New Beginnings

Description

 

Whether choosing to attend school to pursue a new career or to seek advancement in a current career, students will find New Beginnings an invaluable resource to help guide their journey.  Providing much needed relevance to the adult college experience, this book focuses on adjusting to student-life, juggling responsibilities, maximizing resources, brushing up on basic grammar and math skills, and more.
 
As it builds on skills adults already use in their work and life, they hone many skills including…

• Making successful oral presentations
• Managing collaborative work projects
• Conducting research on the Internet
• Financing their adult education

 “I like this book. It is easy to read, covers relevant material and guides the student in a supportive manner.”

Bethany Marcus, Ph.D.
Southeastern Virginia Training Center

 “This is the book that provides opportunity for students to reflect upon themselves in terms of returning to an academic environment as a non-traditional student given the tools necessary for academic success.”

Deborah A. Herzog

Lewis & Clark Community College

 

Visit the Student Success Supersite (www.prenhall.com/success), where students and faculty will find an array of resources

 

Start strong. Finish stronger.

 

www.MyStudentSuccessLab.com

 

Linda Simon is Professor of English at Skidmore College. She has taught adult learners in Harvard University’s Extension School. Her latest book is The Critical Reception of Henry James: Creating a Master; she also has written biographies of Alice B. Toklas, Thornton Wilder, and William James.

(T.O.C. from 3e – Need 4e Update)

1. Becoming a Student.

Looking Back and Moving Forward: Applying Life Experiences to Being a Student.

Juggling Responsibilities.

Evaluating Information.

Working with Others.

Researching a Problem.

How Being a Student Affects Your Relationships with Others.

Friends and Family Members.

Instructors.

Classroom Protocol.

Presenting Your Work.

Written work.

Oral Presentations.

Collaborative projects.

Learning On-Line.

BOX: Classroom Do’s and Don’ts.

Getting Your Work Done.

Setting Goals.

BOX: Communication and Goals.

Additional Resources.

2. Assessing Learning Needs and Course Requirements.

Types of Learners.

Visual Learner.

Kinesthetic Learner.

Auditory Learner.

WORKSHEET: Evaluating Your Learning Style.

BOX: Tips for Capitalizing on Your Learning Style.

Understanding Classroom Formats.

Lecture.

Seminar.

Workshop.

WORKSHEET: Assessing Your Preferred Class Format.

Recognizing Different Areas of Study.

Choosing Your Classes.

Deciphering Course Descriptions.

BOX: Identifying Your Course Requirements.

Evaluating a Course Syllabus.

BOX: Questions to Ask About a Course.

WORKSHEET: Your College Career Plan.

On-line Learning

What you can expect from an on-line course.

BOX: Successful Learning On-line.

3. Identifying College Resources.

Educational Advisors.

Study Skills Classes.

Instructors.

Classmates.

Testing Services.

Counselors for Students with Disabilities.

Career Counseling.

Personal Counseling.

Mentoring Programs.

Tutoring Networks.

BOX: Making the Best Use of Support Resources.

Writing Center.

Computer Center.

Librarians.

BOX: Planning a Meeting With an Advisor.

4. Strategies for Managing Time and Stress.

Time Commitments of Being a Student.

Ten Hints for Time Management.

1. Be realistic.

2. Build in “safe time.”

3. Keep a planner.

4. Find a space.

5. Look at the big picture.

6. Speak up about your concerns and commitments.

7. Work a little every day.

8 Make a checklist each week.

9. Just say no.

10. Get a study buddy.

Procrastination.

Perfectionism.

Six Tips for Managing Stress.

1. Identify a source of comfort.

2. Try relaxation techniques.

3. Use exercise.

4. Try imagery.

5. Find an anchor.

6. Connect with your support system.

BOX: Relaxation Exercise.

5. Developing Note-Taking, Studying, and Test-Taking Skills.

Taking Notes from Different Kinds of Instructors.

The Organized Lecturer.

The Storyteller.

The Discusser.

BOX: General Pointers for Taking Class Notes.

How to Prepare for Tests.

Assessment.

Study Time.

Preparing for a Multiple-Choice or Short-Answer Test.

Preparing for an Essay Test.

Test-Taking.

BOX: Types of Essay Questions.

Understanding Your Grade.

Additional Resources.

6. Strategies for Reading .

Taking an Active Approach to Reading.

Reading a Textbook.

Reading a Theoretical or Critical Book or Article.

Reading Fiction.

Reading Poetry.

BOX: Analyzing Your Reading Assignments .

7. Strategies for Research.

Choosing a Research Topic.

Formulating a Research Question.

Distinguishing Primary and Secondary Sources.

Library Resources.

Dictionaries.

Encyclopedias.

Popular Magazines.

Professional and Scholarly Journals.

Dissertations.

Book Review Digest.

Biographical Indexes.

Newspaper Indexes.

On-line Databases.

CD-ROM.

Using the Internet for Research.

Evaluating Internet sites.

BOX: Internet Lingo.

Taking Notes Based on Your Research.

Using Quotations.

Paraphrasing.

Summarizing.

Documenting Sources.

Styles of Documentation.

Organizing Your Notes.

Index Cards.

Notebooks.

Tape Recorders.

Computer Files.

Plagiarism and Overdocumentation.

What is Plagiarism?

When Does Plagiarism Occur?

How Can You Avoid Plagiarism?

Are You Overdocumenting?

BOX: Useful Guides to Research.

Additional Resources.

8. Strategies for Writing.

Writer’s Block: What Is It and What Causes It?

BOX: Writing Assignment Checklist.

