The Ten Commandments for How to Excel
in Higher Education
Dr. JERRY O. WOLFF
Department of Biology
The University of Memphis
jwolff@memphis.edu
1.
Get what you pay for
Why do people go to college? To get through! Get your money's worth from
education. Education is that strange commodity where people do not want to get
their money's worth. Students often try to learn the minimum just to get by,
whereas they should strive to get the maximum they can from their education.
Your education is the most valuable investment you will ever make, get your
money’s worth.
2.
Knowledge is power; it opens doors and shapes careers - don=t leave here without
it.
Go into a course with the attitude that "I want to learn the maximum that I can
about the subject matter". Gaining knowledge is like basic research, we never
know what might be important until some later time. But, people always respect a
display of basic knowledge. Learn how to learn, what to retain and what to filter
out. Think about the "thought process" for decision making.
3.
The best way to learn is to teach.
Share knowledge, ideas, thoughts, and emotions. Talk to each other, listen to each
other, intellectual exchange is a rewarding experience. Effective communication
skills are essential to be successful in the professional sciences. Develop a level
of professionalism in your interactions with peers and superiors.
4.
Life is a series of alternative choices; choose wisely.
Accept responsibility for your actions, do not rely on excuses. Add a new word to
your vocabulary - "NOW", "Do It Now"; and delete the word procrastinate.
5.
There are no mistakes in life, just learning experiences.
Everything you do is a learning experience, you are better person after making that
decision. Do not dwell on the negative. “Mistakes” are nature’s way of telling
you that you are on the wrong path and to stop, think, backup, and take another
turn in the road. Forget your “mistakes”, but remember what they taught you.
6.
Set standards for yourself that meet national criteria
Be the best that you can be. Rise to the level of your competition. When you
apply for jobs, you will be competing with applicants from around the country,
not just your immediate peers. Therefore, you must meet national standards in
your academic achievements. If you accept mediocrity, be careful, you might
become it.
7.
Do good science (SCIENCE) (or be a "good" student, depending on your major)
Do well in coursework, grades are important. If you are a good student, good
things will happen to you. Your GPA is the first selection criterion that is used
for applicants for jobs, graduate schools, or professional programs.
8.
Develop an IDENTITY
How do you want to be identified? What are your distinguishing features? What
makes you stand out from your peers? Write out a list of seven (7) adjectives that
describe yourself, tape it to the cover of your notebook (or on your bathroom
mirror), and revisit it on a regular basis. Do others perceive you in the same way?
9.
Promote yourself (PROMOTE)
You need to get professors and potential employers to know who you are.
Therefore you need to promote yourself (your identify). Conduct independent
research with a professor, give talks at meetings, write papers, volunteer to give a
guest lecture, ask questions in class and seminars, organize a journal club, become
involved in professional societies, etc.
S.I.P.
Do good SCIENCE
Use that science to develop an IDENTITY
PROMOTE your identity
10.
You can’t put excuses on your Resume.
A resume or curriculum vita contains what you did do, not what you did not do.
Potential employers and graduate and other professional admissions committees
will judge you on what you did, rather than did not, accomplish. Remember, life
is full of alternative choices, choose wisely and accept responsibility for your
decisions.
Ten Strategies for Academic Success
Jerry O. Wolff
Rule 1.
Go to class, sit up front, and speak to the professor
Rule 2.
Form a study group of 2-4 students
Rule 3.
Recopy your notes after every class; from others and with supplementary material
from your text.
Rule 4.
Review your notes for a minimum of 30 minutes between each class period; i.e.
come to class every day prepared for an exam.
Rule 5.
Practice using the material
Rule 6.
Understand the big picture, memorize some details, but be able to apply them to a
larger context; i.e. don’t “miss sight of the forest for the trees.”
Rule 7.
Get help early if you are not doing well, certainly before the drop date!
Rule 8.
Practice time management. Outline your week’s activities and manage time to
accommodate your schedule. Leave room for the “unexpected”.
Rule 9.
If you expect mediocrity, be careful, you just might get it. Set your goals,
standards of excellence, and aspirations at the national level.
Rule 10.
Avoid falling back on the excuse “I don’t have time........”. If you register for a
class make the time to do it right!