"It is our duty to concentrate all our influence to make popular that which is sound and good, and (to make) unpopular that which is unsound (and not good)." Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“It is our duty to concentrate all our influence to make popular that which is sound and good, and (to make) unpopular that which is unsound (and not good).”

-Joseph Smith

Our daily life consists of many decisions. We must know what the decisions are the right ones to make. We must be wise to choose the right and receive a good consequence. Practicing the right at a daily routine will be powerful to others because they will be influenced by you. They will know that choosing the right will be their best choice to make. Avoiding the wrong will also help others because they will be avoiding making the wrong decisions that will result in bad consequences.

Successful Students 9

Successful Students

9

9.       …don’t cram for exams. Successful students know that divided periods of study are more effective than cram sessions, and they practice it.

If there is one thing that study skills specialists agree on, it is that distributed study is better than massed, late-night, last-ditch efforts known as cramming. You’ll learn more, remember more, and earn a higher grade by studying in four, one hour-a-night sessions for Friday’s exam than studying for four hours straight on Thursday night. Short, concentrated preparatory efforts are more efficient and rewarding than wasteful, inattentive, last moment marathons. Yet, so many students fall to learn this lesson and end up repeating it over and over again until it becomes a wasteful habit. Not too clever, huh?

When you cram, you are taking the shortcut, and shortcuts never produce any real worthwhile results. Also, when you take shortcuts, you feel rather rotten knowing that you could have done better but didn’t. Shortcuts cut you short. You can’t plant watermelon seeds and harvest fresh watermelons the next day. It takes time. Cramming for a test or project and expecting to make a high score the next day is like planting watermelon seeds and expecting to harvest and eat fresh watermelon the next day. Plus cramming for a test or project doesn’t help you academically, so why even do it. Plan ahead, prepare ahead. Give yourself plenty of days and weeks to prepare for upcoming accountability opportunities.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Successful Students 9

High School Graduation- Pleasure or Pain Reflection

Reflection:

Every student that goes to high school should be able to pass their classes and graduate from high school. They should do all the work that is necessary for them to pass the class and take all the classes that are required in order to graduate. There should be no excuses from students saying that they didn’t graduate because of certain things. Such things like not passing a class or not getting the work done because of whatever reason. If in any case they did not pass a class, then they should repeat that class by taking it again in the next school year or going to adult school and/or intersession. Walking across the stage on graduation is a pleasure and it is very important to graduate because that will show that you have completed your high school year with hard work; and with the diploma you get, it would be helpful for when you apply for a job.

Successful Students 5-6

Successful Students

5-6

5.       Don’t sit in the back of the room. Successful students minimize classroom distractions that interfere with learning.

Students want the best seat available for their entertainment dollars, but willingly seek the worst seat for their educational dollars. Students who sit in the back cannot possibly be their professor’s teammate (see no. 4). Why do they expose themselves to the temptations of inactive classroom experiences and distractions of all people between them and their instructor? Of course, we know they chose the back of the classroom because they seek invisibility or anonymity, both of which are antithetical to efficient and effective learning. If you are trying not to be part of the class, why, then, are you wasting your time? Push your hot buttons, is there something else you should be doing with your time?

6.       …take good notes. Successful students take notes that are understandable and organized, and review them often.

Why put something into your notes you don’t understand? Ask the questions now that are necessary to make your notes meaningful at some later time. A short review of your notes while the material is still fresh on your mind helps you to learn more. The more you learn then, the less you’ll have to learn later and the less time it will take because you won’t have to include some deciphering time, also. The whole purpose of taking notes is to use them, and use them often. The more you use them, the more they improve.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Successful Students 5-6

Student Success Statement

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

-Martin Luther King Jr

In life, there would always be moments in which you have to make a decision. Making a decision is hard, but knowing the right time in making that decision will depend on you. The time will always be right when you are making the right choices. For example, in new media class, when we are asked that we are in “Time-out” we must listen and stop using the computer, once he says “Time-In” we can resume where we left off. Choosing the right decision to stop when we are asked is choosing the right at the right time.

Successful Students 3-4

Successful Students

3-4

3. …ask questions. Successful students ask questions to provide the quickest route between ignorance and knowledge. In addition to securing knowledge you seek, asking questions has at least two other extremely important benefits. The process helps you pay attention to your professor and helps your professor pay attention to you! Think about it. If you want something, go after it. Get the answer now, or fall a question later. There are no foolish questions, only foolish silence. It’s your choice.

4. …learn that a student and a professor make a team. Most instructors want exactly what you want: they would like for you to learn the material in their respective classes and earn a good grade.

