Reaching Lifelong Goals as a Nontraditional Student

Being a Non Traditional Student majoring in History, I am assigned large amounts of reading homework.   I looked around at my fellow classmates and noticed the use of colored highlighter pens.  This seemed like a good idea, so I dug out an old highlighter from the desk and went at it.   I ended up with a text book that looked like a 1st grader’s coloring book.   (I did note to myself….at least I colored within the lines!!)   Too much of a good thing is never the best.   Concurrently with this escapade with a yellow highlighter, I was taking my CG111 College Learning Skills Class.   Effective study skills – Highlighting Text was on the class schedule.    Save me from my over zealous use of a highlighter!!   The first thing we learned in this section will stick with me forever - just because it is highlighted, it does not mean it has been learned! Words to live by in college!!   I had pages in my Biology text that were 85% colored.   At most, effective highlighting will produce a passage or chapter that is no more than 20% highlighted.    Key factors for effective marking are; 1.  Underline or highlight the topic sentence completely (this is the only sentence in a text that will be completely highlighted.)  2.  Only highlight key phrases or ideas within the topic studied.   Try to only hit the key (important) words in each sentence, color should only be on the DETAILS.   3.  Circle important terms or new vocabulary words. (my system utilizes a different color for all vocab highlights.)  4.   Try to number or split out lists or steps by numbering them in the margins (again, here I use a separate color to highlight steps/lists)   5.   Use brackets or margin notes to separate large pieces of information that needs to be retained, only highlighting words that relate to the main point.

These 5 points to effective highlighting are essential when you go back to study for tests/papers.  By not giving color to non-essential information, you can use your study time wisely and focus on key phrases and vocab.   This system for highlighting applies to your note taking as well.   I always try to get back to my class notes as soon as possible to edit them.   If I do not use my highlighter during the note taking of the lecture, I make it a priority to go back after class and add my colors to the notes.   My colors, yes, I have decided upon a set group of colored highlighters that I will use throughout my college years.   I try to be very consistent with my highlighting of both notes and textbooks.

YELLOW:  TOPIC SENTENCES AND MAIN POINTS IN TEXTS/NOTES

PINK:  FOR BODY OF TEXT ONLY HIGHLIGHTING DETAILS – MINOR POINTS

BLUE:  RESERVED FOR NEW VOCABULARY WORDS OR SPECIFIC TERMS ON TESTS

GREEN:  LISTS AND STEPS.  A COLORED # OR MARK BY LISTS OF ITEMS.   CAN BE USED IN MARGINS.

The most important concept here is efficient information retrieval.   By only adding color highlights to 20-25% of the text and hitting the most important key phrases or details, your review of the material is focused.   Review of all of your notes or textbook materials before testing  will be funneled into an organized pattern.   “Never processed – never learned”

My learning style lends itself to a colored system like this.   I need to separate main points and vocabulary and lists of study materials in this visual way.   I learned this in the College Skills class (did I mention you should take one of these courses…VALUABLE)   Now, my notes and textbooks are colorful, but in an organized, concise way.   Leave the coloring books to my niece and nephew.   Everyone learns in a different way, and this color system may not fit your needs.   Some variation of these highlighting skills applies to all students, non trad or not.

“Enrollment skyrockets at Linn Benton Community College” I somehow missed this article in our local newspaper.   I figured it out pretty quick on Monday when I saw  students parking on the lawn because the lots were overflowing!   This term in my Non Traditional Student Journey, I am taking an extra writing class.   I’ve already met my Oregon State University requirements for writing courses, but I could not pass up WR123 Research Writing.    Being a History Major, I felt this would be a valuable class for me down the line, so I jumped on it.   During the entire term we will be writing a major research paper on the topic of our choosing.  At first, I had the idea of writing a WWI History paper, focusing in on my favorite ace, Ernst Udet.   My independent study course this term will be an annotated bibliography of all sources about him.   Should be a great plug in…  I almost started feeling guilty, as this would be a no brainer for me.   My instructor made some comments about what research writing really should be which changed my mind.    Simply regurgitating facts and information does not make for a challenge in research writing.   I have to agree here.   I do have some ideas on how I would approach a paper on a Historical subject, and the research requirements for them, but…   How about a subject that is near and dear to all of us – NON TRADITIONAL STUDENTS.   We were told to write about something we were passionate about, something that can be extensively researched, and most important, a topic that we could put our own “spin” on.    How you interpret your research is more important than just listing a bunch of facts.    So….watch this space….I will include my findings and information about Non Traditional Students here on the Reaching Lifelong Goals blog.   After all, being a Non Trad is  what this blog’s title is really all about.   I have started some preliminary research, and there does seem to be alot of good information out there.   I need to narrow down the focus of the paper and not broad brush the topic of Non Traditional Students.    Ideas have been spinning around in my head (keeping me up all night, as well) about what areas of the Non Trad Experience need to be high lighted.   Statistics of non trad populations in student bodies will be enlightening, but I would like to write about the specific needs and challenges of the Non Traditional Student.    I have bookmarked some great academic articles regarding unique teaching methods for non trads, what different institutions are doing to adapt to high populations of non trads and papers on the specific needs in educating them.   Quite a bit of meat here.  Challenging topic to say the least.    I’ll keep this topic on the front burner here on this blog to keep everyone up to date on what I learn about my fellow non traditional students.    I’m off and running on this one…next post about it should be my Thesis for the paper.   Wish me luck!

