Studying Abroad at GCC

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In July 2013, I made the decision to come to the United States for college. In April 2014, I got a conditional admission from SUNY Geneseo, which suggested me to come to GCC first for improving my English. In August 2014, I came to this country I had never been in before and started my life at GCC.

I’ve taken a lot of helpful and interesting classes here. The classes I love and I’d definitely suggest are Foundations Academic Success (FYE 100), Ceramics 1 (ART 123), Advertising (BUS 203), Female Role in Film (CIN 242), and Career & Education Planning (CEP 101). As I want to graduate and transfer with Public Relations or Advertising this semester, classes I’ve had before are very beneficial. Also, professors and faculties here are truly helpful.

However, the experience is the point here, which has been more enjoyable and helping me more to be what kind of person I want to be. If you ever used StrengthsFinder to look up your top five strengths, you would probably notice those five strengths have been supporting your life and never changing. It was surprising when I found out my strengths had changed from September 2014 to February 2016. I realized that adventure is the best way to learn. I was a resident assistant at College Village in Spring 2015, and I definitely improved my listening, leadership, and communication skills because of it. I also used to be a DJ for the radio station here and I learnt about communications a lot, as the radio station at GCC is awesome. I also work on campus and it gets me to talk more, write more, and get more ready for my future college and career. I think both classes and all these experiences here is exactly why my strengths have changed, which I also believe I’ve been getting into a better person. This is not a life lesson only from classes, but I’ve been also seeing both cultures, talking to people from different countries, and especially experiencing a different life here. Studying abroad is the most effective way for me to get a better view of the world. Being alone in another country has also made me a stronger person to face to and solve all the problems.

This explains how I believe that, nobody can discover the world for you, and nobody can steal your experience you get for yourself. Study more, see more, and suffer more.

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Start to Register Your Spring Classes!

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Fall 2015 is officially done today! If you don’t have any final exam to take next week, you’re probably already at home relaxing! But please don’t forget to register your classes for spring. Spring 2016 is my last semester here so I’m graduating in May. Here’s some idea I want to share with you about registering classes.

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First, you need to know what classes you have to take. How to check your classes: Login into Genesis – Banner Self-Service – Student Services – Registration Menu – DegreeWorks-Run a Degree Audit. You’ll see all the classes you’ve taken, future classes you have to take, and what classes you might want to take. Then, you can look up for your classes, and add or drop your classes online also under Registration Menu. When you came to GCC, you took a test first about your English, reading, writing, and math skills. If you’re under the college level, you have to take classes to be ready for college. For example, you need to finish ENG or ESL 092 to get ready for ENG or ESL 100. Then, you’re going to take your ENG 101. Next, you’ll go to take ENG 102 or 105. All the classes you have to take are shown under your Degree Works. Just remember to check the requirement first.

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Second, you need to find out what classes you want to take as an elective class most likely. There’re a lot of classes which are interesting and exciting here. I can share some experience with you about what classes I’ve taken.

  • FYE 100 – First Year Experience or Foundations Academic Success. This course is one of classes I took when I just came here. It was really interesting and helpful! When I still knew nothing about American universities and GCC, this class taught me everything. My professor was Dr. Tom, who is a really nice person. After this class, I got my plans for my next 3 semesters, which was a motivation for me to graduate in 4 semesters. There’re 3 sections for FYE in Spring 2016 and they’re still open. Check this out!
  • ART 123 – Ceramics 1. This is a very good choice if you need to take an art class. Ceramic is such a fun to play with, and this course is a very relaxing class! I took this class with Ms. Dugan in my second semester, and she was such a sweet professor! She still has 4 open sections in Spring 2016. Start it now!
  • CPS 101 – Introduction to Creative Problem Solving. This is a course I take this semester and it’s just done. This is really helpful for you to build your creativity. I used to think I’m not a creative person, but I believed I am a creative person after this class. You just need to find a way to be! There’re 2 sections at college and 2 online classes in spring.
  • CEP 101 – Career and Educational Planning. This is a class I’m taking in spring. I’m still taking this course with Dr. Tom, and I’m pretty sure this will be also a really amazing class! Our class section is already full, but there’re still 4 sections at college and 3 online sections open for you in spring. If you’re graduating in Spring 2016 just like me, you probably want to check this out.
  • COM 120 – New Communication Technologies. Are you interested in social media networks? Do you really know how to use them? Or do you need to use them in your future career? This is a new class next semester by Ms. Bello. There’s only 1 section open and it’s at 11am on Tuesday and Thursday. It’s going to be a fun class!

