Deck 16: College Success: Tips and Strategies

Question 1

College graduates are less likely to _____ than high school graduates.

A) volunteer their time for charitable causes
B) have a highly satisfying career
C) live in poverty
D) be employed full-time

Answer 1

C

Question 2

During your time in college, you will spend the most time taking classes that are

A) related to your major program of study.
B) related to your minor program of study.
C) part of your school's general requirements.
D) electives.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

What is a mentor?

A) a fellow student that is taking two or more of the same classes with you
B) a person in the financial aid office who is trained to help you find ways to pay for college
C) a person at the school library who is trained to help you perform research
D) an experienced and trusted person whom you can reach out to for advice and guidance

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Phoebe is considering art history as her major program of study and wants to find out whether she can get course credit of she takes an internship at a local art gallery. Whom should Phoebe see to find an answer to her question?

A) a tutor at the Academic Support Office
B) an advisor in the art history department
C) a staff member at the counseling center
D) a financial aid specialist at the Financial Aid Office

Question 5

_____ motivators come from other people and the external world.

A) Intrinsic
B) Extrinsic
C) Growth
D) Fixed

Question 6

If you have a(n) _____ mindset, you push yourself to try new things and learn from your mistakes and criticism.

A) extrinsic
B) intrinsic
C) fixed
D) growth

Question 7

For every credit hour you spend in class, you should expect to spend _____ hour(s) studying.

A) no more than one
B) two to three
C) three to four
D) about five

Question 8

If you find it easiest to understand information when it is presented in the form of a chart, diagram, photograph, or map, you are most likely which type of learner?

A) Do her easiest assignments first and her more challenging assignments last.
B) Fill up all of the slots in her planner with academic activities.
C) Establish a system for rewarding herself when she completes a task.
D) Work in long marathon sessions without taking any breaks.

Question 9

Della started college a few weeks ago and has been having a great time so far. She's been making new friends, going out more often, and generally having fun. Unfortunately, she's also handed a few assignments in late because she's had trouble motivating herself to get things done on time. When she thinks about studying and working on assignments, she starts to feel overwhelmed and ends up distracting herself with more entertaining activities. What can Della do to overcome her procrastination?

A) aural
B) read/write
C) kinesthetic
D) visual

Question 10

According to the MBTI, intuitive types are drawn to classes that

A) offer open-ended discussions.
B) provide opportunities to understand how people are affected by situations.
C) have clear guidelines and predictable deadlines.
D) require analytical skills.

Question 11

An important part of critical thinking is

A) resisting the urge to ask questions while information is presented to you.
B) evaluating your own reactions to information that is presented.
C) accepting the information that is presented to you at face value.
D) considering information in a vacuum rather than linking it to what you already know.

Question 12

Marty is working with a few other students from his psychology class on a group project. While discussing the project, one of his classmates, Nina, makes a statement that Marty believes is untrue. The rest of the group agrees with Nina. As a critical thinker, it would be most appropriate for Marty to

A) let Nina's statement go so that the group doesn't consider him a troublemaker.
B) assume that he is probably wrong because everyone else seems to think Nina is right.
C) wait to see if any of his group mates disagree before speaking up.
D) ask Nina to explain her statement and challenge it if it still seems inaccurate.

Question 13

Which strategy will help you stay alert during long classes?

A) keeping your cell phone on so you receive text-message alerts
B) sitting as far away from the instructor as possible
C) bringing snacks to eat (if your instructor allows you to do so)
D) taking verbatim notes while the instructor delivers a lecture

Question 14

When taking notes during a lecture, you should

A) try to capture every word the instructor says, verbatim.
B) refrain from including any of your own reactions in your notes.
C) omit information that your instructor repeats several times.
D) write down examples, evidence, formulas, and sample problems.

Question 15

When preparing her weekly schedule, Paula set aside an hour each night before her criminology class to complete the assigned reading. Before long, she realized that an hour wasn't enough time for her to finish the reading and understand what she read. What should Paula do?

A) focus on reading more quickly so she can complete each assignment on time
B) skim through the assigned reading rather than read every word
C) adjust her schedule so she can devote more time to her criminology reading assignments
D) skip the reading and focus instead on taking notes during classroom lectures and discussions

Question 16

When taking notes while reading, you should always

A) highlight as much information as possible.
B) outline your synthesis of the text clearly.
C) exclude symbols, diagrams, and other visuals.
D) write information exactly how it appears in the book, word for word.

Question 17

What should you do if you get stuck while answering a question on a test?

