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Go to class. Turn your assignments in on time. Ask for help.
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Take charge of your education. It's your future. Learn everything you can about your areas of interest and make your plan. Advisors and faculty can help you develop that plan - we're here to support you and help you find resources to guide you.
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Complete the online orientation. The MCC online orientation will give you a head start on learning the ins and outs of MCC and help you prepare for the challenges ahead.
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Get organized. A planner is one thing that many students say is the most important tool for organization. You can see when you will have major papers due, exams to prepare for, when you have class, when you work and what times you have open for study. The visual can help you stay organized and on top of all the demands on your time.
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Determine your goals and priorities. Consider what you want to accomplish and where you want to be at the end of the term, at the end of your degree, when you start your career. Visualize the big picture. Lay out the steps to reach those goals. Work with your faculty, advisors and others to identify strategies to reach your goals.
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Attend all classes in their entirety and arrive on-time. If you must miss class, contact your instructor as soon as possible to clarify any problems. Arrive on time, nothing frustrates and annoys a professor more than students walking in late and distracting both the professor and other students.
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Get to know your instructors, class mates, advisors and others on campus. Making meaningful connections can benefit you well into the future.
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Read and use your syllabus. The syllabus your instructors provide to you at the beginning of the course is for you to know what is expected of you and what you can expect from the course and your instructor. The syllabus is your guide for meeting requirements and outcomes for the course. Effective use of the syllabus will help you avoid difficult surprises!
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Turn in papers and assignments by deadlines. Students who turn in assignments on time will usually see higher grades than students who miss deadlines. Using your syllabus will help you stay on track and be on time with your assignments.
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Read the text material scheduled for lecture prior to attending class. While reading, write in your notebook any questions that arise. If your instructor doesn't address these questions during lecture, make sure you ask for help afterwards. Don't let problems accumulate until it becomes too late.
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Utilize the resources available to you.
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Do not procrastinate. Study early and prepare assignments in advance. Spending time each day reading, reviewing notes, etc. helps you to retain information you’re learning in your courses. Attempts to "cram" for tests will likely not be successful. Remember, instructors recommend that you devote two hours of study each week for each hour spent in class during the week. For example, a lecture that meets 4 hours a week in class requires about 8 hours of preparation and studying outside the classroom.
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Learn from mistakes, don't dwell on them. We all make mistakes and that's a part of the learning process. If you can figure out what happened and know what to do to avoid making that same mistake, or even similar mistakes, in the future, you’ve learned a valuable lesson. Take it and move on!
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Enroll in College Success Strategies. RDLS 1200 College Success Strategies provides you with additional skills to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Check with your academic advisor to see if this course is a part of your program of study/degree.
