It's May. Do you know where your next final is?

By now as a Planet College veteran you are aware of some of the quirks of student life. One on- going quirk is the location of the finals for your classes. Finals for many courses are not actually examinations. Often they are monologues, recitals, demonstration or the presentation of a group project. Still many courses have traditional finals. Finals for many classes are often not held in the same classroom location where the lectures, demonstrations or labs have occurred. Commonly for example, finals for many general education or lower division courses are held in large lecture halls or campus auditoriums. Some finals may be held in alternate locations not on campus. One one campus, for example, the final for an upper division Creative Writing course is held in a local Mexican Restaurant. The reason is the professor likes the guacamole. Your campus, too, has a variety of venues for the administration of finals. Right now it is important to make sure you know where the final for each of your classes will be held. Check the syllabus, check with the TA or instructor. Check everywhere you can. You wouldn't want to miss your final.

Hey, Could You Watch My Stuff?

You're probably out of Finals by now and maybe even off campus for a while. If  not and you are still in Finals this is a Planet College reminder about "your stuff".  During finals students basically occupy the library24/7.  Sleeping bags, microwaves and tiny tvs clutter some of the areas usually reserved for students actually studying.  College librarians, tolerant and patient people that they are, usually over look this behavior during finals week despite the neatly lettered signs which clearly prohibit 'squatting".

If you have been or are a finals week squatter you have no doubt asked some other student or had another student ask you, "Hey would you watch my stuff?"  This while they or you run to the rest room for the break that consuming buckets of coffee demands.

Here's the warning.  It is about your stuff.  College campuses attract large amounts of people, usually young but not always  students.  Some of these non-students, aware that students are friendly and tolerant,  congregate on campuses for the opportunities that a large group of tolerant young people present. They are not on campus to learn. They are on campus to steal.

So when you find that rest room run is irresistible and you are tempted to ask anyone with a back pack, "Hey, could you watch my stuff?" make sure you actually know them.  Rest room runs at 3 a.m. are not the best opportunity for clear thinking -BUT- that is just when students are vulnerable and career thieves know this.  Even if they've been hanging around for a while, if you really don't know them ask someone you know to watch your stuff. Or at least grab the most valuable stuff you have, i.e. keys, room and car, phone and wallet or what ever with bank cards and cash. These easily transportable objects or the most likely to be stolen in your absence. 

Good luck on finals from Planet College.

May Finals Graduation and Parties!

As noted a year ago May on USA campuses is the month of finals. It is also the traditional month of graduation ceremonies. And definitely after the drugery and anxiety of finals and the joyous celebration of graduation it is time to party. Go here for all the exciting details.

International Students Finals week.

International students at colleges in the USA are usually attending schools here for one primary purpose, their education. Due to this international students have a reputation nationwide as 'good students' and they usually are.

This week , if it is FINALS WEEK on your campus, you have an opportunity to clearly demonstrate your unique value to your campus community. As an international student your study skills and academic habits make you an example for other students, many of whom will be struggling this week to get through finals.

With this profile, that of a good student, you can contribute to the success of other students easily. You can do so by volunteering to tutor. A tutor in the USA is a school helper, the kind that help other students with their studies.  Possibly on your campus there is a Tutoring Center or a Study Skills annex.  Whatever the facility tutoring can be an opportunity for you to involve yourself further in the life of your campus and expand your social circle.  When it comes to what to tutor maybe your area of expertise is your major or your strongest subject.  It could also be your native language which some other students, non-native speakers, need help with.  Whatever it is , look around.  Your co-operation and contribution will expand your social circle and raise your profile on campus. And that would be a good thing.

It's Spring, Finals are approaching and Sucking Up is in the air.

With finals approaching or underway and final grades due to be posted soon the annual spring ritual is blossoming in full on campuses across the country. The annual spring ritual is, of course, sucking up, brown nosing, butt kissing or however it is designated on your campus.

Suddenly find you are getting a D minus in Statistics and probably failing that "easy" First Aid class? Time to swing into action. E-mails, phone messages, even notes to the instructor proclaiming your enchantment with her and her subject are all part of the ritual. This along with mournful decries of protest about your way-too-busy schedule usually are a part of the package.

The purpose? To salvage some kind of decent grade, your financial aid for fall and possibly your college career.

The thing about sucking up is it is so pathetically obvious. Every instructor gets her or his share of it. Every term. And curiously most of them would actually like to help. But. You have to give them something to work with other than a tearful,"Please don't fail me."

