Campus Connection

 

By Charlene Holler, Academic Specialist, Counseling and Testing Center

For students

Since we are well into the semester, this will be an easy question for you to answer. How do you prepare to go to class? I hope you will answer that you do more than just show up with your notebook. Let’s think of a more “real life” example of how valuable good preparation can be. Think back to a trip you have taken, or a special event such as prom or your graduation. Preparing for these events helped you make the most of that time. I know it is a “stretch” to equate these very special and entertaining events with your day-to-day class schedule, but there is a similarity. That common thread is that you will get more out of each class by preparing ahead of the event. Look over previous class notes, preview the chapters that correspond to the lecture topic and come to class with questions you want answered. This curiosity will go a long way in keeping you focused on the lecture. This technique will help you determine what is important. If you have seen it addressed in the text and the instructor covers it, you can be sure that is something you will need to know. By knowing what is in the text you can know where to focus a more careful reading outside of class. Treat the lecture as the first review of that material, a very efficient learning strategy.