How to start a study group, part II

A reader writes:

"I have always wanted to form a study group on my own, perhaps around a group of 4 - 8 people.  I have replies email from them (all of us do not know each other, rather we have the initial course that we have in common) but didn't know that what to do after that.

Can you give me hints to start the ball rolling? I have an assignment with me, apparently not sure should I just type out the question and email to the group and wait for any reply?"

I've written about starting a study group before, so please check out that post for additional hints to getting the ball rolling for your study group. But I must say congratulations, you have already done one of the first steps to forming a study group by emailing a few students in your class.

Now that you have already contacted a couple of classmates, what you do next will largely depend on what you want out of the study group itself.

If you want to use this as an opportunity to get to know other students and/or discuss the assignment with other students, definitely try to arrange a time for everyone to get together to go over the assignment you already have. Keep in mind the due date and how much time you think the assignment will take when thinking about a meeting time.

When it comes to getting everyone's available times and setting a time for everyone to meet, try using a handy scheduling tool like Doodle to make it easy on yourself. If your campus uses an online student calendar, that might be a handy tool to use for study group scheduling also.

If you want to get other students' input and perspective on the assignment, but don't necessarily need the face-to-face interaction, you can email them your questions, comments, and concerns about the assignment and ask for their feedback. This can be a good way to ease into having a study group without the pressure of coordinating a group.

If you are really unsure about what you want out of the study group, it would be appropriate to email your fellow study group-mates and let them know that you are open-minded to how the study group should function and you want to get their input in forming the group.

Remember, it's okay to let them know that this is the first study group that you have formed. Chances are that another student with more experience working with study groups will help you out. If that is not the case, check out your campus' tutoring center. Often, tutoring and study skills centers have more information about forming study group.

Really, it boils down to being clear about what goals you have for the study group and plan according to that. Good luck with your study group!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Making the most of office hours

One of the best things you can do to help yourself as a first generation or low income college student is to take advantage of professors' office hours and build a relationship with professors. Office hours are your chance outside of class to ask questions and talk to professors.

The following 4 tips can help you prepare for office hours, get the most out of them, and make a lasting impression with your professors:

Be prepared. Make a list of any questions you want to ask about and leave yourself room for notes. If you have questions about a reading or material, make a summary of what you do understand in addition to the questions you have about what you don't understand. This can be especially helpful if you are nervous about speaking with a professor.

Ask good questions. The list of questions that you bring should be thoughtful questions that you cannot find the answer to on your own. When asking questions about stuff you're confused about, start with what you do get. You might ask "I understand X, but I am confused about Y. Can you help me understand Y? What am I missing?"

Find out more. After getting your questions addressed, always ask if the professor knows of any additional resources that might be useful to you. You might say "Thank you Professor Awesome for your help with understanding Y. Could you recommend any other resources about Y to help me understand Y better?" Professors love it when students who ask for more resources because you are going above and beyond your average college student.

Not just class material. Beyond asking about readings, lectures, and assignments, use office hours to talk about current events or research related to the class material and ask questions about graduate school. It's also fair game to ask the professor about his or her own academic path.

These tips will help you do well in classes, build relationships with professors, and otherwise be a successful college student.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Change your mindset

When things aren't going 100% your way, it is pretty easy to dwell on everything that currently sucks. You know, like the phrase "when it rains, it pours." As a first generation or low income college student it can be dangerous to be so negative.

But, you might be surprised by the power of positive thinking. Instead of focusing on all the bad things, changing your mindset can benefit you in a number of ways. Here are a few things you get from staying positive, even in the face of suckiness:

You are awesome. When you choose to focus on the positive rather than the negative, it actually boost your self-esteem and reduces any lingering self-doubt that might cause you to stay in a funk.

It's a cycle. When you are negative, you actually invite negative things to happen to you. You create a self-fulfilling prophesy of suck. So, when you are positive, you invite positive things to happen to you. Wouldn't you rather create a self-fulfilling prophesy of awesome by thinking of the silver lining?Yeah, that's what I thought.

You can do it. When you stay more upbeat instead of negative, it makes you more productive. Getting things done will in turn make you want to do more things.

