In-Class Tips 1. Be in class on time and ready to learn. 2. Do not sit with friends or other teammates that will distract you or that you might distract. 3. Sit in the front of the class. Being closer to the instructor reduces the temptation to sleep or day dream during class time. 4. Ask your coach for a practice and game schedule and share that schedule with all of your instructors. 5. Be organized. Keep all materials for each class separated. 6. Take notes in class that YOU understand. Don’t only write down what the instructor writes on the board. Using your own language and symbols helps in understanding and remembering the discussion. 7. Ask questions. If something is unclear, ask the instructor either during or after class. 8. Turn your phone off when you enter the classroom and do not touch it until class is over! 9. Never have ear phones on in class, even if you are not listening to music.
Study Tips 1. Know how long you can study for a period of time. Take short breaks every 20 minutes. 2. Remove all distractions from your study space. Distractions such as the television and friends can be tempting to pay attention to rather than study. 3. Establish a study group. Learning is more enjoyable with others. 4. Get a tutor for subjects that are difficult. 5. Use the Tutoring Center at either campus. 6. Review all handouts. These are usually extra materials that may or may not be covered in the text book and should have extra attention paid to them 7. Review, reread and rewrite notes to help retain information. 8. Stay up to date. Stay on track with what chapters are to be read by each date. 9. Reward yourself with a “brain break.” Take 15 minutes off from studying and do something you enjoy or have a snack, go for a quick walk, talk to a friend, etc.
Test Preparation Tips 1. Begin to study early. Avoid the late night studying sessions the night before. 2. Know what to study. Ask the instructor if the test is on a specific chapter or what particular materials will be covered. 3. Use study materials such as flash cards or cheat sheets to help review. 4. The day of the exam, relax and slowly review notes. 5. As previously stated, establish a study group.....4-5 heads are better than one!
Class Registration Tips 1. Ask your coach for a practice and game schedule. Avoid scheduling classes on days or at times when the team may have to travel to avoid missing classes. 2. Stick to your Student Education Plan (SEP) when registering for classes 3. When registering for courses, be sensitive to your academic load as it relates to practice and your hours committed to employment or other activities. 4. Be realistic about your waking hours. If you have difficulty waking up early, avoid early morning classes. 5. Maintain active enrollment in 12 or more units during season of competition. At least 9 units must apply to your SEP. 6. Make sure you gather information from other students (or on www.ratemyprofessor.com) on the professors you are thinking of taking a class from. 7. For help scheduling your class time and dates, use the class schedule template on Appendix IV (page 38).
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