Essentials of College Success, a.k.a. EDU 1020, is a course that can save students from extra stress and problems while providing a solid foundation for students beginning a college career.
Students will use the skills taught in EDU 1020 well beyond the college years and into the workforce.
“Students need to address the problems associated with stress and work to address the stressors with the same attention that they may address class assignments,” said Ray Emett, EDU 1020 professor.
It is important to realize college is not high school, you are expected to take charge of your own education. The course explains how to do that; beginning with financial aid, grants and scholarships and how to apply for them and the long-term drawbacks for large student loans.
First, it is important to establish your personal short and long-term goals and then set a practical plan to achieve them. Trying to bulldoze through college by taking too many classes or classes you are not ready for is a recipe for failure. Instead, meet with an advisor, explain outside responsibilities like work and family, and allow them to help you plan a practical schedule. Make sure you allow yourself down time as well. Stress can be a student’s worst enemy.
For many students the technology can be terribly intimidating, but tech support is available to students. This class also helps by guiding you through many areas of the technology and student resources you will need in the future, along with the e-portfolio information new students will need.
One of the biggest benefits from this class is it helps identify your personality type and what your own learning style is. Once you realize how you learn you will find the information will better absorb into your long-term memory.
The way you take notes, both in class and while reading can make all the difference in your success. It may take trial and error to find the right note-taking style for you but it is well worth the work. Most important is that right after class, take a few minutes to fill in any gaps that you may have missed and organize the notes into a system you can refer to with ease.
All of this of course leads up to the dreaded tests and exams. This course points out how stress can actually hinder your study process and how important it is to relieve stress, either by exercise, downtime or some form of counseling.
Preparing for a test should include study groups if possible. Also, finding out information about the exam helps, too. Will it be essay, multiple choice or true/false, what chapters, how many questions, what is the time limit and will there be a review session? These questions and answers can help you feel more in control and that means you can master it. While taking the test look out for the wording; a double negative has taken down more than one student. Most of all slow down and read the directions and the questions carefully.
Students also learn the proper and most effective way to write cover letters and resume as well as who to use as references and how to conduct yourself once you do get the interview.
If you’re looking for good techniques and information to prepare for matriculation, Essentials of College Success may be for you.
