Success in College: From C's in High School to A's in College [Paperback]

Peter F. Burns (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1578864593 | ISBN-13: 978-1578864591 | Publication Date: August 17, 2006

Success in College provides essential information and advice that students need to better learn more and receive higher grades. It offers strategies for test- and note-taking, studying, writing papers, and making class schedules. Peter F. Burns also gives an insider's perspective to the academic semester, in-class behavior, and how and when to approach professors. Perhaps most importantly, there is invaluable advice about the attitude and work ethic that are essential to the development of outstanding college students. Burns uses his own college experiences, as well as the experiences of other students and professors and research findings, to supplement the material given. The impact of Success in College will last a lifetime. High school seniors, college students, and parents will welcome this humorous and thought-provoking work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Sure to make the average reader chuckle. ... An excellent source for future--and present--college students. (Voya )

Burns's delivery is presented in such a way that it is effortless for students to grasp and retain....Having high school students read this book during their senior year, or during their summer break before college would prove to be extremely beneficial. (Journal Of College Student Development, Vol. 49, No. 1 )

Peter Burns' Success in College offers the tips and strategies that are essential to receiving good grades in college. With his blend of humor, insight, and genuine concern, he has created a book that speaks honestly to new college students and high school seniors. The book is not naïve about college life and that is its true strength—college is a time of wonderful social growth and Burns is able to show how to expertly balance the social with the academic. (Steve Loflin )

From the Publisher

Author Peter F. Burns uses his own college experiences as the basis for the information and advice provided in this book. In addition, Burns utilizes the experiences of other students and professors and research findings to supplement the advice and information given. He relies upon wit, humor, and other elements of his award-winning teaching and advising styles to write an entertaining, engaging, funny, and thought-provoking work. Success in College takes only a few hours to read, but its impact will last a lifetime. It will be useful to high school seniors, college students, and parents. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: R&L Education (August 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578864593
• ISBN-13: 978-1578864591
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,078,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Helpful Read, August 7, 2010

By 

Andrew Raker (PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Success in College: From C's in High School to A's in College (Paperback)

I was required to purchase this book for my Chemistry 110: Principles of Chemistry I class. While this book has nothing specifically to do with chemistry, it provides a lot of information about how to become a better student. The author, Peter F. Burns, discusses how he transformed himself from a mediocre high school student into a very capable college student. It is quite easy to relate to Professor Burns as he presents his material clearly, concisely, and in an easy-to-read format. In short, Professor Burns conveys that the key to success and failure is 'perspective.' Therefore, Professor Burns frequently creates comparisons like some of the ones I have listed below to stress that college is a VERY different experience than high school and will almost certainly require considerably more effort.

[Note: What follows is a brief synopsis of the type of material covered in the book.]


Difference between High School and College:

High School:
Parents structure your lives.
Attendance is mandatory.
Intelligence leads to good grades and respect.
Subjects covered a month of two.

College:
You structure your life.
Attendance is voluntary.
Intelligence is a given. Respect is earned.
Subjects covered a week or two.

The goal of college is to learn. If you do not work diligently, you will not maximize your learning potential. GPA is a reflection of how much you learned. However, it is possible to have a good GPA without maximizing your learning potential, as well as having a poor GPA while maximizing your learning potential.


Do your very best, no one can expect more, but if you do less, you cheat yourself.

Quotes:
If you want to pass, pay attention in class! (PS: To pay attention in class, you have to be there.)

Keys to Success:
(1) Develop good study habits.
(2) Do not miss any classes.
(3) Peruse your class syllabi.
(4) Stay organized.
(5) Take comprehensive notes in class.
(6) Prepare for the unexpected.
(7) Start projects/papers early.
(8) Establish a pattern: (a) eating, (b) sleeping, (c) studying
(9) Have good time management skills.
(10) Study between classes.
(11) Overestimate challenges. (not underestimate)
(12) Reflect on what you have learned.
(13) Don't rely on highlights in used textbooks.
(14) Use all the time given for an exam (check your answers)
(15) Utilize your college's writing center.
(16) Get to know your teachers/professors.

