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The Publication of the author, William H. Morris, of this blog, Planet College is available here http://gradwor ks.umi.com/14/26/1426259.html

Always Ask; How Am I Doing?

By just about now your term has taken on a familiar shape. Just about the same cycle since you've been in college.  Class, work, friends, work, class again and occasional sleep.  This regular cycle has an advantage. It is familiar and does not demand too much in the way of choice on a daily basis. that is not big significant choices.  This cycle also has an often un-noticed disadvantage,  a disadvantage which may be hidden in plain sight.

 With in this daily weekly grind your progress toward you goal, graduation and a degree, may not be clear.   Even if right now you probably have a pretty good feel for how you are doing this term it could be wise to find out for sure.  If you don't know or you aren't sure there is a simple way to find out. Ask. Just ask. Ask your instructor.

Every term presents a class at least somewhat more challenging to average students than they had anticipated. What is yours?  Which ever course it is this is the instructor you need to speak with about your standing. It is not too difficult to track her down. She may even have office hours. But, obviously, she can be available just before or just after your regular class meeting.

 However you find her when you do keep your approach simple. Especially if you have not yet spoken with her. Just say, "Hello." and ask if she has time to speak about the course. If she says,"Yes." introduce yourself and, if it seems appropriate, the section or course you are enrolled in.  Once you've established this simply say, "I'd like to know how I'm doing so far." What you are seeking in particular are all your assignments up to date.  She may have this knowledge at hand or she may have to look.  What ever she replies listen carefully. If she says, "OK." Then you are okay and that is a relief.  If you are lacking some work due, take careful note and tell her thanks.

Then get to work getting caught up.

Planet College advises this in person contact rather than e-mail or even voice mail because it is important for you to establish with this instructor your personal interest in not just your progress, but also her and her course.  Talking with her directly will put a face with your name and also establish with her that you are a sincere student.  This can only work to your advantage come grading time.

It Is Never Too Early To Plan Ahead.

Student progress on Planet College inevitably opens up opportunities and even horizons previously undreamed of my average students.  Passing a difficult class, and remember a C is a passing grade, doing unexpectedly well on a project for class or even being asked for help by classmate are incidents which can give your student self-image a little boost.  At times the boost offers a bump up to new horizons as noted.  If you have had the experience of improving your status as a student you may now be thinking in terms of additional educational opportunities.

Like grad school.

If you have lately begun entertaining the notion that you may want to attend grad school right now is a good time to get started planning.  Even if you have not firmly made up your mind anticipation can be useful now.  Grad school admissions depending on the school and the subject often require lengthy preparation.  Think of you college admission process but magnified.  You will no doubt need your transcript, letters of recommendation and personal statement at least.  You will also have to choose which school or schools you will be applying to.

Right now slogging through the day to day of just trying to graduate or even just trying to get to upper division or just trying to qualify for my major makes grad school seem like a mission to Mars.

And in academic terms grad school may be nearly that remote.

Still, Planet College advises students who have had even the vaguest notion of attending grad school to take some time soon and do a little investigating. It is never too early to Plan Ahead on Planet College.

Tweet Me Nice

The blinding speed of instantaneous communication offers Planet College students remarkable  opportunities to stay in touch. Texting, twittering, however you do it, are hugely useful and, in fact, indispensable in daily student life.  But like everything there can be a down side.  That is when the conversation gets a little,raw, or rugged or rude.  Sometimes a student will text something which later, maybe even sooner, they will regret.

Well, yeah. So. Wadda ya gonna do?  Say your sorry as soon as you see you have majorly oopsied and texted something your really should not have, recognize and acknowledge it. That is about all you can do. Most everyone makes mistakes. If you've been rude thinking maybe you were funny or had the right to say this or that when you really didn't, prompt recognition of your error is the best tactic to employ to repair anything that may need to be repaired.

A real friend will 'get it' and probably just let it pass.  Real friends are like that. Anyone who hangs on to your temporary lapse is probably someone you wouldn't want to have to much to do with anyway.

So acknowledge your error and move on.  Next time you'll be more careful.