Getting It Together

Consider the following strategies for your first few weeks of classes.

And remember to keep up your good practices!

First classes:

1. Review course outline (syllabus).
2. Know the course requirements:
   • Schedule of assignments
   • Test dates and types of tests
   • Course grading system
   • Exact title of text(s) and requirements
3. Know faculty member’s name, office location, office hours, phone number, IUP e-mail address.
4. Review instructor’s overview of the course, including major topics, terms, definitions, and order.
5. Work to form concepts of the course.
6. Assess your background and preparation for the course. If you feel it is inadequate, see the instructor after class or make an appointment to discuss.

First study session:

1. Get acquainted with text.
2. Look for organization of text, especially table of contents.
3. Know features of text (glossary, appendix, graphics).
4. Read preface of text.
5. Get to know author’s point of view and purpose.
6. Compare text with course outline (syllabus).
7. Compare text with notes from overview lecture.

Second study session:

1. Study/read the first assigned chapter according to the SQRRR system (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review). This step is to get a basis for an estimate of time needed for chapter survey/overview, reading of each section, and for reviewing notes and markings.
2. Mark or make a list of terms, concepts, etc., you don’t understand.
3. Make up three or four important questions you might ask in class.
4. Think about your lectures for tomorrow; what might be topics and organization.
5. Make a list of other things you need to do for this course.

Major planning session:

1. Work out estimate of time needed for all assignments through first test.
2. Use record of first chapters to estimate time needed.
   
   Allow time for:
   • Studying/reading
   • Making study notes and/or underlining/highlighting
   • Review of lecture notes
   • Other class projects, readings, labs, etc.
   • Test preparation
   • Emergencies
3. Integrate the work for each course into your master plan of what has to be done each week. Break out into a daily schedule two or three days ahead.

Supplies for your student success office

Having appropriate supplies in an organized location improves student efficiency. Use this as a basic checklist of what you have and what you should add to your supplies. In addition, you should have good lighting for your work and reading area.

• Expand file
• Formatted disks
• Glue
• Highlighters — assorted
• Large envelopes
• Lined paper
• Manila folders
• Markers — assorted
• Mechanical lead pencils
• Monthly planner
• Paper clips — small and large
• Paper punch
• Pens — black or blue
• Report cover
• Scissors
• Stamps
• Stapler
• Tape — clear
• White-out
• 3" x 3" post-it notes (yellow)
• 4" x 6" note cards
• 12" plastic ruler