TOOLS
FOR
STUDENT
SUCCESS
101
TOOLS FOR STUDENT
SUCCESS 101
CHAPTER 1: Discover
Grambling State
University (Historical
Milestones)
1. Name the first president of Grambling State University.
2. Name the year in which Grambling State University was
founded was.
3. What was the name of Grambling’s legendary football coach
who coached for 57 years?
4. Discuss the definition of the GSU Code of Student Conduct
5. What is the Alma Mater?
6. What are the school colors?
7. What is the school motto?
8. What is the Grambling fight song?
9. What is the school mascot?
10.What is the title of the Black National Anthem?
Founder’s Home – built in 1935; prior to living in this home, the
Adams’ Family home was in the vicinity of his bust behind Lee
Hall. Renovations of this home were completed in 2006; beautiful,
very peaceful home, but no electricity at this time.
Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center named for legendary
Basketball Coach at GSU. Coach Hobdy came to GSU as a
freshman in 1942 and was named Men’s Head Basketball Coach
in 1956. His teams won many championships, and several players
went on to play in the NBA…..including Willis Reed, Robert
Hopkins, Larry Wright, and Aaron James. Coach Hobdy died in
December 1998.
The Foyer in the Assembly Center is named for his wonderful
wife, Mrs. Mary Hobdy, who served as Executive Assistant to the
President for many years.
Conrad Hutchinson Jr. Performing Arts Center is named for the
Legendary Tiger Marching Band Director Conrad Hutchinson, Jr.
It was under Mr. Hutchinson’s leadership that the band became
internationally known. During his tenure as band director, the
band performed in many bowl games, parades, and even
performed in Japan and Hawaii. The Tiger Marching Band
performed in the first Super Bowl in January 1967 in Los Angeles,
CA. Mr. Hutchinson died in March 1996.
President Warrick’s Home – built in 1984; our third President –
Dr. Joseph B. Johnson and his family were the first to live there.
The former President’s home (where President Ralph Waldo
Emerson Jones and Dr. Johnson and family lived prior to
completion of this home) is located on Main Street between the
Judicial Affairs Office and the Student Union. It is now the home
of the Purchasing Office.
Original Dormitories…….can see the back of the Assembly
Center….students had to walk a long way to class.
GSU West Campus R.W.E. Jones Annex……Grambling State
University West Campus R.W.E. Jones Annex (formerly known as
Ruston State School and/or Ruston Developmental Center) is
located approximately 2.3 miles west of Grambling State
University’s Main Campus. The property sits on 157 acres and
comprises 47 buildings with approximately 26 usable buildings for
residential, administrative, academic, and maintenance functions.
May 27, 1947, Camp Ruston was formally transferred to the state
of Louisiana for use as a tuberculosis hospital. July, 1959, the
camp was reopened as the Ruston State School for the
developmentally disabled and was in operation until 2009. It is
currently Grambling State University West Campus R.W.E. Jones
Annex. Click this address for more information:
http://www.llaonline.org/ne/lla2012/campruston.pdf
Original Marker……Liberty Hill Baptist Association……where
GSU began in 1901 as The Colored Industrial and Agricultural
School
Gravesite of Mr. Adams…..died on June 27, 1961…….Mrs. Martha
Adams and all four sons Charles P., Jr., Edward, Henry, and
Ralph are buried here, also. The daughters (Fidelia and Theresa)
are buried in the Grambling Memorial Garden on Hwy 80.
Founder’s Bust – commemorates our founder, Mr. Charles P.
Adams and was unveiled in September of 1947……Mrs. Ruby
Billups was a freshman at this time. There was a big ceremony in
the Men’s Gym which is now the Eddie G. Robinson Museum.
Eddie G. Robinson Museum – Completed in February 2010; grand
opening on February 13, 2010 which would have been Coach
Robinson’s 91st birthday. This facility was formerly the Main
Gym where all activities including graduations were held.
TOOLS FOR STUDENT
SUCCESS 101
CHAPTER 2: Making the
classroom work for you
What’s In It for You?
• Being Prepared
• Know What the Class Is About
• Ready to Work
• The Importance of Class Attendance
• Get There Early
• When You Miss a Class
• Classroom Etiquette
• Tips for Being Courteous in the Classroom
• Class Participation
• Tips for Participating in the Classroom
• Classroom Expectations: Yours and Your Instructor's
• Your Expectations
• Your Instructor's Expectations
• The Connection Between Class and Work Expectations
• Adapting to the Classroom: Your Learning Style and
Instructors' Teaching Modes
• Learning Styles
• Tips for Making the Most of Your Preferred Learning
Style
• Your Instructor's Teaching Mode
• Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Instructor's
Teaching Mode
• Compensating for Learning Disorders and Difficulties
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Learning Assistance
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Tips for Managing Attention Deficit Disorder
Active Learning Beyond the Classroom
Tips for Learning Outside the Classroom
Making a Comeback When You Need To
TOOLS FOR STUDENT
SUCCESS 101
CHAPTER 3: BECOMING
A SUCCESSFUL
STUDENT
What’s In It for You?
