Quiet Study Area

Upon graduating I got a job at a small business college working in student support. I worked with students who were having issues with things like grades, financial aid, scheduling, etc.  Here are some tips for surviving college when things are not going your way. 1. Keep a paper trail. This means don’t throw away your homework, your tests, etc. Keep them in a folder. You can throw away the folder (if you want) when the class is over and the grades are in a book. 2. Keep your emails. In fact if it’s an important one, you may want to print it out and put it in the folder from step one. Also be aware that even when you are frustrated, act in a professional manner. Most of the time you are working with people who will be the people who help you. Screaming and calling names to the person who is going to help you is not a great way to start the process. 3. Know the syllabus. A syllabus is similar to a contract with you and the professor. It shows you exactly what to expect. It is the most important part of paperwork you receive in each class. It is the road map to good grades. Also if you have a problem with a professor, the first thing the college will look at is the syllabus. 4. Follow up, and get it in writing. Realize that people in the school’s office are people and they do (unfortunately) make mistakes. If a school employee says they will do something for you, don’t take them at their word. This does not mean call them a liar, but instead follow-up or ask for proof (have them copy you on an email for example) so you KNOW without a doubt that whatever they promised to do was actually done.  So follow-up with the school if they do not alert you that a certain task has been done. If you are told this over the phone, ask for the person’s name, and ask then to send you this information in an email so you have it in writing. This is your future we’re talking about, so be nice, but get it in writing. 5. Register Early One of the ways you can help the school is to register for your classes as early as possible. This helps ensures you get the classes you want, and helps the staff (as one of the reason mistakes are made is they get swamped two days before the registration deadline). 6. Get Your Road Map Your degree or program should have some sort of listing of all the classes you will be taking to graduate. Make sure you have one, and mark off the classes as you take them. When you first start this process it is depressing as it seems you have so far to go. As you move through your degree, you will start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It keeps you motivated. It will also help you when it comes time to schedule classes as you know which classes you need. Thanks to Curtis Donelson of Iowa State University for his donation to help support the show. Music on This Episode Rob Cotlow “I do” Cambridge Guitar Orchestra “Reverie” Comfortable “Snow” Deep Sea Dust “Autumn Strings” Mark Heimonen “celebration” Support This Show Doing some online shopping? Go to www.supportthisshow.com and click the links and we get small commission (sites like amazon.com and more also coupons to help you save).

Today I talk about a great quote: “Having more than two priorities is like saying you have more than two arms. You are either crazy or you are lying.” As I have now graduated, one of the main things I learned is that you need to keep school your top priority. When I didn’t (I kept thinking I would get caught up tomorrow) I got so far behind that I couldn’t get caught up and I ended up failing the class. I never thought I could get an F, but this was true.  Not only did this shock me, but it also cost me money (as I got to take the class again) and it cost me time (I graduated six months later as they don’t offer the class every semester).  In stead of graduating in the fall of 2008, I graduated in the Spring of 2009 (when the economy was even worse). Keep the big picture in mind.  Keep your education, your life, as a top priority. School will be over sooner than you think. Then you can go back to “having fun” or whatever you are neglecting to handle your studies. MUSIC ON THIS EPISODE Mario Ajero Moonlight Sonata http://marioajero.blogspot.com/ Ron Maryann Sfarzo America Our Country Piano Solo http://sfarzoproductions.com/ Michael Muklow – Guitar Percussion “Love’s Way” http://www.michaelmucklow.com/ Josh Woodward – Guitar http://www.joshwoodward.com/ Of Dark Rooms and Candles Anthony Burbidge http://www.anthonyburbidge.com/ The First Light – piano

Welcome to show #12 If you plan on taking online classes thinking its going to be easier (I did), be warned they are not. In my case they are more work. They also require the following: Self-discipline. If you are use to the teacher reminding you, thats not going to happen. It is up to YOU now to make yourself study, do the homework, and read the mountains of material, and watch the hours of videos. Organization You need to write down those important dates. You need to login every day and contribute to the class. Also keep in mind its not a “learn at your own pace” type if situation. There is a pace, its just that you are your own coach. MUSIC 1:45 Mark Heimonen -Tranquility 4:50 Jim Richmond -Romantic Escape 6:30 Marco Raaphost – Blowing Snow 9:32 Serena Matthews – Wind Falling 11:10 Jon Scmidt – Winter Wind X 15:26 Mario Ajero – Moonlight Paino Sonata No2 mvt Ludwig Van Beethoven. X 21:52 Taking Online Classes – Tips HOLIDAY SHOPPING? USE www.supporthisshow.com THANKS (a portion of the sale goes to me – amazon.com and many more).

