Back to School 2012- Starting Your Semester Right!!!

Some of you may have started classes days ago; others may have just have a few short moments of freedom left.  Either way the Fall 2012 semester is upon us. Fall behind during the first week and you'll find yourself playing catch up until December.  The GlamNERDS are here to make sure that you start the semester the right way.

1. Show up- Many students make their first mistake by skipping the first class. We’ve heard it (and probably said it) a thousand times  "You never really do anything on the first day of class. “ It’s always a flip of the coin. Sometimes you’ll go in, the professor will introduce him/herself, hand out the syllabi, have you fill out an information index card and send you on your merry way. Other times, the professor will fulfill these tasks in the first 15 minutes of class and then dive right into the first class lecture/discussion. You never know how the coin will fall so, just to go to class. Get out of bed, get dressed and get yourself in the practice of getting to class on time. You can bet,  the tougher the course content, the more likely your professor will want to get started on the first day. Miss the first lecture, when the fundamentals and basics are covered and you run the risk of being completely clueless for the remainder of course.  #jussayin. 
2. Really Read the Syllabus- It’s likely that the Professor will go over it the first day but give your syllabus a thorough read through on your own.  Your syllabus will explain course content, course structure and course requirements.  It will identify what readings are required vs. recommended, when assignments are due and tell you exactly what is necessary for you succeed.  Will you have to write papers weekly? Will there be quizzes, or is your total grade based on a midterm and a final? It's best to know the answers to these questions upfront so that you can plan how to manage you time, energy and efforts.  Also, pay attention to the scheduling of courses and how (and if) your professors grade your attendance and class participation. I’m not one to tell you to skip class but life happens and sometimes you won't be able to make every class.  The syllabus will tell you what classes you need not miss vs when an absence is not that serious.
3. Use Your Syllabus in Planning your Semester- Get your calendar, planner, cell phone, or however you keep track of important dates and make note of deadlines for all major papers/projects/assignments and scheduled exams. This will help you plan and structure your other responsibilities around your coursework. For example, if you know you’ll have a heavy week of exams or papers or a group project, you can cut back on your hours at work, or know not to plan a road trip the weekend before, etc.  You’re in college now.  Don’t rely on you professor to remind you of these things. Usually, they won't.
4. First Impressions are Everything- Remember, first impressions are lasting ones.  If you spend the entire first class tweeting, napping, doodling or just looking, you may have set yourself up. Your professor/TA could very well think you're a slacker and you’ll be working the entire semester to disprove that label. Even in huge lecture classes, professors can spot and remember students. Be prepared for your first day and be remembered for the right reasons. Try to get there on time, don’t sit in the back, pay attention and look engaged (even if you aren’t). You don’t have to be extra in order to make a good first impression. It could be as simple as going up and introducing yourself to the professor before or after class. Set yourself apart, the right way, and it will pay off. Trust me. 
5. The Textbook Hustle- There are several posts about textbooks on TheGlamNERDS.com.  But sharing ways to saving a coin when purchasing school supplies and course materials is information that bears repeating.  In this case, I advise students to take time at the start of the semester to use you syllabus to refine your textbook shopping list.  Don't buy books if you don't have to.  Reading your syllabi will let you know if you’re going to be reading an entire book or just reading certain chapters/sections.  If you will only be reading three to four chapters of a book, see if your campus library has book and take it out and make copies. You could even approach the professor and see if he/she can put those chapters on E-Reserve so you can access the readings online and print them out. Also, check bulletin boards and Facebook to see if others in your network have taken a class and wouldn’t mind letting you borrow the book for a semester or selling it to you for a better price.   If you’re cool with your professor, you could even ask him/her if they have an extra copy of the book that you could use for the semester. Publishers typically send them extra copies and if you play your cards right you can get one.  Think quick, think smart, it may save you a dime or two. SEARCH the GlamNERDS for the Textbook Hustle BlogPost for more information. 

 I hope this helps. Here's too a super successful semester for us all.  

The GlamNERDS Guide To Starting The Spring 2012 Semester Right!

Classes are resuming this week or next week for many of my GlamNERDs and, as I’ve done in previous semesters, I’m back to help you all start the Spring 2012 semester right.   In this blog you will find links to posts on cost effective textbook shopping and how to handle your first week of classes.  In short I encourage students to get ahead of the curve by gathering as much information you can as the semester kicks off.  Dont miss the bus children 

Don’t wait until the first day of school to buy your books. Visit bookstores as soon as you can to determine what books you will need for each of your classes. Once you’ve got that information, be resourceful identify the books that you can obtain for nothing  (via libraries, book swaps, etc) and shop around for the best prices (whether purchasing or renting). You can find more information on textbooks by checking out the links below for previous posts and videos on acquiring course materials. 

