My stuggling student

[Sherwelthlangley]

I apologize if this has already been mentioned, but here's what I've noticed of experienced. Students will not procrastinate unless getting immersed into something that will prolong that procrastination. Students often believe that if they go on the web to surf or game for a limited period of time (say, they set aside one hour), then at the end of that hour, they will find that it is not so easy to let go. In essence, if a student concentrates on his work first, he/she will find that it is not so bad to complete. I advise your S to develop strategies that will allow to avoid the temptation of anything but work.

[Karen Colleges]

Good luck to your son.

Guess I need to give credit to my own, he consciously did not take any computer games with him to college. Of course, everyone else in his dorm has plenty.....

Here is another vote to start with talking to the profs. It's okay to be confused, "I'm not even sure what kind of help to ask for." is a fine opening line.

And another vote for the student help center. I was impressed by the number of tutoring opportunities, study groups, proof-reading services, and study skills workshops that are offered at S's school. (not that S has taken advantage of them, yet.....)

[theoneo]

I went through the same situation last semester (fall of freshman year) except part of my problem was not going to classes. The things that have helped me (TREMENDOUSLY) this semester:

-studying with a friend who's incredibly work-oriented, which gets me into a work-only mode, so if either of us gets distracted we keep each other on track
-scheduling classes so I could go to them. I like working at night, and I realize it's important to balance your time so you can get used to a 9-5 type schedule, but forcing myself to take early classes last semester yielded me missing classes instead of forcing me to sleep early! This semester my classes begin after 12, so I can work until 5 AM and still get enough sleep
-part of why I like working at night is because it's quiet - a habit I developed in high school, because there were always distractions in the evening (parents, food, friends). But I have since discovered that study lounges, study rooms, and libraries offer the same quiet whenever I need it, so I won't have to schedule late classes/sleep so late anymore
-last semester I tried working in my room (and I had a single so I thought it would be fine) but I could always hear people outside and/or they would come into my room, plus just being in my room kept me in the same carefree, prone-to-distractions mode so I didn't get work done, or I was very inefficient. I didn't realize how much of a difference this made until finals came around and I realized how well I needed to do to pull off even mediocre grades, so I got really serious and studied outside of my room a lot. This helped enormously, and doing it this semester on a regular basis - separating my social from my academic life, environment-wise - has made a difference
-in general, saying 'no' when friends want to go out has been critical. Last semester it was hard because I entered college wanting to fully explore the social scene. I guess that was important to me at the time, so I don't really regret it, but now I don't feel the need to go out every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so it's become easier to stay in and do work or catch up on sleep
-this semester I haven't gone to any office hours and I often miss recitations, but what's more important has been making sure I understand the material when it's taught in class. I didn't review any of my notes until midterms came around, but I spend a solid two weeks studying for them each night for at least 5 hours, and I did very well.

These strategies won't work for all types of courses. For example, my writing and language classes don't have big examinations so it's just about consistently spending an hour or so every other day on homework. But my lecture-based classes are about understanding the material and then revisiting it in time for examinations. I realize now that I had absolutely no system or long-term plan for my classes last fall, so when I realized I had a midterm coming up a week later I didn't know how to start preparing for it. It's important to know what materials and resources are available to you (lecture notes, textbooks, practice problems, extra problems online) and, even more so, how much they're worth, because I haven't used textbooks seriously in any of my classes this semester. The most helpful resources this semester (only for my lecture classes, since they have exams), in order of usage in my studying schedules, have been lecture slides posted online, class notes, practice problems (from recitations or just posted online), and past/sample exams.

Oh, another thing I strongly recommend is marking a calendar at the beginning of the semester with every single assignment and exam. That way you can easily tell what you have coming up in the next week or two so nothing catches you by surprise, and when you're planning things like trips, conferences, or other events then you can be sure to avoid stressful weekends.

[neumes]

I have no advice, but I do want to give SS--and Theoneo--a big thank you. I'm bookmarking this thread because I anticipate that my kids may have trouble staying afloat in college, not with gaming but with being completely distracted by the social life.

[originaloog]

Your son seems like he is prepared to change some things to do better academically, so he is already one step ahead of many other underachievers.

Here is my Rule#1 advice to my advises looking for help. Stay away from the residence hall!!!! What I really mean is get on campus by 10am at the latest and do not return to the RH until 6pm dinner time. Use that core time attending classes, doing assignments, studying, and review.

Rule#2 Take good notes using the Cornell method.
The Learning Toolbox - Cornell Notes
Cornell Notetaking Method Custom PDF Generator

Rule#3 Find a comfortable place to study with minimal distractions. It may be a library, empty classroom, student union room, gallery space, etc. And take frequent short breaks(5 min/half hour).

Rule#4 Form/join study groups but maintain academic honesty w/re to graded work.

Rule#5 Make a schedule for long assignments and stick to it.

Rule6# Studying for exams is best done in short review over the course of a week rather than a last minute cram session.

Rule#7 Take full advantage of university programs such as tutoring, writing labs, test review sessions, and instructor office hours(which can be less intimidating if done by members of the study group).

[historymom]

I teach reading comprehension to adolescents and there are five skills I share with them that improve comprehension. I don't know if these will work but they are:

Predict-Prior to reading an assignment, scan it and look for stuff you already know, make predictions about what the chapter will cover

Clarify- When a concept is mentioned that is confusing, write it down, Get help understanding that particular piece of the puzzle from a study group, online source, TA, prof whomever

Question-Making and answering questions about the material using the Cornell format is the best note taking method I know of. Tests come in the form of questions and if your student practices making and answering questions it gets the brain ready to do it on the test.

Visualize-This is the hardest one to get some students to do but if you draw out concepts, vocabulary, maps etc it actually engages a different part of your brain than simply reading and writing. By involving more of your brain you are more likely to absorb the material

Summarize-Kids are assigned summary writing but often are not taught how to summarize well. My history students and my reading students all use a method called "magnet word summaries" It's fantastic! Summariziing synthesizes the material and is an importantfinal step in the note-taking process. At the end of every section of notes or more often if warrented there should be a precise (25 or fewer words) summary of the material. If you would like me to share the magnet word or other summarizing techniques with you I would be happy to. Just PM me. Good Luck!