When you start a new grading period, you have straight A’s. Its only till you blow that first test that you go “Now I have a C.” The instructor gives you a sylabis. This tells you exactly what is coming and when. What yopu need to do is take out yur daytimer (or get one), and wrtie down important dates like tests, and paper due dates, etc. Then go back on your calendar and write down things like “study for Math Exam” a week before the exam. By taking the time ti write this down, it allows you to plan for the class (and for your life). It does take some time to do this, but it is worth it. You will never lose points because you didn’t know something was due. Music Timeline 1:01 Ann Davis Elevator Music – BUY CD 2:33 Julie Melton Serenity BUY CD 6:00 Sonic Deviant Peache’s Lullaby http://www.sonicdeviant.com/ 12:40 Colie Brice: Contemplative Thoughts http://aeriaentertainment.com/ 15:52 Jackit Patrick Beautiful You http://myspace.com/jakit 19:21 Michael Mucklow UniVerse BUY CD Buying something online ? Support the show at www.supportthisshow.com where a portion of your shopping total goes back to the host (Amazon, iTunes and more).

As a teacher of 15 years, the one thing you want in the classroom is a willing student. I’m amazing as I now sit in the classroom and I see a teacher ask a question and NOBODY raises their hand. These are called “class participation” points and they are easy, and come in handy when your grade is “on the fence.” Teachers also like to see the information they are providing making it into your brain. If you are asked to write a paper, be sure to work any vocabulary words you have picked up in the grading period and use them in the paper. The teacher will see you are learning, and this will make them feel good. Show up to class on time, and apologize if you’re late. This is good old fashioned respect for the teacher. Who doesn’t appreciate being respected? Keep in mind this person has control of your grade. MUSIC from the Podsafe Music Network (http://music.podshow.com ) 1:08 Acoustic Guitar – 2006 Plastic Soul 2:55 Brian Drotar Melodic Memory 6:19 Brian Turner Love 10:27 Incidental Fusion – The Journey 14:40 Jim Fidler On Waterford River 18:07 Rob Costlow I Do Check out More Shows From Dave at www.personalpodcastcoach.com

In today’s show I continue my talk about procrastination. Its not enough to break things down into small bits. You need to put them on a timeline so you can tell if you are on schedule or not. Music Timeline: 1:00 “Tides” from  Butler and Borden BUY CD 5:16 King Never  brought us “The Quiet Hour” -  Website 11:43 “Love Piano V2” From AjT WEBSITE 13:22 “NaSoPiAlMo No. 6” From Eponymous 4 WEBSITE 18:39 Romance from Drew  Vics WEBSITE

We are trying something new this week. Instead of having the study tips first, we have put them at the end of the show. This week’s tips deals with the “Giant Writing Project.” It seems like we put if off. Then we have to cram, and kill ourselves to make our deadlines (while our grades suffer). I’ve got some tips on how to break down that giant project into a solution that you can tackle. Music Timeline 00:01:03 Ryo Sode – Yosemite 00:03:07 Mario Ajero – Pathetique Sonata in C Minor II 00:07:45 Sonic Deviant – Peach’s Lullaby 00:14:30 Marty Buttwinick – Sleeping – Julia Nonets 00:15:54 Mark Heimonen – Tranquility 00:19:08 Dave_Lambert_Band-Berwick Road.mp3 My HUGE  apologies to the musicians for not mentioning their names on the show. Will mention in the next show. The music is from the Podsafe Music Network. Check it out at http://music.podshow.com Bored? Help a starving college kid out at www.supportthisshow.com

Here are some tips for reading textbooks. It is a four step process: Surveying the chapter and prepare for learning more. To survey a chapter, read the title, introduction, headings, and the summary or conclusion. You need to have questions in your mind as you read. Questions give you a purpose for reading and help you stay focused on the reading assignment It helps keep you focused. As you read look for the answers you previously created. Write down your questions and your answers. It sounds like a lot of work, but you will retain much more information. Music Timeline 1:51 Rob Van Denberg Heroes 5:09 David Howard Midnight Wednesday BUY CD 8:44 Jenifer Avalon Formosa 12:30 Barry McCabe Arthur dedicated to Arthur Conley BUY CD 15:15 Anne Davis Elevator Music Buy CD 16:50 Rob Costlow Meant to Be Buy The CD

Today Dave discusses some techniques to make sure your notes are a tool you can use to boost your test scores. Music 2:47 Michael Muklow -Loves Way – Buy CD 7:20 Lee Maddeford – Memories 10:13 Mark Heimonen – Melancholy 14:19 Mattijis Hollemans – Before We Sleep 17:30 Cello Journey – Elegy 23:43 Jordan Yaruss – A Final Thought

In this episode I talk about Test Anxiety today, and some steps to overcome it. The key is to NOT panic, trust yourself, and look for triggers. The key to helping your brain is to RELAX. MUSIC 03:06 Paul J. Garay – Downtempo demo 04:34 Denis Kitchen – MyFriend 06:30 Adhesion-Chopin is dead 12:27 Carlos Tabora – Remember When BUY CD at CDBaby.com 15:00 Martin Herzberg – Walk for Change BUY CD AT CDBaby.com 18:24 Michael Mucklow – Joy Buy the CD at CDbaby.com