While the votes are coming in about your favorite of the five student-submitted tips, here's a tip from ELI Psychology Professor Dr. Corradino:
From Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, 1725-1795, to as recent as General George Patton in World War II, people have used a motto which I find very useful to conquer procrastination. “L’audace, l’audace, toujours l’audace,” meaning, “ Audacity, audacity, always audacity.” Often translated to mean “Act, Act, always Act!” I find if I look at the requirements, make a plan, and then “Act” I get things done. If I don’t “Act,” that is get off my rump and get to the task at hand, things do not get done.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Procrastination Contest: Entry #5
Here is the last of the top five entries in our contest for tips on fighting procrastination. I hope you agree that your fellow students have given you some very useful tips and great insights! This last entry is by ELI student Garrett McNamara (who is a blogger himself!). Once you read it, please vote in the poll on the right to select your favorite of the top five. (Don't forget to look again at all five before you vote!) The winner will receive a package of ELI goodies. And now, here's our last tip:
I find it hard to dedicate myself to something that I do not have to physically show up to often. In order to combat this, I place notes about due dates where I see them most, my Google calendar. Since I use this calendar and access it everywhere I go, it is incredibly useful. I keep notes about what week it is in the course's progression and when assignments and tests must be completed. If I need to email a teacher about something, I record it there. All of my courses are mapped out in this calendar. Since I am constantly online building websites, I check this calendar many times an hour. I would suggest keeping an organized system like this somewhere you would actually see it.
As a second tip, I highly recommend forwarding your NOVA email address to the address that you check most often. This way you are instantly notified about all new messages and don’t have to remember to check separate addresses.
I find it hard to dedicate myself to something that I do not have to physically show up to often. In order to combat this, I place notes about due dates where I see them most, my Google calendar. Since I use this calendar and access it everywhere I go, it is incredibly useful. I keep notes about what week it is in the course's progression and when assignments and tests must be completed. If I need to email a teacher about something, I record it there. All of my courses are mapped out in this calendar. Since I am constantly online building websites, I check this calendar many times an hour. I would suggest keeping an organized system like this somewhere you would actually see it.
As a second tip, I highly recommend forwarding your NOVA email address to the address that you check most often. This way you are instantly notified about all new messages and don’t have to remember to check separate addresses.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Procrastination Contest: Entry #4
Here's our fourth of the top five entries in the procrastination contest. This one is by ELI student David Christensen.
I have many, many tips to fight procrastination. But I cannot take credit for any of them; let me explain. This semester has been beyond challenging for me. The short of it is that I have had to drop my 5 credit math course because I had gotten so far behind in it (procrastination hard at work).
This semester's challenges have pushed me to take more serious account of my struggles with procrastination and face them head on. So I picked up Niel Fiore's The Now Habit. You must believe me when I say that this book is the answer. (If only I had picked it up before this semester.) It redefines procrastination, explains what pushes us to it and the ways in which we do it. It goes further and provides concrete advice and programs to counteract the detrimental habit.
I cannot stress enough just how eye-opening this book was. Before reading it, I felt like I lacked the proper tools, or perhaps vocabulary, to address this problem alone. I could barely understand what was taking place within me when faced with procrastination; until I read this book and it all fell into place. It was like discovering a truth that had laid just beyond my grasp, giving me hope like never before. I realize I sound overzealous in my description, but for anyone who has struggled like I have with procrastination, this book is a life changer; it warrants the excitement. That said, this book truly is for everyone. Everyone procrastinates something. Also, the book provides advice (not to mention insight) for those who seek to help someone else who struggles with procrastination. I would highly recommend this book to ALL ELI students! (Actually, I'd recommend it be required reading for NVCC's SDV classes.) My tip to fight procrastination: get the book.
I have many, many tips to fight procrastination. But I cannot take credit for any of them; let me explain. This semester has been beyond challenging for me. The short of it is that I have had to drop my 5 credit math course because I had gotten so far behind in it (procrastination hard at work).
This semester's challenges have pushed me to take more serious account of my struggles with procrastination and face them head on. So I picked up Niel Fiore's The Now Habit. You must believe me when I say that this book is the answer. (If only I had picked it up before this semester.) It redefines procrastination, explains what pushes us to it and the ways in which we do it. It goes further and provides concrete advice and programs to counteract the detrimental habit.
