Pointers for Academic Success

The following pointers have been proven to contribute to academic success in college.  Read them carefully and apply them throughout your time at Coffeyville Community College.  With use, they will become habits, the kind that carry over into everything you do in life. 

1.     Organization and Time Management – Get organized! Read and periodically refer to the syllabus that was distributed at the beginning of the class.  Also use a daily or weekly planner/student handbook to remind yourself of work to be completed. 

2.   Read Assignments in Advance – Read assignments before the class meets.  Reading the chapter summaries first will familiarize you with what the chapter is about.  As you read, list questions about confusing material so that you can ask for clarification during class.  Remember that usually if you have a question about something you do not understand, more than likely other people in the class are also confused. 

3.  Class Attendance – Go to class!  College provides more free time than high school, making it more tempting to miss classes every once in awhile.  But nothing can replace the learning that can occur in the classroom.  Develop the good habit of being present in class and participate; be an active contributor to your education.

4.  Take Good Notes – Learn good note-taking skills: listen for the main points that an instructor emphasizes during class, pay attention to what an instructor copies on the board, summarize class discussions, use the margins to add your own thoughts about the subject.  After class, rewrite and review your notes, identifying the key concepts, so you can understand how everything is cohesive. 

5.  Develop Exam Strategies – Find out as much as possible about the type of exam that you are going to be taking.  Concentrate on the material that you are unsure of or confused about when studying.  During the exam answer the questions you are confident about first then return to the questions you are unsure about.  Try to eliminate some of the choices and then make your best educated guess.

6.  Review – Take a few minutes to review class notes on a daily basis.  This emphasizes long-term learning rather than having to relearn everything before an exam.  This process also assists in eliminating test anxiety because you avoid cramming for a test and come prepared for the test instead. 

7.  Develop Your Writing Skills – Make sure you understand what your instructor has specified as the guidelines for the paper.  Develop an outline if this is useful.  Also ask someone to proofread one of your rough drafts so that you can make any necessary revisions.  If you do not wait till the last minute, often times instructors are willing to review your rough draft and make suggestions. 

8.  Get to Know Your Instructors – Visit them periodically during their office hours.  Office hours are intended to assist you in getting to know your instructors.  Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification during or after class and don’t be afraid to find out from your instructor how you are doing in class. 

9.  Work Together – Create a study group with classmates.  Not only is it a great way to reinforce what you are learning in class, but it can also be a support system when things get difficult for you. 

10.  Visit Your Academic Advisor – Your advisor is there to support you – help you celebrate your successes, answer your questions, and be your advocate.