A) circle it and move on to the next question
B) cross it out and move on to the next question
C) keep working on it until you figure out the answer
D) ask the instructor for more time to complete the test

Question 18

You should _____ if you start to experience anxiety while taking a test.

A) tell yourself "This is bad"
B) think of positive images
C) keep your muscles tensed
D) remain as still as possible to slow your heart rate

Question 19

When completing writing assignments, you should

A) apply the five steps for critical thinking.
B) prepare your outline before starting your research.
C) create your final draft directly from your notes.
D) ignore any opposing perspectives on the topic.

Question 20

Kendra has been working on a research assignment for her sociology class and is getting ready to prepare her first draft. Although she did all of her research and prepared an outline, she feels as if she's stuck and can't get going. What should Kendra do to get her creative juices flowing so she can write her first draft?

A) Tell herself that if her first draft is exactly right, she won't have to write a final draft.
B) Reread the assignment and reevaluate whether she selected an appropriate thesis.
C) Think about what her paper would sound like if her instructor wrote it, and write it in his voice.
D) Just start typing words that are in some way related to her topic and thesis.

Question 21

Your college path will be unique and distinct from those around you.

Question 22

Learning to get help in college builds an essential life skill.

Question 23

If a goal is measurable, it makes sense in the context of your long-term plans and is something you want to spend your valuable time focused on.

Question 24

You might need to change the amount of time you devote to a particular class if you find that the course work is more challenging or time-consuming than you expected.

Question 25

If you are part of a study group, you should hold off on studying the topic until the group meets.

Question 26

College instructors expect that you will simply regurgitate what you read in textbooks and what you hear during lectures.

Question 27

You should take a few minutes before class starts to read over your notes from the last lecture.

Question 28

If you're having trouble with your reading assignments, you should consider speaking with someone at the Academic Advising Office.

Question 29

Determining how much of the test you should complete halfway through the time allotted will help you pace yourself during the test.

Question 30

Communicating through e-mail or text messaging allows for a more authentic connection and an easier time fully understanding each other than communicating face-to-face.

Question 31

Describe three academic and/or social expectations you have for yourself during college, and explain how you plan to meet each of them. Include examples to illustrate your response.

Question 32

Discuss the process involved in using a planner in college and explain why each step is important. Include examples to illustrate your response.

Question 33

Explain how to create a study plan and discuss why each step is important. Include examples in your response.

Question 34

Explain why it is a good idea to include visuals in your notes, and describe at least three types of visuals you can add to your notes. For each visual described, include an example of how you would use it in your notes and why.

Question 35

Do you think that cramming is an effective test preparation strategy? If so, describe three reasons why. If not, explain why not, and describe three more effective methods of test preparation. Include examples in your response.

Question 36

To get the most out of your academic life, you should

A) take only classes related to your major.
B) delve into the material in a thorough and deep way.
C) be cautious about taking classes out of your comfort zone.
D) avoid social events on campus.

Question 37

The course objectives on a syllabus tell you

A) the general gist of what the course is about.
B) how much each test and assignment is worth.
C) when the instructor is available to meet with you outside of class.
D) what to do in case of a class absence.

Question 38

If you're having difficulty in your American History class and think you might need a tutor, where should you go?

A) Academic Support Office
B) the math center
C) Student Services Center
D) Career Services Office

Question 39

Which statement about anxiety in college is true?

A) Experiencing anxiety during your first year is a sign that you're not ready for college.
B) Few colleges are equipped to help students learn to manage anxiety.
C) Seeking help for dealing with anxiety is a sign of weakness.
D) Most students experience anxiety during their first year at college.

Question 40

Which type of motivators come from your personal interests, desires, and standards?

A) intrinsic
B) extrinsic
C) growth
D) fixed

Question 41

Julio's first semester in college did not get off to a good start. The Greek mythology class he wanted was filled before he registered, he barely passed his first algebra exam, and his car broke down. But Julio is taking it all in stride. He signed up for an anthropology class and will enroll in Greek mythology next term, and he is studying harder in algebra. He is using school transportation until he saves enough money to get his car fixed, which has helped him meet new people. It is accurate to say that Julio

A) lacks grit.
B) has a fixed mindset.
C) is resilient.
D) cannot control his emotions.

Question 42

Using a planner will

A) take up more of your time than it will save.
B) help you keep track of your commitments.
C) make it more difficult to maintain control of your daily life.
D) be more stressful than relying on your memory.

Question 43

What can you do to combat procrastination?

