FYE101-103 - Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success

Stress, when carefully managed, can actually facilitate academic achievement. Reinforced by on-screen lists and a review segment at the end, this program first defines stress and then promotes three core strategies for dealing with it: a positive attitude, a healthy lifestyle, and relaxation techniques. The harmful aspects of unmanaged stress, which include an increased susceptibility to physical illness, clinical depression, and substance abuse, are also discussed. (10 minutes)

This program outlines a concise three-step process for understanding and retaining information. The steps include exposure, review, and practice. Class attendance is stressed for maximum exposure to material. Valuable advice is provided on how to distill weekly lecture notes into a meaningful study guide. Methods for retrieving information learned include recitation and group study. (10 minutes)

The skills students need to effectively record and learn information presented in class are outlined in this program. Featured is the Cornell Notetaking Method, which stresses organization and prompt review. A notebook page format that divides information into actual notes and student comments is central to both accurate notetaking and meaningful study. Suggestions are provided on when and how often notes should be reviewed for maximum learning benefit. (9 minutes)

Reading rate and comprehension can mean the difference between success and failure to students. Three strategies for improving both are presented in this program. The first suggests reading during the day, for short periods in a quiet place, for maximum efficiency. One method demonstrates how to divide words into groups on a page as an effective way of improving reading rate. The SQ3R Strategy (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review), developed by a leading reading expert, is also examined as a strategy for improving reading comprehension. (12 minutes)

Three strategies to help students make better use of their time are presented in this program. They include the development of a term calendar on which students list important academic "events," such as term-paper deadlines and exam dates. A weekly schedule allows students to assess available time and make the most of it. A daily "To-Do List" helps students avoid last-minute cramming for exams and other academic projects. (18 minutes)