BEEN THERE
safari guide for the college jungle      

  To be a better student, there is a price to pay.  Lisa

Laugh at all the teachers' jokes, especially the bad jokes.

Have you made any mistakes that you would urge freshmen not to do?

Not to wait too long to do homework . FYE student

I have fallen behind in Delaney's history class.  FYE student

Don't let family problems get in the way of your schoolwork. Even though things at home may bring you down, don't let that interfere with your education.

Yes, get to the parking lot early for a good spot.  Student     

Try to start college right after high school.  It is tougher when you get older.   Older Student

Register for classes early.  FYE student

Procrastination!

Always do your homework, even if it is not graded .FYE student

Missed classes, not recommended when trying to get a good grade.  (confidential) 

Schedule classes 5 days a week.  Don't take 3-hour night classes.

Take night classes; it saves driving time. The atmosphere & students are great!

Pick your teacher; not your class.

No.          

Not so far.         

I don't think so.       

 Is there a particular way that you like to study?

I like to study with snacks.  Rodney          

I like to study in a room by myself, quietly, with coffee.  The coffee is the most important.  Russ.

I like to study with a diet Coke, caffeine is good.  Lisa Baldi  

I usually study with the TV  on, but muted & smoking cigarettes with other people Colleen Rix      

I like a quiet room, with the TV on  - with no volume.  I take a break every 45 minutes to an hour.  FYE student

I like to study in the living room with the TV on & no one else around.   Gary Colburn

With music going, TV, and a friends over   & soda .  Barry    

With music going.  Student

I like to study in a room with complete silence. Elizabeth 

In the living room, on my couch, preferably alone.  Carmella

In my room, at night when it's pretty quiet.  Student

Quiet time.  Brendan W.

In total silence.  Meagen

On my kitchen chair with a cup of coffee . FYE Student

With a friend in a  silent atmosphere. Student

In a comfy chair with no distractions  Al

In the library (fewer distractions for procrastination ) and with music on, I can help it.  Jefferey P. Hartt

Without a cat jumping on my books & lying down exactly where I need to read.               

In a comfortable chair without distractions. Student

I like to study in a quiet house   Janet

Two study tips for incoming freshmen:

Coffee!   Lots of coffee!!                                        
Barry

Study a little each day & outline chapters. Rodney

Relax & focus. (confidential) 

Study your own way - don't let people tell you how to study.  Read everything twice.  Student

Just complete all homework thoroughly. Colleen Rix

Keep a daily planner & also I realize  I will be closer to my goal of achieving a degree. Elizabeth 

Make time to study . Lisa Baldi

Just do it!  Gary Colburn

Study throughout the whole week, not last minute  & take plenty of class notes to refer to because some verbal information may be forgotten.  Russ

Stay motivated in  getting your work done &find a study partner. Carmella

Stay focused and get your homework done before the night before it's due.  Meagen

I recommend training yourself to read a lot.  Do not procrastinate about study time.  Try to stay ahead of class assignments rather than falling behind. FYE student.

Be prepared for lots of work! & Don't fall behind in the reading.  It's harder to catch up later.  Jefferey P. Hartt

Keep ahead or at least read assignments before each class.  Student     

Study early & ask questions when you need to.  Brendan W.

Make the time, no matter what.  It makes the grade.  Don't be afraid to ask for help, no matter from whom . Janet     

With old fashioned cookies & milk.  student

Favorite place for studying

At home with my kids playing around me - or at a friend's house as she helps me in math . Carmella

Sitting on my soft comfy couch with my 2 dogs. Al

Either den or library.  Elizabeth 

My computer room - it is isolated in the house.  it is quiet & I study best in it.  Russ

The downstairs kitchen - or outside during fall & spring.  Student  

First, the living room with the TV on & the sound turned down & second the computer room because it is small & quiet & has no distractions.  Gary Colburn

My room.  I have control over the environment there   & in the living room when I use  an entire day to study. I can still take part in family activities. FYE student

Near my cluttered computer desk sitting on my swivel chair Al

I like to study in my dining room.  It's pretty quiet there and it's got a great view.  I like it there. Lisa Baldi

My chair in my room - lazy boy   & in my car, lying in the back seat!  (Student)

In front of my computer or in front of a radio. Barry   

My 2 favorite places to study would be either at my kitchen table with my scented candle burning, or Ii take a short walk to Ocean Beach & I study on the rocks. Meagen

In a nice quiet, well-lighted room. Rodney

In the library or on my bed - the only  two places I study. Jefferey P. Hartt

Mohegan Fire Department - It's really quiet most days.  Also, the library at school - it's always quiet Colleen Rix

I like to study at the reservoir with all the foliage. it's wonderful.  I also like to study at the golf course, with  crisp streams  & beautiful scenery. (confidential)

In my bedroom on the bed & on the couch in the living room at night  Janet

On the couch or in my bed.  Brendan W.

Sitting on my soft couch with my dogs  or by my computer desk

At the kitchen table & in the library.  Student        

At my kitchen table with my  classical  CDs. FYE student   

How do you motivate yourself to study?

