How to Succeed in a College Course

Participation in a college course involves bi-directional effort and communication. Obviously, the course instructor facilitates the activities defining the particular learning experience and imparts information and methodologies along the way. Somewhat less ostensible in the process is that students are obligated to participate in and enrich the learning experience to the greatest extent possible. To accomplish this, students must fully engage in the three basic phases of a college course:

• Pre-class preparation – read all assigned reference material using a three-step strategy:
• Read the material through start-to-finish, without pausing to look up unfamiliar words or requiring complete comprehension of the content. This frames the material in a particular context.
• Re-read the material paragraph by paragraph, look up unfamiliar terms and don’t move to the next paragraph until complete comprehension of the content is attained. If some question remains after careful scrutiny, record the question for clarification during class or the instructor’s office hours.
• Re-read the material from start-to-finish. This provides a global perspective on the designated topic.
• In-class participation – contribute to activities and record any additional material introduced during class:
• Record provided information and annotate in your own words to provide additional perspective on the material.
• Ask questions – both those recorded during readings and those that arise during the class session.
• Offer pertinent insight on the topic gleaned from peripheral sources and/or life experiences.
• Post-class follow-up – review material and complete assignments
• Review material and explanations of questions recorded during pre-class reading and in the class session.
• Complete assignments promptly, while the new information is still fresh.
• Investigate peripheral resources for additional perspective on the topic.

The strategies mapped out above are quite time intensive…taking a college course is a serious investment of time and effort. The general thumb rule regarding time dedicated to a college course is 3-to-1 (i.e., three hours spent out-of-class for each hour spent in-class). Be prepared and garner everything the opportunity has to offer.