A Survival Guide for College Students

College is not a walk in the park. College is strenuous, complex, testing, and time-consuming. College demands dedication and motivation. However, a successful college student will reap various benefits. In order to be a successful college student there are several personal action plans that need to be developed and followed through entirely. These action plans are: conducting successful library and internet searches; upholding academic honesty; developing effective study skills; managing time wisely; and setting and achieving goals. These action plans will assist one in becoming a successful student when followed exclusively.

Conducting Successful Library and Internet Searches

The college library and internet serve as an excellent source for conducting research. In order, to conduct effective research online and in the library one must follow certain guidelines and become familiar with each resource. First, it is vital that one knows what the topic is before conducting research. Then search the college library before the internet. The college library has creditable resources entirely unlike the internet.

The college libraries can be huge and overwhelming. However, with careful planning searching the college library can be simple. First, visit the front desk and ask for a map for the library. Then go to the library catalog to search for the required materials. Familiarizing yourself with the college library will make visiting the college library easier. There are several sources the college library offers. The sources vary from magazine and newspapers to references. If any difficulties arise ask the librarian for help. The librarian is there to assist students in locating the required information. Search the college library before moving on to the internet.

Search the internet through several search engines or directories (Google, Ask Jeeves, or Yahoo). Use numerous diverse keywords when conducting research. Bookmark websites that contain useful information before moving on to a different search engine or directory. The use of numerous search engines and directories will broaden the search for the information needed. Keep in mind that information on the internet is not always creditable. To ensure the website contains legitimate information, the Writing Style Handbook (2006), states:

...determine an authority's credentials by perusing his or her specific academic training, personal affiliations, and other published works as well as those of the experts he or she quotes. Make sure the publication date is current: the article is published in a respected journal. Periodical, or media group; and the article offers sufficient information relevant to your focus.

On the Web, use recognized domains to help establish creditability: .gov for statistics and factual reporting and .edu for educational (preschool through university sites). Professional, political, and charitable organizations (.org) are excellent sources of information as long as you are able to balance their particular agendas with other sources. (Axia College, 2006, p.14)

Always question the creditability of all published works. Always use your common sense and critical thinking to ensure your resources are legitimate. Conducting successful library and internet searches are essential.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty lies in the paths of all students' success. To uphold academic honesty one must ensure all academic papers are original and written by the student, only. All academic papers must also, not be plagiarized. Plagiarizing is stealing other's works and claiming it as your own. Plagiarizing is dishonest, unethical, and illegal. Plagiarizing also has numerous dreadful consequences. Thus, it important that all college students master citing and referencing works of others properly and correctly. There are several methods in which one can reference the works of others. The method specified by the instructor should be used. The correct formatting for the APA and MLA style can be found at, http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/, the Owl at Purdue website along with other helpful writing tips. The correct formatting for the Chicago style can be found at the Chicago Manual of style Online at http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html. Maintaining academic honesty is necessary for all college students.

Developing Effective Study Skills

One of the keys to becoming a successful college student is having effective study skills. Developing effective study skills will indeed lead all college students to triumph. First, know your learning style and your personality. There are several diverse personal assessments available that can give people an understanding of themselves. After, discovering one's learning style and personality use the outcome as a basis for studying. Secondly, make a schedule for time to study for each day of the week. Becoming familiar with the SQ3R process and consistently using the process is also tremendously beneficial in developing successful study skills. Next, get motivated. Be motivated to study and accomplish your assignments. Then pledge that you will study. Always believe in yourself. Know that you are able to pursue and achieve anything that you set your mind and heart on. Always think positive. Lastly, reward yourself every time you successfully and efficiently study. Reward yourself with a long warm peaceful bath, a long walk, watching TV, a pedicure, a manicure or take a nap. Developing effective study skills will indisputably benefit all college students.

Managing Time Wisely

Every college student faces various obstacles. Multiple college students juggle work, family and college all at the same time. Thus, managing time wisely is essential in achieving one's educational goals. In order to manage time successfully one must first prioritize all daily, weekly, monthly and yearly activities. One must also prioritize educational, professional and personal goals. Then one must make a schedule. Weekly and daily schedules are extremely effective. Purchase a date book that contains a daily and weekly schedule. Make a schedule listing all necessary activities that need to be done daily and weekly while categorizing activities from the most important to the least. It is necessary that one completely understands that not all activities planned will be accomplished everyday. Situations may arise that may interfere with the schedule made. Thus, it is vital that one learns to become flexible. Another important factor to managing time wisely is one's health. Properly caring for your health is a necessity. In order, to complete each task required successfully take care of yourself by eating healthy, exercising regularly and getting plenty of sleep daily. Taking sometime out of each day, for you, is also necessary. Managing time wisely will convey various benefits. Thus, manage your time wisely.

Setting and Achieving Goals

Setting and achieving goals is also an essential factor in successfully surviving college. Breaking goals into smaller steps is a necessity along with setting realistic goals. Keep your goals in mind by habitually writing them down or looking over them. Setting and achieving goals will enable one to become motivated to set and achieve additional goals. This will eventually lead one to accomplish all one's ambitions entirely.

Receiving a college education is precious and beneficial. Take full advantage of the various constructive knowledge college offers by exclusively following each of the five action plans. These action plans will benefit all college students. They will undeniably assist students in surviving the grueling life college demands. Being a victorious college student will garner exceedingly various possibilities-possibilities of lifelong happiness.

Reference

Evaluating Source Material (2006, April). Writing style handbook, Axia College of the

University Of Phoenix, 14