Knowing it's due the next day!  Student

I think about my future & how studies and school can help. Rodney

I remind myself that I WANT to go to school & I  paid to take the course.

I tell myself, "cut the crap, study." Student

If I get below a C in any class, I have to pay the TA I received, about $500.  (Student) 

I eat and schedule time to study. Colleen Rix

I am motivated by my  own desire to learn.  Sometimes I have to remind myself to lessen social  activities.  FYE student

That it needs to be done.  Brendan W.

I do things earlier in the day. For example, wake up, gym, shower, vacuum,  lunch, study, shop.  I have a schedule that I go by and go from one right to the next until my jobs are completed or my day is don -.  whichever comes first. . Lisa Baldi 

My goals, values, my family, but mostly my wife.  Work 5-6 days a week getting up at 4AM & hating it, but has no choice.  That is no way for a woman to live a life. Student

By wanting good grades, I choose to study at length. Carmella

Studying with a friend. Student 

I don't. I study before test .I have a bad long-term memory.   Barry

I put aside a day Janet

How do you reward yourself for a job well done?

I usually go to Friendly's & have ice cream or go out for Chinese food. Student

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream . Gary Colburn        

I play video games. Rodney       

I  sleep in.  Student        

Not having to do it anymore is enough reward Jefferey P. Hartt

I eat again or go out :-)   :-)   Colleen Rix

I usually go out and busy something/ usually I really don't need it , but shopping is fun.  Lisa

With a smile. Carmella  :-)

I usually don't.  Student

Try to give myself quiet time and relaxation to collect my thoughts.  Elizabeth 

I pause  & check my email & surf the Web. Louise

Going fishing on the weekends.

I go out to eat or go shopping .  Meagen

I usually go out on a weekend night (Saturday) & relax.  I will go out and buy a coffe  & take a ride & listen to music.  FYE student

I  wouldn't.  job's not done yet  until you don't have to do it ever again. Barry

A little bit of free time to do whatever deems necessary.  (confidential) 

A good grade Brendan W.     

I work on my art or read a book for pleasure.    

What has been your biggest challenge & how did you overcome it?

Just returning to school, I thought about my future & where I wanted to be.  Rodney

Falling into a regular habit of study.  I just had to realize that I was on my own, and only got one chance  at this Jefferey P. Hartt

School, work, family, still trying but everything at a little at a time.  Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream . Gary Colburn

Self-confidence -  I'm working on it.   Student

Procrastination, I'm still working on it. FYE student

Working when I have school.  I will succeed when student  loans kick in.   (confidential) 

Oral presentations are my biggest challenge.  I am currently trying to overcome it.  Elizabeth.

Getting into college.  By viewing my life & family situation, having constant encouragement from friends & family & saying be a man and do your duty.  FEY student.

My biggest challenge was entering college.  I just dive right in, took a risk.  I had been fearing it, so I just did it.  FYE student

Stage Fright -I played a talent show.  Student

Finding a job I love was my biggest challenge that relates to what I want to do in the future.  I am a live-in companion for a 30-year old man with muscular degeneration, and I  want to have a job in the med. field, so I'm pointing myself in the right direction. . Lisa Baldi

Depression, not feeling like I could ever get through or  know where I was going.

Getting from work to school.  it is a long day - but I just cut out some of my other activities, so I can go to bed earlier.

Just going to school again  Barry

Getting to class on time after work - got out of work early Brendan W.

One of my profs; I haven't  overcome our problem yet. 

Just walking through the doors was my biggest challenge and then taking each class one day at a time.  Carmella      

Been there Should've Done That

Show up for class . It's the least you can do.  You're paying for it besides Jefferey P. Hartt

People say I'll take a year off to live my life and most don't make it back.  I took the year off to live (party!), and 5 years later, the party stopped and reality set in.  School is tougher the longer you wait.   Student

Pick your instructor - not your time slot  Gary Colburn

Enjoy your class :-) Brendan W.

AAnything Else???

Come one, come all to the SPAG open mike coffee house & artistic  happening, Friday, October 27. Jefferey P. Hartt

Remember this quote: " Have you ever stopped to think, and forgot to start again?"

Pick times that you want.  Brendan W.

This course is actually quite interesting!   Carmella

Keep track of the days you take off.  You don't need too many absences - Student

I remember this quote:
Money is power. Now is the hour
Recognize the hammer
before you get put in the slammer 
quote by M. C. Hammer

Enjoy your class :-) Brendan W.

Befriend someone who had your prof.  last semester.

Save your change to buy a fancy cover for your report. 

Visit your teacher in the office and ask for comments on your intended work/papers& projects before turning them in.

Excuses - The alien ate my homework.                 
My hard drive died - all my work was in there.

Speaking
Think before you speak because the words cannot be taken back, no matter how hard you try.  Janet                                                              

Keep track of your grades.  Not all teachers are math majors  

Bring coffee to boring classes. Nothing upsets a teacher like someone snoring.