I cannot stress enough just how eye-opening this book was. Before reading it, I felt like I lacked the proper tools, or perhaps vocabulary, to address this problem alone. I could barely understand what was taking place within me when faced with procrastination; until I read this book and it all fell into place. It was like discovering a truth that had laid just beyond my grasp, giving me hope like never before. I realize I sound overzealous in my description, but for anyone who has struggled like I have with procrastination, this book is a life changer; it warrants the excitement. That said, this book truly is for everyone. Everyone procrastinates something. Also, the book provides advice (not to mention insight) for those who seek to help someone else who struggles with procrastination. I would highly recommend this book to ALL ELI students! (Actually, I'd recommend it be required reading for NVCC's SDV classes.) My tip to fight procrastination: get the book.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Procrastination Contest: Entry #3
This is the third of our top five entries for the procrastination contest. This tip comes from ELI student Lisa Cotts.
My #1 tip to help avoid procrastination and stay focused is to daydream. When I don't feel like doing school work or I think something else needs to be done instead, I daydream for a few minutes about how happy I will feel when I receive my diploma with my husband, my kids, my family and friends all watching and cheering me on.
Knowing my kids are watching me is so powerful. So often they will do as you do and not what they are instructed. I know they are learning to value a good education by watching me, and they know that it must be important or their 40-year-old mother probably wouldn't be doing it. I am amused when they ask if I have class today, too, or if I have more homework than they do. I get to be my kids' role model every day, but there are very few chances I will ever have to show them something more important than dreaming big, chasing your dreams, and being willing to work hard to achieve them.
Almost everyone would rather be doing something other than school work, but how many opportunities are you going to have to get it done on time? Just one. The best advice one of my professors gave me recently is treat your class like a job, if you have addiction issues deal with them, put one foot in front of the other and keep moving. That advice, coupled with the dream we all probably have had at least once in our lifetime about sitting in class taking an exam that we have not even cracked a book for yet is enough to keep me on the straight and narrow. And by the way, in this dream, if you are still wearing clothes (even if they are your puppy p.j.'s) consider yourself lucky!
My #1 tip to help avoid procrastination and stay focused is to daydream. When I don't feel like doing school work or I think something else needs to be done instead, I daydream for a few minutes about how happy I will feel when I receive my diploma with my husband, my kids, my family and friends all watching and cheering me on.
Knowing my kids are watching me is so powerful. So often they will do as you do and not what they are instructed. I know they are learning to value a good education by watching me, and they know that it must be important or their 40-year-old mother probably wouldn't be doing it. I am amused when they ask if I have class today, too, or if I have more homework than they do. I get to be my kids' role model every day, but there are very few chances I will ever have to show them something more important than dreaming big, chasing your dreams, and being willing to work hard to achieve them.
Almost everyone would rather be doing something other than school work, but how many opportunities are you going to have to get it done on time? Just one. The best advice one of my professors gave me recently is treat your class like a job, if you have addiction issues deal with them, put one foot in front of the other and keep moving. That advice, coupled with the dream we all probably have had at least once in our lifetime about sitting in class taking an exam that we have not even cracked a book for yet is enough to keep me on the straight and narrow. And by the way, in this dream, if you are still wearing clothes (even if they are your puppy p.j.'s) consider yourself lucky!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Procrastination Contest: Entry #2
Here's the second of our five top entries for the procrastination contest. This one is by ELI student Eric Yeroshefsky:
It’s hard to think of where you might be 10 years, 5 years, or even one week from now. All anyone knows for sure is what is happening in their life at that exact moment, and honestly, who wouldn’t rather spend their time with something other than homework assignments? Most people are very aware that they are procrastinating, but they rationalize with trite excuses: “I produce better work at the last minute,” “It’s easier for me to focus when I’m close the deadline,” “I’ll do it later.” But why do we make excuses for school work? We are obviously valuing our present greater than our future.
My number one tip for procrastination is to realize the reason you are studying and taking classes online, which is to achieve a future goal. We are too busy to take classes in person; we work, we have family, we have other responsibilities. But, we are unique students, in that we have taken control of our own future, and decided to better ourselves by taking the initiative to squeeze classes in to our already packed schedules and we are mature enough to understand we want more out of school than just grades; we want to truly learn. Clearly there is something lacking in our life and we desire to achieve something greater than what we currently have and to be better than we currently are.
I have graduated from a 4-year college, but I have decided to take some ELI classes to better prepare my chances of getting accepted in to Graduate School. You must constantly remind yourself of why you are taking ELI classes and this will surely stop your procrastination. Hang a note of your goal on your door, take a picture of the place you want to be and tell everyone you can about your aspirations. If you are constantly being reminded of tomorrow’s goal, it will be easy to understand why it is important to work hard today. By delaying your assignments, you’re ultimately justifying the delay of your future dreams.
It’s hard to think of where you might be 10 years, 5 years, or even one week from now. All anyone knows for sure is what is happening in their life at that exact moment, and honestly, who wouldn’t rather spend their time with something other than homework assignments? Most people are very aware that they are procrastinating, but they rationalize with trite excuses: “I produce better work at the last minute,” “It’s easier for me to focus when I’m close the deadline,” “I’ll do it later.” But why do we make excuses for school work? We are obviously valuing our present greater than our future.
