{"102861":{"#nid":"102861","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Tips for Planning a Successful Semester","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBeth Spencer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAssistant Director, Center for Academic Success\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAcademic success at Tech doesn\u00e2\u0080\u0099t just happen - successful students plan for it! Here are some tips parents can share with their students as they begin a new semester.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E1. \u003Cstrong\u003ESet clear and realistic academic goals for this semester.\u003C\/strong\u003E These can include earning certain grades, managing time more wisely, or studying more effectively.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E2. \u003Cstrong\u003EDevelop a plan to achieve your goals.\u003C\/strong\u003E Remember that just listing goals is not enough; you must also develop a plan and stay committed to it. This may require weekly or even daily mini-goals, as well as regular check-ins to assess progress.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E3. \u003Cstrong\u003ELearn from past successes and mistakes.\u003C\/strong\u003E Reflect on last semester, considering what you did that worked well and what you did or didn\u00e2\u0080\u0099t do that negatively affected your academic life.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E4. \u003Cstrong\u003EGet a planner and use it.\u003C\/strong\u003E Whether it\u00e2\u0080\u0099s a paper calendar, online calendar, or a calendar on a smart phone isn\u00e2\u0080\u0099t important. What matters is that you have a way to organize and manage your academic, extracurricular, social and work schedules.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E5. \u003Cstrong\u003ECreate an overview of the semester.\u003C\/strong\u003E Carefully review all your course syllabi and record dates for exams, projects, presentations, and assignments in your planner. Be aware of course expectations, policies and deadlines. If something is not clear, ask your instructor.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E6. \u003Cstrong\u003ETake advantage of academic support resources, especially for difficult classes.\u003C\/strong\u003E Tech offers a number of programs, including tutoring, PLUS (Peer-Led Undergraduate Study), academic success workshops, and academic coaching - all of which are FREE for students, and most are located in Clough Commons. Be proactive and start these activities at the beginning of the semester - not just after the first exam.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E7. \u003Cstrong\u003ECommit to attending EVERY class this semester.\u003C\/strong\u003E Attending class, paying attention, and taking notes makes learning the course material easier than doing it all on your own.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E8. \u003Cstrong\u003EPrepare for class.\u003C\/strong\u003E Do the assigned readings ahead of time. Work practice problems and do homework, even if they are optional. Develop questions and ask them. Plan to participate in class discussions.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E9. \u003Cstrong\u003EStay focused.\u003C\/strong\u003E In addition to preparing for class, choose to sit in the front of the classroom and pay attention. Resist the temptation to look at email, text friends, or become distracted on your laptop.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E10. \u003Cstrong\u003EPlan to connect with faculty, instructors, and teaching assistants (TAs). \u003C\/strong\u003EIntroduce yourself, and use office hour visits to discuss questions, strategies for studying, and research, graduate school and career interests. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Center for Academic Success offers programs such as 1-to-1 Tutoring, Peer-Led Undergraduate Study (PLUS) sessions, and Academic Coaching to help students achieve their academic goals. For information about the Center, including a list of variety of campus academic support resources, stop by the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons room 283, call 404.894.1945 or visit \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.success.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ewww.success.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.  \u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"Academic success at Tech doesn\u00e2\u0080\u0099t just happen-successful students plan for it!  Here are some tips parents can share with their students as they begin a new semester.","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Center for Academic Success offers advice on planning ahead."}],"uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2012-01-11 01:00:00","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:11:17","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2012-01-11T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2012-01-11T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"1298","name":"Parent and Family Programs"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"719","name":"CRC"},{"id":"21181","name":"getting fit"},{"id":"21191","name":"resolutions"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cstrong\u003ERachael Pocklington\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EParents Program\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/contact\/index.html?id=rpocklington3\u0022\u003EContact Rachael Pocklington\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E404-385-3920\u003C\/strong\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["rachael.pocklington@vpss.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}