OK, so you have a class or two you have neglected and now it is too late to drop. Try this. Get some time to talk to the professor, instructor, TA or whoever is responsible for your grade. This is going to take ten minutes, not more. Track them down at their office if they have one. Talk to them after class. Whenever. Tell them you need some time to talk about their course. When you get their attention say this, " I want to know what I need to do to pass this class." Simple and to the point. If you feel you need to supply some reason why you've neglected attending, haven't turned in papers or skipped tests do so. But. Don't make it elaborate and don't make it anyone else's fault. Just keep it simple and show you've learned a lesson and your willing to try.

In order to be convincing you will probably need to bring a notebook and possibly your work so far. If the instructor has time you two can go over whatever work you actually have done. Keep the emphasis on what you can do now. When she starts to explain your position and what you can do actually look attentive. Then, write down what she says. Like it says give her something to work with.

Then. Go do it. Whatever the instructor says. Take the time now to do the best you can with whatever is left of the term. That is it. Make a sincere effort. Turn in what you do. Make a reasonable attempt to prepare up for the final. Actually show up for the final. (You may know more than you think). And hope for the best.

Who knows? You just might pull a passing grade out after all.

This works much better than traditional sucking up. Much better. Way much better.

With Finals Upon Us.

With Finals now upon most campuses in the USA Planet College Presents an annual reminder about your safety and security on campus during this busy time.

You can read it here .  If this is your first term on a USA campus this information could be useful.

Testing Tactics One Take The Entire Time

On Planet College mid-terms may be dissapearing in your rearview mirror but that can only mean finals will be arriving soon.

If you are satisfied with your performance on your recent mid-terms then fine, congratulations and good job!

But if you are dis-satisfied with your results, here is an advisory from Planet College. How much time did you spend taking the actual test?  Depending on what type of test it was, by the time a typical student on Planet College actually gets the test which they will be taking they are so anxious that they hurry through the actual examination just to get out of there.

Worse yet, we've all see those whizzes who stand up, walk up and turn in their blue book or scantron or blue book and scantron twenty minutes after the test started.  This often freaks out already shaky students who then begin thinking, " Should I be done?"  "Is this test really that easy?"

No. You should not be done and for you, of course, the test is NOT that easy. Nothing is that easy.  That there may be some championship test takers in your class, well good for them. But that does not help you.

Which leads to the following testing tactic recommended for average students.  Take the entire time. For the test. Use the entire time given to take the test.  Whether it is two hours, one hour or fourty minutes use every minute to take the test. You are not in a race. You are not graded on completion time. You are graded on correct answers.

Deciding you will take the entire time for the test and then doing so will reduce the pressure somewhat and possibly allow for clearer thinking.  And that could only be helpful.

Planet College final exam review.

Some instructors may hold a review session for a major test. Usually this review is the last class session before an important examination. Often, at least, an instructor will simply hand out a list of subjects to be covered on an important test. Some instructors may even distribute a series of actual questions which may be on the test. This is why it is so important to never miss a class session and keep track of every handout for the course. If the instructor offers nothing in the way of preparation try this. Review any previous tests in this course. Then, based on this, write out possible questions and their complete answers. Preparing your own examination for the final is often an effective review tactic for most course finals.

Mid-Terms and Holidays

Right now International Students like most college students in the USA are involved in Mid-Term Madness. Projects are due and of course there are tests to take. Amid this typical college grind a holiday or any excues to party could seem like an oasis in the desert.

One such holiday is arriving soon. On October 31, across the nation and across college campuses an unusual and unusually festive holiday is held. The holiday is Halloween. Haloween has traditionally been an opportunity for students to dress up in costumes, usually the more bizarre the better and party! Party! Party!

If this is your first term on a USA campus you are bound to be invited to join in the fun. Don't be shy. This is your school's last chance to celebrate anything before finals.

To learn more about Halloween on campus simply type Campus Halloween Festivities into your favorite search engine. And Enjoy!

College Students USA Graduation Week Party Time.

After the drudgery of the term which has just past and the anxiety and stress of finals week Graduation Week is the most welcome week of the school year.  You'll notice the Congratulations Graduates banners displayed all over campus. You'll see the flower and gift vendors around the commencement area. You, yourself can attend and join with the proud friends and  families and grateful graduates.

And best of all You Can Party.  And party, and party and party. That is the idea. Graduates only graduate once. And this is the time to celebrate. So feel free. As a student you are definitely entitled to attend the numerous graduation celebrations occurring on and off campus.  Do so. These festivities only occur once a year and soon you will be the graduate and the guest of honor.  But right now, student, PARTY ON!

Land Lords, Leases and Party Larry

Eric and three other students had looked forward to moving off campus since freshman year. Last August, before the fall term, all four of them found a house near school. The rent was high, typical of homes near campus, but with all four of them working now they figured they could do it. The term started and along with work and class there were occasional partys.