Making the grade. When you're more productive and happier in general, this impacts academic performance for the good. A positive mindset will make you a better student.

I hope you can change your mindset today and have a great day of academic achievement with your positive attitude. 

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Can I record lectures?

A reader writes:

"I've seen other students using recorders in lecture. Whats that all about? Can I record lectures? What would I do with the recordings and would it help me?"

Recording lectures is a great study tool for folks who learn best by hearing things or want to review the lecture later. Here are a few other things to keep in mind when you want to record lectures:

Get the OK. Double check your school's policies on recording lectures and always, always, always ask the instructor's permission first.

Get the right equipment. If you are going to buy your own recording device, get something that meets your needs and fits your budget. Also check if your campus offers any recorder check-out services before you buy one. You can also see if something you already own can do the job, like an mp3 player or laptop capable of recording; Once you have your recorder, make sure that you know how to use it well before bringing it to class to avoid any technical difficulties.

Use it wisely. Listen to recorded lectures when you are reviewing your notes and use them to fill in any blanks you may have missed the first time. It is also handy to keep track of when key topics come up in the recording and mark the time in your notes.

Recording lectures is a great study option, especially if you tend to learn things better from hearing it or feel like you are missing information during lectures. Happy recording!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

How to start a study group

I am a big fan of recommending forming study groups as a great academic tool for first generation and low income college students. Study groups give you the opportunity to really understand the class material and build relationships with your classmates. Study groups are awesome.

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But, I realize, you may not know how to go about starting a study group of your very own. So here are a few tips for you to get a study group started:

Put the word out. First, you have to let your classmates know that you are starting a study group. You can create a sign up sheet and pass it around class, talk to your friends in the class or major, post to your class' website or email listserv, make an announcement before lecture or discussion (with instructor's permission), or ask the instructor to make announcement on your behalf.

Logistics, logistics, logistics. Get available times and contact information from your study group members and set a time for everyone to meet. Arrange to reserve a room or space on campus or at a convenient local spot. Let everyone know when your first meeting will be and to bring study material like textbooks, notes, or lecture recordings. , decide on how often to meet

Get on the same page. At your first study group session, talk with your study group to agree on how often the group will meet, how the group should function, and what roles people want to take on. Roles might include leader, organizer, moderator, and notetaker. Also make sure you talk about expectations, accountability, and commitment to the study group.

Nip it in the bud. In any group setting, problems might arise like a lack of attendance, preparation, or motivation. Whenever issues like these come up, make sure to openly discuss it with the group so everyone can benefit from the study group.

Don't go it alone. Study groups are great to bounce ideas off of each other, but you may come to an impasse sometimes or may not collectively understand a particular topic. If this happens, go to the instructor when the group disagrees about course material or are all confuse. The instructor is the ultimate authority when it comes to class material.

Have a great day of academic achievement with your study group.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Don't use the "singular they" in college papers

Read this sentence: Using the resources available to them is important for any first generation or low income college student who feels they need extra support to succeed at their college.

Do you see the grammatical error in the above sentence? The grammar mistake is using them, they, and their to refer to only one person, known as the "singular they" by grammar snobs. Now, I am by no means a grammar expert, but this is something you should avoid doing in college-level work.

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The singular they is common in everyday use, especially when trying to be gender-neutral or avoiding the clunky "his or her/he or she," but that doesn't make it okay for your essays and research papers. Instead, tweak your sentence to use a plural or "his or her/he or she" to make your sentence grammatically correct with better flow.

Tweaking the sentence above, "Using the resources available to first generation or low income college students who feel they need extra support to succeed at their college is important" or "Using the resources available to a first generation or low income college student who feels he or she needs extra support to succeed at his or her college is important" might be better options. Getting rid of any singular they in your writing is something you should look for when proofreading.

Some professors will be sticklers for this type of thing and others won't care. Either way, you should get into the habit of avoiding the singular they in college-level work.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

5 ways to prepare for a class

Before the start of a new semester or quarter, it great way to help put you on the right track is to prepare for your classes. And when I say prepare for a class, I mean more than just get your textbooks and a new notebook. Here are 5 tips to help you prepare for a class.

Google it. Do an online search for the class title, professor, and textbook to see what comes up. Search your school's website too. You might find a course website, old practice exams, sample quizzes, reviews, or other information that can help you do well in the class.

