HOW TO SURVIVE COLLEGE IN 10 STEPS

Here are some key steps in order to be prepared you for college:

1. Listen

• Move closer to the front.
• Focus your attention.
• Evaluate what you hear.
• Ask questions if you don’t understand something.

2. Take Notes

• Record the speaker's main points in your own words. Don't try to write down everything that's said.
• Listen for key words that tell you what's important ("The major cause was...," "The 4 main steps...," etc.)
• Copy all information written on the board.
• Need Extra help on Note Taking? Click the link

3. Review Your Notes

• Highlight the points that seem most important.
• Go over your notes at least once a week, this helps keep information fresh in your mind.

4. Participate

• Be prepared and willing to take part in class discussion.
• Share your thoughts and ideas, but don't dominate the entire discussion.
• Ask questions.
• Summarize in your own words what's been said.
• Be polite and respect others, even if you disagree.

5. Budget Your Time Wisely

• Use a planning notebook or calender to track when all assignments are due.
• Write down all your regular activities (classes, a part-time job, meals, practice with a team or musical group, etc).
• Allow time for sleep, fun and fitness.
• Schedule review time for before or after each class, if you can.
• Try to study the same subject at the same time each day.
• Plan time for exams and major projects. Break up these big jobs into small steps (i.e. step #1 find sources; Step #2. take notes).

6. Find a Good Study Space

• Choose a quiet, well-lit place that's free of distractions (telephone, television, etc). For example, the library is an ideal place to study.
• Gather all the materials you need before you begin.
• Try to study in the same place each day. Use that place for studying only.

7. Be a Better Reader

• Eliminate habits that can slow you down.
• Don't move your lips, "say" words in your mind, or point your finger.
• Train your eyes to take in larger groups of words with each glance.
• Skim material if you're looking for the answers to a specific question.
• Slow down when you are reading technical material.
• Use a dictionary to learn definitions, synonyms and antonyms.
• Learn prefixes, suffixes, and roots of words. (Ask a librarian for books to help you)
• Use new words that you learn.
• Check out speech-reading courses.

• Preview the material. For example, if you're assigned a chapter in a textbook, read:
  • The chapter title and introduction.
  • Headings, subheadings, and topic sentences
  • Boldfaced and italicized words.
  • The chapter summary and any review questions.

• As you read:
• Pay special attention to main ideas and supporting details.
• Examine graphs, charts and illustrations.
• Evaluate the material. (Do you understand what you're reading? Does the material answer your questions about the subject?)
• Underline or highlight key points.
• Make an outline.

• After you read:
  • Write a summary in your own words.
  • Think about what you've learned. Sum up the material in your own words. This can make it easier to remember the material. 
  • Note any points you don't understand or any questions you'd like to ask your professor.

8. Prepare for Exams

• Ask your professor what you can expect on the test.
• Ask if there is a study guide.
• If no study guide is available, make your own.
• Study with fellow classmates.
• Use flash cards to write down important information to test yourself over. 
• Re-read chapters you will be tested over.
• Study the notes you have taken during class.

9. Focus on Exam Day

• Read the instructions carefully.
• Scan the test quickly to find out how much time you can spend on each section or question.
• Answer the easy questions first, then the hard ones.
• Pay close attention to all qualifiers ("usually," "none," "always," etc.)
• Write neatly.
• Read all the answers carefully before you choose one (for multiple choice questions).

• On the essay portion of exams:
  • Note key words, such as "discuss," "explain" and "compare."
  • Briefly outline the major points you intend to cover.
  • Use facts and specific examples to support your answer(s).
  • Proofread your essay.

10. Attend Every Class!

The Language of College

Every occupation or field of endeavor has terminology know only to "insiders". As an adult student entering college for the first time or reentering the college community after a lapse of some years, you may find some of the terms baffling. Listed below are some of the many terms which you will hear over and over again in college:

A

Advisor

A faculty member or professional educator who advises students about their individual academic program. A good advocate!

Audit

To take a course without credit. Student is not required to take exam or submit work for review. No grade, no credit, some cost.

C

Classification

Level of progress toward the bachelor's degree. An undergraduate student is classified as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior, depending on the number of semester hours completed and grade points earned.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Tests developed by the College Entrance Examination Board which determine the extent of a student's knowledge in a particular subject area. These tests are used to award college credit in certain subject areas.

Concentration

A particular emphasis within a major.

Co-requisite

A course which must be taken at the same time as another specified course.

Course

A specific subject of study.

Course (or Class) Load

The number of semester hours for which a student is registered in a semester. Course loads can be Part-Time (less than 12 semester hrs.), Full-Time (12-18 semester hrs.), and Overload (over 18 semester hrs., requiring special approval).