Now that most of us are into our first few days of college as non traditional students, it is time to start working on the study skills portion of this blog.  I still have a small bit of summer break left (my classes do not start til 9/28)  and I am getting prepared for Fall Term as well.   One of my favorite blogs about older students returning to college is penned by Marybabysteps at the Never To Late For College blog.   This post link has some great points about note taking.   This is a skill that everyone can benefit from.   There are many styles and models for note taking.  I personally utilize the Cornell Method. It’s a system and a format that builds on what is known as the 5R’s of note taking. Record, Reduce, Recite, Reflect and Review. The format itself I find especially intriguing, the use of a “cue column” seeming really beneficial to those, like me, who tend to go pretty free form with their notes.   The method’s main claim to fame is the study and review enhancements to your note taking.    The note taker divides the paper into two columns: the note-taking column (usually on the right) is twice the size of the key word column (on the left). The student should leave five to six lines, or about two inches, at the bottom of the page. Notes from a lecture or teaching are written in the note-taking column; notes usually consist of the main ideas of the text or lecture, and long ideas are paraphrased. Long sentences are avoided; symbols or abbreviations are used instead. Relevant questions (which should be recorded as soon as possible so that the lecture and questions will be fresh in the student’s mind) or key words are written in the key word column. You then write a summary of the information on that bottom area of the page.

An important concept in the Cornell system is the “five Rs”.     I learned them as they relate to Cornell, however, these concepts are essential to any system you use to take notes;

1. Record. During the lecture, as many meaningful facts as possible are recorded.

2. Reduce. As soon after class as possible, ideas and facts are concisely summarized in the Recall Column. Summarizing clarifies meanings and relationships, reinforces continuity, and strengthens memory.

3. Recite. Most of the page is covered and the student tries to recall as much of the lecture as possible, using only what has been written in the Recall Column. This procedure helps to transfer the facts and ideas to the long term memory.

4. Reflect. The student’s own opinion is distilled from the notes. This also has the effect of training the mind to find and categorize vital information, leading to more efficient memorization.

5. Review. The student reviews the notes briefly but regularly. Because of the highly condensed nature of the notes, the student remembers a significant amount of material.

The concepts of Cornell notes can be modified to suit  your needs for every type of class.   For example, when I took notes for Math 060, I still utilized the two column format, but my notes were more specific for each point (algebraic formulas…etc.).    Where my History 203 notes were not as specific and focused on the concepts and facts of a time period studied.    The end result in using the notes as a study guide were the same.    I needed to focus on highly detailed specifics and “how to” points for Math, and by using the concepts of the 5 Rs I was able to organize my study time better.     This system takes some getting used to, and some discipline to keep up with, but in the long run, you will benefit greatly.    I found a great .PDF file online about the Cornell System.   The format of your note pages is illustrated here.

The key concept here is:  NOTE TAKING SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT!   Develop a system that works for you, everyone learns differently.   Take a College Study Skills class if your institution offers one, it will be a great investment in your Non Traditional Student Journey!!

Here is a great tip from Elizabeth Sheppard from the Non Traditional Student Blog.   I personally can’t live without my “electronic brain”.  I have a Palm Treo which serves as a phone and a PDA.   Sure wish I had an I Phone….well someday when I am able to get away from my Treo.   Whatever style of personal calendar you use, the key is to USE IT!     I only know a few people that do not have some kind of personal organizer.    Seems that everyone out there is checking their schedules and appointments on some form of PDA.   I have found alot of great information available on the Non Traditional Student Blog.   You should check in there often.   And most important…tell  every other non trad student you know…get online and start searching NonTraditional Students and Lifelong Goals on Google.    Let’s get some more of our fellow Non Trads dialed into what is available out there!!!

FIVE CALENDAR TIPS
for nontraditional students

These calendar tips will help nontraditional students find their way when they are first starting back to school.