A) Study alone rather than with other students.
B) Keep your cell phone nearby when you study.
C) Move to a different location if you find yourself getting distracted.
D) Avoid family members who point out when you're procrastinating.

Question 44

Kaoru does all of the assigned reading for her chemistry class, attends all of the lectures, and takes good notes. However, she finds that she doesn't fully understand many of the concepts until she experiments with them in the chemistry lab. Her preference for lab work over learning from her textbook and class lectures suggests that Kaoru is most likely a(n) _____ learner.

A) visual
B) aural
C) read/write
D) kinesthetic

Question 45

According to the MBTI, _____ types appreciate instructors who present information in a clear and concise way and who stick to an outline.

A) perceiving
B) judging
C) intuitive
D) feeling

Question 46

What are you doing when you combine different aspects of information in a coherent and meaningful way?

A) synthesizing
B) applying
C) observing
D) reiterating

Question 47

What should you do to improve your critical thinking skills?

A) accept the information that is presented to you at face value
B) ignore your personal reactions to information that is presented
C) apply your learning to your own life experiences
D) resist the urge to ask questions while information is being presented

Question 48

When problem solving, what should you do next after verifying that you understand the root of the problem?

A) brainstorm possible solutions to the problem
B) select the best solution for solving the problem
C) ask questions about the cause of the problem
D) gather and analyze information to help you solve the problem

Question 49

If an important personal matter causes you to lose focus during one of your classes, you should

A) review the assigned reading and not worry about what you might have missed.
B) ask a classmate if you can borrow his or her notes to review what you missed.
C) disregard any notes you managed to take and focus on other chapters instead.
D) focus on studying for your other classes instead to improve your GPA.

Question 50

When Marta used to take notes in high school, she didn't use any specific type of structure. Instead, she just wrote information anywhere it would fit on the page. In college, Marta started using the outline method to take notes because it helps her organize information more effectively. While taking notes in her economics class today, she thought of several questions about the lecture that she wants to speak to the instructor about later during office hours. If Marta is using the outline method for taking notes, where should she write down her questions?

A) within the body of her notes
B) at the top of the page
C) at the bottom of the page
D) in the margins

Question 51

If you took notes in a class on Monday morning, when is the first time you should go back and read them over?

A) later in the day on Monday
B) Tuesday morning before class
C) Wednesday evening during a scheduled study session
D) Saturday afternoon

Question 52

If you have several long reading assignments to complete during a week, it is best to

A) break them down into chunks over the course of several days.
B) read all of them in one long marathon session during the week.
C) read one assigned reading during a single uninterrupted session each night.
D) read all of them in one long marathon session over the weekend.

Question 53

When scanning a chapter in your textbook before starting the reading assignment, you should

A) keep an eye out for errors in spelling or grammar.
B) count the number of paragraphs you have to read.
C) look for any highlighted text and diagrams.
D) count the number of pages you have to read.

Question 54

You should _____ if you find that what you're reading in your textbook doesn't make sense to you.

A) learn to read more quickly
B) visit your instructor during office hours
C) stop trying to take notes as you read
D) spend less time scanning before you read

Question 55

What should you do before a test?

A) Start studying a day or two before the test.
B) Stay up late cramming the night before the test.
C) Select a comfortable outfit to wear the day of the test.
D) Limit your breakfast to some coffee or juice on the day of the test.

Question 56

Ryan has been concerned about doing well on his life science final exam. His grades in the class haven't been great this term, and if he doesn't do well on the final, his GPA will suffer. Now it's time to see if all of his studying and preparation have paid off. What should Ryan do as soon as he receives the exam?

A) Immediately start taking the test by reading and answering the first question.
B) Go through and read each question on the entire exam carefully before he starts answering any questions.
C) Figure out which questions are the hardest and then answer them first.
D) Briefly scan through it to get a general idea of the format and types of questions being asked.

Question 57

Which strategy will help reduce test anxiety?

A) keeping all of your muscles tense
B) taking several deep breaths
C) thinking of stressful images
D) using critical self-talk

Question 58

If you write a rough draft of your paper a few days before it is due, it will

A) give you the opportunity to review and revise your writing.
B) make it more difficult to organize your thoughts as you to write the final product.
C) give you more time to research your topic and prepare your outline.
D) require you to spend more time writing the final product.

Question 59

Which is a benefit of creating an outline before you begin writing a research paper?

A) It can be submitted in place of a list of citations.
B) It eliminates the need to write a rough draft of your paper.
C) It allows you to organize your ideas without conducting research.
D) It makes the writing process feel more manageable.

