INTRODUCTION TO STRATEGIES FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

INTRODUCTION TO STRATEGIES FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Dear Students,

Welcome to the Strategies for Academic Success course! This class is available to all cadets (regardless of GPA or academic standing) who desire to improve or sharpen their academic skills. It is also available for cadets who are at-risk of falling below USAFAs high academic standards. Historically, we have a high success rate and many cadets have greatly improved their GPA by taking this course. Therefore, consider yourself very fortunate if you were selected for this class!

This course will provide you with ideas and strategies that can maximize your study time and better equip you with the tools necessary to achieve academic success. Once specific skills are mastered (like note-taking and test-taking skills) you can continue to use them throughout your college career. Additionally, some skills you acquire such as time management are life-long skills that you will be able to use at work, at home, as well as at the Academy.

One major purpose of this course is to provide you with numerous interactive activities to stimulate learning. Get involved in these activities and learn as much as you can from them. Your active participation can make a big difference for you and for the other members in your class!

This course is in a state of continual improvement. Therefore, we welcome your comments and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tom Mabry

Director, Student Services

NOTE: Please refer all comments and suggestions to the Course Director:

Mr. Robert F. Giardino

Course Director, Strategies for Academic Success

Email: Robert.Giardino@usafa.af.milCourse DescriptionThis course is designed to improve study skills. The main goals of the course follow:

1. Learn and understand basic academic survival skills.

2. Learn and apply the principles of time management, procrastination avoidance, goal setting, and other strategies for academic success.

3. Understand and apply techniques that can improve reading, note-taking, test-taking skills, and other academic success strategies.

4. Develop a personal plan on How to excel at the Air Force Academy

5. Prepare and present an oral and written presentation on My Plan to Excel at the Air

Force Academy.

6. Learn the role of various support agencies such as Student Services, the Counseling Center, the Writing Center, Library Research, etc.

7. Develop a positive rapport with USAFA faculty and other support personnel.

Instructors

Mr. Robert F. Giardino, Course Director, USAFA Student Services

Mrs. Pat Gottschalk, Instructor, USAFA Student Services

TextNo textbook is required. All materials will be provided in class.

Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not

Thomas Huxley

Course Summary

Lesson Number / Theme

Day

M/T

1. Introduction / Learning Style

3

2. Time Management

4

3. Time Management

5

4. Goal Setting

6

5. Individual Appointments (meet with your instructor) 7

6. Avoiding Procrastination

8

7. Preparing For GRs

9

8. Test Taking Techniques

10

9. Improving Your Memory

11

10. Note Taking

12

11. Powerpoint

13

12. Oral Communication

14

13. Oral Presentations

15

14. Oral Presentations

16

15. Written Communication

17

You dont climb a mountain to get to the middle.

Why be content with being average?

James Hart

Evaluation

One-Page Essay / Oral Presentation / Final Paper:

One-Page Essay: You are required to write one essay (reference handout given in class). The theme for this essay is My Plan For Academic Success At The Academy. It is due when you meet with your instructor on an individual basis during lessons 5. Although you will not be graded on grammar, the essay and final paper are expected to be college level quality work. The main goal is to put down on paper what you think will work best for you at the Academy.

Oral Presentation: You are required to give one oral presentation. You will have to follow the guidelines for lesson 12. The time limit for each speech is 3-5 minutes. The instructor will provide feedback to the student. IMPORTANT: No late presentations will be allowed and zero points will be given for this presentation if late.Final Paper: The topic for this paper is the main goal of the course. The topic is My Plan For Continued Academic Success at the Academy. This paper will be a typewritten paper, 3 pages long, double-spaced, using MLA format. A guide for writing this paper will be discussed in class. The paper should include the following:

1. 3 topics discussed in class, for example time management, goal setting, how you avoid procrastinating, preparing for GRs, note taking techniques, etc.

2. Use PowerPoint as a visual organizer for your presentation.

IMPORTANT: No late papers will be accepted and zero points will be given

for this paper if lateTHE POINT SYSTEMClass Participation

=25 points

One-Page Essay

=25 points

Oral Presentation

=25 points

Final Paper

=25 points

These are the levels of achievement:

90-100 points = Excellent

80-90 points = Very Good

75-80 points = Good

70-75 points = Fair

Below 70 points = Unacceptable

Credits/Grades

This course is worth .5 semester hours of credit. The final grades are Pass/Fail.

If a man empties his purse into his head,

No one can take it away from him.

