But wait there's still more.

Brian Armstrong is a college graduate who has some observations about college, learning and life which he has developed since graduation. You can read them here. Planet College does not disagree with Brian's over all conclusion which is specifically much of what is required on Planet College isn't useful back on Planet Earth. Essential skills such as personal finance and meeting people are not taught at all in most school systems. True enough and regrettable to say the least. Still, Planet College maintains that your higher education experience does have enduring value for average students. Among the most valuable are the friends you've made and are making through your school experience. Additionally the skills you develop negotiating the daily maze of school while working toward your degree will be permanently useful for you. Brian notes that the content of most courses is useful only for passing that course. Undeniably accurate however acquiring the content in a demonstrable manner means that your learning skills are expanded. When you have to learn something that you really will be applying you know you can do it. Finally Brian's thoughts are clearly presented in a useful manner. Brian probably learned how to do this in college. So If you choose to read and consider Brian's work remember it was written by a college graduate.

Let's Go Surfing.

Planet College offers vast choices for learning. Here's an example.


Surfing:
How To Surf A Wave In One Day*

Surfing is just one of the many, many learning opportunities available on Planet College. For those students who don't happen to have a nearby ocean or any surfing class there is still much to be learned from this video.

Watch it again carefully. The instructor presents himself clearly as capable, capable of being the instructor for this course. He also states confidently that you can learn this sport. He then emphasizes preparation, essential to success in any class. Primarily preparation begins with the proper equipment. He also illustrates the proper approach, surveying the area where the skill will be accomplished, in this case the ocean. The instructor emphasizes throughout his course your safety. He illustrates step by step the basic steps, positioning, movements and approach. He has divided the subject into small doable steps. At each step he re-emphasizes the basics.
From this series of videos an average student could probably with some determination and of course, a surfboard, wetsuit and ocean, learn to surf.

An average student could also learn from this series something else. A student could learn an effective means to approach and learn any basic subject. Go over again this instructors approach. He introduces himself and establishes his authority to be the instructor. He emphasizes safety and proper equipment. He presents the subject in simple basic steps. He reviews what has been learned at the beginning of each new lesson. He encourages the learner frequently and presents each lesson confidently. He also presents the benefits of having learned to surf for the potential student.

This basically is an effective means to teach most introductory subjects. If you have had trouble accomplishing or completing any basic course it is likely that at least some of the components listed here have been missing.

Think back to that class you finally dropped because you just couldn't 'get it.' Review it carefully. Assuming you made a sincere effort you may recall the instructor did not adequately present the subject. At least not for you.

Most instructors teach subjects they care about and are sincerely interested in their student's success. Most but not all. Occasionally, as you have seen, an instructor may have been a little sloppy, unprepared, remote, obscure or disinterested. At other times instructors are "plugged in" as last minute replacements. Frustrating as this situation can be it need not be lethal.

Reviewing this video and the presentation of the subject you now understand the basics of passing a class. When you find you are a 'little lost' in some course you really need to pass it may be that some of the basic elements outlined here are missing or under emphasized. Now that you know what it takes to present a subject effectively you can ask for help in the unclear areas. If not from the instructor perhaps from the tutoring center or even someone in your building who has passed this same course.

There is nothing more dreadful than that vague lost feeling which starts to creep up a few weeks into the term. Perhaps these basic steps might help you surf the treacherous seas of Planet College toward your graduation.

*This video was found on videojugg, 11/16/2010 and may be subject to copyright restrictions.

Just A Note Before You Go.

The traditional break is looming and so the traditional Planet College advisory about Thanksgiving applies as it does every year at this time. Read it here. Read it carefully.

What do I have to do to pass this class?

By now in the term your progress in any course you've been taking is pretty clear. Isn't it? That is you should generally understand what grade you can expect for each individual course. If you are not fairly clear about your standing, for instance, if your attendance has been spotty it is probably wise to talk with your instructor. When you do your intention is simply to find out for sure if you can expect a passing grade for her course. The procedure is simple. First find her office, if she has one and also find out her office hours. This is preferable to merely speaking with her right after class. If you feel your grade is iffy you made need a little more time. Once you find her office and hours call to make an appointment. This important because instructors time is valuable and this shows her you respect that. Remember, if you haven't spoken at all with your instructor you may have to introduce your self to her. When you go bring any class materials you may have questions about. And bring a pencil and paper. After you have established who your are tell her you want to know exactly what you have to do to get a passing grade in her class. It is likely she will have her grade book handy and will probably review it. What you want to know is are there any missing assignments still due. Also is there anything else pending that you will need to take care of for her class by the end of the term. Finally, ask her what grade you must receive on the final to assure a passing grade.

