Top Takeaways: Success in College Life, Career Direction & the Classroom

TOP TAKEAWAYS:  SUCCESS IN ADJUSTING TO COLLEGE LIFE

-  Every college has many social and career-focused organizations.  Figure out which groups to participate in for fun and for your future.

-  Learn what your strengths are and how to use them in stressful situations.  You already know what your weaknesses are – now figure out how to compensate for them.

-  Live life with no regrets but understand the consequences of your decisions, whether they relate to classes, your future, or personal matters.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:  SUCCESS IN PICKING A MAJOR OR CAREER PATH

-  The media shapes our impressions of what different careers are like.  Research the benefits and challenges of your major and career path by interviewing people who work in that industry, and by securing an internship in that field.

-  Keep an open mind when choosing a major or career path.  Base these decisions on your likes, dislikes, personality, and work style, rather than on the expectations placed on you by family and peers.

-  Don’t let anyone crush your dreams.  However, the riskier your dream, the better your backup plan must be.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:  SUCCESS IN THE COLLEGE CLASSROOM

-  Seek out a friend in every class you take, so you can share lecture notes and maybe even study together.

-  Develop and stick to a firm studying schedule.  Procrastinators often claim to be self-motivators and need to consider working like structure people.

-  Your professors are rooting for you to succeed.  Ask them how they would study for their own exams.  Request practice quizzes, with the answers explained in class.

Excerpt: 99 Motivators for College Success

Teacher who dropped out recalls experience to inspire at-risk students

Excellent and inspiring article for students of all ages, for this holiday season:

Tears well up in Deborah LaPlante’s eyes as she sits at the back of the Orleans Arena, watching intently as her students file one by one across the stage to receive their high school diplomas.

As with most graduations, it’s a joyful occasion. Parents are smiling, teachers are beaming and students are radiating pride and hope for the future.

LaPlante, a 51-year-old teacher at Chaparral High School, never experienced the triumph of a high school graduation. In 1976, she dropped out of Orange Glen High School in Escondido, Calif., just a few weeks into her junior year. She was 16.

Continue reading: Teacher who dropped out recalls experience to inspire at-risk students
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/jun/21/chaparral-teacher-uses-personal-experience-inspire/

The Case for Humor in the College Classroom

My light thoughts for a new semester...

As college professors nationwide prepare for a new academic year, my message for them is simple: Lighten up! Your students just might engage and learn.

I never dreamed of being a college professor. Does anybody? When my third grade teacher asked us about our dream job, Molly said an astronaut; Evan, an actor. Perry: Obtain a terminal degree and lecture on legal morasses.

Whether the subject is law or nuclear physics, every student wants a good laugh. As teacher accountability objectives collide with shorter attention spans, laughter is the secret ingredient to keep everyone on task. Humor can even be found in the most stressful situations. ...

Continue reading
The Case for Humor in the College Classroom
The Huffington Post, College Section
Perry Binder

Closing Speaker at The Future of Education conference in Florence, Italy

I was honored to present "Motivating Students Toward Success" for The Future of Education conference's 300 attendees.  This two-day conference "aims to to promote transnational cooperation and share good practice in the field of innovation for Education."  It focuses on the following thematic areas:

• Innovative Teaching and Learning Methodologies
• Education and New Technologies
• Media Education
• E-learning
• Learning Games
• Studies on Education
• Studies on Second Language Acquisition
• Art Education
• Music Education

My wrap up session was based on 99 Motivators for College Success, and was attended by higher education colleagues from around the world.  It was a fun adventure for me to interact with great people.

Closing Speech

Motivating Students towards Success

Perry Binder

Legal Studies Professor, Georgia State University and 

Author of 99 Motivators for College Success (USA)

Conference Details:

http://conference.pixel-online.net/foe2013/index.php

The 5 Best High School Graduation Gift Books

What's the lamest high school graduation gift you've seen? How about a good book instead, for college prep or just for pure fun. Hey, I had to sneak my book onto this list.

The Best High School Graduation Gift Books
via Amazon Lists