In It To Succeed!Achieving Success In and Out of Class

Janelle BlountEnglish InstructorWest Los Angeles College August 2010

By PresenterMedia.com

Academic success is important because it is strongly linked to the positive outcomes we value for

children. Not surprisingly, research shows that adults with high levels of education are more likely

to be employed, and to earn higher salaries (National Center for Education Statistics, 2001; U.S.

Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 1999). Beyond work and wages, academic

success is important because working Americans will need higher levels of education to tackle the

technologically demanding occupations of the future (Brown, 1999; National Alliance of Business,

Inc., 1998). Furthermore, the number of jobs requiring a college education is expected to grow

more than twice as fast as those not requiring a college education over the next ten to twenty

years (Fleetwood & Shelley, 2000; Rentner & Kober, 2001). Academically successful students will

have more employment opportunities than those with less education. Thus, academic success

may mean the difference between working at a job merely “because it pays the rent” and working

at a job that one enjoys (Rentner & Kober, 2001, p. 15).

From the 4-H National Council and the University of Arizona Building Partnerships for Youth

Why Is Academic Success Important?

Academic Success and “The Real World”

This is the information age. Now, more than ever, it’s about what you know and what skills you possess. We no longer live in a era of physical labor and industry. You need to have a certain amount of education and knowledge if you are going to compete and make it in this world. You must do all that you can to learn, grow and distinguish your self from others.

You also need to be able to articulate yourself. You must be able to clearly and efficiently communicate yourself and your ideas to others. If you can’t articulate yourself and your worth both verbally and in writing, you are going to have a tough time. This is where this class and all of the others that you will take over the course of your academic career come into play.

College is a time of many transitions, both social and intellectual. One of the keys to academic success in college is learning to balance all of the new demands that are and will be placed on you. The tips in this presentation are just a few of many that can help you succeed both in and out of class.

Attend Class and Get InvolvedUnlike grade school, it is not mandatory that you attend your college classes. If you skip and get caught, chances are no one will ground you, nor will you have to deal with school administrators or school police officers. The choice to attend or not to attend class is yours. However, keep in mind that for every action there is a consequence, be it good or bad. Attending classes and getting involved when you are in class can only help you and ensure that you learn what is being taught.

You should also get involved with campus groups that catch your attention. Getting involved with others on campus is likely to help you both socially and academically. But remember: The main reason that you are in college is to receive an education and learn skills that will better your life.

Take Notes and Study EfficientlyNot all note taking and studying is good. Some people can take notes that, later on, end up doing nothing to help them when they need it most. Others can think they are studying, only to later realize they don’t remember what they thought they studied.

Here are some tips to help you take better notes and study efficiently:1.Take notes. You don’t need to write down everything your instructor says word for word. However, you do need to pay attention and write down whatever they write on the board, whatever they emphasize or flat out say is important and write down what sticks out to you as important or a main point. Also write down things that you are not sure of and write down questions as they come to mind, either in class or while you are at home studying.2.Don’t be afraid to mark up your book. WAIT to start marking until you have read and thoroughly understood the chapter or significant portion of it. Then go back and mark the MAIN POINTS in any fashion you choose, so long as it is consistent: underlining, Roman numerals in the margin, key words in the margin, etc.3.In class and while studying, use sticky notes to write down questions . You can also use sticky notes to take notes while reading and then stick them on the corresponding pages in your books.4.Highlight, write questions in the margins, underline points that you think are good. 5.Make notes about points you disagree with or do not understand. 6.Use page tabs to mark pages or section that you would like to revisit or remember.7.Find or create a space that you will use to study and make sure it is free of distractions.

Time ManagementMost likely, growing up and in high school, someone else managed your time for you. Parents, guardians, teachers and other authority figures all told and reminded you of where you needed to be and when, as well as what and when school work was due. While you are given syllabi in various classes in college, your instructors see you as the young adults that you are and will not police or parent you. Therefore managing your time is all on you now, if it wasn’t before.

Here are some tips to help you effectively manage your time:1.Organize your time and your life. Make daily to do lists. Keep a monthly calendar, get an academic calendar or planner. 2.Avoid over scheduling yourself with activities. While it is good to get involved with campus life, overdoing it is not good either.3.Minimize your interactions with time sucking vampires such as Facebook, surfing the internet, etc. 4.As Nike says, “Just do it.” Procrastination never pays. It only makes things harder for you in the long run. If a task or assignment seems daunting, break it up into smaller chunks that you can work on daily instead of all at once. 5.Also, keep in mind that perfectionism and fear of failure can all hinder effective time management. If you are stressed out and become stalled by perfectionism, obsession with details and fear of failure, talk with someone, particularly a counselor or an instructor, about how you are feeling. Help is available.

Set Goals For SuccessIdentify what matters most to you. Establish short term and long term goals to help you achieve the career and life you envision for yourself. Ask yourself questions like the ones listed below and then make a plan to achieve your desires. Talk with a trusted instructor or counselor to help you.

Set measurable and realistic goals. Help with goal setting ask yourself the following questions: •Where do I want to be by the end of this semester?•Where do I see myself in a year? In two years?•Where do I see myself 5 years from now?•Where would I like to live?•What does my future house look like?•What career or careers interest me most?•What level of education must I attain in order to work in that or those fields?•How much money can I make in that or those careers?•What are my strengths and weaknesses?•How can I maximize and utilize my strengths?•What careers best suit my strengths?

Like Really Does Attract Like

Surround yourself with successful people. If you want to change your life and/or current circumstances, then change the people you hang out with. Seek out people who share similar values and goals. Seek out role models and mentors, especially in the field you are interested in.

Take Initiative and Take Responsibility for You

Take Responsibility for Your Actions.Success or failure is yours for the taking. Although there are some things that are beyond our control, we can control our actions. Constantly making excuses is a sign of immaturity. It tells others that you don’t take responsibility for yourself or your actions. Not taking responsibility for yourself and your actions also shows that you cannot be trusted with matters that are important.

Be Proactive and Take Initiative.Very little to nothing that is worthwhile comes without effort and hard work. Nothing in life is free and no one is giving away anything that is valuable and worthwhile. If you want something in and out of life, you need to get up and go get it. It will not simply come to you. Make and effort and do your best. When people see you trying your best, going the extra mile and doing all that you can to succeed it may surprise you just how much others may be willing to help.

• Organization• Plan for success

• Prioritization• Make achieving your goals and

dreams a top priority• Concentration/Focus

• It’s very easy to lose focus and become side tracked.

• If this happens you must get back on track quickly. Time and opportunity are not limitless.

• Motivation• Only you can create success in

your life. • You must find ways to get a stay

motivated

4 Keys to Success In and Out of Class

The Success Reading ListOutliers: The Story of SuccessMalcolm Gladwell

The Measure of Our SuccessMarian Wright Edelman

The Leader in YouDale Carnegie

Talent Is OverratedGeoff Colvin

Who Moved My Cheese?Spencer Johnson, M.D.

The Richest Man In BabylonGeorge S. Clason

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective PeopleStephen R. Covey

College Survival: A Crash Course for Students by StudentsGreg Gottesman and Friends

ReferencesCollege Survival: A Crash Course for Students by StudentsGreg Gottesman and Friends

The National 4-H Council and The University of Arizona Partnershiphttp://cals-cf.calsnet.arizona.edu/fcs/bpy/content.cfm?content=academic_success.

PTAhttp://www.pta.org/3422.htm

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective PeopleStephen R. Covey