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Getting the most out of UAS

Compiled by Janelle Rahyns, ACUHO/UAS Graduate Intern

Be a Professional Student

College is great preparation for students who will eventually have professional careers. Students who invest time and attention to their studies will be more prepared for professional work.

• ALWAYS attend class lecture, be attentive
• Prepare before class by reviewing the topics to be discussed
• Sit in the front of class, ask questions, and participate in discussions
• Visit professors during their office hours
• Form study groups with other students
• Be curious and have a desire to learn

Use Good Time Management Techniques

Learning time management skills may be the number one problem first year students encounter when they come to college. Here are some suggestions to increase your success at UAS:

• Learn when to say “No. ”
• Use your class time well—attend, listen, and take notes
• Begin papers and other projects long before they are due
• Use time between classes to review, bring notes up-to-date, or read
• Break down assignments into do-able chunks
• Know your best time of day. Are you a morning or evening person?

Stay Healthy Emotionally and Physically

College can become stressful at times. Make sure that you have a well-balanced schedule, making time for class work and free time.

• Touch base with your support system at least weekly—family and friends
• Don’t procrastinate with assignments. It will cause undue stress and anxiety
• Sleep. 8 hours gives your body enough time to rest and recuperate
• Eat right. Make sure that you are getting enough vitamins and nutrients
• Exercise often. Physical activity is a great way to relieve stress
• Use UAS counseling resources to help with emotional health

Take Advantage of University Academic/Social Resources

• Make good use of the SRC and the advisors available there
• Participate in UAS Clubs & Activities: A great way to meet other students and have fun
• Study abroad at a different university through the Exchange Program. Visit the Academic Exchanges Web site.

Take Advantage of Juneau, Alaska

• Use discount passes through Student Government for Juneau activities.
• Participate in the community: Mendenhall Glacier, JAHC movie series, Barn Dances, Contra Dances, Forest Service cabin rentals, Forest Service Friday night programs, skateboard park, bowling, City Museum, Alaska State Museum, Cope Park, Twin Lakes, Shrine of St. Terese, Mendenhall Wetlands hike, False Outer Point Trail, Sandy Beach hike, Basin Road to Gold Creek hike, Lena Beach or Auke Recreational picnic areas.
• Volunteer your time—Helping Hands, Glory Hole, Southeast Food Bank, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, or for elementary school tutors for literacy.

Balance your Reading and Writing

An area that takes students by surprise when they begin their college careers is the amount of required reading and writing. Here is some advice on how to handle the reading load.

Reading Tips

• Preview the reading assignment—look at headings, read the introduction and summary, and ask questions all before you begin reading.
• Talk to yourself—after each section of reading material, orally summarize the main idea of that section of reading.
• Note important vocabulary—look for bold print, italics, and definitions
• Take notes in the margins—look for causes and effects, lists of ideas, controversy, persuasion, comparison and contrast, unclear ideas, important theories
• Use the textbook fully—check out the glossary, table of contents, study and discussion questions.
• Most critical point—allow the time needed to fully read assigned material. Full-time college attendance is a full-time job of 40 plus hours per week. A good amount of that time will be spent reading.

Writing Tips

Here are some writing tips suggested by Adjunct Professor Dr. Alexis Easley on how to write a good paper:

• Understand your audience. When the professor distributes the assignment sheet for a paper, study it carefully. What are the length requirements for the paper? Is research required? If so, how many sources are needed? What documentation style does the professor require (e.g., MLA, APA)? Does the professor have any other specific expectations? If you don’t understand the assignment sheet, make an appointment to discuss it with the professor and/or review it with a tutor in the Learning Center.
• Ask the professor for a sample paper. Most professors keep copies of “A” papers and would be happy to share a copy with you. This sample paper will provide a vivid example of what to do and not to do in your paper.
• Review a draft your paper with the professor. Most professors will be happy to have a quick look at your paper and to point you in the right direction. Tutors in the Learning Center can also provide valuable feedback as you revise your paper.

Preparing for Math Courses

UAS math professor Ron Seater offers these hints for success in math classes:

• Attend class and read ahead in the textbook. If you read ahead, the material that sounded like Latin may start to shift into focus during the next class session. If it doesn’t, you will be able to ask those questions that will help with the homework.
• During class, make the instructor instruct. Get involved in the progress of class and ask questions to stimulate your brain cells.
• Do your assigned homework after each class. DO NOT try to finish your homework during class while the instructor is explaining work on the board. Instead be prepared to clear up fuzzy spots for those problems that gave you difficulty. This will help you to prepare for the next test.
• Review the previously studied material each week. Look at the prior review tests and see how the pieces all fit together. Believe it or not, they really do.
• The homework is selected to help you practice and review the problems and the important math concepts. But math homework is like a chocolate sampler. Sometimes there just aren’t enough in the box to satisfy the need for understanding an idea clearly. The solution to that dilemma is more chocolates and more problems. If you are shaky in a certain area, do more problems until you feel comfortable with the material.
• Contrary to popular opinion, the challenge of becoming successful in the study of mathematics can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor. Hopefully this guide will help on the journey and the discovery will become yours and the results will be worth your effort.

Preparing For the First Day of Class

• Be sure to read the course syllabus that you receive early in the course. Prepare any questions you might have for the next class session your professors will expect that you have read the syllabus and may not spend much time in class on it. This document contains important information; keep it in a place where you can easily find it. If you lose a syllabus, ask for another. Many professors post their course syllabi on UAS Online.
• Check with the professor about eating and drinking in class. Sometimes the appropriateness of eating or drinking during class will be addressed in the course syllabus, and it will vary from class to class.
• Talking in class can be a problem if it is done while someone else is addressing the class. Asking questions, participating in discussions, asking a neighbor a quiet and quick question, and responding to the instructor’s comments are all good form. In contrast, chatting with a classmate during class is a problem in the UAS Student Handbook; it is disruptive and rude.
• Turn off your cell phone before entering the classroom. If you need or wish to use a laptop, clear it with the professor first. Taking notes on class information is one thing; checking your email during a lecture is bad form and distracting.
• Be on time and stay for the duration of a class period. If you must leave early with good cause, it doesn’t hurt to let the professor know before class begins.
• If you must miss class, let the professor know ahead of time, if possible. Save the allowed absences for emergencies. Check the course syllabus for attendance policies as these may vary from class to class.
• Be there for the course exams during the semester and during finals week. Your course syllabus should have the dates for these important events listed.
• The most important expectation that instructors have is for you to enjoy the class. Be an engaged student and you will do well and learn from the class.

Tips on Managing Your Time

Time Management Tips

How do you spend your time? Think of your daily activities: how do you decide what to do first? These tips can help you successfully manage your time at UAS, which will ensure academic success and leave room for fun! The key to time management is being aware of what your tasks and activities are. The next step is prioritizing your activities to ensure that the most important, urgent things are completed first. Here is an example that shows how to effectively categorize your activities:

• Spend time on important things before they become urgent.
• Don’t be ruled by urgency. Never avoid important work because of merely urgent tasks.
• Do important things early. Waiting until tasks become urgent only increases your stress level.