Academic Skills
Contents
College Eight
On Campus
The Westside Writing Center is available all year long to all Oakes, Porter and College 8 students, for any writing project, question, or need. The Writing Center is committed to helping students become effective, empowered writers, and works with individuals to discuss and develop their ideas, and to analyze and strategize around their writing issues. The Center is located in Oakes 111. Students may drop in at any time during the Center's open hours, but students will get the most from their experience if they plan ahead and sign up for an appointment. Appointments are an hour long, starting at the top of the hour (e.g., 10-11, 11-12). Sign-ups are online. To make an appointment, go to the Oakes site at least a day in advance to choose a time and a tutor. You can also schedule a recurring appointment with the same tutor, to get the best quality individual attention, build momentum on your drafts, and try new techniques. 9/14
Mon 1:00pm - 9:00pm
Tue 10:00am - 9:00pm
Wed 10:00am - 9:00pm
Thu 10:00am - 9:00pm
Fri 10:00am - 5:00pm
Closed Oct 15, 2014 - Oct 19, 2014
Winter 2016: 2-unit 'Navigating the Research University' course (STEV 26) will be offered on M/W from 3:30-4:40 next quarter (and spring quarter), and is open to all first-year students across the campus. For those who are unfamiliar with the class, it is designed to help first-year students better integrate into a research university. I bring in guest speakers from across campus to expose students to the wide range of resources and support services available to help them be successful, academically as well as personally. We also discuss issues around time management, study skills and more effective communication. Students who may be first in their families to attend college, or who may be mystified about how a research university works would benefit from taking the class, as would more prepared students who are trying to get a head start on learning about campus resources. Emily Murai, emurai1@ucsc.edu.
Academic Success Skills
time management
Test anxiety and strategies
Stress management
Reading
Test taking
note taking
writing research papers
Decision making skills
Preparing for the ELWR exam
On the Web
Latest research on how to study best 2/13.
How to Read strategically includes SQ3R.
General study skills info An excellence collection of many and quite specific advice.
How to Improve your Vocabulary
Khanacademy.org Need help with chemistry, math and bio concepts? Clear video explanations.
Wolfram is a great source of statistical info and math help.
Avoiding logical fallacies help you make better decisions (and maybe win arguments). Love is a Fallacy (text) video better acting.
Zygote Body 3D visualization tool.
Why we don't use Wikipedia for university work. Wikipedia is not considered a legitimate source for college level work. See PRwatch article on corporations altering Wikipedia including Chevron deleting the entire article on bio-diesel, and Exxon rewriting the history of the Valdez oil spill.
How to Evaluate Sources infographic.
Best way to research is to go to the library reference desk, ask for something and watch how they search and ask questions. If you use the online system, you should ask for tips as well. If you have to use Google, you might as well be smart about it (what you learn about search from librarian applies to it as well). See Google search tips (for more scroll to bottom of page) for example (geekier) search tips.
New Research guide: There are 2 new resources available for research-oriented assignments. The first website offers a traditional Library Guide that helps students identify and locate texts via Academic Search Complete and one using Cruzcat. Link. The second website provides a more enhanced Library Guide entitled "Across the Disciplines" that walks a student through most general research-based assignments. Link The author would love feedback: tterhaar@ucsc.edu.
Umm I'm not sure we need more distraction, but here's a new spin on flashcards: Popling. Let us know what you think.
Multi-tasking Stanford Study demonstrates why trying to multitask doesn't work (7/13 update)Colbert version. Your Brain on Computers: Neuroscience and Tech's Devices of Distraction (audio). Anti-Social Phone Tricks TEDtalk video). Sad, scary and funny survey numbers. Douglas Rushkoff is a brilliant analyst of digital culture, his critique. Apps (and videogames) are [ http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/06/technology/personaltech/cant-put-down-your-device-thats-by-design.html designed to be addictive].
Smartphone Addiction Nomophobia- fear of being without your smartphone- affects 40% of the population 2013. Depression, anxiety, and smartphone addiction in university students 2017.
Don't Believe the Multi-tasking Hype: Train Your Brain to Focus Better 9/17. alt link.
Get an education, not a GPA21st-century-skills: collaboration, knowledge construction, skilled communication, global awareness, self-regulation, real-world problem-solving, and technology used in learning. green economy.
The importance of sleep, new research.
Writing
See also Resources for Writers
How to Write With Style by Kurt Vonnegut.
How Steinbeck Used the Diary as a Tool of Discipline, a Hedge Against Self-Doubt, and a Pacemaker for the Heartbeat of Creative Work alt link. Steinbeck on love, creative spirit and the meaning of life, the art of changing one’s mind, and his six tips on writing.
MLA research paper format McHenry MLA guide.
Why Silicon Valley CEO won't hire anyone with bad grammar 9/12.
Books
Ellis, David B. Becoming a Master Student UCSC McH BF455 .R835 1989
Leo Babauta Focus: A Simplicity Manifesto in the Age of Distraction Excerpt. (password required). Longer version
Time Management
Getting Things Done See also book website