Go to the library. Check out the library reserves for old course material and textbooks. Again, you are looking for materials or information that can help you do well in the class.

Ask for it. Email your professors to ask for the syllabus, or a rough course outline if that isn't available yet. You can review the syllabus to get an idea of what to expect for each class.This can be especially helpful if you think a class is going to be particularly difficult for you.

Review the textbook. Getting familiar with the layout, tone, and style of the textbook can help you figure out how to plan out the readings and what's in store for the semester or quarter.

Ask around. Talk to your friends and classmates to see if anyone has taken the class already. Ask them for any insight or advice about the class. You might learn some insider tips.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

3 tips for surviving finals

The end of the semester or quarter is here, and that means that finals are here for all the first generation and low income college students out there.

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Here are 3 tips to help you survive and thrive during finals week: 

Get your grub on. Eating right sets you and your body up for a great finals week, so make sure to stick with fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins like chicken breast or tofu. Check out MIT Medical's handy list of brain food for exams to help you make healthy choices.

Hydrate yourself. You will feel much better if you drink plenty of water. If you want something other than water, choose juice instead of tea or soda. Also, avoid coffee and alcohol. Yeah, I said no coffee... stick to decaf if you just like the taste. see the next tip if you're unconvinced...

Hit the hay. One of the best ways you can keep yourself at your best is to get some sleep. This means no all-nighters and take a nap every now and then.

These tips will help keep you healthy, alert, and ready for the week so that you can have a great week of academic achievement.

Oh, and while you're at it, here are a few other blogs and shameless self promotion with other pieces of wisdom to help you have a successful finals week:

• Hack College: Survive your finals hell weeks
• Grades Blog: How to get through finals
• Ask an Advisor: 6 steps to get ready for a test
• Ask an Advisor: Just say no to cramming
• Ask an Advisor: Dealing with stress
• Ask an Advisor: Boosting your self-esteem
• Ask an Advisor: More ways to boost your self-esteem

Good luck on finals!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Using to-do lists

Getting everything done when you need to finish a bunch of stuff can seem crazy for some first generation or low income college students. It can even feel downright overwhelming as finals are fast approaching.

But one of the easiest ways you can juggle all that you need to juggle is to keep track of it all by using to-do lists. A good to-do list will help you figure out your priorities, keep track of what you've accomplished, and help you plan out your day.

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When making a to-to list, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

Be specific. Provide yourself with details, like instead of saying "Go to office hours" put down "Go to Psych 101 office hours to ask questions about midterm" on your to-do list. Do yourself a favor by laying it out.

Break down larger tasks in smaller steps. For the big tasks you have on your plate, always think of them as a bunch of little tasks. "Write 10-page research paper" is easier when you break it down to "Write 1-page intro," "Research sources at library," "Write 8-page body," "Write 1-page conclusion," and "Finish reference page." Things will be less scary if you take it one step at a time.

Prioritize tasks and set deadlines. Make sure you know what is most important, when it needs to be finished, and plan to get that done first. You can use numbers, ranks, pluses and minuses, smiley faces, or whatever to note what you need to accomplish first. This is definitely where paying attention to details will come in handy.

If you really want to write a killer to-do list, check out 43 Folders' Building a smarter to-do list. As you craft your to-do lists, have a productive day of academic achievement.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Do I have a right to get an extension?

A reader writes:

"I have a 10 page paper due for my composition class this Friday. I planned to work on it over Thanksgiving and the weekend, but my grandfather passed away this morning. My family knew he had a few days to live, so all week I have not been able to focus on writing my paper. 

Because my grandfather passed away, do I have a right to ask my professor if I can have a day or two of extended time to hand in my paper? Or will I not have any rights in asking that?"

I'm sorry that you lost your grandfather. I know it is difficult losing someone in your family.

Now, do you have a right to an extension? As a first generation or low income college student, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities as a college student. In this case, it will probably depend on the individual professor as well as the rules and regulations at your school. Chances are you can absolutely ask for an extension, but it is totally up to the professor whether or not you are granted an extension.

