Student Survival Guide Essay Example

Student Survival Guide Essay To find relevant material (information), research strategy is required. A research strategy by its simplest form is a sequence of steps taken to get relevant information. There is no simple plan that can resolve each resource need, however the following steps form an important outline to guide student search a topic on line. First identify a topic needed and then find background information. Look for primary sources, it should be noted that great information on getting primary sources could be found in library. Primary source, which can be found in the Internet, look for books on your topic and also find journal articles e.g. periodicals. Identify other useful information as it necessitates e.g. government documents, statistics and current news. Search the Internet and the world wide web. Finally evaluate your sources and compile your paper and very important all you should cite reference Navigating the university library Most of the universities have procedures for their navigation the simplest form of procedure of navigating university library is where to look for sources first. Look for books of your topic. Universities always have a book catalogue where one can get information on where to find a book in the university library. Additionally, some topics may be found in journal articles like periodicals. The university has specific location for journals and other useful information like documentation, statistics and also their locations for general and current news whenever necessary. We will write a custom essay sample on Student Survival Guide specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Student Survival Guide specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Student Survival Guide specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Evaluating the strength and bias of a source To search access online information as been made easy by Google and other search groups. Inputting a few key words into search engine will almost guarantee you get search results. Precaution should be taken when selecting information from Internet to use in research, just because something is on the Internet does not guarantee it is accurate, useful or appropriate for research. Primary sources should be checked to evaluate the strength and/or bias of a particular source. II  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Upholding Academic Honesty Understanding axia’s academic honesty Axia’s academic honesty policy stipulates clearly that everybody is expected to live up to the university’s standard of academic honesty no matter what temptations one may face to cheat; academic honesty is a cornerstone of development and acquisition of knowledge. Academic dishonesty is totally forbidden in Axias’ college and is highly penalized. Avoiding plagiarism Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty. It can be defined as usage of somebody’s ideas, words, or fact with improper citation. There are several way in which plagionism exist. First it exists when all parts of an essay are copied from the author or another person’s composition is represented as original work. It also exists when unappropraite acknowledgement is given to the author for words, phrases, sentences, or ideas of the author incorporated in the essay or text. To avoid plagiarism you must give credit whenever you use another person’s ideas, opposition or theory. Also give acknowledgement whenever any fact, statistics, graphs, drawing or any pieces of information that are not common knowledge are used. Quotations of another person’s spoken or written or paraphrase of another person’s spoken or written words should be properly cited. First put in quotation everything that comes directly from the essay particularly when taking notes. Second paraphrase, but be sure you are not just replacing a few words. Third check what you have paraphrased against the original text to be sure that you have not accidentally used the same phrases or words and that the information is accurate. Correct citing of reference Citing a source give a way is appropriate acknowledgement is like source used when writing a text. It also enables the user of your text to be able to find the information for themselves. Citing a source also increases credibility and offers strength for your argument. Citing a source and also when summarizing or rephrasing information from a source into your own words. There are several methods of citing a source, in-text references, which are located in the text of the paper and tells the reader what information was borrowed and where it came from. The other method is a list of worked cited; this is located at the end of paper. This tells the reader what sources were used to write the paper and provide complete information about the source (Ellis, D. B. 1993). III  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Developing Effective Study Skills Forming study skills for a distance learning environment Distance learning does not involve attendance at study centre and therefore one continues to learn at own speed. For those who need to fit their learning around existing commitments this can be the most suitable method for learning. Study skills for distance learning environment should be flexible and should be those which the participant can readily understand materials without the help of the tutor or lecturer. For distance learning one needs study skills that are dynamic and interactive (Melton, R. F. 2002). Using SQ3R and other study methods SQ3R is a reading and studying skill system. Survey: this involves gathering the information needed to focus and formulate your goals. It involves reading the title, the introduction