Tuesday, April 7, 2009

April Advising Blog

April ‘09 Advising Blog

We are coming to the end of the spring semester over the next couple of weeks. Registration for the next two terms is over. Now is a turning point. It is time to give your last best effort to the spring ’09 semester final projects and exams. Hopefully, the “blahs” of March Madness have passed. We have adjusted to the time change. We survived the bad weather of the Heart Mini-Marathon (which means we are due to great weather next year)!

Hopefully, you have kept your focus on your goals, re-kindled the spirit of success, and utilized the resources around you. You have chosen how to approach the end of the semester. Continued support is offered by the Writing Center, Biological Support Services and Learning Support Services. See the April Learning Center Calendar at the TCCNHS home page http://www.thechristcollege.org/?id=435&sid=2.

It will be just a little while longer to give it your all then you can relax (or catch up on other job hours) over the semester break. Don’t forget to use your advisor and other resources here at the college. We are all in this together to help you Learn, Grow, and Become the nurse you want to be.

Friday, March 13, 2009

March Advising Blog

About half of the time for pre-registration appointments has elapsed, have you booked an appointment and met with your advisor? You have until March 20 to complete your appointment as both the summer and fall semester registration sessions start on March 24. You will be able to complete registration online, if your “registration hold” is lifted when you meet your advisor.

March Madness – A Different Viewpoint

Have you noticed March Madness, AKA the “blahs”, creeping up? Feeling like your motivation has taken a vacation and left you behind? Realize that you are not alone. We are just coming out of a cold and dark winter. We just lost an hour of sleep and are still adjusting to daylight savings time. The pressure is ‘on’ in many of your classes and things feel tense if you aren’t achieving the grades for which you hoped. Yuck! What can a person do?

Remember the feeling you had when you received your acceptance letter. Remember your dream. Keep your eyes on your goals. You started with an indomitable spirit. Things got difficult, but you have the power to overcome obstacles in your path. Make connections to help you reach what you want. This might mean talking with friends or your professors. It might mean getting a study group together, meeting with Erica Haukap, the college counselor, or coming to the sessions available for writing, biology, and nursing support available through the Learning Center and Learning Support Services. The end of the semester is coming into view and only you can choose how to approach it.

Now is a great time to discuss your progress in your courses with your advisor. Are you achieving the grade you hoped for? Is there some way your advisor might help you directly or help you identify a resource? Our mission in the advising program is to enhance your success: academically, professionally and interpersonally. Now is a great time to work with your advisor to monitor your progress towards your goals and manage obstacles to your success.

Monday, February 16, 2009

February Advising Blog

We are well on our way into this semester’s work. If you would like to access additional support in your class, be sure to speak with your faculty member, advisor, or Learning Support Service (LSS) consultant. Erica Haukap is available as the college counselor and is an excellent resource as well.

LSS continues to offer many hours each week for academic and life skills, NUR 130 and NUR 150, NUR 200, NUR 201, and Biological Sciences Support. Furthermore, twenty hours is available each week for meeting with the Writing Center consultant. You may have noticed on the college home page that the LSS calendar is changing. Due to room 243 of the Learning Center being closed for testing and the response of large numbers of students, some of the programs have been moved to different locations around the college. These changes are posted on the bulletin board outside of room 243 and noted on the calendar by specific colors denoting the newly assigned room. (See the most recent schedule by clicking here.)

Registration is scheduled for March 24-27. Dr. Wingham will distribute the schedules for upcoming semesters. Pre-registration with your advisor falls within the March 2-20 time frame. Look for your advisor’s sign-up sheets, email, or office hours to schedule your pre-registration time for both the summer and fall ’09 terms. This is a great time to review the goals you devised in GEN 101 and with your advisor during your first semester at the college. Are you on track? If not, what can you choose to do differently to get back on course? If you are on course, congratulations, your hard work is paying off!

Our advising mission is “to enhance the success of our students; academically, professionally, and interpersonally”. Let’s work together for your success!

Friday, January 9, 2009

January Advising Blog

Welcome back to classes after what I hope was a peaceful and rejuvenating holiday break. As the weather outside can be frightful there is no better time to snuggle in and focus on studying and achieving your best in your classes.

A great way to start is to use a study calendar that can fit all your activities on it. During the first weeks of the term when all the information is coming at you at an overwhelming pace, lower your stress by placing the assignments and preparation times on your calendar. Be sure to minimally allow a couple of weeks for papers that are due by scheduling times for writing well in advance of the due date. Writing takes time and frequent review and revising. Remember to schedule your Writing Center appointments at least a week in advance of when the paper is due.

