TABLE OF CONTENTS

• PREFACE

• INTRODUCTION

1. GETTING STARTED Reading skills, Writing Skills, Listening Skills.

2. LEARNING Developmental Levels of Learning.

3. THE TEXTBOOK Title, Copyright Page, Table of Contents, Preface, Chapter Titles, Subheadings, Chapter Summaries, Study Questions, Appendix, Glossary, Reference Page, Index, Study Guide.

4. NOTES Highlighting, Lecture Note Taking, Textbook Outlining, Study Sheet, Flash Cards, Tape Recording Notes.

5. TIME MANAGEMENT Calendar, To Do List, Studying Time.

6. STUDYING PROCEDURES Study Place, Work Area, Study Method, Studying with Others.

7. TESTS Types of Tests, Multiple Choice, True/False, Matching, Sentence Completion, Fill in the Blank, Essay, Open Book Tests, Study Strategies for Questions, Test Taking Techniques, Things to Do Beforea Test, Relax After a Test.

8. MANAGING STRESS Ways to reduce stress.

9. THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE GRADE

Copyright 1992, 2005 Lamon H. Small

Text used by permission.

Chapter 9

The Psychology of a Grade

This chapter is simply a listing of statements that will aid you in creating a positive attitude about grades. They have been listed as a quick reference and made easy for review.

• Have a positive mental attitude.

• Be prepared for class.

• Read all material and have all assignments completed before class.

• Volunteer to answer questions in class.

• Be persistent.

• Sit in the front of the classroom.

• Do not miss class.

• Do not be late for class.

• Do not leave class early.

• Remember instructors are human too. If you have to miss class or be late or even leave early, make sure you explain to the instructor ahead of time, if possible.

• Get to know the instructor whenever possible.

• Always do extra credit test questions.

• Do not rush through a test. The students that do best on tests are not necessarily those that finish first.

• Stick with your first choice on a multiple choice test. It is usually your best choice. Be careful with changing any answer.

• Write legibly when answering essay questions. Do not make the instructor have to try and figure out what you have written. This can be detrimental to your grade.

• Show a professional and positive attitude in your term papers. Do not submit papers with errors, mistakes, or handwritten corrections. Do not draw undue attention to your paper through errors.

• Always turn in typed papers. Never turn in a handwritten paper. It is best to use a computer or word processor when writing a paper. They make corrections and rewrites much easier.

• If you do not have a computer or do not have access to one, check with some local typing services.

• Always proof papers before they are turned in. If there is any doubt about the paper, have someone else proof it for you.

• Be aware that the presentation of a paper is very important and can make the difference in a letter grade. It will be compared to the other papers.

• Always be very professional in your presentation of any work which is turned in.

• When using a computer, use a good font like courier or a near-letter quality font. Do not use draft quality fonts. They do not look professional.

• If possible always use a laser printer.

• Always use a good quality paper. Twenty pound white bond is a good professional paper to use.

• Always place the paper in a nice folder. Do not bend, fold, wrinkle, or mutilate the paper.

• Always follow any and all instructions on how to submit a paper.

• If there are no guidelines to follow on writing a paper, consider the following. Submit your paper with a cover sheet which includes the title of the paper, your name, and the instructor’s name, all centered on the page. Always use the instructor’s title (Dr., Mr., Mrs., Ms., Professor, or Instructor. A rule of thumb is to list the name the way it appears on the syllabus). Double space sentences. Use one to one-and-a-half inch margins. Add a reference page that lists any references used in the paper.