Skim through any portion of Dragons, History Professors, and Other Hazards of College Life that you have not yet read, and read more carefully the last two chapters. Of the advice given in these chapters, does anything surprise you? Of the familiar principles, what seems to you to be particularly worth reinforcing?
Thursday, May 27, 2021
How to Slay a Dragon--Or at Least Keep from Being Toasted
Skim through any portion of Dragons, History Professors, and Other Hazards of College Life that you have not yet read, and read more carefully the last two chapters. Of the advice given in these chapters, does anything surprise you? Of the familiar principles, what seems to you to be particularly worth reinforcing?
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This was an enjoyable book to read. It gave me plenty of solid reminders of college and how to succeed. I especially enjoyed the way you incorporated the dragon theme and referred to it throughout. The conclusion was superb!
ReplyDeleteHaving already been through one degree, I have taken many classes and have had a variety of professors. I am a fairly good student, so most of the time I got along rather well with my professors. A large part in that was because I was respectful towards them and I found out the interests we had in common and used those to coverse and relate. There were professors, however, that I had a hard time relating to and because of that, I did not do well in their classes. In fact, I dropped one of those classes and retook the class with another professor and received an A. If you can find a way to relate with your professors in some way or another- do it. The text backs up that piece of advice.
Financially, I agree with the text when it encourages you to apply for scholarships. Do it! Get all of the free money you can get. It helps so much. I wish I wouldn't have stopped applying for scholarships, because I am still paying off the loans of my first degree and probably will be for many years to come.
I was definitely surprised that 60% of freshmen don't return to school the next year. That number seems extremely high. But if I think about it, many of my friends from my freshman year of college did not come back. Some of them went to other schools where they finished college, but there were a few that chose not to return to school at all. All in all, students need to do what is best for them, but I do wonder that if these students received the advice included in the dragons text would they have made different choices or looked at things from a different point of view or been able to succeed more easily? -Reeba Sullivan
Reeba,
DeleteApplying for scholarship after scholarship is the way.
Ebonie
Hi Ancient Art,
ReplyDeleteNice book you got here. I liked your honesty and how you really care about your students. Your personality shines through. Of the chapters I’ve read in this book, I wouldn’t say anything stood out as surprising but the dressing formally part advice. I don’t think dressing more formal than others is offsetting, I think it is the other way around. It is offsetting when people don’t care about their appearance. I find a more expressive person easier to approach too. Otherwise, I think the rest of the book has many words of advice that I would enforce. I recommend that students work a small position, if that’s a part time job or a work study job while enrolled in classes and attending college. I think having some money on the side takes a lot of stresses away from the personal college perspective. Like going out with friends and traveling on vacations. I also liked the time management unit. We’re going to need to make our time slot in college, so invest in time management tools like a planner or sticky notes or a dry erase board. Don’t transfer and make good friends that for well with your personality. Don’t hot out in your dorms and don’t let anxiety or depression keep you from living your best college experience! I was falling behind in classes, so I had to stop working altogether, but that’s fine when things get difficult because God got your back and he told us not to worry about nothing!
Thank you,
Harmony Mariar
Harmony,
DeleteAmen!!!
Ebonie
These last two chapters sound about right — school is expensive and about 40% will graduate. College can be extremely rough if we’re not prepared: mentally, financially, spiritually, and emotionally. We must have a plan on how we’ll tackle our assignments, pay for school, adapt to teacher’s teaching and grading style — as well as how we’ll graduate. But, if we as students remember to create a plan, continue to evaluate and adjust our plan as we progress, and to never give when obstacles occur— we’ll find our way to the finish line before we know it.
ReplyDeleteBut, after reading these two chapters I would say I’ll have to reinforce—- create a plan and execute the plan; rather it’s a financial plan or an academic plan— students plans must be enforced in order to graduate.
Ebonie