Scientific Studies: College Success

I found the following on various university webpages and adapted them from:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2067800_behave-college-class-discussion.html
www.mcb.arizona.edu/undergraduates/CollegeEtiquette.pdf
http://www.blinn.edu/natscience/phillips/test-tips.htm
http://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/234etiquette.html
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2005/10/06/opinion/13344.shtml
http://www.ppslc.com/college_success.php
http://www.springerlink.com/content/hx62g08l3745q908/
http://www.reslife.okstate.edu/handbook/sub_success.html
    Prepare to present the following to the class:
  1. Introduce your group
  2. Create a short skit (~1 minute long) related to your topic [each group has a different topic].
  3. Read your scenario.
  4. Discuss the challenges of testing the validity of the related assertions.
skit 1, skit 2, skit 3, skit 4, skit 5, skit 6

Attend Class

"A" students miss on the average one-half of one class per semester. "C" students miss on the average 4.5 classes per semester. (Implication: "C" students lost an average of 3-5 points for each class missed, not to mention the material covered in class!).

45 Hour Work Week

Studies show that those who consider college as a job do better than those that do not. I had a buddy who got up every day at 8am and went to library to study, when it was class time he went to class and then back to the library until 4:46 sharp. At that point he put up his books and was on his own time. He was involved in every intramural sport, went to most every party, and got a 4.0 at Texas A&M. His secret is that he considered school a job and he worked at it 8-5.

Sit in the Front Middle

Seating arrangement is important. Studies have shown that the students sitting in the front middle part of the class do better than those who sit toward the back of the class or off to one side.

Marijuana Use

Studies have found that college students who used marijuana regularly had impaired skills related to attention, memory, and learning 24 hours after they had last used the drug.

Work Together

Studies have shown that people who study together get better grades. You will probably find yourself more motivated if you know someone else cares about what you are doing in the class. Teaching a concept or new idea to someone else is a sure way for you to understand it. Studying in a group or with a partner can sometimes become too social. It is important to stay focused. Studies show that students who develop peer networks with their classmates generally do better in college.

Ask for Help

Studies have shown that students who interact with instructors outside class stay in college longer. In addition, in the university setting, students who seek help have greater learning outcomes than those who do not.