Carefully note by writing down the information she provides you with. This is your guide to a passing grade for this class. Then, follow through. Late or missing assignments, turn them in. Need at least a B on the final to pass. Study. If there is tutoring available for this course use them.

You don't want another D, F or incomplete. You don't want to have to take it over in summer school.

What ever it takes to get a passing grade go find out and do it.

The More I Work The Faster My Money Goes

With winter break coming soon students on Planet College are looking forward to - working more. Either more hours at their regular jobs or seasonal jobs or both. Which ever it is most students will once again realize truth of the line from the original rock and roll classic Shake, Rattle and Roll, "The more I work the faster my money goes." Working all week for a paycheck which disappears in one weekend night is a common frustration. The obligations toward friends and family during the holidays does nothing to ease this frustration.

This post is about one more frustration, taxes.

Earnings are taxed just like everything else. Some time next year you will probably owe money on the money you are earning this year. Some of this obligation may be relieved by withholding, the money taken out of your paycheck for your future income tax obligation. When you fill out the paperwork after being hired you fill out among other things a form called a W-4. This authorizes your employer to take out a set amount of your earnings each pay period. This money, a deduction from your paycheck, is intended to pay for your federal and in some cases state tax obligation.

Next year you will receive a W-2, a form from your employers which will detail how much you earned and how much was withheld from your earnings. That is in part an explanation of the frustration you feel when you work more and seem to have less.

Right now as the busyness of the end of the term and the winter break mounts there is little time to stop and examine your financial situation. More work simply means at least some more money right now.

Next year, when you get those w-2s and start doing your tax return for 2010 look carefully at the amount which has been withheld and the amount you will actually owe in taxes. Too much withholding could mean a refund check from the government. Not enough withholding will probably mean you will be sending a check to the government. Either way then would be a good time to look at your w-4 amounts. If it seems wise to adjust them one way or another it will probably be possible to submit a new W-4 to your employer. Check on it.

What's for dinner? IKEA again.

Dining hall food seems intended to drive students to dine anywhere but the dining hall. For countless eons the numbing sameness and general overall lack of appeal has been the stuff of complaining conversations across Planet College. However, dining anywhere else cost more money of course. It is this additional cost which keeps most poverty stricken students chained to their meal plan.

Now, IKEA, yes that IKEA, has developed simple, easy to follow videos displaying food preparation. These videos are based on a brilliantly simple cookbook which they have recently issued. The book is free, written in Swedish and available in - Sweden. But the videos which lay out food preparation in the style of an illustrated technical manual, are available now on line. The ingredients and the basic utensils needed are clearly presented in the video as well as the procedure of preparing the food (its called cooking, ask your mom).

The requirements are so basic and the food so simple it is possible that you could start preparing your own meals right there in your room. And you don't even need one of those little metal wrenches like you did to put your desk together.

Bon Appetit!

Sleep late and still get to class on time.

This weekend the semi annual ritual of time confusion occurs once again. The shift is from daylight savings to standard which is scheduled for Saturday night. This means re- setting your time keeping devices, clocks, watches and even some computer. Moving the big hand back on hour will add an extra sixty minutes to your morning schedule, if you have a morning schedule. This means that you can sleep late Monday, ( of course, you're sleeping late Sunday) and possibly, for once, get to your eight o'clock class on time. Enjoy.

Beer Bongs and Buddah

If you hadn't dropped that Intro to Philosophy class you might have gotten to the part where the Instructor covered Eastern Philosophy. The wisdom of Buddha, the sage pronouncements of Confucius, or the ever timeless Lao T'sze. They, each in their own way, describe living creation as an Eternal Now, a timeless Cosmic Void in which change is a seductive illusion.

Good thing you dropped.

While time on Planet College often seems like a continuous wheel of get-up-late, sleep-through-class, get-wasted, pass-out, get-up-later, this might more correctly be defined as avoidance rather than illumination. Despite what the Buddhah may have said about the illusory nature of reality you are on Planet College to progress, achieve, remain productively active and acquire something real, a degree. Although the day-to-day can often seem timeless and unreal there is a “real” purpose. This purpose, your graduation, can seem distant and unreal among distractions even more seductive than Eastern Philosophy, beer bongs, hotties, substances legal and otherwise, distractions Buddah never dreamed of.

Maintaining your focus and following through on your intention, your original intention, a diploma, is very, very difficult. And finally very, very necessary. It is the reason you are on Planet College.

Stay focused, Dude.