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Last, manage your time. Time is everything in college! You fall asleep for couple minutes in class, and you’re probably missing the most important part today or your homework this week. You decide to delay your homework several times, and you might be failing this class soon. If you want to graduate in 2 years, basically, you need to take 6 courses for 3 semesters and another 5 courses for the other 1 semester. I know to keep attendance for 6 classes is hard because that’s what I’m also always struggling. My solution for this problem is to take online classes. When you’re taking 6 classes, to take 1 or 2 online classes is a really good idea, unless you have trouble taking online courses. Pain is temporary, but GPA is FOREVER! And if you have any trouble, always remember to talk to your professors and your advisor! There’re so many people helping you here.

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Stop procrastinating! Go to register your classes now, so you won’t miss your classes you need or you want. Good luck on your final papers and final exams! Also, have a nice break! I’ll see you next semester.

 

20 Study Tips for Finals

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There’s only one week for classes! Are you stressed out and nervous for your papers and tests left? There’re 20 study tips for you to do better in the last week and your final exams.

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  1. Create a study guide.

Outlining the important information you need to learn can be helpful, both in creation and to refer to during your studies.

  1. Ask questions.

Your professors and TA’s are there to help! Ask them questions regarding the material and the exam so that you’re prepared when exam time arrives.

  1. Attend the review session.

Review sessions offer vital information on exam format, what will be on the exam and key concepts you should be focusing your studies on.

  1. Start early.

If you always start ahead of schedule, you’ll never be cramming the night before an exam. You’ll almost always perform better in doing so!

  1. Organize a group study session.

It can be helpful to study in groups – sometimes. Evaluate whether or not studying with others will be beneficial to the subject as well at your learning process.

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  1. Study things not on the study guide.

Study guides aren’t always comprehensive – they’re just suggestions of the main concepts to learn. Use your study guide for its intended purpose: a guide. Be sure to fill in the blanks with related information.

  1. Take breaks.

You won’t be able to memorize or comprehend all the material at once. Balance is key – ensure that you reward learning with break times to recharge and relax.

  1. Stay well-rested.

There’s a lot to be said about a good night’s sleep. Make sure you’re well-rested so that you can be fully focused during your exams.

  1. Create a studying schedule.

Splitting the material into chucks you can actually achieve can be very beneficial. That way, you can keep track of what you’ve accomplished instead of looking at the big picture and getting overwhelmed.

  1. Prioritize your exams.

Some exams will be more difficult than others, some you may find easier to study for. Some may be worth more of your grade than others. Make sure to evaluate all of your exams to consider and determine all of the involved factors so you can study accordingly.

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  1. Study for the style of exam.

If it’s multiple choice, you’ll need to know definitions and concepts. For essay exams, focus on your understanding of all the concepts presented, with examples in mind.

  1. Quiz yourself.

If you think about and create actual exam questions, you will likely become more familiar with what you need to study and, in the meantime, familiarize yourself with the type of language that will be on the exam. Draft potential exam questions and quiz yourself so that you can set expectations of what you need to focus on.

  1. Meet with your professor or TA.

Often times, meeting with an instructor, whether it’s a professor or a TA, can give you helpful hints for what to study and ways to prepare for the exam.

  1. Reorganize your notes.

Evaluate and reorganize your notes into what’s important, outlining important concepts, formulas dates and definitions so they’re easy to understand.

  1. Pace yourself.

Make sure you stay focused and don’t burn yourself out. A great way to do so is to pace yourself rather than opting for the dreaded all-nighter. You can easily pace yourself by following tips like starting early, creating a study schedule and taking breaks when necessary!