and/or summary. Notice each bond have heading and subheading. Notice also graphic e.g. charts maps. Finally notice reading aids such as italics, bold face prints and chapter objective(s). Questions: Questioning helps to engage and concentrate. Question one section at the time, turn bold face heading into many questions as possible you think that their answers can come from that section. The better the question the better your comprehensiveness. It is true that when the mind actively searches for an answer to a question it becomes engaged in learning. Read: read to fill in the information surrounding your question structure. Read each section at a time with your questions at mind. Look for answers and check whether you need to create more questions. Recite: reciting what you have read will retain your mind to concentrate and learn as it reads. After each section, stop and check whether you are able to answer, questions from your memory, if you cannot answer question from the memory go back again as often as possible and don’t go on to the next section until you can recite. Review: After reading and reciting, reviewing is done by either drafting questions for what was learned or closing the notes to see what was learned by answering set questions from memory. Reviewing should be done regularly. This above is the simplest form defining the SQ3R system of study skill. Another study method is to try to relate what you are reading to your day to day experience. Try to talk what you are learning with your friends, parents and teachers. Consider teaching your fellow classmates. This may look like a big commitment which benefits others but it is true that we learn best when we have to teach others. When difficulties concepts are discussed with others always this provides details which can be used as ‘hooks’ to help you remember. The more time you spend concentrating on the subject the better you will remember. This referred to as active studying. Adapting learning style to Axia format. Axia University College adopts a format that offers flexibility to balance school with work and still complete your degree online. Axia College is a great path to a brighter future. Axias online format provides a learning environment different from the traditional classroom. In the Axia classroom you are not just listening to lecturers, you are engaged in discussion and debate sharing ideas and experiences. All course materials are provided. Throughout each course you will down load of the course materials you need that is textbooks, lecturers, questions and assignments. In Axia you attend class when and where you want. All interaction forming lecturers and students is through the Internet by email and newsgroup. This allows every student to participate at this at their convenience. They attend three classes in a week but choose when to log which days and times. Managing Time Wisely Balancing time between courses at Axia The Axia format allows one to attend classes on own schedule that allows you to work full time or part-time. In Axia College a class is limited to twenty students whom you debate, collaborate, and share ideas with. One also receives one-on-one guidance from you lecturer. Technical support is 24/7 system. This gives about time to balance courses at Axia College and still have more free time. Students have more time to think about their commitment and each is given equal opportunity to participate in Axia University College online. b. Juggling school, work and family responsibility. To balance school, work and family responsibility one needs flexibility. You need a school where you can choose when and where to study. This allow more time for juggling school work and roles. A system that can fit learning around existing commitments therefore providing one with time to study, time to work, and time for personal responsibility is most suitable. c. Prioritizing and avoiding time-wasters. One has to draw a priority list where you arrange your needs considering the most important needs which will lead to attainment of one’s goals. This list starts with the most critical issue down to the one which is not pressing at that time. You will have to have daily calendar, where you will arrange clearly what to be done and at what time. Weekly and monthly timetables have to be formulated to avoid time-wasting. If you are in school you will want classes which are relevant, interesting and changeling. IV  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Setting and Achieving Goals Goal setting is an important procedure to achieving our dreams. There is always a tendency of floundering rather than flourishing when there are no clearly defined goals. Identify long term goals such a bright future and start walking the great path to the bright future. Additionally you should have short-time goals such as finishing your assignments and class works and passing examination getting your associate degree is an educational goal that brings enormous pride and fulfillment in life. a. How to reach goals despite obstacles Make a brief list of obstacles that would prevent you from achieving goals. Also make a brief list of resources that would help you achieve the goals. It is imperative to make a list of benefits that goal set will achieve set time to accomplish your action plan stage and select persons who will help you accomplish your goal. Always reassess your goal and always acknowledge that you will have success and failures in achieving any worth. While goal remember that if the direction of a long range change so should be your immediate goals. b. How an Axia degree relates to goals An axia degree offers opportunity to improve living standards. It is infact a great path to a brighter future.