An investment of knowledge always pays the best interest

Benjamin Franklin

LESSON 1

Introduction / Learning Styles

Objectives:

1. Understand course objectives, requirements, and class procedures

2. Complete the Learning Styles Survey

3. Understand the Learning Styles Survey Profile results

Classroom Activities:

1. Discuss course objectives, requirements, class procedures, etc

2. Complete the Learning Styles Survey.

3. Score your profile.

4. Talk about Learning Strategies for your style of learning.

Homework:

1. None for the first day of class

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed

Is more important than

Any other thing

Abraham Lincoln

LESSON 2

Time Management

Objectives:

1. Fill out the Weekly Activity Planner

2. Understand the concept of Deans Time

3. Learn to use the Cadet Planner

Classroom Activities:

1. Understand the mechanics of the Weekly Activity Planner (the Green Sheets)

2. Learn what Deans Time is, and how to use it effectively

3. Use the Cadet Planner (both the Monthly and the Daily calendars)

Homework:

1. Bring in your Cadet Planner. This is very IMPORTANT.

2. Bring in your syllabi for ALL your courses.

3. If not completed in class, read about the best learning strategies for visual, auditory

or kinesthetic learners.

It has been my observation

that most people get ahead

during the time that others waste

Henry Ford

LESSON 3

Time Management

Objectives:

1. Develop a realistic time management plan

2. Review some tested time-saving/time management tips

3. Learn to use Microsoft Outlook as a time management tool

Classroom Activities:

1. Continue to talk about how to use the Cadet Planner.

2. Read the time-saving/time management tips.

3. Learn to use the calendar and note features in Outlook

Homework:

1. Plan out your ACQ in writing. Use your Cadet Planner. Your Cadet Planner will be checked next class. This is a standing assignment for the rest of the semester/year/cadet career!

2. Add your GRs and any other tests/projects/papers/etc. to Microsoft Outlook. Be prepared to talk about how easy/hard Outlook is to use.

It is not half as important

To burn the midnight oil

As it is

To be awake in the daytime.

E.W. Elmore

LESSON 4

Goal Setting

Objectives:

1. Understand the importance of long, medium and short range goals.

2. List realistic goals that can be accomplished at the Academy.

3. Identify specific goals and set specific dates for achieving those goals.

Classroom Activities:

1. Continue to talk about the importance of using the Cadet Planner.

2. Define long, medium, and short-range goals.

a. What are some other characteristics of goals?

3. Complete two goal setting exercises:

a. Handout 1

b. Handout 2

4. Talk about goals in other areas of your lives: financial, sports, family, etc.

Homework:

1. In your Cadet Planners, set a goal for each course in writing using the Cadet Record in the back of your planner. Be realistic!

Whats important is that

One strives to achieve a goal

Ronald Reagan

Without a distant goal, or a dream,

How can we believe we can do better?

Cadet Allison, Class of 2001

LESSON 5

Individual Appointments

NOTE 1: These are individual one-on-one sessions in your instructors office. It will be scheduled in advance, and will last about 25 minutes for each person.

NOTE 2: During the time when other cadets are attending these sessions, remember to effectively use your Deans Time by attending EI, studying in the library or in the classroom.

Objectives:

1. Review and assess a time management plan for each cadet.

2. Discuss individually with each cadet future plans to excel in academics at USAFA.

3. Provide each cadet with a basic draft for Strategies for Academic Success

Activities:

1. This is a special time where the instructor has a chance to meet with each cadet on an individual basis. Advice will be given based upon the needs of each individual.

2. Turn in your one-page essay My Plan to Excel at the Academy.

Homework:1. Finish your one-page essay. See handout: How To Write an Effective Essay #1 and follow the instructions.

2. Bring your Cadet Planner to your appointment.

If you dont allow yourself to be coached,

It will be more difficult to succeed!

Cadet Martin, Class of 2001LESSON 6

Avoiding Procrastination

Objectives:

1. Understand what is procrastination

2. Understand ways to recognize procrastination

3. List possible solutions on how to beat procrastination

Classroom Activities:

1. Define procrastination

2. Procrastination avoidance: How to beat procrastination.

3. Video presentation on procrastination.

Homework:1. Continue to use your Cadet Planner.

2. Write out your plan for ACQ, tonight and every night!

Stress Relief TipDevelop a Do It Now attitude.LESSON 7

Preparing for Graded Reviews (GRs)

Objectives:

1. Learn methods to study for GRs (and final exams)

2. Learn how to be better prepared for GRs

Classroom Activities:

1. Review tips.

2. GR Review checklist. Prioritize the Practical items.

3. Develop a what works for me checklist on how to prepare for GRs.

Homework:

1. Look to see when your next GR is, and then run through the GR preparation

checklist that you prepared in class.

2. Make this checklist a habit in the future.

The will to succeed is important, but whats even more important

is the will to prepare

Bobby Knight

LESSON 8

Test-Taking Techniques

Objectives:

1. Learn test-taking techniques for objective and essay tests.

2. Complete A Short Course in Test Taking

3. Discuss ways to combat test anxiety

Classroom activities:

1. Discuss test-taking techniques for objective and essay tests.

Develop an understanding of the different kinds of objective and essay tests.