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  1. Teach classmates.

Learning by teaching is a method that really works! If you work with a study buddy and explain concepts to one another, you’re re-learning the material all over again. It’s a great way to reinforce what you’ve learned and help someone in the meantime!

  1. Revolve your focus.

Switching up your subjects is a helpful way to learn everything for your exams while preventing burnout on one topic. Make sure to switch it up before your eyes glaze over! That way, you can keep studying for longer periods of time while maintaining your focus.

  1. Color code it.

Create a system that allows you to color code material that’s going to be on the exam by what’s most important, less important, etc. This will help you focus on the most pertinent information and prioritize the material.

  1. Visualize.

If you’re a visual learner, it can help to create mind maps or diagrams to visualize how the concepts you’re learning relate to one another. This is especially beneficial when learning concepts that build upon the understanding of one another, like in science courses.

  1. Make it fun.

It’s easier to focus if you adapt to studying by quizzing yourself, creating acronyms or rewarding yourself for a job well done. Create a game plan – literally – that allows you to accomplish tasks and be rewarded for each.

Resource is from FastWeb.*

 

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Pain is temporary, but GPA is FOREVER! Wish you some good time with your finals! Good luck!

Organization Leads to Success

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I was not the organizing type before I made my return to GCC last fall. I quickly learned that I had to get organized fast. In high school, I was never organized because every teacher wanted you to organize differently and this had me confused and unorganized. Everyone has their own way of getting organized so I picked the best ways to get organized according to my needs. By the end of week one of Fall 2013 I devised a plan and stuck to it. To my surprise, it worked! Here’s how I organized my academic life:

Time Management

A major factor of being able to stay organized is time management. I don’t like to be rushed so I have to schedule my life. Everything is so much easier when my bag is packed the night before, coffee’s ready in the morning and outfits are laid out and ready to wear. I’ve also found that if I plan out specific times to write that paper or study for the big test then I will actually do it. This is where Google Calendar and my weekly planner are extra helpful. The GCC Career Service Center will be hosting a Time Management Workshop from 12:45-1:45 on Tuesday, September 23. For more information and to register for the workshop please visit our website. I’ll be going because there isn’t a time management tip I’m not ready embrace. Join me!!

My Weekly Planner

I like multifunctional things so it’s only fitting that I found a three in one organizer. I have a zippered pocket for pens and highlighters, a notebook and a pocket for business cards and other loose items. Each week, I made a to do list and crossed items off as I finished them.

Online Organization

I am a Google fanatic. Gmail is a must and, in my opinion, a far more professional email platform. Google Drive is Google’s version of “the cloud” where you can store your Google Docs, Sheets, Drawings, pictures, and other Google and Microsoft Office Apps. You are allowed 15 gigabytes for free and, if you have a Gmail account, you have a Google Drive. I use Google Drive and Docs to type up all of my homework and papers. It’s a simple way to have everything you need in one place without a thumb drive. The last way I stay organized online is with Google Calendar. At the beginning of each month I sit down and make events for every homework, test, and appointment. This way I’m reminded via email (and push notification on my phone) that something is due or I have somewhere to be.

Class Notes and Handouts:

Many of my classes had their powerpoints posted on Blackboard. I made sure to have them printed out and ready to go. I chose the option that lets you print three slides on one half of the paper and three spaces for notes. I kept separate two pocket folders for each class so I could keep the powerpoints and handouts exactly where I needed them. Finally I used a three subject notebook for the classes that didn’t have powerpoints available on Blackboard. I made sure to take great lecture notes and even better book notes to ensure success in each and every class.


School Locker

One thing I truly dislike is carrying all my stuff around all day long. So I decided to rent a locker for the year from Student Activities. Its only $30 for the year or $15 for a semester and you get a portion of your money back at the end of the year. I loved being able to drop nearly everything off at my locker before classes. A locker at GCC is a must.

So there you have it. That is how I organized my academic life. Check out our Pinterest board about getting ready for classes for more organization tips. Do you have any tips or tricks of your own?