Credit

The numerical value awarded upon completion of specified studies, usually based on class meeting length and frequency. At IPFW credit is stated in semester hours.

Curriculum

The whole body of courses offered by the college, or by one of its divisions or departments.

D

Department

An organizational unit representing a discipline or related disciplines, such as Department of Foreign Languages.

Discipline

An area of study representing a branch of knowledge, such as Mathematics.

Drop/Add

The ability to drop out of a class without grade penalty, or to add a class. Process requires seeing an advisor. Time limits are in the schedule of classes.

E

Early-registration

An opportunity for students already enrolled at the college to select courses for the next semester before new students register.

Elective

A course not specifically required for a particular major or minor.

Exam

Usually a comprehensive test given at midterm, at the end of a course, or at the end of some significant portion of a course.

F

Fine Arts Courses

Certain courses in art, theatre and music.

Fully-Matriculated Student

An enrolled student who has been accepted through the Admissions Office as a degree candidate.

G

General Education Courses

Courses designed to help students acquire a broad base of knowledge and capabilities fundamental to the concept of a university education.

Grade

A letter A, B, C, D, F representing the professor's evaluation of the student's work.

Grade Points

A numerical representation of the value of a letter grade for a course (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=l, F=O) multiplied by the semester hours awarded for a course. Examples: a grade of "A" for a 1 semester hour Physical Education course is worth 4 grade points; an "B" in a 3 semester hour English course is worth 9 grade points.

Grade Point Average

The total number of grade points earned divided by the total number of semester hours carried. For example, a student who earns 36 grade points while carrying a course load of 15 semester hours would earn a GPA of 2.40 for the semester.

Graduation Application

A form to fill out to officially apply for graduation.

Graduate Student

A student who has received a bachelor's degree and has been admitted to the School of Graduate Studies.

H

Humanities Courses

Certain courses in English, history, foreign languages, and philosophy and religion.

I

Identification (ID) card

An official card given to students currently enrolled in the university, used to acquire access to the Sports Center and borrow library books. Obtained in Walb Union.

Incomplete

Temporary grade that student and professor agree upon. Requires specific work to be completed in a specific time frame. If work is not complete, the grade becomes an F.

Interdisciplinary Courses

Courses which deal with two or more academic subjects in a particular field of study.

L

Life-Long Learning

An expression of the concept that education should continue throughout one's lifetime.

M

Major

The academic area in which a student chooses to place principal emphasis, requiring a minimum of 24 credit hours of specified courses in it.

Midterm

The approximate halfway point of a semester.

Minor

A coherent curriculum of study that is less extensive than a major and consists of specified courses from one or more fields of study.

N

Non-Credit Courses

Courses offered by the School of Continuing Studies which address the personal and professional development needs of the IPFW community but do not carry academic credit.

O

Orientation

Activities and programs designed to help the new student become acquainted with the college.

P

Pass/Not-Pass

Grade option that is available with electives. Your advisor can make you aware of any restrictions of its use.

Permanent Record

The card on which the Registrar lists all student's courses, semester hours credit, grades, status and certain personal information.

Placement Tests

Tests given by college departments which determine a student's level of proficiency in a particular subject area. These tests are used to place students in classes at the appropriate level for their abilities.

Post-Baccalaureate Student

A student who has already received a bachelor's degree and is taking more undergraduate courses.

Prerequisite

A requirement which must be met before a particular course can be taken.

Q

Quiz

A brief test, sometimes unannounced, and usually, not requiring a full class period.

S

Schedule

The courses for which a student is enrolled during a semester or summer term.

Semester

A portion of the school year in which courses can be completed. Spring and Fall semesters are about 15-16 weeks, Summer semester are much shorter.

Semester Hour

The unit of credit used by schools on the semester plan.

Social Science Courses

Courses in anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, or sociology.

Syllabus

A syllabus is an outline or other brief statement of what a professor expects to cover for the entire semester. It will often include an exact schedule of assignment due dates, test dates, grading system, and any issues a professor wishes to make absolutely clear.

T

Term Paper

A written assignment requiring students to gather knowledge through documented research, from numerous sources, on a specific topic, and presented in an orderly fashion; length varies, but 5-10 typewritten pages is not unusual.

Text

The assigned book for a course.

Transcript

An official copy of a student's permanent academic record. Obtained through the Registrar's Office.

U

Undergraduate

A college student who has not yet received a bachelor's degree.

W

Withdrawal

Dropping all classes. To do so without the proper forms from your advisor can result in financial and/or academic (F's) penalty. Late withdrawal (past last day to withdraw) are available for extraordinary circumstances.