Week 3 Journal PSYC 1300-004

I'm coming to y'all from MEXICO!

This week, let’s discuss how we learn, what works, and what does not work. I believe myself to be an effective learner. I know what works for me, and I understand that the way I learn may not be effective for everyone else. I’m hoping today that I can perhaps give you some ideas to become a more effective student.

Regardless of the type of material I am attempting to learn, I always utilize four particular learning strategies: flashcards, specific note taking, reading aloud, and outlining.

Let me tell you, flashcards are truly a wonderful tool, more useful that just plain writing things down and it is easier to quiz yourself as well. Flashcards work well in all types of courses- ones where you need to understand the material as well as apply the material.

Specific note taking is a very useful tool to utilize, it basically means taking your notes and organizing them in a specific ways. What I like to do is use different markers to signify different things, and highlight definitions. This strategy is used both in class and while outlining my work at home. As discussed in week 1, I also color code basically everything as well.

Finally, I will read the chapter once to myself, then go back through and outline what seems to be the most important. It’s important to read the chapter once to distinguish what material is “fluff.” After I finish my outline, I will then read the chapter aloud. Sometimes reading aloud is useful because you tend to read more slowly, and it is easy to pick out more details that you may have missed the first few times.

For courses such as mathematics, if I am having trouble understanding a concept, I will use a website called “Khan Academy,” which has useful videos and instructional content that is very, very useful, AND FREE!

As stated above, I know everyone learns material differently, this is what works for me, and hopefully it can work for you as well. I also think it is important to point out that if there are tutoring services made available to you, I sincerely hope you will utilize those, because they can be very, very helpful.

Until next time,

Kelly 

Week 2 Journal PSYC 1300-004

In my opinion, academic transformation is a combination of things, both internal and external.

Internally, the process of achieving an academic transformation begins with realizing what needs to be done and mapping out a path to making those things happen. Basically, a game plan. 

There may be some sacrifices that need to be made in order to achieve an academic transformation, such as social life or work commitments. This is the point where one must evaluate and determine what is most important at this very moment.

Externally, the process of achieving an academic transformation begins with finding what works for you in the way of learning, studying, etc.

Personally, I learn best when I am able to experience it for myself with hands-on application. I also find that I would rather teach myself as opposed to sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture. 

As far as studying is concerned, I find that I am at my sharpest in the early morning, and that I almost always need music in the background to motivate me when writing (like right now)!

It is important to keep in mind that everyone is different and there is not a "one size fits all" approach to learning. 

I learn through visual cues!

At this moment in my life, I feel as though I have never needed to make that transition from a teacher-directed learner to an autonomous learner. From the very beginning of my schooling, I was constantly getting in trouble for moving ahead in assignments or doing things my own way, when I would always end up with the correct end result. High school was the worst, when the teachers attempted to force me into writing a research paper with all the steps (outlining, note card making, editing, restructuring, etc). I found these steps to be unnecessary and always received an "A" on the end project. Like I said earlier, there is no "one size fits all" approach to learning and I believe students in general would be more successful overall if they weren't forced into this sort of approach.

When it comes to being an autonomous learner, there are many areas where I am very proficient, including: 

• Having a realistic view of myself and my academic abilities.
• Setting a high level of academic values and ethics.
• Obtaining the ability to set realistic and appropriate academic goals.
• Knowing my learning strategies and weaknesses.
• Managing my academic behaviors.

With all good, there is also some bad, including:

• The ability to vary learning strategies.
• I think this comes from me being so anal about how I learn and knowing what always has worked for me in the past. I do not want to try and change that up and risk earning a bad grade.
• In the future, I can attempt to break this habit by perhaps studying for an exam in a different manner or taking my class notes in a different way.
• How I utilize (or don't utilize at all) academic resources.
• Every semester we have someone come into class and explain what the learning lab is and how to use it. Have I ever used it? NO, not willingly. Over the summer, we were offered extra credit for going to tutoring. I went, read my book to myself and then talked to tutor, who then signed my paper.
• In the future, and by future I mean in this course, I am going to step out of my comfort zone and work in a group for our Panel Discussions, much to my chagrin.

I am by no means a "perfect student." I know that I have many odd quirks and strange ways of doing things. Hopefully in the future, I can learn to let go a little and just go with the flow, except when it comes to my "game plan," that is non-negotiable.

Until next time,

Kelly

Week 1 Journal PSYC 1300-004

My goal has always been to earn my degree. The road to get here however, well, that's a different story.

When I first began college in my home state of New Jersey, I was pursuing Education with a minor in English.

I quickly learned however, that I was not actually interested in the idea of teaching at 18 years old, I didn't want to be responsible for anyone but myself.

While at ACC, I have jumped between Social Work, Paralegal, and finally settled for General Studies just so I can hurry up and graduate.

In the spring I will be attending Southwestern University and I finally feel like I am happy with my decisions. At SU I will be studying both Political Science, and Business. I was leaning towards majoring in Political Science but I know a major in Business is more marketable.

Having a degree is very important to me, I will be the first person in my immediate family to graduate from college; and I know that having a degree will open many doors that were previously closed to me.

After earning my Bachelors, my goal is to attend Law School. That is very far down the road at this point, so I am just taking it a semester at a time.

In the meantime, I am occupying what little free-time I have by doing volunteer work in my community. I work with a number of charities, including The Literacy Council of Williamson County, The Georgetown Public Library, Ronald McDonald House, AIDS Services of Austin, SafePlace, Capital Area Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels, to name a few.

Phi Theta Kappa Officer Induction

I am also a member and officer within the International Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa, where I have been presented with so many wonderful opportunities that I wouldn't have experienced otherwise.

On top of all this, I also work 32 hours a week in the Admissions and Records office at the Round Rock Campus!

I know that if I did not have my family by my side and supporting me both mentally and emotionally, I would not be able to accomplish all the things that I take on at once (many times it is too many)! I currently live at home, with my grand-parents. I am very grateful for them because they also assist me financially; we have an agreement where they will pay my car insurance and gas if I keep my GPA above a 3.5. So far so good! There are always pros and cons to living with family versus living alone or perhaps with other college students. I find myself having to remind my Grandparents constantly that I need quiet space to study in so many times I will wake up earlier than them to get my work done. I find that I am definitely a morning person, much to my own dismay!

My Syllabi Matrix and Comprehensive Notebook-
look at those tabs!!!

In response to the final question that was asked (which I did not know how to seamlessly slide into my post), I found that most of the information presented within the pre-chapter was old information or tips that I have picked up over my three years in college. One thing I really liked, which I have never done, was the Syllabi Matrix. I always compile calendars and keep my syllabi in my notebook, but it never occurred to me to make a "master plan."

I have a slight obsession with YouTube videos where girls explain how they organize their notebooks and courses for school. There are also a lot of great tips on note taking which I have taken into my own practice as well.

This chapter is definitely a good refresher for us old pros and a very nice, comprehensive overview with many tips for the newbies as well. I enjoy the way our textbook is organized and it is quite interesting. I found myself 3 pages deep in Chapter 1 before I realized that the pre-chapter was over!


Until next time,
Kelly