But if you don't ask, you won't get it. There is no harm in asking for an extension, you probably just don't have an express right to be given one. So be prepared not to be given an extension and take the consequences of that like an adult.

Also, if you are having an understandably difficult time concentrating after the death of a loved one, I would suggest visiting the counseling center at your college. This has two main advantages. One, you can get some support to help you grieve this loss. Two, It can help your case when asking for that extension.

One more caution, be aware that having a grandparent die is one of the most common lies that college students tell professors when asking for an extension. It boils down to being prepared to prove you did in fact lose a grandparent. Harsh, but sometimes required because of all the liars and cheaters that came before you. Good luck.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Just say no to cheating

When I worked at my alma mater as an advisor, I had a first generation college student who was almost kicked out of college for plagiarism when he choose to copy and paste part of a paper from the internet.

Unfortunately, I know this student is not the only one to resort to cheating in college. I knew a few folks who would cheat on tests by copying off of other students without their knowledge. I once knew someone who let her boyfriend take a midterm for her. No matter how it is done, cheating is cheating.

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People are even out there making money off of cheating college students. I recently read a confessional from a guy who writes college papers for others for a living. And he's not the only one out there. I also found this guy and an interview he did. Scary stuff, but sadly not surprising...

So what does this all mean? Easy, cheating is bad. You can avoid getting to the point of even considering cheating by sticking to a plan and dealing with stress as things happen.

Remember, ignorance is never a defense for cheating; it is your responsibility to make sure your academic work has integrity. Just say know to cheating!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Just say no to cramming

Tons of first generation and low income college students attempt to study by cramming and pulling all-nighters. Um, both of these are really, really bad ideas.

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CRAMMING DOES NOT WORK! The main reason that cramming and all-night study sessions don't work is that you're not giving your brain the time it needs to process the information you're trying to remember. Cramming only commits information to your short-term memory.

If you're at the point of cramming as a study method, you're already starting from behind. Might this be due to a little procrastination? Following a regular study plan is a much better way to go to have a great day of academic achievement.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it. 

Memory dump

You've stuck to a study plan and you're prepared for the test... now what? As a first generation or low income college student when you walk into that test all ready to lay the smackdown on it, doing a memory dump is an effective test-taking strategy to get the test started right.

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Um, what's a memory dump, you ask? A memory dump is when you start off the test by taking a few minutes to quickly write down everything you can remember, things like dates, formulas, names, or facts. Use a piece of scrap paper, the margins, or the back of the test to write everything down.

After this initial memory dump, scan the test and do another memory dump based on what your scan makes you think of. Now that you have dumped your memory twice, you are ready to begin the test with confidence.

This test-taking strategy works really well for multiple choice and short-answer tests, as well as history or vocabulary-based tests. Have a great day of academic achievement as you dump your memory.

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

Measure twice, cut once

I am feeling much better after a brief stint in the hospital during which I had the genius idea to expand the Ask an Advisor empire! So I ditched the blogspot url, ponied up for a domain of my very own (woo hoo, http://www.askanadvisor.org!!!), and decided to start consulting... and I have two clients already!

For one project, I'm working on an awesome campaign to promote first generation college student pride at my alma mater. First, I'm helping with the marketing materials for the campaign and got to work designing this graphic:

I was in love with this graphic, I was so excited to be a part of this project, I was ridiculously thrilled with my handiwork... Then I reviewed the specifications and was crushed, just utterly heartbroken. As awesome as I thought this graphic was, I couldn't get it to fit the specifications without looking like hell. Then I got really angry with myself for not starting with the specifications and going from there...

The moral of the story? Before tackling assignments, always, always, always read the specifications, grading rubric, guidelines, syllabus, or whatever first. In construction, there is the saying, "Measure twice, cut once." Basically, this means know exactly what you need to do and have a plan before you get started.

Reviewing the specifications given to me before putting time into designing a graphic I can't use now would have saved me a lot of time, energy, and heartache...

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.

6 steps to get ready for a test

Midterms, oh how you can make first generation and low income college students quake in their boots (or other fashionable footwear of choice).Why? Because midterms can bring up feelings of fear, stress, and anxiety--especially if you are feeling under-prepared for the upcoming test.

