This course intends:

To increase the student's ability to use effective time management and goal setting strategies.

To develop the student's ability to set goals and understand the goal-setting process.

To increase the student's ability to use effective methods of textbook reading.

To help the student develop listening and note-taking skills.

To increase the student's ability to use effective methods of preparing for tests and coping with test anxiety.

To help the student understand memory processes as applied to college learning.

To increase the student's confidence with self and in a group.

To increase the student's ability to develop effective communication skills.

To increase the student's knowledge of and familiarity with resources on campus.

Grading Policy

Your success in life is greatly dependent on your efforts, and so it is in this class. No grades at Blinn are automatic; you will have to work for them.

Your grade will be computed from the basic components of the course. The weight of the assignments is distributed as follows:
 

Try It Reflections (100 points each)	300 pts.
In-Class Assignments	50 pts.
Quizzes (20 points each)	100 pts.
Oral Presentation	50 pts.
Exam 1	100 pts.
Exam 2	100 pts.
Exam 3	100 pts.
Final Exam	100 pts.

Assignments are due at the beginning of class.  If a student is late to class I will accept the assignment, but there will be a 30% deduction.  No assignment will be accepted after class or after the due date unless prior arrangements are made. Your class participation is expected; therefore "extra points" are not awarded for attendance or class participation.

Exams must be taken on the date given.  If you must miss an exam, it is important that YOU let the instructor know in ADVANCE so that YOU may make arrangements to take the exam at another time.  Exams taken at a time other than the scheduled date are MUCH more difficult than those given during regular class time.

The grading scale is as follows:
 

810 - 900 A		540 - 629   D
720 - 809 B		Below 540 F
630 - 719 C

Attendance

Attendance in class is fundamental to your academic success in any course. This is a MANDATORY ATTENDANCE class! Each student is allowed 4 absences (there are NO EXCUSED absences other than when representing Blinn) and on the 5th absence the student will be dropped from the course.  Absences due to illness, car trouble, appointments, work, etc. count toward the 4 allowed absences.

Academic Dishonesty

The handouts used in this course are copyrighted. By handouts, I mean all materials generated for this class, which include but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, in-class materials, review sheets, and additional materials. Because these materials are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy them unless I expressly grant permission.

As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one's own ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot be safely communicated.

If you have any questions regarding plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty, please consult the instructor.

Required Materials

Becoming a Master Student, 9th Edition (David B. Ellis)

Dictionary

3 ring binder for papers and assignments

If you need accommodations in this class related to a documented disability (contact the Disabilities Coordinator in the Counseling Office, 821-0255), please make an appointment to see me as soon as possible.