projects.

Another time demand is the need to structure your study time. You need to identify a time and a place for a study. other people assume that you can study any time, so they believe you are always available to watch TV, iron uniforms, go for ice cream, or talk about their problems. You have to train yourself to say No. No is a complete sentence, but it tends to get stuck in our throats.

PAPERS

You will write a lot of papers in college. Each will be a lot easier if you start by selecting a topic that is interesting and for which there is a lot of material available in the library. Check the library's indexes before you finalize your topic.

Your first step in researching a topic is to use the general encyclopedia. The general information will make you a sophisticated reader for the articles and books you encounter. It's fairly frustrating to start with a technical article that confuses, rather than explains.

TEST

For many reasons, the threat of test swells out of proportion to the new adult student. They can be greatly deflated if you will approach them with a plan in mind. The single best thing you can do is forming a study group. Limit your studying to 20 minute segments. Take a break you cannot learn if your brain is saturated and you start day dreaming.

When you actually take the test start by reading the test quickly from beginning to end. Start with the part of the test that is easiest for you.
Remember there is no extra credit for being the first one done. On essay items, think before you outline and outline before you write.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks area way of life in college. The first step with an assignment is to review the chapter. Read the first and last paragraphs to get a sense of what it is all about.

While reading use a high lighter to mark important points. Highlight sparingly, if your page is a sea of yellow, you are missing the concept of key ideas.

When you finish a page, use a pen to write a phrase on the bottom that summarizes that page. If you cant do it reread the page. When you reread the chapter, you should be able to read those phrases at the bottom of the page for a quick review. There's a side benefit: the change from reading to writing keeps you from getting hypnotized. This is the state of your eyes moving over words while your brain is switched off.

DECORUM

There are a few simple things that you can do to make life easier for yourself. The first rule is "It is only dumb not to ask a question." You will be surprised at how often you ask a question that ten others wanted to ask but didn't. It's silly to lose time or get hurt when a single question could have changed everything.

Tardiness is a problem for adult students who have families and jobs. if you know you are going to be absent or very late, leave a phone message for the professor.