Doing well in a course require conscientiousness, not merely consciousness of the fact that you are aware you are a student. Getting the “A” at the end of the semester is not the true measure of doing well in a course because you can achieve a high mark and not know anything at the end of the course. Never measure whether you have learned anything based on the final grade because if you cannot explain a concept, idea, and/or your purpose for writing, then you have not really learned anything.
In addition, always consider the course as central for preparing you and your mind for future courses. Even if you do not like the subject matter, you will need to build skill where you are for where you are going. For example, writing and learning how to write is not optional. It is not some optional exercise that you can opt out of on your job or even in your individual life. You must learn how to write, how to structure your ideas, how to synthesize and analyze, and how to revise based on a set of guidelines. Without some practice with building the skills of writing and revising, you will struggle with your future classes and likely with the expectations on your future job.
Taking the time to learn the principles and strategies of any discipline and how to apply that knowledge is key to ensuring that you achieve success at different levels. The money you make, the type of job you have, and the fact that you earned a high G.P.A. will not be sufficient, alone, for carrying out your life’s mission. You need skill. You need practice. You need capacity. Therefore, be mindful of what is required of you in your classes, as a student, and as a person who is planning for the future.
The following keys are specific to first-year composition students. They are applicable to students of all disciplines. However, it is certain that all students must complete a core credit English course. Consider these keys as central to encouraging you to do well in your classes and with your life.
Key #1: Read the syllabus thoroughly.
Allow the first week for examining each component of the class syllabus. Familiarize yourself with the requirements of the course, particularly the writing assignments.
- How many pages does the professor require for the larger, final paper?
- How many reference sources does the professor require?
- Does the instructor provide the option for you to develop your own theme for the paper?
Based upon answers to these questions, develop a to-do list and be sure that you regularly read the syllabus.
Key #2: Begin the research process of your topic early in the semester.
Think about what you like and the themes and concepts that interest you.
- Do you like multiculturalism? Think about the time periods that interest you. Many works in literature courses span over 100 years.
- Do you like the 19th century?
- Do contemporary ideas, notions, and methods interest you?
Understand this very early in the semester. Do not wait until the last month of the semester to come up with an idea. As soon as you become aware of a writing assignment, immediately begin jotting down ideas about how you might approach the assignment.
Key #3: Listen intently.
This is so simple but also very important. Many of your ideas for writing papers will come naturally if you listen to the lecture. Listen for connections the instructor makes between works and ideas. Listen for tone. Understand themes. Develop a graph, a table of works for each column and the corresponding themes that apply to each work. The professor usually tells you what you should know and how you should apply what you learn to a required paper.
Key #4: Make your job easy for the final paper.
If you research at least two titles per week, you will have the sources you need to incorporate into your paper. In other words, although you may not know the direction of your essay so early in the semester, you can research the scholarship on a work.
Each time your professor lectures on a work and on an author, by the end of the week, begin researching the author. Develop a bibliography of reference sources. You may not use every source on the list, but it is important to have the listing ready for when you will need any or all of the sources.
Just an hour at the computer accessing the school’s library website each week will help you to work on your task management and time management skills. This method will help you organize information, think about the ideas expressed within each reference source, and develop an approach to the final paper.
Key #5: Have your paper written at least one month before the due date.
It does not have to be perfect. Just get something down on paper. Develop a paragraph or two. Think about a quote and how it might fit into the potential scheme of your essay. No matter what, do something. Procrastination is not a habit. It is your enemy. It steals time, so during the month before the paper is due, revise.
These tips briefly introduce you to the idea of planning and allowing time for you to revise a paper. The first draft of any paper is not the best and final copy. You need time to think about the ideas you are putting forth and the time to revise based on expectations and your capacity to cut the unnecessary. These tips are not just applicable to the course. They are appropriate for life.
Thank you for reading.
Regina Y. Favors
About Favors Writing Center
Favors Writing Center is an online resource for first-year composition instructors and students engaged in the revision planning process. Favors Writing Center is a product of Favors Learning Center Online Products, a product of Favors Learning Center, which is in development.
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