Generating Ideas.

Journal Writing.

Freewriting, Brainstorming, and Mind-Mapping.

BOX: An Example of Freewriting.

Starting with Passages from Source Material.

Outlining.

BOX: Sample Paragraph Outline.

Visualizing a Reader.

Planning.

Drafting.

Writing an Introduction.

Developing Paragraphs.

Writing a Conclusion.

Revising.

BOX: Revision Checklist.

Three Qualities to Aim for in Your Writing.

Conciseness.

Clarity.

BOX: Eliminating Unnecessary Words.

Coherence.

Appendix A: Grammar Brushup.

The Parts of Speech.

What Is a Sentence?

Pronoun Protocol.

Handling Verbs.

Placing Phrases and Clauses Logically.

Punctuation.

Using the Active Voice.

Possessives.

Common Usage Errors.

Additional Resources.

Appendix B: Math Brushup.

Math Anxiety Is a Learned Behavior.

Overcoming Mathematics Anxiety.

The Language of Mathematics.

Arithmetic.

Multiplication.

Fractions.

Decimals and Percentages.

Scientific Notation.

Algebra.

Some Rules of Algebra.

The Order of Operations.

Negative Numbers.

The Number Line.

The Real Number System.

Commutative Property.

Associative Property.

Identity Properties.

Inverse Properties.

Distributive Property.

Expressions and Equations.

Properties of Equality.

Linear Equations.

Prime Numbers and Factoring.

Working with Exponents.

The First Law of Exponents.

The Second Law of Exponents.

The Third Law of Exponents.

Nth Roots and Rational Exponents.

Ratios.

A Method for Dealing with Word Problems.

Appendix C: Financing Your Education.

WORKSHEET: Assessing Your College Expenses.

How to Find Financial Aid.

Scholarships and Grants.

Loans.

Assistantships, Internships, and Work-Study Plans.
On-Line Resources.

Index.

Adults who enter college have unique challenges and concerns. New Beginnings is entirely devoted to helping adults develop skills to succeed in college from how to manage time and stress to how to develop strong writing and study skills. Specifically addressing adults by building on skills they already use in their everyday work and lives, this friendly, accessible, and supportive guide shows readers what to expect and how to create success in college. The 4^th edition offers an expanded section on internet research and writing with a word processor. Eight chapters include information on test-taking, note-taking, classroom protocol, resources for help, strategies for reading and thinking critically; plus a basic grammar and math review.

For first-year/entry-level Learning Skills, Learning Strategies, and Study Skills courses.

 

New Beginnings helps adults develop a range of skills to succeed in college from how to manage time and stress to how to develop strong writing and study skills ability.  Specifically addressing adults by building on skills they already use in their everyday work and lives, this friendly, accessible, and supportive guide shows readers what to expect and how to create success in college. Real students relate their success strategies and college experiences as an added encouragement. The 4^th edition offers an expanded section on internet research and writing with a word processor. Eight chapters include information on test-taking, note-taking, classroom protocol, resources for help, strategies for reading and thinking critically; plus a basic grammar and math review.

Strategies for reading— Concrete tips, worksheets and exercises for all different types of reading material. 

• Provides students with a solid review, plus techniques for successful reading.  

Step-by-step approach to writing process—With examples focused specifically on the needs of adult, rather than traditional, undergraduates. Includes the main points of any college rhetoric.

• Helps students succeed at the college writing level.

Review of grammar and math. 

• Prepares students with basic concepts which provide a firm foundation for future study.

Advice from adult learners and advisors. 

• Encourages students with others’ experiences, hope and real-world guidance

Strategies to deliver successful oral presentations. 

• Builds student’s skill set in the classroom so they are prepared for the workplace

Suggestions for how to work efficiently on collaborative projects. 

• Teaches students how to work with different group dynamics, which transfers to the workplace

Discussion of online courses: What students can expect and how to evaluate the skills needed to succeed. 

• Instills the ability to choose knowledgeably among course offerings, including on-line courses, and evaluate what is best for them as adult learners.

Survey of financial aid and funding college: How to find up-to-date financing information, plus a guide to college expenses and different ways to meet those expenses. 

• Enables students to understand what is required to continue their education without interruption due to financial challenges.

Extensive pedagogy—Chapter-opening summaries, exercises and worksheets, and self-assessment questions. 

• Focuses students’ attention on key points and concepts and provides them with opportunities for self-assessment.

NEW — Expanded content on using the internet as a research tool –  Whether evaluating web sites, defining terms for searches, or navigating the web, this makes the whole process more manageable.  (Ex. Chapter 7: Strategies for Research)

• Prepares students for how to manage and use the internet to their maximum advantage.

NEW – More comprehensive coverage on how to do research via the Internet, evaluate Web sources and define terms for searches.  Makes it more relevant to adult learners.

• Allows students to be more productive at the library, write higher quality papers and projects, and better use on-line resources.

NEW — Instruction on editing strategies using a word processor.  Word processors offer new opportunities for writing, but students are often inexperienced about drafting, revising, and editing strategies.  (Ex. – New material in Chapter 8 Strategies for Writing)

• Prepares students to develop necessary word processing skills.

NEW – New information on the scope of online sources at the library.   (Ex. – Chapter 7: Strategies for Research)

• Help students complete thorough and credible research wherever they have internet access.

NEW — Real examples of student assignments and projects. Instead of referring generally to “the research paper” or “the critical essay,” this book takes students step by step through the development of real college assignments.  Examples throughout.

• Facilitates student’s understanding of the steps in the process of completing an assignment.

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