Question 60

In which class would the instructor most likely prefer that you use the MLA (Modern Language Association) citation style?

A) literature
B) chemistry
C) physics
D) psychology

Question 61

Your academic plan should

A) be developed in your second year.
B) take your personal experiences into account.
C) focus on what you've learned, not what you're skilled at doing.
D) include short-term goals, but not long-term goals.

Question 62

Which is an important question to ask yourself when choosing a program of study?

A) Which fields are my friends specializing in?
B) If I choose to specialize in this field, can I graduate early?
C) What type of classes do I find most engaging?
D) Is this one of the more popular majors on campus?

Question 63

Gaius is taking five classes this term: General Biology and Nutrition, both of which are courses required for his program of study; Algebra, which is required for his minor; Writing and Critical Inquiry, which the school requires all students to take; and History of Jazz, a course that he's taking because he enjoys jazz music. Which of the courses that Gaius is taking this term is a general requirement?

A) Nutrition
B) Algebra
C) History of Jazz
D) Writing and Critical Inquiry

Question 64

When assessing your overall financial situation, you should start by

A) determining your sources of income.
B) tallying up your monthly expenses.
C) figuring out whether you should work part-time or full-time.
D) deciding how much money to set aside for weekly incidental expenses.

Question 65

When do you usually have to start repaying a private college loan?

A) as soon as you graduate
B) after being hired for a full-time job
C) while you are still in school
D) after you complete the first half of your college education

Question 66

A _____ is a card that you load with a certain amount of money and can use until the money runs out.

A) debit card
B) prepaid credit card
C) student ID card
D) credit card

Question 67

James grew up in a rural farming community where most of his classmates were either Caucasian or African American and were followers of one of the Christian faiths. When James started college, he found himself in classes with students from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. Although he doesn't know much about these students' cultures, he wants to make an effort to get to know them and broaden his horizons. What should James do as he gets to know these classmates?

A) Focus on educating them about his own background.
B) Make a point of always agreeing with them.
C) Encourage them to change their beliefs.
D) Listen carefully and keep an open mind.

Question 68

One way to find support around difference is to

A) take classes focused on issues of diversity.
B) hide any negative experiences you've had with diversity from your mentor.
C) deny that people differ from one another in any way.
D) persuade others to share your cultural beliefs.

Question 69

What should you do to open up a dialogue in a relationship with those different from you?

A) Focus on the ways you differ rather than the ways you are alike.
B) Ask questions without revealing information about yourself.
C) Make an effort to communicate authentically.
D) Refrain from asking them directly about their lives.

Question 70

To perform better in college, you should exercise _____ a week.

A) once or twice
B) no more than twice
C) four or five times
D) seven days

Question 71

To alleviate anxiety and tension and maintain a sense of calm, you should

A) work without breaks to keep yourself busy.
B) stay organized.
C) avoid "brainless" activities.
D) focus solely on your academic success.

Question 72

Oliver, Lila, Celine, and Adeline went to a party together and stayed for four hours. Oliver had four alcoholic drinks over the course of the evening. Lila didn't have any alcohol for the first two hours, but then had four drinks during the last two hours. Celine had three drinks during the first two hours, and two drinks during the last two hours. Adeline had two drinks during the first hour, then drank water for the next hour, and then had two more drinks during the last two hours. Which of the four friends engaged in binge drinking?

A) Oliver
B) Lila
C) Celine
D) Adeline

Question 73

When choosing a career path, you should

A) focus primarily on identifying which careers pay the highest salary.
B) choose whichever career your family thinks would be best for you.
C) take the first job that is offered to you, no matter what it is.
D) think about your academic interests and preferences outside the classroom.

Question 74

One way to make the most of an informational interview is to

A) develop your list of questions in the moment as you talk with the person.
B) reveal as little information about yourself as possible.
C) research the career field, the job, and the person's biography.
D) focus on the conversation rather than take notes.

Question 75

When you apply for a job after graduation, you'll need to

A) submit to an informational interview.
B) send in your résumé and cover letter.
C) update your academic plan.
D) take part in a mock interview.

Question 76

To do well in college, you will need to take a great deal of responsibility and initiative.

Question 77

You must be in a classroom to connect with your peers in college.

Question 78

The more meaningful your goals are, the less motivated you'll feel.

Question 79

Your instructors might not assign homework every day, but you must assign yourself homework each day.

Question 80

To develop a deeper understanding that allows you to successfully tackle test problems you've never seen before, you should take study notes that highlight important connections.