Academic Success Factors

Keys to Success in Engineering

Study

Lab 4

Itinerary

You can do it! What is “success”? Goal setting Life situation Strategies Group Studying Mistake Student Do Test Taking Lectures Resources

You Can Do It!

Poorly prepared students have succeededHighly qualified students have failedWhat makes the difference?

“Each and everyone of you can be successful in graduating with your

bachelor of science degree in engineer.”

What is Success?

Success is the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted

Most Lucrative College Degrees

Goal Setting

Goals give you something to measure yourself against

Goals give your life direction Short Term, Few Years, Long Term

How can you ever expect to get somewhere if you don’t know where you want to go?

Lab Exercise: Part 1 Write down your goals: Short, Few, Long

Strategies for Strengthening Your Commitment

Clarifying your goals

Learning as much as you can about engineering

Prepare a roadmap

Don’t let adversity stop you

Most Important Strategies to Success!!!

Believe in yourself. You can do it!

Keys to Success in Engineering Study

Effort – “Work Hard”

Approach – “Work Smart”

Attitude – “Think Positively”

Structure Your Life Situation

Part-Time Work Influence of Family Influence of FriendsOther influences?

Characteristics of “Expert” Learners

Are active, not passive, in their approach to learning Are motivated (e.g., have short-term and long-term

goals, etc) Are disciplined (e.g. have learned good habits and use

them consistently) Initiate opportunities to learn Set specific learning goals for themselves Know not only what to learn, but how to learn Plan their approach to learning Use learning strategies selectively Tend to attribute failures to correctable causes Tend to attribute successes to personal competence

Learning Modes

Solitary – You learn by yourself Collaborative – You learn with others

“My anecdotal research indicates that about 90 percent of first-year engineering students do virtually 100 percent of their studying alone.”

R. Landis

Why Do Students Study Alone?

I learn more studying by myself.

I don’t have anyone to study with.

It’s not right. You’re supposed to do your own work.

Don’t Be Hung Up on the Idea of Seeking Help

If I have seen a little further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants - Isaac Newton

Primary sources of “help” with your academic work

1. Your peers

2. Your professors

3. Tutoring Center

Benefits of Group Study

You’ll be better prepared for the engineering “work-world”

You’ll learn more

You’ll enjoy it more

Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is:

Appreciating my own worth and importance and having the character to be accountable for myself and to act responsibly toward others

Self-esteem is made up of two components:

Self-efficacy – your sense of competence

Self-respect – your sense of personal worth

Mistakes Students Make

Assume engineering study will be like high school Work to understand and adjust to the differences between high school and engineering study

Program themselves for failure Create a life situation that enables you to devote adequate time and energy to your studies

Spend little time on campus Immerse yourself in the academic environment of the institution

Neglect studying Schedule study time. Devote significant time and energy to studying.

Delay studying until test is announced Master the material presented in each class prior to next class

Study 100% alone Study collaboratively with other students

Mistakes Students Make Strategies for Overcoming Them

Mistakes Students Make (continued)

Come to each lecture unprepared Review notes, read text, attempt problems prior to each lecture

Avoid professors Interact regularly with professors outside the classroom

Cut classes/don’t get the most out of lectures Attend classes and practice good listening skills. Ask questions in class.

Fail to take notes; or fail to use the notes Take effective notes and use a systematic learningproperly in the learning process methodology to study from notes

Skim over material in an assigned chapter Use reading for comprehension methodology toin a rush to get to homework problems understand general concepts before attempting problems

Fail to solve assigned problems. Don’tSolve not only assigned problems but extra problems; approach problems using a systematic use systematic problem solving methodsproblem solving method

Mistakes Students Make Strategies for Overcoming Them

During Your Lectures

Sit near the front“Be here now” (concentrate)Practice good listening skillsTake good notesAsk questions in class

How Many Hours Should You Study?

How difficult is the course?How good a student are you?How well prepared are you for the

course?What grade do you want to receive?

Learn to Manage Your Time

Place a high value on your time

Schedule your timeMake a serious commitment to your

study time

Time can be put to good use or wasted. Then once it’s gone it’s gone.

Preparing For Tests

Schedule time for review “Scope out” tests Practice under time pressure Get a good night’s sleep Make sure you have the right materials and

tools Arrive early

Test-Taking Strategies

Size up the test Work the easier problems first Be aware of the time Complete a problem before leaving it If time permits, check and recheck your work

(never leave a test early)

Utilizing Campus Academic Resources

Academic resource center (tutoring, writing skills, study skills)

Library (books, periodicals, on-line materials, reference librarians)

Student computer labs (hardware, applications software, Internet access, resource materials, training)

Academic advising (monitor progress; course selection)

University catalog (Rules and regulations, college and department information, curricular requirements, course descriptions)

Registrar’s office (transcripts, registration information)

Academic Advising

Quality of advising can be a problem Take personal responsibility for getting

proper advising Sources of advising Faculty Staff Other students Publications (student handbook, catalog)

Examples of Co-curricular Activities

Participation in student organizationsParticipation in engineering projects

– HPV, Formula Car, Robotics

Pre-professional employment– Co - Op

Putting something back (service)

Benefits of Pre-professional Employment

Develop job search skills Gain exposure to engineering practice Make money Apply your knowledge, skills, and abilities Strengthen motivation to succeed in

engineering study Gain references for future employment

Cooperative Education

a program of study at an institution of higher education under which regular students undertake academic study for specified periods of time alternating with work experience in government, industry, business . . .

Graduate Study in Engineering

Benefits of graduate study in engineering M.S. degree in engineering Ph.D. degree in engineering Full-time or part-time How will you support yourself? Salary Increase

Lab Exercise: Ability vs. Effort

Divide into groups of five or six and discuss the following issue:Do you believe that people succeed because of their ability, That some people “have it” while others don’t?

Or do you believe that people succeed because of their effort?

Which do you think is more important: ability or effort? Why?

In your group, discuss the benefits of working with other students on your academic work.

Alternate Lab Exercise: Fixed Mindset versus Growth Mindset

People generally have one of two “mindsets”Fixed mindset - You believe your talents and abilities are set in stone—either you have them or your don’t

Growth mindset – Talents can be developed and great abilities are built over time

Discuss the implications of having each of these mindsets for success in engineering study

Appoint a group leader to keep on topic and a reporter to

report out on what was discussed