Successful students reflect well on the efforts of any teacher: if you have learned your material, the instructor takes some justifiable pride in teaching. Join forces with your instructor, they are not an enemy, you share the same interests, the same goals- in short, your teammates. Get to know your professor. You’re the most valuable players on the same team. Your jobs are to work together for mutual success. Neither wishes to chalk up a losing season. Be a team player!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Successful Students 3-4

"My strength is as the strength of ten because my heart is pure." Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“My strength is as the strength of ten because my heart is pure.”

-Alfred, Lord Tennyson

This statement means that anyone can have all the strength they want as long as they know they have a clear conscience of life. For example, if someone donates 10 million dollars to a hospital from his savings, then it shows his strength in helping others. He did it because he cared and it shows that he has a pure heart because he did not have bad intentions; and the money that he donated was from all the money he gained while working.

Study for Multiple Exams Part 3

Study for Multiple Exams

Part 3

English, math, foreign language tips: PRACTICE – especially foreign language. It is hard to succeed in a foreign language class if you are just showing and doing the work. But if you are in your room and look at objects and try to say them in the language you are learning it actually helps. Or if you send a simple text to a friend think about it, can you translate that to Germans or Spanish? There are the little things that will help.

Here are my final words or wisdom for students who want to get better grades in college: time management and organization are critical key factors to success in college. And never be afraid to go ask your teacher for help. They have office hours for a reason-use them!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

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Study for Multiple Exams Part 3

Tennesse Walking Horse

Summary:

This event took place in Tennessee, where horses were being tortured. There were competitions of horses, the “Tennessee Walking Horse.” There was a contestant who cheated in order to get the winning prize. Jackie McConnell was the contestant who cheated for this competition. Him and his “Partners in crime” tortured the horses so they can understand what to do when they are told and what not to do when they are asked. In the video, we saw how the horses were in so much pain that they couldn’t get up but the trainers whipped them, forcing them to get up.

Reflection:

This is a really sad story. I can’t understand how there are such evil people in the world. There is no point in torturing animals or anyone else to make them win something. Just because they are animals it does not mean that they can’t feel anything or have feelings; they are just like any other living thing in the world. I am proud that this person got caught.

Study for Multiple Exams Part 2

Study for Multiple Exams

Part 2

My strategies for written assignments: Everyone has their own writing styles. I generally come up with an idea and do massive amounts of research before I ever think about writing. I then organize my research then sometimes prepare an outline before actually writing. I always print out the paper and come back to it the next day and reread it. That is the easiest way for me to catch my own mistakes. I have to give my eyes a break from it, and if I just wrote it I think it looks perfect. But if I look at it a day later I almost always find grammatical errors or phrases and sentences I just want to reword.

How I succeed in team projects: Never assume someone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. Have regular meetings and have each member show their work, not just give you or the group their word for it.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

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 Study for Multiple Exams Part 2

Study for Multiple Exams Part 1

Study for Multiple Exams

Part 1

How I study for multiple exams, deal with multiple projects: Really it is my time management that I explained above. If I see I have multiple things due or to study for all at the same time I spread out my time beforehand. For example, if I have a test Monday and 2 tests Tuesday then I will study for my Monday test Thursday and part Friday. Start Studying for my next test on the second half of Friday and part of Saturday, then my second Tuesday test on Saturday as well and part of Sunday. Then Sunday night I can review for my Monday test because I already studied for it. When that test is over I can begin reviewing for the other tests.

My overall study method: I try to break it up over several days or at least two. I get bogged down if I try to pull an all nighter.

How I’ve overcome an initial bad grade: If I received a low grade I probably knew it was coming because I didn’t prepare properly or I didn’t use the right study habit for that class. I usually try to go over what I did wrong and sometime discuss with the teacher what I can do differently on the nest exam or what they suggest I do for studying for the next exam.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Study for Multiple Exams Part 1

"Seek to do good and you will find that happiness will run after you" Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“Seek to do good and you will find that happiness will run after you.”

-James Freeman Clarke

In life, you will be faced with many challenges. Some will be harder to overcome than others. But if you plan to overcome it, then there wouldn’t be much of a problem. Overcoming that challenge will require you to make decisions. Those decisions are highly important because it may later affect you. If you make the wrong decisions, you will be facing bad consequences and you might not have a good life. You might have a bad conscience because of the things you did wrong. If you make the right decision, then you will be awarded with good consequences. You won’t have to worry about “What if…” all you will have to worry is whether or not you are making the right choice. Making the right choices depends all on you. For example, if someone offers you drugs, the best thing to say and do is say “No thanks!” and walk away. You will be proud of yourself for avoiding taking the wrong decision. But if you accept to take the drugs, you will later face the bad consequences of health problems and maybe even problems with the law. Another example of choosing the right would be going to school. If you go to school, you will have good education and it will help you decide on what your best at for your career.

