Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day!

February 14th is not just Valentine's Day, it is also Anna Howard Shaw Day. This day honors the leader of the US women's suffrage movement and first female Methodist minister. Some feminists even celebrate Anna Howard Shaw Day as an alternative to Valentine's Day.

Anna Howard Shaw Day gained some attention last year when an episode of 30 Rock not only mentioned it but was named after it.

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Why should you care about Anna Howard Shaw Day? Because as a first generation or low income college student, it is important to learn about yourself and others. This includes learning about holidays and events that you don't celebrate yourself. You might just find a new tradition to embrace.

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.

Photo credit: http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/

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.