My number one tip for procrastination is to realize the reason you are studying and taking classes online, which is to achieve a future goal. We are too busy to take classes in person; we work, we have family, we have other responsibilities. But, we are unique students, in that we have taken control of our own future, and decided to better ourselves by taking the initiative to squeeze classes in to our already packed schedules and we are mature enough to understand we want more out of school than just grades; we want to truly learn. Clearly there is something lacking in our life and we desire to achieve something greater than what we currently have and to be better than we currently are.
I have graduated from a 4-year college, but I have decided to take some ELI classes to better prepare my chances of getting accepted in to Graduate School. You must constantly remind yourself of why you are taking ELI classes and this will surely stop your procrastination. Hang a note of your goal on your door, take a picture of the place you want to be and tell everyone you can about your aspirations. If you are constantly being reminded of tomorrow’s goal, it will be easy to understand why it is important to work hard today. By delaying your assignments, you’re ultimately justifying the delay of your future dreams.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Procrastination Contest: Entry #1
Here's our first of the top five entries in the procrastination contest. This one is by ELI student Sarah Smith:
Make a schedule and stick with it! Every week I map out what my schedule will look like - with school, work, and volunteer commitments I have to do it or I'd be lost - and I make sure to incorporate blocks of time for studying into each day's schedule. Even if the blocks are only 15 minutes long, I aim to accomplish something. Of course, there are days when I don't really feel like concentrating enough to tackle homework assignments, but when that happens, I try to do the kinds of work that doesn't require much thought but helps me in the long run. Making flashcards (or flipping through them) is a great example of such a task, actually, and I can even do it while taking the metro or watching TV!
Make a schedule and stick with it! Every week I map out what my schedule will look like - with school, work, and volunteer commitments I have to do it or I'd be lost - and I make sure to incorporate blocks of time for studying into each day's schedule. Even if the blocks are only 15 minutes long, I aim to accomplish something. Of course, there are days when I don't really feel like concentrating enough to tackle homework assignments, but when that happens, I try to do the kinds of work that doesn't require much thought but helps me in the long run. Making flashcards (or flipping through them) is a great example of such a task, actually, and I can even do it while taking the metro or watching TV!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Need to Save Money on your Cell Phone?
Did you know that NOVA students can get a discount on AT&T cell phones and service (whether you are becoming a new customer or are already an AT&T customer)? Check out the details here. Just one more benefit of being a NOVA student!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Fall Priority Registration Begins Today!
Priority Registration for current NOVA students enrolling for the Fall 2009 semester begins today. This is your chance to have your first choice of courses and instructors--don't miss out!
For the first four days of Priority Registration, registration occurs by assigned day. If you need to find out which day you are assigned, or learn more about how priority registration works, click here and look under "Important Links."
Don't forget that the ELI Registration staff is here to help you during the registration process. You can reach them by phone (703-323-3368), email (elireg@nvcc.edu), or live chat.
For the first four days of Priority Registration, registration occurs by assigned day. If you need to find out which day you are assigned, or learn more about how priority registration works, click here and look under "Important Links."
Don't forget that the ELI Registration staff is here to help you during the registration process. You can reach them by phone (703-323-3368), email (elireg@nvcc.edu), or live chat.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Test-Taking 101
As your scheduled date for an exam approaches, do you get anxious and wonder how to face taking the exam? Success on a test is greatly influenced by what you do to anticipate the situation, as well as what you do during the testing period. Luckily, there are many things you can do to help yourself remain calm in testing situations so that you can do your best.
You may already be doing some of the things I'll suggest here, and some may not apply to your situation. You decide what works best for you. Here are a few things that you might want to try.
You may already be doing some of the things I'll suggest here, and some may not apply to your situation. You decide what works best for you. Here are a few things that you might want to try.
- Review your notes after each assignment or group of class assignments. This will help reinforce your understanding of the content and will help you remember things better as you approach an exam later.
- Plan your time before the test. Try to schedule all the events that have a set time for the week or weeks before the exam (for example, your work schedule, any family outings you have planned, campus classes you must attend, etc.). This will help you focus on how much “real time” you have available to study. Then, determine how much time you need to study for each exam, and block that time on your calendar. Consider it an appointment with yourself!
- During your study time, plan breaks that will help you relax and re-energize. Maybe watching a movie or a light TV sitcom, or eating a snack, might help you unwind. Sometimes, a 15-minute nap does the trick, though an extended “nap” may just be another way to avoid studying! The important thing is that you limit your break time as well as your study time. It is very easy to procrastinate, get too involved in the diversion, and get off track. Conversely, studying for long periods can become counterproductive as well. When you study for too long with no break, you can lose focus and learn less effectively.
