6 Ways to Increase Your Performance as a Student
There I was—my first day of classes, in front of my laptop...and I tell you, it was a scary experience. As a Kaplan University employee and student, I know that juggling school, family, and work can be overwhelming. In order to succeed, it is important to plan ahead and ensure that you have an organized agenda. From my experience, I offer some tips below to help overcome potential challenges.
1. Create Your Study Agenda:
Always prioritize your daily and weekly goals. Start by reading the course syllabus to understand the course outline; then, set times to do the readings, respond to discussion questions, and complete any additional assignments.
2. Create Your Study Area:
Maximize your time by defining an area where you can concentrate and focus. Whether you select your local library or a room in your house, it is important to have a quiet place to concentrate and be free from interruptions.
3. Use the Kaplan Online Library:
The Library has a vast collection of information that can help you expand upon the course content and enhance your learning experience. The articles are available virtually 24/7 and you can also chat with a librarian to obtain assistance with locating information on a certain topic.
4. Contact Your Instructor:
Your instructors can provide guidance to help you complete your assignments. They can help you find better solutions on assignments and provide the necessary tools to master course material. I had exceptional instructors who went above and beyond to assist students and help me to explore new concepts.
5. Practice Professional Communication:
Your ability to communicate clearly and effectively is of crucial importance in an online environment, where you are not face-to-face with students and instructors. Always use appropriate language and proper grammar/composition—using jargon or complicated language can distort your message and create confusion. “Keep it simple” and consider your audience. This will help increase the effectiveness of your message and create better discussions in the online environment.
6. Don’t Plagiarize:
Plagiarism is a serious offense in the academic world. If you are using articles or online resources for your assignments, remember to use citations and add a reference page. This will not only lend credibility to your work, but will also generate new approaches and ideas to a topic or study case.
These practices can help you in your journey to become a high-performing student and enable you to reach your academic goals.
About the Author: In addition to being a Kaplan University Team Lead for the Support and Solutions Team, Jorge Jordan knows what it's like to be a student: he completed his Master of Science in Management at the end of 2011.
