The Racquette

Issue date: 5/8/09 Section: College Life

Lisa has enjoyed significant academic success since returning to college, even attaining the President's List one semester. What is different? "I'm now following a passion; that's the real difference," said Lisa. Drums were of interest, but Psychology is her passion. Since returning to college and receiving that first 4.0, she remembers seeing it as a sign that "Maybe I can, in fact, do this." She has had to adapt to taking notes on a keyboard, given her carpel tunnel, but has turned what some might consider a stumbling block into a study skill. To keep herself on task in class, she takes the best notes possible. She advises other students to take notes in class as if they were teaching the class. That is, if you can record and then understand the material enough that you could teach it to another student, you'll understand it enough to succeed. She advises others to use the level of detail it would take if they had to turn right around and give the lecture. Lisa has not only enjoyed academic success with this note taking skill but some financial rewards as well, as she is now a paid note taker through Accommodative Services.

Lisa's other advice is to not study for every class every night. Study for a class on the days that you are not in that particular class. This system keeps the information fresh plus it permits her to not cram later. She advises students to picture themselves as being the person to quickly and correctly answer the professor's question, "Where did we leave off"?

When she graduates, Lisa plans to turn another stumbling block into a success in that she hopes to become a substance abuse counselor. No longer in a process of disconnect, Lisa's life now reflects connection-to others, to schooling and to success.

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