Summer Summer Orientation Orientation Days Days 2010 2010
First Year Challenges Summer Orientation Days 2010 Dr. Catherine Swanson
1st Year Classroom Challenges What should I expect from instructors? What will Instructor’s expect from me? What are my responsibilities for learning?
Why are you attending university? A. to get a more interesting or satisfying job B. to make a higher salary C. for the love of knowledge D. because my parents want me to E. other
Why is it important for your son/daughter to get a university degree? A. to get a more interesting or satisfying job B. to make a higher salary C. for the love of knowledge D. because I want him/her to have a degree E. other
A number of reasons… Many related to economics and lifestyle Reality - a university education will open more doors for you in the future You have succeeded in the 1st step – Admission
next steps to a successful university career?
Classroom Expectations more work in a shorter period of time expected to learn more on your own What does this mean for you?
Your Responsibility attend lectures & do readings each week for every course On average each week expect to read approximately 25-40 pages from textbook for each class 5 courses = 125-200 pages per week not including assignments, papers, tests and exams
Yikes!
“Don’t Panic”
You Can Do It!
If you follow a few simple steps … first, Have you thought about how much time professors expect you to spend outside the classroom on reading and other work each week, per course?
Question For every course you take, how many hours per week will you be expected to spend studying outside of class time? 1 hour 2 hours 3 hours 4 hours
Calculate…. 3 hours X 5 courses =15 hours per week also expected to attend lectures, tutorials and/or labs for 3 hours each week per course that’s another 15 hours a week 30 hours a week + exams, major papers, part-time job, clubs, volunteer work, sleep, and fun!
Lectures and Readings major part of your learning Your responsibility attendance not usually taken expect you to attend class and expect reading is done follow a course schedule assume you will approach them
The Challenge many students try to save time by skipping class believe they save time by not doing their readings then skim or cram class notes and readings just before the exam
Does this work?
Why Not? Readings enhance lectures lectures build on the information in the text. each class builds upon the one before it a course is like a
puzzle
each is a piece of the puzzle that fits together at the end of the course each course a piece of the larger puzzle each year builds on the one before
How Do I Get It All Done?
What do the Students say……
First Year Inquiry Students ď‚— Now that you have completed your first year at university, what advice would you give to students who will be entering their first year?
Common Responses Do your readings – don’t skip classes and fall behind Don’t leave things until the last minute Balance your education and your social life – it is an art form Manage your time, all the time – you don’t have as much time as you think Use all of the resources offered to you
Which piece of advice do you think my students give most often?
A. Do your readings B. Don’t leave things until the last minute C. Balance education and social life D. Manage your time E. Use all available resources
The answer is… each is a part of the most common answer the most important skill you can acquire ……
TIME MANAGEMENT!