- Exercise your body and your mind. Move around during your break, stretch as you study, take some periodic deep breaths – the goal is to keep your blood circulating and take in oxygen.
- Get enough sleep: Plan to sleep the number of hours that your body needs, usually 7 – 9 hours a night. For most people, it is a myth that they can function well on a few hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation is, in fact, a way to perform worse on a test. An “all-nighter” is a desperate and risky effort that will probably backfire.
- Study with others: Some students develop study groups which meet at defined times to review and exchange information about the important course content that is likely to be tested. Be sure to set goals and time limits for group meetings or they can just be a waste of time you can’t afford. Use the Cyber Cafe or other Open Forum in your course Blackboard site to find other students in your ELI classes who might want to study together, or ask your professor for help setting up groups.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
ELI Tip #2: Use Our Free Online Tutoring!
Have there been times this semester when you could have used a little more help with some of your courses? Or, do you have a tough course coming up that you know you'll need some extra help with? Well, you're in luck. As an ELI student, you have access to unlimited, free online tutoring through Smarthinking. (Click here to learn more.)
Tutoring is provided in several formats for your convenience. There are certain times and days of the week when tutors focus on specific subjects, including mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, accounting, and economics. If the times and days posted are not convenient, you can schedule a virtual tutoring session at a time and on a day that works better with your schedule.
In addition to the tutoring sessions, an online writing lab is available to assist you with your writing needs, and for times when you may only have a moment or two to spare, you can submit a question for assistance and receive a response - typically within a 24- hour period.
Hundreds of ELI students are using this service as we speak. If you're one of them, post a comment--how do you like it? Is it helping you do better in your classes?
Tutoring is provided in several formats for your convenience. There are certain times and days of the week when tutors focus on specific subjects, including mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, accounting, and economics. If the times and days posted are not convenient, you can schedule a virtual tutoring session at a time and on a day that works better with your schedule.
In addition to the tutoring sessions, an online writing lab is available to assist you with your writing needs, and for times when you may only have a moment or two to spare, you can submit a question for assistance and receive a response - typically within a 24- hour period.
Hundreds of ELI students are using this service as we speak. If you're one of them, post a comment--how do you like it? Is it helping you do better in your classes?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Are You Taking Advantage of Advising Week?
A few years ago, NOVA instituted Advising Week, a week held each spring where everyone at NOVA is especially focused on helping you think about the next steps for your education. Advising week this semester is April 6-10 (that is, it's going on right now!). It's a great time to attend on-campus advising events if you are both a campus and an ELI student. It's also a great time to contact your faculty advisor, to use the college-wide virtual advising available here, or to meet with a counselor. Remember that ELI has counselors who can work with you by email, phone, or in person, as you prefer. Visit their website to learn more about how they can help you reach your academic goals--and to see their pictures!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Are You a "Reverse-Transfer" Student?
Meet Cameron Rodish. Cameron began her academic career at Randolph Macon College, where she took a few classes and then realized it was not for her. Several years later, after she started working, got married, and had a baby, she knew she wanted to return to college for better opportunities and to be a positive example for her daughter. She started taking classes part-time at NOVA in 2005 and is now in her last semester. She has also been accepted to Liberty University for the fall to continue working towards her Bachelor’s degree. She said that the journey has not been easy, but she took it semester by semester and it has paid off. I look forward to seeing her walk across the stage at Commencement (graduation) this May.
The reverse-transfer is very common at NOVA. Reverse-transfer students are students who began at a four-year college or university and then transferred to NOVA for a variety of reasons. Many of them have plans to earn their Associate's Degrees and then return to a 4-year college or university for their Bachelor's Degrees.
What are your reverse-transfer stories?
The reverse-transfer is very common at NOVA. Reverse-transfer students are students who began at a four-year college or university and then transferred to NOVA for a variety of reasons. Many of them have plans to earn their Associate's Degrees and then return to a 4-year college or university for their Bachelor's Degrees.
What are your reverse-transfer stories?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
ELI Tip #1
You probably know that you can take lots of general education courses at ELI--for example, English, History, Math, and Psychology. But did you know that ELI has courses in over 50 disciplines? When you are selecting your courses, take a good look through all of our many options. You can take courses in foreign language (French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Russian!); in Art and Photography; in Engineering; in Criminal Justice; in lab sciences like Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Physics; in Business topics like Marketing, Accounting, and Finance; and in unique and interesting fields like Travel and Tourism, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Meteorology, and Legal Assisting. The ELI Counselors can help you figure out which of these interesting courses or fields might be right for you and your academic plans.
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