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But don't be scared of your midterms! Preparation is the key to walking into class and laying the smackdown on a midterm. How do you prepare for a test? Easy, you follow these 6 steps:

1. Figure out the format. Because you've been going to class, visiting your professors in office hours, and following a sound study plan all semester, you already know what format the test will be, right?. If you don't, refer to the syllabus first or ask your professor if it's not in the syllabus. Is it multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blank, essay, in class, take home, open-book? Figure it out!

2. Review everything. Go over your notes with a fine-tooth comb and make additional notes or highlight the really important stuff. Look back at the assigned readings to see if anything pops out for you.

3. Identify your weaknesses. Don't spend time reviewing material you are comfortable with, instead focus on the areas where you aren't as solid.

4. Revisit the past. If available, check out the department or library reserves for previous tests from the class. Use the older tests to better acquaint yourself with the material and format of the test. If old tests are not available, create your own test. If you are in a study group or tutoring, work with your group or tutor on this.

5. Practice makes you better. Now that you've got those old tests or do-it-yourself practice test, take them! Create a similar environment and go through the motions of taking the test. For example, sit at a desk, set an alarm, and take the practice test from start to finish just as you would on test day.

6. Make your own study guide. After reviewing your notes and and taking your practice tests, summarize the highlights on a single sheet as your own study guide.

Now go forth, study well, and have a great day of academic achievement!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it. 

Pay attention to deadlines

From when you can register for classes to the last day of final exams, there are all kinds of dates and deadlines you need to be aware of as a first generation or low income college student. And those deadlines matter!

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Knowing about and meeting deadlines is vital to your success as a first generation or low income college student. Here are 4 tips to keep those looming deadlines fresh in your mind:

Map it out. At the beginning of every semester, create a master calendar for yourself with both campus deadlines and assignment deadlines for each class. 

Lie to yourself a little. On your master calendar, consider setting deadlines a day or two before the actual deadline as extra insurance that you meet those deadlines, especially if you tend to procrastinate.

Be aware of the consequences. While you are plotting out your master calendar, make sure you know what will happen if you miss a deadline. Missing a deadline can cost you time and money or even impact your grades.

Remind yourself. If you use an online or electronic calendar like Google Calendar or iCalendar, set email or text message reminders for important deadlines. 

Now, stay you on your game, meet those deadlines, and have a great day of academic achievement. 

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it. 

6 steps to efficient proofreading

Another expectation you may or may not be aware of as a first generation college student is that any written work that you turn in for a class in college is expected to be free of any grammatical or spelling errors. It is expected to be your very best work, so only relying on good ol' (or bad ol') spellchecker is a surefire way not to present your best work. Spellchecker is not your friend!
 
When it comes to the last steps of the writing process, you cannot put all your faith in a machine to do your very human task of proofreading and final editing. Spellchecker will tell you that principle and principal are spelled correctly, but which one did you intend to use? Same thing goes for their, there, and they're, compliment and complement, two, to, and too, its and it's, and so on. 

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You may fear the evil red pen used to correct your papers in the past. You might assume your paper will look like it's hemorrhaging with all of the red marks on it. Regardless of how you feel about it, you can avoid being screwed over by spellchecker dependency by following these 6 steps to efficient proofreading: 

1. Print out your paper. People tend to notice things more when reading a hard copy, so don't just sit and stare at your monitor. 

2. Read it aloud.  Don't just read it, say it and pay attention. Does something sound off or doesn't flow just right? Hearing yourself can help you figure these things out far better than a cold reading. 

3. Begin at the end. Go sentence by sentence from the end of your paper and work your way to the start. Reading it backwards will keep your mind from assuming you know what's on the printed page.

4. Share your work. Ask someone you trust, someone who will be honest with you, to read it to see if he or she can pick out any mistakes. Better yet, get a few folks to look at it. You might even be spellchecker buddies with a friend, where you both help proofread the other person's work.

5. Take it to a pro. If your campus has a writing or tutoring center, have your paper reviewed by someone there. And don't forget to actually follow their advice.

6. Wash, rinse, repeat. Now that you've gone through the above steps, do them all again after you've made any changes to make sure your changes were for the better.

These 6 steps will help ensure that you are turning in your very best work!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.