2. Complete the exercise A Short Course in Test Taking.

3. Read and discuss the section on Test Anxiety.

4. Read the Pre-test and Test Stress Management checklists.

Homework:

1. Lessons 10, 20 and 30 seem to be natural times in the semester for Graded Reviews. Try

to apply the techniques learned in class on your next GR.

The most important thing about testing is preparation.

Dont just study hard before a teststudy hard for each lesson

Cadet Raridon, Class of 2000

LESSON 9

Improving Your Memory

Objectives:

1. Learn and discuss various types of memory techniques

2. Learn in detail about mnemonics (memory techniques)

3. Learn the principles of concept mapping

Classroom Activities:

1. Learn the differences between long-term and short-term memory

2. Learn about mnemonics.

Practice some mnemonics techniques in class

3. Learn about Concept Maps.

4. Practice concept maps using the Inspiration software

Homework:

1. Practice the memory techniques learned in class with your different courses.

Stress Relief TipLearn what memory techniques work best for you. This will help you retain information and feel more confident and less stressed during tests.

LESSON 10

Note Taking

Objectives:

1. Learn the importance of taking accurate notes and keeping a written record

2. Learn the Cornell Method of taking notes

3. Practice the Cornell Method with a short lesson presented in class

Classroom Activities:

1. Read the introduction A Word About Note Taking.

What is the primary goal of note taking?

2. Read and discuss Guidelines For Note Taking.

3. Learn the Cornell Method of taking notes.

4. Practice the Cornell Method in class

5. Take out your notes from your other classes. Show them to a classmate.

Let your classmate provide a constructive critique about your notes.

Homework:

1. Bring in your notes from at least one of your other courses

Stress Relief Tip:If you have any concerns about academics or your future at the Academy, the time to discuss any concern is NOW!

Contact Student Services and they will provide you with sound advice or will direct you to someone who canLESSON 11

PowerPoint for Success

Objectives:1. Learn how to create basic PowerPoint Presentations

2. Learn how to import graphics into a PowerPoint presentation

3. Learn how to import audio and video files into a PowerPoint presentation.

Classroom Activities

1. Meet in the computer lab as directed by your instructor

2. Complete the exercises as demonstrated in class.

3. Create a PowerPoint presentation of your own by the end of class

Homework:

1. If you are already familiar with PowerPoint, brush up on some of the cool

features of PowerPoint and be ready to instruct the class

I havent failed. I have discovered

twelve hundred materials that dont work

Thomas Edison

LESSON 12

Oral Communication

Objectives:

1. Understand the mechanics of planning and practicing a successful speech

2. Understand the mechanics of delivering a successful speech

Classroom Activities:

1. Discuss the mechanics of Planning and Practicing a speech.

2. Discuss the mechanics of Delivering a speech.

3. One-Minute Speeches: each cadet will stand up in front of the class and talk for

one minute about a subject as given by the instructor

Homework:

1. Think about giving a one-minute speech on topics such as: movies, video games,

my favorite football/basketball/baseball/hockey player, sports cars, my car in high school, etc.

Learning is like playing a sport,

You must make sacrifices in order to succeed

Cadet Louthan, Class of 2001

LESSONS 13 and 14

Oral Presentations

Objective:

1. Present an oral presentation on My Plan for Continued Academic Success At

The Academy

Classroom Activities:

1. Present your briefing on My Plan For Continued Academic Success to the

class. The time limit for the speech is 3-5 minutes

2. Every briefing will use a visual organizer (PowerPoint), and include 3 main points.

3. In your briefing you can talk about some or all of the following: time

management, goal setting, preparing for GRs, test taking/note taking techniques,

memory techniques, avoiding procrastination, etc. Talk about what has worked

for you this semester

NOTE: The instructor will provide feedback that is part of the students final

grade (25 points)

Homework:

1. Prepare your PowerPoint presentation and your 3-5 minute oral presentation

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence

Calvin Coolidge

LESSON 15

Written Communication

Objectives:

1. Understand techniques and rules for effective writing

2. Apply some of the rules for effective writing

3. Provide examples of writing effective papers from outlines

Classroom Activities:

1. Read and discuss How To Improve The Way You Write

2. Work through The Process Of Writing.

3. Do handouts as provided in class.

Homework:

1. Work on your final paper (due as directed by your instructor). Remember to

incorporate the concepts we spoke about in class

IMPORTANT: Zero points will be awarded for late papers.

Jargon allows us to camouflage intellectual poverty with verbal extravagance

David PrattPAGE 2