Why not? No RAs, no campus security, and plenty of friends always willing to celebrate. One in particular, known around campus as Party Larry, was always in attendance. Party Larry, while not often seen in any classroom, was always seen at every near by party.   Life, class, work and parties went on until the middle of February.

That week end Eric went home and his housemates too had other plans. Up showed Party Larry and his party-hearty crew who, finding no one to admit them, simply kicked in the front door and partied on, leaving the expected residue of a major rager.

When  the paying residents returned they found they had a security challenge, no front door. In the state where these students reside the property owner is responsible for repairs to a residence. Eric thus called the landlady and explained what happened.

Not surprisingly, she was totally unsympathetic and said they were responsible for the repairs.
Being resourceful students they repaired the door and then Eric called his dad for advice. Eric's dad called an attorney friend and learned that yes, the landlady was responsible for repairs to the property. It is legal in that state to with hold rent for the cost of any repairs in this case replacing the door.

But.

There were other consideration.

Eric and his crew had signed a years lease. Each was working and some had plans for summer school. They had expected to reside in their place at least through August.  Friction with the property owner does not lead to enjoyable living. So. What to do?  Move out?  Break the lease. Well.  There is the matter of the security deposit and possibly a negative entry on the lease holders credit report.  And. Move to where? Moving like everything else costs money.

Plenty of real world stuff to think about.

The residents decided first, no more partying except among a few, very few, close friends. Also, never leave the house completely unattended. From now on some roomate had to be home.  Finally, they will withhold the cost of repairs from the last rent payment. The landlady will then, no doubt, freak out  but it being by then summer they will be able to make the necessary adjustments. No sense getting into a dispute with the property owner with finals coming.

All pretty wise and useful real world decisions. There are learning opportunities everywhere, every day on Planet College.

Planet College End of Term Checklist #1

The term is ending. Lots to do. Paper's due. Finals. Pack for home. Work more. Spend more. It can get to be a blur. And a hassle. So. Here is a Planet College end of term check list for you. Number one. Are you registered in the class, course and section you have been attending all semester. Seriously. This is simple and important. Look at your schedule. Ask your instructor or the TA. Make sure you are on the roll sheet for every class you have been taking. Don't stop with the instructor. Go to the registration office or where ever the records are kept at your school. Ask. Find out for sure if their records match the classes you have been taking. Find out. For sure. Compare the course, the section number and the times and days that you have been attending with the records office record of your current schedule. Important? No, critical.

Mid-Term Grade Review Part One

At most colleges and universities mid-term grades have been posted by now. You should know pretty much where you stand grade-wise this term. If you attend a school which does not post mid-terms then you need to find out what your grades are so far. There is a simple way to do this. Ask. Ask the TA, ask the professor, ask the instructor, ask whomever is responsible for recording and entering your grade. For some large classes it may take some doing to track down the actual grader. But it will be worth.

If you've been around Planet College for a few semesters you know how easy it is to get out of touch. Skip a few class session, miss a couple of assignments, what the heck, it's Spring. Then comes finals, final grades and (maybe) once again probation or worse.

This term find out where you are now. Some times this can be accomplished simply by talking to the instructor after a class session. If this isn't possible get the office number, cell phone number, or e-mail of who ever is doing the grading. Ask for some time. Say, "I'd like to take a few minutes to go over my grades so far." Then go to the arranged meeting and find out how you are doing. Are you up to date. Are all of your assignments so far turned in and graded. Are you test scores acceptable so far. Do you have a reasonable chance at this point to pass this class? This is what you want to know right now.

Bear in mind that a grade of C is an acceptable grade for passing most college courses. If you had designs on a higher grade well, what are you doing to earn it?

If you have a full schedule you don't necessarily need to do this check-up for every course. But there is probably at least one course that you are a little iffy about. That is the one to check on.

Ask Your Freshman Self.

Planet College presents virtually endless possibilites for growth, social, intellecutal, emotional and even physical. Most of these occurr gradually in small increments. The end of the term or school year with the arrival of finals and grades demonstrates your growth in the academic department. Other areas are not so clearly defined. If you look back the changes in you and your life have happened steadily but without much fanfare.

So here's a method which will no doubt clearly show you how you have grown. Interview your freshman self.  That person who arrived on campus during welcome week or move-in day or even at Summer Bridge has a lot to offer you about the changes you have personally experienced on Planet College. Take a few minutes and remember that freshman self. Ask him what he expects from this experience. Ask him what he hopes to accomplish. Carefully consider his reply. Have you experienced what he anticipated. What advice would you give your freshman self? What can you tell him now that you did not know then.  Your reply, that is your advice to your freshman self is essentially what you have learned, about you, school and the world. It is very, very valuable. It is based in what you have lived. And worldwide, on or off campus, there is no teacher like experience.