1. Buy a personal schedule book and calendar. You don’t have to get an expensive one, but do get a current one with plenty of room for all assignments.

You can also get an erasable calendar to put up on your front door, or just use your small calendar that will fit into your book back or purse. You will be surprised how much this calendar will help you with assignments and scheduling.

2. Write all your assignment due dates down on the calendar, and then work backwards from the due date to chop each assignment into manageable pieces. For instance, put “look up references” on your calendar so you can get that step done before your essay or report is due.

You will find that keeping up with notebooks and starting assignments early will really help you come “crunch” time. Then instead of cramming everything into one week, you will stay calm and collected and be able to study a lot more.

3. Put your class locations, room number, building and times on the front of your calendar. Also, put the teacher’s name there. You will be surprised how much this will help. I know I did not memorize each teacher’s name for awhile, and used my class location and time information every day.

4. Put at least one other student’s name and contact information in your calendar, and note which class they are in. This will save your booty when you are sick or miss some inportant information in class.

5. (VERY important) Look at your calendar EVERY DAY. Do not ever forget a day. And look ahead in the calendar so you know what is coming up.

I hope this calendar guide is helpful!

How To Set Goals That Stick

Author: preetisharma

What do you think about when the word goal comes up in conversation? Do you cringe and snort thinking to yourself “right, goals . . . whatever. What’s the point of making them if I won’t keep them?” Or, do your eyes light up as you tick off a long list of goals for the New Year that will be impossible to complete?

No matter if you have an optimistic or pessimistic outlook about your small business goals for this New Year, both outlooks have something in common and it is this: Unless you know how to set goals properly, you will fail to complete them. So let’s start by defining exactly what a goal is: A goal is something that is meaningful, powerful, and transformative. A goal is something that will change your life, your business, your career, or your family in some meaningful way.

A goal is fierce!

• A goal is clearly defined

• A goal is very specific

• A goal has an action plan and time line for completion

To be an accomplished goal setter, you must become a fearsome time manager by:

• Setting priorities

• Completing tasks on time

• Eliminating distractions

In other words, those who manage their time, manage their world.

Three Parts To Setting Goals That Stick

1. Activate Intentions. They key to getting your business goals to stick it to activate your intentions. That means to put down on a piece of paper what your goals are, and then to take one action on each goal immediately.

Seven Steps For Successful Activation

• Identify your goal, very clearly and specifically. Identify no more than 3-5 business goals to focus on. Be concrete. Put your business goal into words and be as precise about it as you can be.

• Think critically about whether or not this is actually a business goal that you want to accomplish this year. Make sure you know why this goal is meaningful.

• Thinking creatively about how to accomplish your goals. Think outside the box. Stretch the boundaries of possibilities. Engage others to brainstorm and ‘creategize’ with you. Think really far out. Consider outlandish and bazaar solutions.

• Next, identify your plan of action and create strategic action steps that will lead to goal completion.

• Then, and this is all so energetically important: schedule and take your first action step either now, or within the next five days. This one step will set the activation energy in motion. Since what we focus on happens, it is important to schedule and take a first step to create momentum immediately.

• Evaluate your activity and measure success every step along the way.

• Reward success.

2. Eliminate Distractions. Distractions are the worst enemy of time management, and are the number one reason why goals fail. When we allow distractions to take our time and attention away from our goals, the result is frustration, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed, to thoughts of not being able to do something, to failure. Be fierce about your goals and guard them with your time.

3. Fearsome Focus. Dave Lakhani, speaker, trainer, and author of the Power Of An Hour has come up with a fearsome focus strategy that works. In his book, he suggests focusing for an hour at a time on a specific action step of one of your business goals, no more, no less. He recommends that you block out time each day for this fearsome focus hour, and that you divide that focus time into 45 minutes fearsome focus, and 15 minutes doing something else. Below is a summary of his strategy.

• Write down action steps for what you intent to accomplish in your 45-minute fearsome focus time.

• Surround yourself with all the tools you need to get the job done before you begin.

• Don’t allow distractions.

• Launch into your project with gusto.

• Evaluate success along the way by reviewing steps, then immediately re-engage in fearsome focus.

• If distracted, instantly dismiss distraction and re-engage.

• Complete all action steps.

• Acknowledge completion and relax.

• Remain in fearsome focus for 45 minutes, and then do something different for 15 minutes. After an hour, move on to something else.

That’s it folks. These are the steps to take if you want to set goals that stick. All you need to do is activate, eliminate, and focus. Keep in mind, though, that it is ridiculous to spend time focusing on something you don’t intend to do. That’s a failed goal in the making. Instead, if you find that a goal no longer serves you, replace or revise it with one that does.

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