Academic Tidbits - September 2010

Friday, September 3: Last day to drop full-semester course without a "W" Academic Happenings Monday, September 20: Fall Career Fair All Semester: Free Courses from the Academic Learning Center Visit www.uni.edu/unialc/forms/freecourses.html for more information and to register for courses Academic Learning Center 007 Innovative Teaching and Technology Center (ITTC) 319-273-6023 unialc@uni.edu www.uni.edu/unialc/index.html Writing Center Tutoring Break writer's block and get projects started Identify and repair problems with focus, development, organization, clarity and grammar Plan strategies for improving rough drafts and overall writing skills Avoid plagarism and master APA, MLA, and other citation styles Prepare for PPST, GRE, MCAT and other standardized essay exams Student tutoring on a variety of subjects If you are concerned about a course or have had trouble with a certain course in the past, stop by the tutoring center early in the semester Call 273-6023 or 273-2361, or stop by 007 ITTC to make an appointment Welcome to UNI and the Academic Advising office This is the first of many newsletters to help you with the academic transition here at UNI As your academic advisors, we are here to help you interests career choices or maybe something else! and help you learn about registration the Liberal Arts Core degree audits Plan of Study (POS) academic resources on campus explore and understand your High School vs. College Things to Consider Your time is structured by others Most of your classes are arranged for you You manage your own time You arrange your own schedule in consultation with your advisor. Schedules tend to look lighter than they really are You may study outside class as little as 0 to 2 hours a week, and this may be mostly last-minute test preparation You are expected to read short assignments that are then discussed, and often re-taught, in class In high school In College High School Classes Guiding principle: you will usually be told what to do and corrected if your behavior is out of line Guiding principle: you're expected to take responsibility for what you do and don't do, as well as for the consequences of your decisions College Classes You need to study at least 2 to 3 hours outside each class for each hour in class You are assigned substantial amounts of reading and writing which may not be directly addressed in class Guiding principle: you will usually be told in class what you need to learn from assigned readings Guiding principle: it's up to you to read and understand the assigned material; lectures and assignments proceed from the assumption that you've already done so High School Teachers Teachers check your completed homework Teachers approach you if they believe you need assistance Guiding Principle: high school is a teaching environment in which you acquire facts and skills College Professors Professors may not always check completed homework, but they will assume you can perform the same tasks on tests Professors are usually open and helpful, but most expect you to initiate contact if you need assistance Guiding principle: college is a learning environment in which you take responsibility for thinking through and applying what you have learned Tests in High School Makeup tests are often available Guiding principle: mastery is usually seen as the ability to reproduce what you were taught in the form in which it was presented to you, or to solve the kinds of problems you were shown how to solve Tests in College Makeup tests are seldom an option; if they are, you need to request them Guiding principle: mastery is often seen as the ability to apply what you've learned to new situations or to solve new kinds of problems Grades in high School Consistently good homework grades may raise your overall grade when test grades are low Initial grades, especially when they are low, may not have an adverse effect on your final grade Guiding principle: "effort counts." Courses are usually structured to reward a "good-faith effort" Grades in College Grades on tests and major papers usually provide most of the course grade Watch out for your first tests. These are usually "wake-up calls" to let you know what is expected -- but they also may account for a substantial part of your course grade. You may be shocked when you get your grades Guiding principle: "results count." Though "good-faith effort" is important in regard to the professor's willingness to help you achieve good results, it will not substitute for results in the grading process For more differences in high school and college, visit www.taft.cc.ca.us.newTC/StudentServices/ACE/differences.htm This information is courtesy of Taft College Why should I see my Advisor? I am thinking about adding or dropping a class I would like to learn more about my choice of major and career options I am having academic difficulty and I don't know what to do I might want to change my major or explore a new area Registration time is near, what classes should I take? I would like to learn how to use my degree audit or POS (program of study) What are the academic expectations of me as a student? Even if you have a question not listed here, you can still set up a meeting with your advisor! We are here to help. Call 319-273-3406 to set up an appointment... Even UNI's mascot, TC, visits academic advising! PAIR's Welcome to UNI www.uni.edu/advising 102 Gilchrist Hall 319-273-3406 Dates To Remember Visit www.uni.edu/advising/pairs to find the PAIR in your residence hall Click on the arrows below or use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate this newsletter OR click on an item to zoom in and read it Peer Academic Advisors in Residence work with Academic Advising and a residence hall. These student advisors can help individuals or groups of students with: Finding information about major and career options Answering questions about declaring or changing a major Assisting students with schedule changes and questions Connecting students with resources for study skills and strategies September 20-23: Career Cruising Workshops September 28: 4-Week Speed Reading & Effective Study Skills Courses Begin