The Textbook Hustle

The Hustle Continues (More Textbook TIps) 

Check out my Review of Amazon's Textbook Rental Service (Video)

It is also imperative that you attend all of your classes and obtain and review your syllabi. Your professors aren't handing them out as a formality. Consider them a outline of how the semester will with progress.  They will tell you when certain content areas will be covered, how many assignments/exams you will be responsible and when they will be due/given. I encourage my students to read them thoroughly, that way you will know what you're up against.  Additionally, many students believe the myth that showing up for the very first class is nt mandatory. That is a  bold face bald headed big burly lie.  Education is a booming industry; classes are crowded.  Most professors have a lot of information to cover and not much to cover it with.  This is especially the case in the spring semester, with holidays, spring breaks and snow days.   To make sure they get through all of the subject matter most profs jump in on the first day.  So you’ve got to be there.  You can find more information on how to make a great first impression and how get the most of your first week of the school by clicking the link below.  

Starting the Semester Right

There will be lots more Back to School information in upcoming posts.  Keep reading and please tell a friend to come check us out as well.

Starting Your Semester Right- Spring 2012 Edition

At the start of every semester I re-post a blog on starting your semester right. Spring 2012 is no exception.  I know it sounds incredibly cliché and all types freshman orientation, but the fact of the matter is, if you don’t start the semester right, you’re running late and playing catch up from here to May.  Click the link below for a few tips to make sure you start the semester the way you should! Don't miss the bus!

1. Show up- Many students make their first mistake by skipping the first class. We’ve heard it (and probably said it) a thousand times  "You never really do anything on the first day of class. It usually, is always a flip of the coin. Sometimes you’ll go in, the professor will introduce him/herself, hand out the syllabi, have you fill out an information index card and send you on your merry way. Other times, the professor will fulfill these tasks in the first 15 minutes of class and then delve right into the first class lecture/discussion complete with readings and a homework assignment  Since you never can tell which way it’s going to be, just to go to class. Usually  the tougher the course content, the more likely  your professor will want to get started ASAP (aka the first day). Miss the first lecture, when the fundamentals and basics are covered and you run the risk of being completely clueless from the jump not a game you want to play in Statistics, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology or your most challenging course.  

2. Really Read the Syllabus- It’s likely that the Professor will go over it the first day but you want to thoroughly read the syllabus for yourself.  It won’t take that long and it’s really worth it. Know what you’re getting into. Your syllabus is a synopsis of the class.  It’s going to explain what you’re going to be learning and how you’re going to be learning it. You’ll find out what readings are required vs. recommended, when the assignments are due and what it’s gonna take for you to get the A.  Will you have to write papers weekly? Will there be quizzes, or is your total grade based on a midterm and a final? It's best to know the answers to these questions so you'll have an idea of the work and effort necessary for your success.  Also, pay attention to how (and if) your professors grade your attendance and class participation. I’m not one to tell you to skip class but life happens. The syllabus is going to tell you what classes you need to make sure you attend and when it’s not as serious.

3. Use Your Syllabus in Planning your Semester- Get your calendar, planner, cell phone, or however you keep track of important dates and write down when all major papers/projects/assignments are due and when you have your exams. You will then know how to structure your life. If you know you’ll have a heavy week of exams or papers or a group project, you can cut back on your hours at work, or know not to plan a road trip the weekend before, etc.  Don’t rely on the professor to remind you of anything. Most of the time, it’s not gonna happen.

4. First Impressions are Everything- Remember that first impressions are lasting ones, so if you spend the entire first class tweeting, half sleep or just looking you’ve set yourself up. Your professor/TA will likely label you a slacker and you’ll be working the entire semester to prove him/her wrong. I know here is usually the part when you’d shrug your shoulders while saying something to express you complete lack of concern about what your professor thinks of you. I get that, but let me just remind you... He/she is responsible for you grade. Don’t sleep on their level of authority and influence.   Even in huge lecture classes, professors remember students. Be prepared for your first day. Get there on time, don’t sit in the back, pay attention and look engaged(even if you aren’t). You don’t have to be extra in order to make a good first impression. Set yourself a part, the right way and for the right reasons. It will pay off, trust me.