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Your own vision of success.
Strategies for accomplishing goals.
How to boost your self-esteem.
How to create positive self-talk to motivate yourself.
The importance of creating a successful self-image.
How to develop support systems and inspiration.
Tips to improve your self-discipline.
Strategies for creative problem solving and decision
making.
• Thinking About Success
 How motivated are you?
 Your own visions of success
 Keep your eyes on the prize
 You can get there from here
 Be your own guide
 Visualize yourself as a successful person
• Goals and Motivation in College
 Remember the Small Goals
 Make Time for Fun
• Boosting Your Self-Esteem to Boost College
Success
 Creating Positive Self-Talk to Achieve Goals
 Developing Positive Self-Talk for Motivation
 Recognize Past Successes and Your Capabilities
• Creating a Successful Self-image
 Concentrate on What You Do Well
 Build on Your Strengths
 Accept Your Weaknesses
 Take Credit for What You've Learned
 Picture Yourself Succeeding
• Finding Support and Inspiration
 Finding a Support System
 Friends and Family As Support
 Finding Role Models
• Developing Self-Discipline
 Staying on Track
 Making It Happen
 Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Six Strategies for Creative Problem Solving
and Decision Making
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Problem Analysis – What exactly is the problem
Possible Solutions – Brainstorm the possibilities
Evaluate the possibilities
Develop a specific plan
Put your plan into action but be flexible, focused,
persistent, and committed
6. Evaluate the plan
TOOLS FOR STUDENT
SUCCESS 101
CHAPTER 4: MAKING
TIME WORK FOR YOU
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
• The rewards of time management
• Your time wasters and the importance of
eliminating unnecessary activities
• Tips to mange your time and set priorities
• Methods for creating the best schedule for you
• Tips to help you save time
THE REWARDS OF TIME MANAGEMENT
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Less stress
More work done
Better control
Improved quality of life
Better self-image
Quicker promotions
Better grades
UNCOVERING YOUR TIME WASTERS
• Time wasters are those things that you spend
time on that you really wouldn’t miss if they
were cut back or eliminated.
• To find out your time wasters, determine what
you’re spending your time on…
WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?
• Establish habits to make your time productive
• Develop a time inventory list
• Develop a time monitor chart
Take control of how you ACTUALLY
spend time and how you WANT
to spend time!
WHERE DOES THE TIME GO? (continued)
• Develop a time inventory list
School assignments
Television
Classes
Children
Job
Sleep
Friends
Relationships/dating
Recreation
Religion/faith
Exercise
Cleaning
Eating/nutrition
Family (siblings, parents, spouse)
Meal preparation
Leisure activities
Reading for enjoyment
Shopping, running errands
Organizations/clubs
Medical/dental appointments
Creative activities
Helping others
Driving/commuting
Social Media (phone, FaceBook, Texting,
Instragram)
Sports
Home maintenance
Relaxation
Car repair
Practicing (band, football, track,
Other
etc)
(+) too much time
(-) not enough time
(!) Just right
WHERE DOES THE TIME GO? (continued)
• Develop a time monitor chart
ACTIVITIES
Sleeping
Eating
Studying
Listening to music
Talking to friends
Relaxation
Job/work
Other:
Other:
Other:
Other:
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
ACTIVITY TOTAL
MANAGING YOUR TIME
• Determine what’s important to you
• Do the important things first
• Does it really have to be done
• What happens if I never do it?
• If the task is too big, can it be broken up into smaller
bits?
• Is it really part of my job?
• Is it important to my job/organization/me?
• How important is it to my grade?
• How long will this assignment/activity take?
• If I don’t do it now, will I be sorry later?
• Should I do this myself or can others help?
• Can it be delegated to someone else?
SCHEDULING YOUR TIME
• Study during your “peak” time
• Use the small blocks of free time between classes
or waiting time
• Review your notes just before class that requires
you to recite or discuss material
• Review your notes as soon as possible after a
lecture to help retain and understand
• As a rule of thumb, study 2-3 hours for every hour
of class
• Schedule study breaks
• Allow adequate time for sleep
• Start long projects early
CREATING THE BEST SCHEDULE FOR YOU
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Develop a weekly schedule
Develop a daily planning “TO DO LIST”
Develop a weekly assignment schedule
Develop a schedule for long-term assignments
(curriculum plan)
STICK TO YOUR SCHEDULE!
