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Becoming A Master Student, Concise, Tenth Edition
Dave Ellis
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| | Stay Tuned To These Networks | | | | | | | |
School can be a frightening place for new students. People of diverse cultures, older students, commuters, and people with disabilities can all feel excluded. Some people attend classes for years and still feel they're standing on the outside, looking in.
You don't have to be a total stranger to school life. Networking is one way to break through the barriers that keep students isolated. The American Heritage Dictionary, 4th Edition defines networking as "to interact or engage in informal communication with others for mutual assistance or support." The term most often is applied to business, but education can be a social enterprise too. Often it works better that way. Students who overcome feelings of isolation increase their chances of staying in school and succeeding. Networks also prepare students for the work world, where most projects involve teamwork.
You can begin networking immediately. Here are some techniques you can use.
1. Introduce yourself to classmates. Get to class early and break the ice by discussing the previous assignment, or stay late and talk about the lecture.
2. Plan to meet people. Write an Intention Statement promising to meet three new people each week. Plan who these people will be and how and when you intend to meet them.
3. See your instructor. If you feel lost in a class, make an appointment to see your instructor outside class. You might discover a human being who wants to help you succeed.
4. Form a study group. Peer pressure can be positive. Study with students who excel. Consider partners from different racial, ethnic, religious, or socioeconomic backgrounds. Diversity will add depth to your group and stimulate everyone's thinking.
5. Join a support group. People with common problems can share solutions. Many schools have support groups for everything from dealing with prejudice to overcoming addictions or learning computer software.
6. Join a club. Your membership in the Spanish club can support your success in Spanish class. A computer users group, a chess club, a Bible study group, or an Islamic student association can put you in touch with potential friends.
7. Join a professional society. Many professional societies have student chapters. Examples include the International Association of Business Communicators, Sigma Delta Chi (for journalists), and the American Society for Training and Development. You can meet people and get career guidance too.
8. Perform! Try out for a play or join a band. These can be good ways for nontraditional students to get involved in school activities. Members of the Bagpipe Club will be so glad to see a fellow piper, they won't care how old you are.
9. Join a political organization. Both major political parties and many minor ones have student organizations.
10. Play ball! You don't have to be a world-class athlete to play sports. Keeping fit is one of the marks of a master student. Most schools have intramural leagues. Many have clubs for runners, bicyclists, hikers, rock climbers, wheelchair basketball players, and other athletes. Instruction is often available too.
11. Find a mentor. A mentor is an advisor or coach. They can be anyone you trust-another student, a graduate student, a teacher, or a person in the community. Mentors can coach you in study skills or career skills. They also can teach by example, which is one of the most powerful and persuasive ways to teach. Be clear about your reasons for choosing a mentor. Avoid selecting someone just because that person is like you in age, race, or social class. Choose someone who can make a difference in your life.
When you meet people whom you consider to be excellent learners, observe them. Isolate specific things they do and say to promote their mastery. Then imitate one of these behaviors. See if it works for you. Also observe any self-defeating habits you see in other students, and see if you can draw lessons from them.
Sometimes you can be your own mentor. Observe yourself during the times you're "on" as a student-times when learning is effortless and joyful. Notice the attitudes and actions that are promoting your success in those moments.
12. Use school media. School newspapers can alert you to interesting activities and people. Radio stations, bulletin boards, and the school website can be sources of information about clubs, support groups, political organizations, and social activities. Also check the school catalog and directory.
13. Hang out at the student union. The student union or activities center is a hub for social activities, special programs, and free entertainment. Clubs and organizations often meet there too.
14. Study at the library. It's comfortable, it's quiet, and it's a place to meet other serious students.
15. Use student services. These include career planning and placement centers, counseling services, financial aid offices, student health services, and student advocates. Many of these services are free to students. Going to school puts you in contact with an extraordinary network of services. All that remains is for you to use them.
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