The Textbook Hustle- Doing your class readings; can determine how much you learn or don’t learn in your classes. As expensive as textbooks are we have all considered just not purchasing  all the books on the course list.  Again reading the syllabus will let you know if you’re going to be reading an entire book or just reading certain chapters/sections. This will help you plan your pockets. If you will be reading 3/4 chapters of a book, see if your campus library has book and take it out and make copies. You could even approach the professor and see if he/she can put those chapters on E-Reserve so you can access the readings online and print them out. Doing this at that start of the semester, when you have time is typically a lot easier than having to do it the week the reading is due after you’ve realized that you don’t have the book that you need.  Also, check bulletin boards and Facebook to see if others in your network have taken a class and wouldn’t mind letting you borrow the book for a semester or selling it to you for a better price.   If you’re cool with your professor, you could even ask him/her if they have an extra copy of the book that you could use for the semester. Think quick, think smart, it may save you a dime or two. SEARCH the GlamNERDS for the Textbook Hustle Post for more information. 

Hope this helps.  I wish you all the best for this semester and as always keep it where you got it for more tips in successfully navigating your academic situations. 

Strategies of a Scholar- Grades: "Whattchuu GET?!?!?" - How You Can Use Old Grades To Become A Better Student!

At the start of this new year and new semester let’s talk a little about grades. How did you do last semester? Whether you got straight A’s, you’re facing academic dismissal or you’re somewhere in between this post is for you. Read on. Grades are assessment tools. They measure whether or not we've retained course concepts and if so, whether or not we're able to successfully apply what we've learned practically. Grades don't just stop at your transcript. GPA's are one thing but students should also use their grades in order to gauge the effectiveness of the classroom and study strategies they are employing.  This post will  hopefully help you measure you efficiency as a student.  Is what you're doing working? Great! Lets think about how to maintain your momentum. But if what what you're doing is not working, ( as evidenced by subpar grades) what steps can we take to turn things around.  

Image Courtesy of http://image.shutterstock.com

If you did get all A’s, let me be first to congratulate you for you hard work and dedication. I know it wasn’t easy but Baybeee.. it’s worth it.  As you approach this semester, reassess your study strategies, make note of what worked and REPEAT. :-) Now's also a good time to  think of things that you could do differently.  It's not the time start smelling yourself and believing your next 4.0 semester is already in the bag.  Engage in your classes, review your syllabi and set goals. Figure out what it required to succeed in each class.  Don't let anything sneak up on you, know when tests/quizzes will be given and papers will be due. Make sure that you keep a calendar that contains this information for each of your classes and manage you time. Gaining momentum and taking off was difficult and maintain your altitude will likely be just as challenging. (Who remembers that Cosby show episode? God I love that show:-) 

Ok, so l et’s say, you did well in most of your classes but there was one or two classes that gave you grief.  I understand your plight, we’ve all been there many times.  At one point  it was my statistics class with my Bulgarian professor. Not only was the content of the course intimidating but the language barrier in the classrom was enough to have me in office hours with my TA every single week! For some of my peers, this was course of action was drastic.  They picked up the material on their own or withing study groups.  But that just wasn't enough for me.  This situation helped me identify the extra steps that help me navigate through challenging courses.    I encourage you to think about the Fall 2011 semester in terms of what made it tough.  Then take some time and think about your response to those challenges an your response to the challenge and how effective it was.  Challenging courses that I've faced throught my academic career have helped me realize that recording my lectures, making extremely detailed class notes, visiting the writing/learnings center, etc, where resources  that were beneficial in helping me digest difficult subject matter. There is no shame is taking advantage of the resources available to you.  Ive learned that in many cases, the individual that appears to have learned everything is usually not half as sucessful as the individual willing to admit what he/she has yet to learn.  

Finally, as much as I would love to believe that this is not a problem for most of my readers but let’s just say one or two of you may have gotten a D (or dare I say an F) this past semester. * Give me a minute llow me a minute to clutch my pearls and recite a small prayer! Just joking * Okay.. No worries.. it happens.  Keep your head up; all is not lost.  Now is definitely the time  think about the classes (or classes) you didn't pass and figure out where you went wrong. I also encourage you  to supplement your individual self reflections with an email/visit to that professor. I ‘ll talk about this in future posts but it doesn’t always pay to be to proud. Your humility will get you a long way( even if ain’t completely genuine). Bite the bullet and let him/her know that you regret not doing well in class and you want some help in figuring out where you went wrong so you can make it right. You may be able to finagle an incomplete in the course, until you can rectify previous tests/assignemnts that you missed or didn't do well on.  If you professor is not up for negotiation I would then suggest meeting with your financial aid/academic advisors to figure out the best time for you to retake the course you failed.  There is no real excuse for D’s and F’s on a transcript, especially if you have aspirations for graduate school. So if you can it's best to try and make your wrongs right.

I hope this helps.

In Constant Pursuit of All Things Fabulous, 

Tykeia

AKA 

TheGlamNERD