Attention to Detail: 7 of 10

Attention to Detail

7 of 10

When you double-check your calculations for a math problem or cite sources carefully in a research paper, you’re paying close attention to detail. That skill comes in handy in any workplace, whether you maintain a database, keep a log of the hours you spend with clients or write e-mails.

John Wooden, UCLA’s former great basketball coach who lead his teams to ten consecutive national championships, was asked what he attributed his success to. Among a number of things, he mentioned that paying attention to details was one of the most important qualities for successful coaching and for high achievement in any worthwhile pursuit. He even paid attention to how his players would lace up and tie their shoe strings. If they didn't tie them correctly, he would teach them how.

Details may be small things, but from small things come great things; therefore, pay attention to details and you will experience substantial progress in your overall educational attainment.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Distance Education: Is a Virtual Classroom for You?: Part 4

Distance Education: Is a Virtual Classroom for You?

Part 4

Emphasis on the Written Word

Most of the communication, as well as the course work, in distance-learning classes is written. That’s a plus, because the focus on the written word gives you the opportunity to develop as a writer – and strong writing skills are essential to academic success. However, if writing is a serious weakness for you, virtual learning may not be the best educational option until you improve your skills. Yes, most of distance education is the written word; therefore, you need to be a good leader, love to read, and love writing also. Most of your assignments will be written and submitted to the instructor in the written format. Your penmanship needs to be excellent, spelling great, sentence structure above average, vocabulary extraordinary. You need to have online access with reliable equipment. If your Internet communications at home isn’t working, you can’t do online education from home and will need to go someplace where you do have access to the Internet.

Decide Whether It’s Right for You

Distance education isn’t for everyone, but it just might be for you. You really should seek it out and give it a try. You never know until you try. You might even fall in love with distance education. While distance education may be the perfect alternative for some students, it’s not the right choice for everyone. So carefully consider your unique needs and interests and give distance education a try; then, decide if it is right for you.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Profile of a Successful Student: Part 2

Profile of a Successful Student

Part 2

Work Together. There are a number of ways that you can ensure you get the most out of your educational experience. First, participate fully. Engage regularly in the discussions and be willing to share your personal, professional and educational experiences. You can get to know your classmates through the dialogue that is created in a course environment—sometimes even better than in a face-to-face class. And the same goes for your instructor. Be sure to contact your professor—especially if you are having problems. He/she is still your instructor and will be there to guide and assist you as needed.

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Successful Students: 1-2

Successful Students

1-2

Successful students exhibit a combination of successful attitudes and behaviors as well as intellectual capacity. Successful students . . .

1.... are responsible and active. Successful students get involved in their studies, accept responsibility for their own education, and are active participants in it! Responsibility means control. It’s the difference between leading and being led. Your own efforts control your grade, you earn the glory or deserve the blame, you make the choice. Active classroom participation improves grades without increasing study time. You can sit there, act bored, daydream, or sleep. Or, you can actively listen, think, question, and take notes like someone in charge of their learning experience. Either option costs one class period. However, the former method will require a large degree of additional work outside of class to achieve the same degree of learning the latter provides at one sitting. The choice is yours.

2…. have educational goals. Successful students have legitimate goals and are motivated by what they represent in terms of career aspirations and life’s desire.

Ask yourself these questions: What am I doing here? Why have I chosen to be sitting here now? Is there some better place I could be? What does my presence here mean to me? Answers to these questions represent your “Hot Buttons” and are, without a doubt, the most important factors in your success as a college student. If your educational goals are truly yours, not someone else’s, they will motivate a vital and positive academic attitude. If you are familiar with what these hot buttons represent and refer to the often, especially when you tire of being a student, nothing can stop you; if you aren’t and don’t, everything can, and will!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!