Here's my two cents worth: not exactly a single tip but, I think, the essence of what is required. Work hard and create understanding.

WORK HARD. Most students report they never had to work hard on their own in high school, rarely actually had to read assignments. For college success you need to attend all classes (as Allen said), and you must put in a minimum of two hours of concentrated studying for each hour in class. (This will require unusual determination because a majority of your fellow students will not be doing it!) By the way, a majority don't do it because most colleges have made standards low enough that students can get by without working very hard. You have to decide whether you want to get by or whether you want to derive the maximum benefit from your investment of years and dollars in a college education.

CREATE UNDERSTANDING. Unfortunately high school teaches very few students how to study effectively, or even what the real goal of studying is. Working hard will not yield results unles you spend that time doing the right things. Put most simply, spend as much time as possible explaining in your own words the material you are assigned. Practice writing explanations. Think of them as being written to your roommate who is not taking the course you are studying for. This is what understanding is, the ability to explain to someone who doesn't already know. Being able to explain requires not only knowledge but skill, skill in putting that knowledge into clear, concise, complete explanations. Skills only develop through practice. Practice explaining. Critique your explanation. Practice again. This is very difficult, but through it you well get better and better at creating your own understanding of the material you are studying. It is the creation of that constantly expanding understanding that should be your fundamental goal as a college student.

James T Knauer , Honors Director, Professor of Political Science

Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA 17745

717-893-2491 FAX:717-893-2201