Sarah's Academic Success Story Part 2

Sarah’s Academic Success Story

Part 2

My test study method: I have different strategies for different types of tests or subjects. For me, any type of math is exceptionally difficult so I had to spend extra time on that. I would go back through the homework problems focusing on the problems that I had extra difficulty on. Many times I would ask the teacher for any additional study materials they could provide. If it was a class that required memorization or applying concepts I would create a sort of study guide for myself many times focusing on what were key focal points in the class. If I knew there were going to be essays I would try to take the terms and apply them to an example or create different questions on the concepts focused on throughout the semester.

My time management secret: I always always always carry a planner with me. I even use different color highlighters to show what each event on my calendar is for. For example, pink is personal, yellow is school, orange is work, blue is for appointments, and green is for my sorority. Although I use white- out frequently, I can see in bright yellow that if I have that project for finance due on Tuesday, I need to start working on it on [the previous] Wednesday so I can just get it done. My friends have always been amazed at how early I get things accomplished but that is really all I do.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

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Sarah's Academic Success Story Part 2

Summary & Reflection Jermaine Jones- American Idol

Summary:

A contestant from American Idol, Jermaine Jones was disqualified for having a criminal record. He chose to enter into the American Idol show, but with pure lies. He did not say the truth about having a bad record. He had been charged for using violence and for public nuisance and obstruction of justice. He was then charged for giving a false identity. Later, according to the article he was arrested for having four outstanding warrants. Three of those were for driving on a suspended license and the other for disorderly conduct. Again he gave a false identification.

Reflection:

In my opinion, Jermaine Jones was not much of a good person for lying about his past. He should of come cleaned before he auditioned. He also should not have lied when he got arrested. He shouldn’t of given a false identification. He chose the wrong .

Sarah's Academic Success Story Part 1

Sarah’s Academic Success Story

Part 1

Time management became a key factor in my study skills for college. In high school, there were times I was able to study for an hour or two the night before a test and get away with it. This was not the case in college. I made sure in college I was prepared for each class. Sometimes that meant writing out the terms for the chapter we read (even if when it isn’t required) to better understand them. That way when the midterm or test comes around I was able to understand what I was studying. I started taking excellent notes in class in college. I may have done this in high school, but in college I started typing up the notes after class. This helped me remember what I just went over in class then when I had a test one week later I was more likely to remember then as well.

My overall study method: Structured. One thing I learned was I had to adapt or change my study method according to the class. I couldn’t study for a Religion Class the same way. I studied for a Finance class. But making sure I had enough time to study for each class—even if it meant carrying a planner with me at all times was a big part of my success.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

"Try a little harder to be a little better." Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement

“Try a little harder to be a little better.”

-Gordon B. Hinckley

There are many goals in life that people want to accomplish. In order for them to achieve those goals, they will need to be able to start from the bottom and work their way up. They will need to practice those things in order to get better. If they feel they need to work more, they will have to push themselves little by little in order for them to be able to achieve those goals.

You Can Succeed Everyday Part 2

You Can Succeed Everyday

Part 2

My strategies for written assignments: I try to outline before I write because otherwise I forgot what I am supposed to be talking about. I try not to leave them until the last minute because then I will just goof up the work. A lot of times I just write what I feel. Teachers like your opinion and if you can find something from the reading or research that relates specifically to your life, they like it even more because it allows you to take ownership of your work. I write things that I will want others to read; not things that I have to write because the teacher said so.

How I succeed in team projects: personally, I do not like working on group projects, especially ones that I worked on in high school. However, when it is required to work in a group, usually I try to lead. I like taking the lead because then I know that my grade will be a good one. I do well in school, I always have and I don’t plan on changing that anytime soon, so when I need to work with people who maybe don’t care as much as I do, or they have more time to waste on things other than the project, I try to be in charge. That way I know that things are going to get done on time and that I am going to get a good grade. If I am working in a group of people who all want work, then it is a different story.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

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Tiger Woods

Summary:

The famous powerful and rich golfer, Tiger Woods, has a half-brother, Kevin Woods. His half-brother is really sick with the disease of multiple sclerosis. He is in a very critical situation to the point where he is losing his home. He can’t work so he looked out for Tiger Woods so he can help him. The problem is that Tiger Woods never replied to him. Kevin Woods tried every possible way to reach out to Tiger but never got an answer. Kevin says that he has not heard anything from Tiger since his father died.

Reflection:

I think that it is really wrong for Tiger Woods to be acting that way. He has a half-brother that is sick who tried reaching out to him but never got an answer. I think what Tiger Woods did was choosing the wrong! It’s not very thoughtful that Tiger does not help out his brother in need. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if he does not answer the calls, but at least Tiger should send some money so his brother Kevin won’t lose his home and gets better.