AVOID PROCRASTINATION
• Focus on the positive
• Think of the rewards
• Break down the assignment and list the
steps for completing it
• Visualize yourself doing the task
• Visualize yourself completing the task
• Go to a quiet place to study where you
won’t be tempted by distractions
TIPS FOR SAVING TIME
Only use the schedules that work for you
Set time limits on projects
Be flexible in your scheduling
Study on the run by keeping your notes with you
Listen to recorded lectures or tutoring tapes
Try reciting information
Attach index cards with terms and formulas to
the wall and mirror
• Learn to say NO to un-needed activities
• Get up 15 minutes earlier than usual
• Allow 15 minutes to get to appointments
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TOOLS FOR STUDENT
SUCCESS 101
CHAPTER 5: Improving
your memory and
learning skills
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
 How to improve your concentration and
memory
 Techniques to help and learn while you
read your assignments
 Strategies for reading math and science
 Self-talk that helps you take charge of
your learning
LEARNING HOW TO LEARN
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Finding your learning strengths
I enjoy studying and learning
I can concentrate on reading for long periods
I remember details I read
I remember details that I hear in class discussions
I remember details that I hear in class lectures
I am able to find the main points in a textbook reading
I am able to summarize a reading in a single paragraph
I take comprehensive notes on all important points in a reading
I am able to make sense of math readings
I am able to make sense of readings in science
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Using positive self-talk
Replace negative thoughts with positives ones
that will help you reach you goal!
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IMPROVING YOUR CONCENTRATION
Eliminating External Distractions
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External distractions are those things around
you that disrupt your concentration while
studying.
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You want your study area to be pleasant and
convenient and free from distractions.
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Don’t tell anyone where you’re studying if you
really want to get work done.
Tips for Creating a Good Study Environment
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Keep the room temperature comfortable
Keep supplies within reach
Study in a comfortable chair or desk
Sit straight for better concentration
Make sure you have plenty of bright light
Make sure your study area has adequate ventilation
Noise is the most common and serious
distraction.
Eliminate such background noise as television,
conversation, and music.
Eliminating Internal Distractions: test anxiety –
financial worries – daydreams – forgetfulness –
disappointments…
Tips for eliminating internal distractions
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Use positive self-talk
Make notes to yourself
Set realistic goals
To maintain concentration, study often but at shorter
periods of time
Take frequent breaks
Plan rewards
Establish a routine
Bring interest in the material and a sense of purpose
How is your memory now?
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What do you forget the most?
What do you always remember?
What techniques do you use to remember something
special?
We're Born to Learn!
The brain has in innate and
natural learning process!
Six Memory Techniques
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Understanding
Association
Recitation and Recall
Organizing Information
Visualization
Test Yourself
GETTING MORE OUT OF READING
(STUDY READING METHODS)
SQ3R
Survey – Question – Read – Recite – Review
PQRST
Preview – Question – Read – Self-recite – Test
When to Use SQ3R or PRQRT
FIND OUT WHAT
WORKS BEST FOR YOU!
MATH: THE DREADED FOUR-LETTER WORD!
REALIZE THAT ACROSS THE NATION, ALMOST 60 PERCENT
OF ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN
DEVELOPMENTAL / REMEDIAL OR TRANSITIONAL MATH
COURSES TO PREPARE FOR COLLEGE-LEVEL MATH.
MATH IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF FAILURE AND
DROPOUT IN COLLEGE.
BUT THERE’S HELP!
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Tips for Math Success… page 155
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Tips for Conquering Math Test Anxiety … page 156
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Adopting Strategies to Put Muscle into Your Math
Reading … page 156
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Reading in Science and Technical Books … page 158
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Reading Graphics … page 159-162
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Challenging Your Own Study Traps … page 162-163
TOOLS FOR STUDENT
SUCCESS 101
CHAPTER 6: Listening
actively and taking good
notes
What’s In It for You?
• Listening Actively
• Tips for Active Listening in the Classroom
• Taking Notes
• Note taking Formats
• Highlights
• Discussion Questions
• Activities
• Practicing for Academic Success
• Practicing for Career Success
• Practicing for Personal Success
• In Your Own Words
TOOLS FOR STUDENT
SUCCESS 101
CHAPTER 7: Developing
test-taking skills
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What’s In It for You?
Preparing for Tests
Getting Started
Prepare Study Materials
Rehearse Your Performance
How to Predict Test Questions
Making It a Group Effort
Cramming—Your Last Resort
Tips for Last Resort Cramming
Down the Home Stretch
Taking Objective Tests
True-False Questions
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Multiple Choice Questions
Tips for Answering Multiple Choice Questions
Matching Questions
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Essay Tests
Answering the Questions
Tips for Answering Essay Questions
Short Answer Questions
Just When You Think It's Safe to Leave
Preparing for Final Exams
Getting Feedback
Overcoming Test Anxiety
Be Prepared
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Positive Self-Talk
Visualization
Relaxation
Tips for Combating Test Anxiety
Highlights
Discussion Questions
Activities
Practicing for Academic Success
Practicing for Career Success
Practicing for Personal Success
In Your Own Words
THE END