Rising to the Challenge

We are a culture built on achievement. We think of ourselves as stimulated by challenges. We expect great things of ourselves individually and collectively. At least that is what we tell our selves. Students on Planet College understand that “challenge’ can have different meaning to different individuals. While for some the challenge of maintaining their 4.0 is stimulating for others the challenge is not to roll over and hit the snooze once more when they are already late for class.
We all have our own personal challenges and we each have our own personal values. Your personal values will prompt you to rise and meet the challenges of your life.
Right now we are nearing the end of the term on Planet College and as stuff happens the challenges mount. At this point your personal challenge may be going to talk to the instructor of the class you’ve been skipping since you got a D minus on the mid-term. It may mean really going to your dental appointment for teeth cleaning like you told your mom you were going to. It may be actually writing the final paper for that required lower division class rather than ‘borrowing’ your friend’s paper which he got a C on in the same class.

Whatever your personal "challenge", the time to move is now.

Basic Requirements For The Job.

By this time in your career on Planet College you have probably applied for a few jobs. Maybe more than a few. So you are, no doubt, familiar with the "basic requirements" section of the job posting or description. Usually this section contains essential elements that the worker must be able to perform when hired. They are often relatively simple things like, " must be available to work evenings and weekends", "must be able to lift forty pounds", stuff like that. Often one basic thing not included is just assumed, "Must show up on time and be sober." This is usually a given and is almost always detailed somewhere in the company's employee manual.

Anyway most of these basic requirements also apply to your school experience. It is usually essential to show up on time, sober helps, and about lifting the forty pounds? Sometimes that back pack can get mighty heavy.

The point of this is that just like any one of your current jobs, school, right now, is a job. Perform the tasks regularly, show up on time, lift that forty pounds, i.e. meet the requirements. Employing a work-a-day approach to your education may not be too "uplifting" but it will get the job done. And unlike your paycheck, the compensation for this job, a degree, will last the rest of your life.

Gradual Improvement.

Instructors on Planet College come in many forms. Professors, TAs, lecturers, there are many different kinds.

Most all that you have encountered are looking for one essential thing in your coursework. The are looking for gradual improvement.

Whatever the class, it isn't likely that you had the subject mastered the first day. The first day in fact you were totally clueless. That is why you were taking the class. If you had the subject covered you wouldn't need the course.

So from early on you attempt each assignment. These assignment usually become more challenging as the term goes on. The instructor collects and reviews and corrects assignments. Meanwhile you are hoping for a passing grade.

There is one clear assurance that you will pass the class. Answer this question? Is your work showing gradual improvement? This doesn't have to be dramatic or awesome, it just has to be small steps showing improvement. If you can look at your work, review the grades and feedback you have received so far and see some steady improvement then it is very likely that you will receive a passing graded for this class this term.

If you are not sure about your progress there is a simple solution. Ask the instructor. Get some time before or after class and just ask, "How am I doing?" I'd like to know.

Good luck. Hang in there. Stick with it. Graduation is coming, it really is.

Got Spring?

Schedule in place? Financial ok? Need a place to live? Work schedule firm? Well? It's coming. And you'll be back won't you?
So. See your counselor. Get that schedule. Check the bursur's office to make sure the money is ok?
In other words prepare.

When it is all on line.

As Planet College has migrated to digital based learning services a great deal of the drudgery has been taken out of the college experience. So has some of the fun. Specifically, the fun of sitting in class. On line learning as convenient as it is is also very isolating. Most people who are in college are at least partly there for the social experiences. While Planet College emphasizes completing your degree, graduating and moving on it would be unwise to overlook or deny the joy that being with other students can bring.
So remember if you are involved in a lot of on-line course work you may need to take a break and just get with other students. Just for fun.

When it is all on line it can get real boring real quick.

Nobody ever said that college shouldn't be fun. Did they?

Study Groups

Around this time in the term interest in school seriously flags. The day to day grind takes its toll and thoughts of holidays and especially money for holiday fun become paramount. When this state of mind begins to take over it is time for serious students on Planet College to find a study group. Study groups usually meet regularly often in the library or residence halls. Some are dedicated to one subject, Organic Chemistry or American History for example. Others are organized for just generally any subject the student wants to pursue.

Study groups can be really useful for average student's whose general interest, energy and attention begins to ebb at this time of year. If you are not already a member of such a group you can easily find one. If you are exceptionally ambitious you can start your own. All you need is a regularly scheduled time and place and one or two other students who really want to finish this term with passing grades.

The subject you pick could be the subject you are doing the least well in. For most students on Planet College there is on class every term which becomes particularly difficult. This is the subject you need to bear down on. It is probably too late to drop and you don't need another D or F. So take all of your materials so far and find or start a study group.

Stick with it. Your time this term can not be replaced. Use it well, join or start a study group.