The President’s and
Dean’s List for Fall 2000 at Palo Alto College contains 434 students who
have demonstrated what it takes to be a successful student.
Many of those students
say they live by these four major rules to guarantee their success:
*Make goals and
stick to them. Believe in yourself! Imagine the life that you want to live and
go for it.
*Make friends with fear.
You have to ask yourself: “What’s the worst thing that can happen?”
“Do
everything to the best of your ability. Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to
ask questions,” said Devan N. Aguilar, freshman Nursing major.
*Make
studies a priority.Freshman Interdisciplinary Studies major Roland Martinez is
currently on the President’s List and has recently received the Student of
the Semester award. “ Studying is important in order to have a successful
college career,” he said.
*Be
happy. Develop a good attitude. Reward yourself.
“ABL (always
be learning) and understand that your function is to work toward the state
of being happy,” said Counselor Anthony Pierulla.
The Sam Houston State University Counseling Center suggests using this
list to keep you on the right track.
*Be aware of
the “ interference” phenomenon.
Learning new material can cause you to forget old material; it helps to
review the night before.
*Go
to class.
Attendance is important.
The one day you decide to miss just might be the information that will
be on the next test. If you do miss a class, ask a classmate for notes
and inform your teacher.
*Participate
in class and talk to your professor.
Don’t be afraid
to ask questions. Get involved. Your professor may be able to give you
extra help or tell you where you are lacking.
*Use
the textbook and take good notes.
Highlight important
items. Also, use your textbook as a guide to read over if something in
class was not clear to you. Write clearly and highlight important parts
of your notes.
*Form
or join a study group and start studying from the beginning.
Study with friends
or classmates. What you might know they might not and vice versa. Study
from the beginning of the semester so you are on top of things and ahead
on your reading material.
*Keep
up in an organized fashion.
Have individual notebooks
and folders. This will keep you from losing important information.
Students who want to be successful, not only in college but also in life, will follow these helpful hints.