Notes:
If you do miss class, get notes from two classmates who were in class. Compare the two students' notes. Also, since you will be quickly copying notes from teachers' lectures, read and recopy the notes. Preferably the best time to recopy the notes is after class either on a computer or in neat handwriting. Using a computer makes it easier to create very organized, structured notes.

Essays/Research Papers:
Good papers are never first drafts! Writing takes practice and revision! Also, be certain exactly what material the professor wants you to write in your paper as well as how you should present the material. Always, create an outline, opening thesis, and conclusion for research papers.

Strategies for Exams:
(1) Work well in advance beginning on the first day of classes (if not before).
(2) Find a quiet place to study where you will not be disturbed.
(3) Study on a regular basis. Do not wait until three days before the exam.
(4) Determine which material the exam will cover.
(5) Attack your notes.
(6) Consult your notes as soon after each class as possible.
(7) Work with your professors - if you have a question, ask.
(8) Pay attention to detail and to the possible themes of the course.
(9) Move beyond the facts of who, what, where, and when, in order to address the why and how.
(10) Read the books (and other assigned reading).
(11) Know key terms in the textbooks.
(12) Know the themes of the assigned reading.
(13) Know exactly what the test/exam will cover. (ex: chapters 5-13)
(14) Outline the chapters - summarize the main points.
(15) Anticipate exam questions (what is repeated in the lectures).
(16) Incorporate the information you studied into the exam.
(17) Determine whether group or individual studying works best for you.
(18) Get plenty of sleep the night before the exam. Do not study all night!
(19) Come to the test with a positive attitude.
(20) Listen to oral directions carefully.
(21) Choose the multiple-choice response that most completely answers the questions.
(22) Watch out for words like only, every, always, none, and all, which signify absolutes.
(23) Write an outline before you write your essay.

Rules of Dealing with Professors:
(1) Attend office hours on a regular basis.
(2) Listen to your professors.
(3) Follow your professors' advice.
(4) Understand the criteria your professors use to grade exams and papers.
(5) Understand the five stages of grief you may experience when you receive a less than satisfactory grade.


Five Stages of Grief after Receiving a Poor Grade, and Student Responses at Each Stage:
Denial "No way!" "I can't believe it!"
Anger "That stupid professor!"
Bargaining "I know you say A is the answer but couldn't B also be correct?" "Can I get partial credit?" "Considering I didn't have enough time, can you drop the grade for the lowest essay?" "Can I do makeup work?"
Depression "Why am I even in college?" "I should drop this class."
Acceptance "Well, maybe I can do it better next time." "Maybe I should study more/differently next time."


Evaluating Your Performance:
(1) Assess why you underperformed.
(2) Determine why you succeeded.
(3) Ask professors how you can improve.

Rules for In-Class Behavior:
(1) Understand that class time is quite serious.
(2) Pay attention.
(3) Take copious notes.
(4) Behave
(5) Respect the professor.
(6) Respect the other students.
(7) Avoid sidebar conversations.
(8) Do not pass notes.
(9) Add something substantive to the discussion when you speak.
(10) Talkers do not necessarily know more than nontalkers.


Good Student verses Not-So-Good Student:

Good Students:
Attend every class
Study on a regular basis
Need no special treatment
View grades as their responsibility
Pay attention to detail
Take advantage of extra-credit opportunities
View grades as impersonal
College is their priority

Not-So-Good Students:
Attend class on an irregular basis
Study on an irregular basis
Ask for special treatment, such as paper extensions
View grades as someone or something else's responsibility or fault.
Make careless mistakes
Do not take advantage of extra-credit assignments.
View grades as personal
College is one part of a full plate

Extra-credit paradox:
The students who get extra credit do not need it. The students who need it do not complete the extra-credit assignments.