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Compared to classrooms
in some countries, United States'
classrooms tend to be informal. There
are, however, some very important basic
rules:
Before
class:
- Do your homework!
Read critically; form your own
opinions
- Review your notes
from the previous lecture and
reading for the day
- Communicate immediately with
professors
about any study problems
- Focus on the task at hand
before class:
take a moment of silence to gather
your thoughts and mentally prepare
yourself to the topic
- Write any objectives
that come to mind at the head
of your notepaper:
- preparing for an up-coming
test,
- understanding a particular
concept,
- gaining a good foundation on
a topic
- understanding or reviewing
the readings
In Class:
- Arrive on time for
class.
Professors do not take lateness
lightly
- Position yourself in the
classroom
to focus on the subject
matter; consider the best
location for:
- listening
- asking questions
- seeing visual materials
- discussing--not only with the
teacher but also your
classmates
- Avoid
distractions
that may interfere with your concentration
(daydreaming, looking around the
room, talking to a friend, passing
notes, dozing)
- Evaluate as you listen:
- Decide what is important and
should be placed in your notes
and what can be left out;
- Listen long enough to be sure
you understand what was said
before writing.
- Ask clarifying questions (but
wait for "breaks" in
the instructor's stream).
- Review your class
objective(s) throughout
the class period
- Did your objective(s) mesh
with the instructor's
introductory remarks?
- Has the class digressed from
stated objectives, yours or the
instructor's?
- Write a "to do"
list including
- assignments;
- reviewing difficult concepts;
- joining study groups;
- making appointments with a
study pal, tutor, or the
instructor.
One resource often overlooked
is a classmate who seems to
have a good grasp of the
material. If it seem
appropriate, seek the
individual out for help.
Periodically
ask yourself if the course is
meeting your objectives.
If you find yourself
dissatisfied with a
particular class or the
course in general, make an
appointment with the
instructor to discuss your
expectations.
The
earlier the better.
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Material adapted from:
Gail M. Zimmerman, Assistant
Dean of First-Year Students and
Academic Counselor, Dartmouth College
and Bob
Nelson, et al, Learning Resource
Centers, Rutgers University
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The Study Guides and Strategies web site was created and is
maintained by Joe
Landsberger,
academic web site developer at the University
of St. Thomas (UST), St. Paul, Minnesota. It is collaboratively
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September 04, 2002 .
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