Check out the testing schedule of each of your courses. Put the test on the calendar and schedule study times. Remember back to the GEN 101 learning pyramid and book study times within the first 24-48 hours after each class, then weekly thereafter. It was just a few weeks ago that you faced comprehensive finals. Avoid the concern over remembering content from the beginning of the term by scheduling and completing consistent, regular, study intervals throughout the entire course. This can keep all the information fresh in your mind.

The most recent Learning Support Services (LSS) schedule is attached for January. The January schedule will be evaluated and alterations may be made to best accommodate students. February through April schedules will be released at a later date. Check out when LSS programs are offered and book them on your calendar. Individual appointments may also be possible. Note there are about 20 hours weekly allotted for 100 level Nursing courses, NUR 200, and NUR 201. There are 5 hours for Biological Sciences Support and 20 hours available for the Writing Center! Remember that the times designated for NUR 1 (NUR 100 level courses), NUR 200 and NUR 201 are primarily dedicated to that class group, but if no one from those classes comes during those times, the Learning Center consultants can work with you on your specific nursing or academic area of need.

For more specific information about LSS, download this link.

Friday, November 14, 2008

November Advising Blog

We are in the home stretch for this semester! The finish line is in sight and now is the time to kick in the little extra we need to take home a medal. Yes, we are tired. Yes, it takes energy. But, now is the time to forge ahead and focus on the goal.

Think of the reason you started this trek. You want to be an RN. You are so close to completing one more step along the way. Consider if you are staying on course.

  • Am I studying as much and as well as needed?
  • Am I getting enough rest so I can start each day fresh and energized?
  • Am I eating right to keep myself strong?
  • Am I using the resources available to me, including my instructors, advisor, Learning Support Services, and other students?
  • Am I taking some time to re-energize myself?
  • What would help me achieve what I want?
  • What am I willing to do?

Some ideas which might come in handy as you review this semester’s material:

  • Take breaks between study sessions – study 30-40 minutes and take a short break.
  • Make a schedule indicating what to study when. Check off each item as it is completed.
  • Be sure to allow time to review materials covered earlier in the term as well as the more recent content.
  • Get enough rest and proper nutrition. Eat finger foods on the go that have high nutritional value, rather than grabbing a candy bar.
  • Draw connections between content when possible. Give examples of the material as it applies to life.
  • Organize the content from your notes and readings so “mirror” questions can be asked and answered. Summarize each page of notes.
  • Use your support system: your advisor, faculty member, family, friends, the Learning Center including Writing Center, Learning Support Services, and Biological Support Services.
  • Continue to encourage and support one another.
  • Lastly, maintain a positive attitude. Each day provides an opportunity to reach for your dreams!

    Maureen Schwab, Assistant Professor, TCCNHS

Monday, October 6, 2008

October Advising Blog

This is the month for pre-registration meetings with your advisor. If you haven’t yet scheduled your appointment, be sure to do so soon. All students currently in GEN 101 will be sharing their life plan/goals with their advisors. Student not currently in GEN 101 will also be doing a check up on progress to their goals too. The registration process starts on October 28 for students graduating in 2009.

We are about half way through this first semester and summer is a fond memory. Gearing up for the rest of the term, now is a great time to consider using the Learning Center to help you tap into your strengths to overcome your challenges. Although you may go through your advisor for a referral, you may also stop in on your own.

The Learning Center calendar is available on your Angel homepage and posted outside the Center in room 243. Note that a few changes have occurred and the most up-to-date calendar is posted outside of the Center. To schedule a one-on-one meeting, stop by and sign up in the Writing Center Appointment Log. For nursing content support speak with Teresa Riestenberg, or Maureen Schwab. Sandy Millward is available for Biological Sciences Support.

Many students have already taken advantage of the Learning Center Annex in room 232. It is a great room for quiet individual study or group study sessions. There is a blackboard available to process out problems and thoughts kinesthetically and visually. Resource books and recent journals are also available for your use.

Friday, September 12, 2008

September Advising Blog

By now, you are hopefully settling into your classes for this semester. If you have questions or problems arise, be sure to contact your advisor who can help you navigate this college experience. Speaking of touching base, we are soon approaching the pre-registration window. Registration begins October 28 and prior to registering for the spring semester, each student must pre-register with their faculty advisor. The dates for pre-registration are October 6-24. Your advisor will be available during their office hours, so now is a good time to contact them to arrange an appointment during the time period mentioned above.

To prepare for the pre-registration meeting, take stock of how you are doing in your current classes. Review how you are taking steps towards meeting your goals. Students in GEN 101 need to remember to bring their Journal 8 goals with them to the meeting to share with their advisor and obtain the advisor’s signature. Look at your personal curriculum plan (see page 10-12 in the college catalog) and consider what courses you need to take next. Be sure to review the spring course schedule to be distributed by Dr. Wingham, Registrar, in the next several weeks.