The Advice Page - 3

Third test has come and gone, and we are past the halfway point in the course.  However, there are still 300 points available to earn on lecture exams...of 500 possible.  So there is still time to do well (or not). 

Some of you aren't attending class regularly.  Somebody is paying for you to go to college- don't you owe it to them (and to yourself) to do the best you can?  If you were an employer, would you hire someone that didn't show up for work?  And, I see a few others that come to lecture and doze off.  Hey, you're not Ferris Beuller.  This is your life, and you only get one.   

The exam key will be posted in the display case opposite room 244.  When you get your test form back, take some time to examine the key.  Try to judge whether you were unprepared, or whether you actually had the information to choose the correct answer and just didn't think it through.   That is, was the problem your preparation for the test, or your concentration during the test?

If you find that you simply weren't prepared, the chances are that you need to spend more time studying- maybe a lot more.  Many students find that college courses, particularly science courses, are much more demanding that what they were used to in high school.  There is more material, and more emphasis on interpreting information rather than memorizing rote answers.  Some people will have a harder time of it than others. 

One of the biggest problems for students (and professionals!) is time management.  Important point: if you are trying to work 20 or more hours a week and go to school full-time, you are probably not going to get good grades.  There simply aren't enough hours in the day.  Decide what your priorities are and budget your time accordingly.  Be willing to make some sacrifices in the short run.  Keep in mind that your academic performance is far more likely to shape your future than is having a car while in college, or eating out frequently.

Many students ask about the balance between lecture and text.  Probably more than 80% of my exam questions are based directly on lecture.  Nonetheless, I believe that the text is just as important as lecture.   Don't try to memorize the text, but by all means use it to prepare for lecture and to review subjects that are discussed in lecture.  The study questions and the end-chapter materials are especially useful for review before exams.

Another possible problem is concentration during test-taking.  Serious test anxiety is not very common, but for some people it can be devastating.  If you feel that this is a problem for you, let me know and I'll try to help.

If you are thinking about dropping the course- read this first.

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