Academic Success WorkshopAcademic Success Workshop

Steps to Academic SuccessSteps to Academic Success

The Learning CenterThe Learning CenterCalifornia State University FresnoCalifornia State University FresnoCalifornia State University, FresnoCalifornia State University, Fresno

Courtesy of: The Learning Center at California State University, Fresno

ObjectivesObjectivesObjectivesObjectives

Become familiar with college expectationsBecome familiar with college expectationsBecome familiar with college expectations.Become familiar with college expectations.Understand classroom etiquette.Understand classroom etiquette.U d d h f d i U d d h f d i Understand the steps for academic successUnderstand the steps for academic successLearn how to interact with professors.Learn how to interact with professors.Discuss the importance of developing peer Discuss the importance of developing peer groups.groups.g pg pUnderstand the importance of academic Understand the importance of academic reputationreputationreputation.reputation.

What to ExpectWhat to ExpectWhat to ExpectWhat to Expect

oo Varying Class Sizes & Types:Varying Class Sizes & Types:oo Varying Class Sizes & Types:Varying Class Sizes & Types:oo 100+ lecture 100+ lecture

15+ seminar course15+ seminar courseoo 15+ seminar course15+ seminar courseoo 5+ discussion 5+ discussion

25+ l b 25+ l b oo 25+ lab course25+ lab course

oo A lot of reading, and a lot of writing!A lot of reading, and a lot of writing!oo ASW ASW –– MLA/APA FormatMLA/APA Format

Classroom EtiquetteClassroom EtiquetteClassroom EtiquetteClassroom Etiquette

Come to class prepared to discussCome to class prepared to discussCome to class prepared to discussCome to class prepared to discussLaptop users: Laptop users: Don’tDon’t surf the web during classsurf the web during classT h ff d i lT h ff d i lTurn your phone off during classTurn your phone off during class

No textingNo texting

Contribute to the discussionContribute to the discussionAsk questionsAsk questionsqq

Academic ReputationAcademic ReputationAcademic ReputationAcademic Reputation“80% of success is showing up.” “80% of success is showing up.”

W d AllW d All-- Woody AllenWoody AllenAcademic reputation, like any reputation, will Academic reputation, like any reputation, will

f ll h f ll h follow you wherever you go. follow you wherever you go. Get good grades, a high G.P.A speaks volumes Get good grades, a high G.P.A speaks volumes

b d k hb d k habout you and your work ethic. about you and your work ethic. Interact with your professors (they may write Interact with your professors (they may write

l f d i l ) l f d i l )great letters of recommendation later on).great letters of recommendation later on).Get involved with campus activities. Athletic, Get involved with campus activities. Athletic, d i lt l t l t ki l d i lt l t l t ki l academic, or cultural events are always taking place academic, or cultural events are always taking place

and you never know who you might meet there. and you never know who you might meet there.

Steps to SuccessSteps to SuccessSteps to SuccessSteps to Success

Attend classAttend class Learn good textbook Learn good textbook Be organizedBe organizedBudget your time wellBudget your time well

ggreading skills reading skills

ASW ASW –– Textbook Textbook TacticsTacticsg yg y

ASW ASW –– Strategic Time Strategic Time ManagementManagement

T t h l if it T t h l if it

TacticsTacticsStudy smarter, not Study smarter, not harderharderTreat each class as if it Treat each class as if it

were a jobwere a jobTake good notesTake good notes

Learn how to take Learn how to take examsexamsTake good notesTake good notes

ASW ASW –– The Exam The Exam Game PlanGame Plan

Learn how to relaxLearn how to relaxLearn how to relaxLearn how to relaxASW ASW –– The Art of The Art of RelaxationRelaxation

Interacting with ProfessorsInteracting with ProfessorsInteracting with ProfessorsInteracting with Professors

Utilize office hours, posted on the syllabusUtilize office hours, posted on the syllabusUtilize office hours, posted on the syllabusUtilize office hours, posted on the syllabusMost professors will tell you if they prefer to be Most professors will tell you if they prefer to be contacted via phone or email contacted via phone or email –– make a note on make a note on the syllabus for future referencethe syllabus for future reference

Read professor’s bio, if it is availableRead professor’s bio, if it is availableAddress professor with formal title (Dr. ___)Address professor with formal title (Dr. ___)Don’t hesitate to contact your professor if Don’t hesitate to contact your professor if y py pyou need additional assistance or are you need additional assistance or are concerned about your performance in classconcerned about your performance in class

Developing Peer GroupsDeveloping Peer GroupsDeveloping Peer GroupsDeveloping Peer Groups

Peer groups are an extended support network Peer groups are an extended support network Peer groups are an extended support network Peer groups are an extended support network that can help you during the academic year:that can help you during the academic year:

Get to know peers in your class Get to know peers in your class Get to know peers in your class. Get to know peers in your class. Set up study groups or compare notes.Set up study groups or compare notes.

B i l d i t d B i l d i t d Be involved in events around campus:Be involved in events around campus:Look at the university’s calendar of eventsLook at the university’s calendar of events

l d f h l hl d f h l hCommunity involvement is good for scholarship Community involvement is good for scholarship applications and résumésapplications and résumés